Waddle's World

Steelers at Jets

A HUGE mismatch in the meadowlands as the Steelers visit the Jets. And whatta ya say we start with the Jets ineptitude. At 1 and 8, they've already lost 2 more games this year than all of last year. They're working on a 6 game losing streak, they rank dead last in run defense, they have a league worst 9 sacks, Free Agent bonus baby Thomas Jones doesn't have a single touchdown, and now they've handed the keys to Yugo to Kellen Clemens. Kellen, Id like you to meet the Steelers…..theyre leagues top rated defense, they haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in 34 straight games….and oh yeah, they love to sack quarterbacks. I could go on and gush about the balanced Pittsburgh offense that averages 151 on the ground and 206 thru the air, or the fact that Ben Rothlesberger is blossoming into a star having thrown a touchdown pass in 14 straight games and 22 on the season versus 7 interceptions for a 110 quarterback rating. But, I think that's probably over doing it. On the bright side, Leon Washington should rack up a ton of return yards against the Steelers coverage teams that struggled with Josh Cribbs last week. This ones gonna be a laugher….Steelers get to 8 and 2 without breaking a sweat.



Raiders at Vikings

Alright, the Raiders visit the Vikings this weekend, and Ive got a voluntary root canal scheduled, so lets make this quick. The Raiders have lost 5 straight, and 16 of their last 18. The Vikings are without rookie sensation Adrian Peterson, who's accounted for 45% of their total offense. The Raiders are averaging 11 points per game during their losing streak. The Vikings have the worst pass defense in the NFL. The Raiders will start Dante Culppepper. The Vikings answer with Tavarus Jackson. They've combined for 6 touchdown passes on the season. I could go on like this for HOURS. Its actually depressing to go over all the numbers in this one. Lets talk concepts: The Raiders cant throw the football, and play horrible run defense. The Vikings cant throw the ball, but with Chester Taylor still in the mix, they still have a solid running game. The Raiders do one thing well: run the ball. Unfortunately for them, the Vikings 3rd ranked run defense is one their few bright lights. The Raiders have lost 31 of their last 35 road games. This ones at the Metrodome. When I say I like the Vikings, I don't really like the Vikings, and just think they are the lesser of the two evil. Go Vikings



Giants at Detroit

If you ask me, Id say the Giants visiting the Lions is the game of the week for week 11. Both are 6 and 3, both are 2 games back in their respective divisions, and both had their cans kicked last week. If you've learned one thing about me over the last 10 weeks it would be what? No, not my love of long walks on the beach……I'm all about matchups. And the matchups spell disaster for the home team. The lions have a very explosive passing attack, but No quarterback in the league has been sacked more than Detroits' Jon Kitna. He's been dropped 37 times this season. The Giants are the NFL's sack leaders with a combined 32 takedowns. The Lions struggle to defend the pass, ranking 30th and allowing 257 yards per Sunday. Eli Manning comes at you with Amani Toomer, Jeremy SHockey, and Plaxico Burress. Burress has 8 touchdown catches on the season and a 6 inch height advantage over both the Lions starting corners. The Lions defense has lived by the big play this year, leading the NFC with 15 interceptions and 28 total takeaways. The Giants will answer with a ground and pound running game that averages 134 yards per game and can break your spirit. And so much for Mike Martz's new found dedication to his ground game. The Lions ran it 8 times for minus 18 yards last week against the Cardinals, a modern day NFL mark for single game rushing futility. The cracks are starting to show thru this Detroit foundation. I like the Giants on the road.



Saints at Texans

An interesting meeting in Houston this weekend as the Saints visit the Texans. It's the first meeting between the number 1 and number 2 picks from last years draft. Mario Williams and Reggie Bush has both ridden the roller coaster early in their career: Williams still getting used to 330 pound, cat like quick offensive tackles, and Reggie Bush still learning that the pace on Sundays is light years faster than that of Saturday. Both will play a role in the outcome, but neither will be the focal point. The Saints go as Drew Brees goes, and he's picked it up after a miserable first month of the season. Brees has 13 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions in his last 5 games. When given time, he can dissect a defense with the best of 'em, but you rush him, and he'll throw it up for grabs. The Texans aren't getting a lot of pressure of late, they have only 1 sack per game over the last 5 weeks. A decimated Houston secondary will further help the cause for Brees and his group of receivers. As for the Texans offense, they too have been directly affected by injuries, but coming off the bye, they should be as healthier than they've been in weeks. The Texans are 2 and 5 in their last 7 games, their 2 wins are against the Dolphins and Raiders. Enuff said. I like the saints on the road.

Patriots at Bills

A few weeks ago the Patriots at the Bills looked like just another Patriot mauling, but how bout these Bills?! They've won 4 in a row and 5 of their last 6! Alright, its still gonna be a mauling. Even when they haven't resembled the "Justice League", the Patriots have dominated the Bills, winning 8 straight and 13 of the last 14 in this series. The Patriots are 9 and 0, coming off the bye and should be as dominant as ever. The numbers are sick: The Pats are averaging 429 yards and 39 points per Sunday. They're no shrinking violets on defense either, allowing 275 yards and 16 points per contest. The Bills come into this one a little short handed. Rookie sensation Marshawn Lynch is questionable with a bad ankle, and his limited capacity could spell disaster for JP Losman who will feel the wrath of a Patriot pass rush that has spent many an afternoon in the opponents backfield. I've said it for weeks, and it bears repeating, Dick Jauron is working miracles with his Bills. Not only are they young, but they've been less than full strength for the entire season and yet they ve found a way to get to 5 and 4 and be a factor. Well, the fairytale takes a week off this week. As usual, the Bills will play with the heart of a champion, but it wont be enuff. Heck, it wont be enuff to keep it close for a half. I'm sure you'll be surprised that I like the Patriots on the road.

Redskins at cowboys

A nice NFC East matchup in Dallas this weekend as the Cowboys host the Redskins. The Cowboys are riding high after thumping the Giants for the second time this season. They sit at 8 and 1 and are the best the NFC has to offer by a large margin. The Skins, on the other hand, are coming off a heart breaking loss to the Eagles that dropped them to 5 and 4. The loss was made even more disheartening by the sudden emergence of a passing game. For the first time all year, a Redskin wide receiver caught a touchdown pass, 3 in fact, and yet they STILL lost. With that said, the Cowboys will focus more on Clinton Portis and the Redskin running game. Portis has rushed for 333 yards over the last 2 weeks, hence the improvement from Jason Campbell. The Skins will face a little stiffer challenge from the Cowboys who allow just 87 yards per game on the ground. The Redskin defense will also have their hands full as they try and slow down a Cowboys offense that is averaging 400 yards and 33 points per Sunday. Im not sure anyone in the NFC wants to step in front of this Cowboy freight train right now. They will make it 9 of 10 this week in "BIG D".

Cards at Bengals

Buckle up for a barn burner in the Queen City this weekend as the Cardinals visit the Bengals. Both teams look to make it 2 in a row as the Cardinals are coming off a shellacking of the Lions while the Bengals kicked 7 field goals to win a "snore-fest" in Baltimore. Back in week one, I never believed I would utter these words, at this time, but, I like the Cardinals in this one. The Bengals defense is dreadful, ranking 27th against the run and 28th defending the pass. That leads me to believe Edgerrrin James will have his 1st 100 yard afternoon since week 2 and Larry Fitzgerald will have his 3rd 100 yard receiving game of the season. A much improved Cardinal defense will definitely be up for the challenge against a one dimensional Bengals attack. I say the tough times continue for Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati. I like the Cardinals on the road.



Panthers at Green Bay

The Panthers visit the packers this week, and since they're on the road, I guess that means they actually have a chance in this one. Remarkably, Carolina has not won a home game all season, and are 4 and 1 on the road. As for the Pack, they continue to roll. They shut out the Vikings last week to move to 8 and 1 on the season. And the story keeps getting better in Green Bay. The defense now ranks 2nd in points allowed and Ryan Grant has provided a spark in the running game. Grant ran for 119 yards last week against a stingy Vikings front 7. It was Grant's 2nd 100 yard effort in 3 weeks, and his development has taken a little pressure off of the ageless Brett Farve. Farve has thrown for more than 300 yards in 6 of their 9 games this year. I expect him to make it 7 of 10 against the Panthers who cant find their way to opposing quarterbacks. A front 4 that includes Julius Peppers, Kris Jenkins, and Mike Rucker should have more than 9 sacks. Peppers has just a sack and a half this year. The disappointing defense and issues at QB have derailed this Carolina team. Even the great Steve Smith has been rendered harmless because of the disasterous quarterback situation. I cant believe Im saying this, but the Packers move to 9 and 1.



Chiefs at Indy

Lets cut to the chase and call it like it is… The Kansas City Chiefs are coming to Indianapolis this weekend to endure the wrath of a Colts team that has lost 2 straight. Its not a healthy Colts team, but it is an angry group of young horses, that has no intentions of making it 3 straight for the first time since 2002. Dwight Freeney is the lastest Colt casualty, as he is expected to miss the next several weeks with a foot injury. Even at half strength, though, Indy should be able to contain the Chiefs. Brody Croyle gets the start fro the 30th ranked offense, and he'll turn and hand it to Priest Holms who's carried it 27 times in 2 years. Its hard to believe Croyle will have much success against a very good, very underated Colts defense. The Colts rank 3rd in overall defense, allowing just 270 yards and 17 points per Sunday. As for Peyton Manning and that Colt offense, we're gonna pretend last Sunday night didn't happen. Manning suffered through a miserable, 6 interception performance, that I will call a fluke and will most certainly never happen again. I could stand here and tell you it was because he was missing Marvin Harrison, Anthony Gonzales, and Dallas Clark, but one of the all time greats doesn't need little ole me making excuses for him. I say Manning and the Colts bounce back, with our without several of their key players. Who thought running the ball and playing great defense was the formula for success for the Colts.. I like Indy at home Dolphins/Eagles



On the surface, The Dolphins-Eagles tilt in Philly this weekend would seem about as compelling as one of those bookclub gatherings. But, as usual, Im here to dress this pig up. First of all, the Dolphins are the only winless team left in the NFL, so we've got that going for us. And now the yearly Ricky Williams distraction is back. It looked as if Ricky's career was up 'n smoke, but that all changed when commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him Wednesday morning. Obviously he wont be ready this weekend, but I thought you'd like to know about this development. It also looks like the Cleo Lemon era has come to an end. Cam Cameron has named John Beck the starter for this one. The rookie 2nd-round pick from BYU will make his first NFL start against an Eagles team that saved THEIR season with a come-from-behind victory last week in Washington. Donovan McNabb threw 4 td passes and Brian Westbrook was his brilliant self. Westbrook now has over 1,200 total yards and 9 touchdowns on the season. And that doesn't bode well for a Dolphins defense that allows 29 PPG and cant stop the run. The Eagles front 7 will have Beck on the run from the opening snap as they cruise to an easy victory at home.

Rams/49er

You don't wanna miss the action in San Francisco this weekend as the 2-7 49ers host the 1 and 8 Rams. Now you may call me crazy for saying this, but I actually thinks the Rams are gonna win a few games in the 2nd half of the season. They got off the schnide last week in New Orleans as Marc Bulger threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Jackson also got on track, running AND throwing for scores. This week they face a 49ers squad that can't do anything right. After a solid start, their defense has fallen apart. They're giving up 28 points per Sunday over the last 4 weeks. .Much of that has to do with being left on the field all afternoon. To say the offense has been offensive is being kind. They are brutal. 13 points per game obviously ranks them last in the NFL. Thru the air, they average 132 yards per Sunday, good for last place. 224 yards of total offense per game. . You guessed it-DEAD LAST. The Niners have lost 7 straight….make it 8! I Never thought I'd utter the following words: but I like the Rams on the road.

Buccaneers/Falcons

A heavyweight matchup in the NFC South Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Dome as the Falcons host the division leading Buccaneers. As shocking as it may sound, with a victory, these Falcons can move within a game of the first-place Bucs. That just doesn't sound possible, does it. Well, don't get all giggly, cuz its not gonna happen. Tampa Bay is getting by with strong defense and mistake free offense. They rank 3rd in the NFL, allowing just 16 points per Sunday. Their secondary has been stellar, allowing 173 passing yards per game, also 3rd best in the league. That spells trouble for a Joey Harrington-led offense that averages 15 points per Sunday. They don't thrown the ball well. They don't run the ball particularly well. They don't stop the run all that well either. Don't let the 2-game win streak fool you. They eeked out a home win over a bad Niners team and then went on the road and beat the Panthers, who haven't won at home since November of last year. Keep the women and children away from the TV, this one's gonna be ugly. It's a shame I cant take this one in, gotta a big crochet class I have to teach. The Bucs grind it out on the road. .

Chargers/Jaguars

A good one this weekend in Jacksonville as the AFC West leading Chargers visit the Jags. San Diego did everything humanly possibly to blow a 23-point lead Sunday night against the Colts but found a way to win anyway. These Chargers still have me scratching my head. They're not getting enuff outta Phillip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson's 4.2 yards per carry have been un-Tomlinson-like. Their defense is loaded with talent, but they allow close to 360 yards per game, which ranks 27th in the league. And where would they be without cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who leads the NFL with 6 interceptions and comes up with big plays every single week. The Jaguars, as I so boldly predicted, went into Nashville and beat up the Titans last week. They will look to build on that performance by doing what they do best: run the rock. Maurice Jones-Drew leads the leagues 3rd- best rushing attack with an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. He wont have to do it alone as David Gerrard is expected back under center, which should improve their anemic passing game. . This game is gonna be a slugfest, and no one gets down and dirty like The Jags. It wont be pretty or easy, but they will defend their home turf. I like Jacksonville in a squeaker.

Browns/Ravens

It's an AFC North battle in Baltimore Sunday afternoon as the surprising Browns visit the struggling Ravens. The Browns have been one of the league's best stories. They are 4th in the nfl in scoring, lighting up the scoreboard for 28 per game. And pick your poison: They can load up Jamaal Lewis and grind it out, or ask Derek Anderson to air it out. Anderson has been a revelation, throwing for more than 2,200 yds and 20 touchdowns. He and Braylon Edwards have hooked up for 10 scores. Throw tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and Joe Jurevisious into the mix, and an aging Ravens secondary is gonna have their hands full. The Browns special teams have also been excellent. Josh Cribbs single-handedly kept them in the game against the Steelers last week with 223 return yards. But, its not all blue skies and sunshine for these Browns. Unfortunately, they also have to play defense. And Their defense is dreadful. They allow a league high 29 points per game. Fortunately for them, they'll face a Ravens offense that has also been awful. Brian Billick coordinates group that lights it up for 15 per game. Kyle Boller gets the call as Steve McNair sits out with a bad shoulder. But does it really matter who plays quarterback for Baltimore-they can't score. Their best bet is to give the ball to Willis McGahee 25-30 times and try to wear down a Browns front 7 that allows 140 yards per game on the ground. The Ravens can't seem to get it together and it won't happen this weekend either. I like the Browns to sweep the season series and stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race.

Titans/Broncos

The Broncos host Monday Night Football for the second time in four weeks as the Tennessee Titans come to town. Jeff Fisher's game plan is simple: Run the ball, and play defense. The have the 4th ranked running attack AND the leagues 4th best run defense. Fischer will ask his young quarterback to merely manage the offense and limit his mistakes. Vince Young has struggled throwing for just over 1100 yards with 10 interceptions this season. They'll be more than happy to keep the ball on the ground against Denver's 31st ranked rush defense. The Broncos may have saved their season last week in Kansas City, as they dominated the Chiefs en route to a 27-11 victory. The formula for them is simple as well : establish the run and set up the play action pass for 2nd-year quarterback Jay Cutler, who also has struggled a bit in his Sophomore season. Mile High may not provide the enormous home-field advantage it used to, but it's still a very difficult place to play. And it will be rockin' on for Monday night game that could get the Broncos right back in AFC West race . I like the Broncos to come away with a hard-fought victory.