<h2>Ron Raymond’s Two-Minute Warnings</h2>
Hi Folks,
<p>
I’ve done my research for this weekend and here’s some interesting facts I’ve found out while doing my research.
<p>
<h2>Week 5</h2>
<p>
<b>Tennessee –1.0 vs. New England:</b> Probably the toughest game on the board to handicap this week along with the Dolphins vs. Giants game. Neither teams turns the ball over and both are spearheaded by very good head coaches. If there was an edge, it might go to the Titans because of all the injuries the Pats have on defense. However, home field advantage might come into play for the Patriots. Flip that coin!
<p>
<b>Cincinnati vs. Buffalo –8.0:</b> Despite their first lost to Denver 30-10, the Bengals haven’t really looked that bad since. In fact, had it not been for a blown assignment on special teams vs. Pittsburgh and 2 bad INT’s in the Raiders game, Cinci could be 3-1 instead of 1-3. Should be interesting, as neither team can run the ball, so it come down to Kitna vs. Bledsoe in an aerial attack and Cinci’s pass defense ranks 8th, but Buffalo ranks 3rd in defending the pass. Who ever wins the first downs and turnover wars, will win this game.
<p>
<b>Miami vs. NYG PK:</b> Who would have thought the Giants would have the worst defense in the league by Week 5? If Miami can throw the ball, it could be a long day for the G-Men and they have to contain Ricky Williams as well. Both teams coming off a bye, so they’ve had time to put a game plan together.
<p>
<b>Seattle vs. Green Bay –2.5:</b> Seattle has played 1 road game (Arizona) and they’ve beaten New Orleans and St.Louis. Green Bay are coming off a Monday Night win and if they can run the ball vs. Seattle defense, it could be a long day for the Seahawks. If Seattle can win in this spot on the road, they can book playoff tickets in Seattle.
<p>
<b>Oakland –4.0 vs. Chicago:</b> I’ve seen this line down to –3.0 at some places and I don’t know what to make of this line. Chicago is just horrible on offense and Urlacher has no supporting cast on defense. If Oakland can get the ball into Charlie Garner’s hands, they shouldn’t have a problem here, but Oakland is suffering from Super Bowl hangover and they haven’t looked good at all this season.
<p>
<b>New Orleans vs. Carolina –6.5:</b> The Saints were embarrassed on national TV last Sunday night and the players had a “players only” meeting after that game and aired out their dirty laundry. Will that make a difference? Not sure, but if they don’t respond vs. Carolina, those players meetings won’t mean nothing and Haslett is out the door. Hate laying that many points on a team that depends on defense and special teams so heavily.
<p>
<b>Minnesota –4.0 vs. Atlanta:</b> Here’s another line that makes you wonder! Had this game been played in Minnesota it would be hovering around 9 or 10. There’s only so much head coach Dan Reeves can do with a 2nd string QB at best vs. a quality team vs. Minnesota. Nevertheless, for Atlanta to keep it close, they need to find a running game, chew the clock and hope for a few turnovers.
<p>
<b>Denver vs. Kansas City –3.5:</b> AFC Championship game in week 5, got to love it! The last time the Chiefs blew out the Broncos was Dec 17, 2000 and over the last 5 meetings, either Denver has won the game SU or it’s been decided by a field goal or less. Everybody thought Plummer would fail early, but it’s been the opposite, he’s taken the Broncos to 4-0 and the snake has returned!
<p>
<b>Arizona vs. Dallas –7.5:</b> Must be the weekend of playing against old foes! Emmit Smith returns to Dallas, but I can assure you Bill Parcells will motivate his players on how Emmit thought he was the diamond on a bad football team and he showed no respect for his old teammates. Everybody thought Dallas would win less than 5 or 6 games this season, but Parcells is making Jerry Jones look like a genius at this point. Dallas always had a solid defense, not a great defense, but Quincy Carter has made the big plays when needed and he moves the chains. If Arizona can eliminate their turnovers, they might keep it close, but those turnovers and penalties will kill a team!
<p>
<b>San Diego vs. Jacksonville –3.0:</b> My first choice when I saw this line was Jacksonville all the way and with Taylor in the backfield, they shouldn’t have a problem. However, after reading Brunell will be backing up Leftwich in this game and he’s healthy, this tells me Del Rio is taking orders from the owner and doesn’t want to give his Jags a chance to win. You don’t sit a vet like Brunell in front of his peers and replace him with a rookie QB. Seems the David Boston situation is somewhat settled in San Diego and players have accepted his tantrum and will move along with the season. But for how long till he erupts again? Watch for Marty ball this weekend.
<p>
<b>Washington vs. Philadelphia –5.5:</b> If you have the patience to support the Redskins and their penalties, then you’re a stronger person than I am! There’s nothing worst watching a team kill themselves with penalties and I thought the Raiders were black and silver, not red, white and yellow. Washington has been involved in 4 games now that has been decided by a field goal and which Eagles team will show up at the “Linc” this weekend?
<p>
<b>Detroit vs. San Francisco –7.0:</b> So, how long before we see the new Terrel Owens book “Throw Me The Damn Ball Too” and wouldn’t be surprised if it’s co-authored by Keyshawn Johnson. However, the worst part about this, he’s right! There’s something wrong with Garcia, he’s not scrambling or the offensive coordinator is not using the playbook to his advantage, Garcia needs to be rolling out or passing off play action. If Harrington is healthy, rumor has it he has a sore shoulder, but I wouldn’t be surprise if the Lions gut one out for Mooch here.
<p>
<b>Indianapolis vs. Tampa Bay –4.5:</b> Is this a Super Bowl preview? The knock on Manning is he can’t win the big game and I now that I think about it, the reason the line was –2.0 for Indy last week vs. the Saints, I’m assuming the linemakers were thinking the Colts were looking ahead, but that’s the not the case. Big test for the Colts, as the Bucs are the best team in the NFL and until Manning can win in a big game and on a spotlight event like MNF, there will always be a doubt.
<p>
Ron Raymond
Hi Folks,
<p>
I’ve done my research for this weekend and here’s some interesting facts I’ve found out while doing my research.
<p>
<h2>Week 5</h2>
<p>
<b>Tennessee –1.0 vs. New England:</b> Probably the toughest game on the board to handicap this week along with the Dolphins vs. Giants game. Neither teams turns the ball over and both are spearheaded by very good head coaches. If there was an edge, it might go to the Titans because of all the injuries the Pats have on defense. However, home field advantage might come into play for the Patriots. Flip that coin!
<p>
<b>Cincinnati vs. Buffalo –8.0:</b> Despite their first lost to Denver 30-10, the Bengals haven’t really looked that bad since. In fact, had it not been for a blown assignment on special teams vs. Pittsburgh and 2 bad INT’s in the Raiders game, Cinci could be 3-1 instead of 1-3. Should be interesting, as neither team can run the ball, so it come down to Kitna vs. Bledsoe in an aerial attack and Cinci’s pass defense ranks 8th, but Buffalo ranks 3rd in defending the pass. Who ever wins the first downs and turnover wars, will win this game.
<p>
<b>Miami vs. NYG PK:</b> Who would have thought the Giants would have the worst defense in the league by Week 5? If Miami can throw the ball, it could be a long day for the G-Men and they have to contain Ricky Williams as well. Both teams coming off a bye, so they’ve had time to put a game plan together.
<p>
<b>Seattle vs. Green Bay –2.5:</b> Seattle has played 1 road game (Arizona) and they’ve beaten New Orleans and St.Louis. Green Bay are coming off a Monday Night win and if they can run the ball vs. Seattle defense, it could be a long day for the Seahawks. If Seattle can win in this spot on the road, they can book playoff tickets in Seattle.
<p>
<b>Oakland –4.0 vs. Chicago:</b> I’ve seen this line down to –3.0 at some places and I don’t know what to make of this line. Chicago is just horrible on offense and Urlacher has no supporting cast on defense. If Oakland can get the ball into Charlie Garner’s hands, they shouldn’t have a problem here, but Oakland is suffering from Super Bowl hangover and they haven’t looked good at all this season.
<p>
<b>New Orleans vs. Carolina –6.5:</b> The Saints were embarrassed on national TV last Sunday night and the players had a “players only” meeting after that game and aired out their dirty laundry. Will that make a difference? Not sure, but if they don’t respond vs. Carolina, those players meetings won’t mean nothing and Haslett is out the door. Hate laying that many points on a team that depends on defense and special teams so heavily.
<p>
<b>Minnesota –4.0 vs. Atlanta:</b> Here’s another line that makes you wonder! Had this game been played in Minnesota it would be hovering around 9 or 10. There’s only so much head coach Dan Reeves can do with a 2nd string QB at best vs. a quality team vs. Minnesota. Nevertheless, for Atlanta to keep it close, they need to find a running game, chew the clock and hope for a few turnovers.
<p>
<b>Denver vs. Kansas City –3.5:</b> AFC Championship game in week 5, got to love it! The last time the Chiefs blew out the Broncos was Dec 17, 2000 and over the last 5 meetings, either Denver has won the game SU or it’s been decided by a field goal or less. Everybody thought Plummer would fail early, but it’s been the opposite, he’s taken the Broncos to 4-0 and the snake has returned!
<p>
<b>Arizona vs. Dallas –7.5:</b> Must be the weekend of playing against old foes! Emmit Smith returns to Dallas, but I can assure you Bill Parcells will motivate his players on how Emmit thought he was the diamond on a bad football team and he showed no respect for his old teammates. Everybody thought Dallas would win less than 5 or 6 games this season, but Parcells is making Jerry Jones look like a genius at this point. Dallas always had a solid defense, not a great defense, but Quincy Carter has made the big plays when needed and he moves the chains. If Arizona can eliminate their turnovers, they might keep it close, but those turnovers and penalties will kill a team!
<p>
<b>San Diego vs. Jacksonville –3.0:</b> My first choice when I saw this line was Jacksonville all the way and with Taylor in the backfield, they shouldn’t have a problem. However, after reading Brunell will be backing up Leftwich in this game and he’s healthy, this tells me Del Rio is taking orders from the owner and doesn’t want to give his Jags a chance to win. You don’t sit a vet like Brunell in front of his peers and replace him with a rookie QB. Seems the David Boston situation is somewhat settled in San Diego and players have accepted his tantrum and will move along with the season. But for how long till he erupts again? Watch for Marty ball this weekend.
<p>
<b>Washington vs. Philadelphia –5.5:</b> If you have the patience to support the Redskins and their penalties, then you’re a stronger person than I am! There’s nothing worst watching a team kill themselves with penalties and I thought the Raiders were black and silver, not red, white and yellow. Washington has been involved in 4 games now that has been decided by a field goal and which Eagles team will show up at the “Linc” this weekend?
<p>
<b>Detroit vs. San Francisco –7.0:</b> So, how long before we see the new Terrel Owens book “Throw Me The Damn Ball Too” and wouldn’t be surprised if it’s co-authored by Keyshawn Johnson. However, the worst part about this, he’s right! There’s something wrong with Garcia, he’s not scrambling or the offensive coordinator is not using the playbook to his advantage, Garcia needs to be rolling out or passing off play action. If Harrington is healthy, rumor has it he has a sore shoulder, but I wouldn’t be surprise if the Lions gut one out for Mooch here.
<p>
<b>Indianapolis vs. Tampa Bay –4.5:</b> Is this a Super Bowl preview? The knock on Manning is he can’t win the big game and I now that I think about it, the reason the line was –2.0 for Indy last week vs. the Saints, I’m assuming the linemakers were thinking the Colts were looking ahead, but that’s the not the case. Big test for the Colts, as the Bucs are the best team in the NFL and until Manning can win in a big game and on a spotlight event like MNF, there will always be a doubt.
<p>
Ron Raymond
