Estimated read time: 10-11 minutes
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SALT LAKE CITY -- Tim Tebow. Why else would you want to watch a game where both teams are a combined 1-9?
Here are this week's must see games:
Denver Broncos (1-4) at Miami Dolphins (0-5) - 8.8
Tebow. That is the only reason you need to watch this game. Tim Tebow was named the Broncos starter nearly two weeks ago and has since had time to prep and gain the trust of those who doubt him. The timing of Tebow's start couldn't be better. In addition of Miami being winless, it is planning "Gator Appreciation Day" in honor of his return to Florida. Thousands of Tebow fans are expected to cheer on their hero.
The Dolphins are coming off a loss to the Jets where their offense wasn't able to find the end zone. Leading 3-0 and driving, Miami had a chance to increase their lead to double digits but threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. After that, the Dolphins weren't able to recover and might not be able to recovery this season if they don't turn things around soon.
Washington Redskins (3-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-5) - 8.5
I'm sure you wondering why this is the highest rated game this week. In a word: Quarterbacks. We're well aware of Cam Newton and his impressive stats so far this season. We're always anxious to see him play each week, but he hasn't been able to win very many games so far. However, Newton is out of the spotlight this week as the Redskins quarterback situations takes center stage.
John Beck is starting his first NFL game since 2007 after Rex Grossman was benched last week after throwing four picks. Grossman won the job in preseason and played well early but his recent poor performance led head coach Mike Shanahan to make the switch. Expect Beck to have a short leash this game, but he should be able to lead Washington over Carolina barring a turnover catastrophe. A win puts the Redskins in a tie for first place in the NFC East.
San Diego Chargers (4-1) at New York Jets (3-3) - 8.2
San Diego is coming off a bye last week and should be well rested to play the Jets in the Meadowlands this weekend. The Jets ended a three game losing streak by ousting Miami on Monday night. Darrelle Revis sparked the Jets and led them to victory with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter. Revis added another interception later in the game to go along with three tackles.
The Chargers only loss came in week two to New England but has won three straight since. However, they are only 1-1 on the road this year and have to travel across the country again. This will be a good test for both teams to see how they stack up against top competition in the AFC. A loss won't be as devastating for the Chargers but could send the Jets year into a tailspin.
Atlanta Falcons (3-3) at Detroit Lions (5-1) - 8.1
The Lions lost their first game of the year and first game since early last December. Detroit led for most of the fourth quarter but gave up ten late points to lose by six. Matt Stafford threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns and Calvin Johnson caught seven passes for 113 yards but no touchdowns. A win against a good Falcons team would be huge for Detroit and give them confidence to continue their magical season.
Atlanta finally played a complete game winning by 14 over the Panthers. Michael Turner ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns and Matt Ryan threw and ran for a touchdown each. The Falcon defense intercepted Newton three times but the most impressive part of is the 17 fourth quarter points Atlanta scored to win. A win for Atlanta could give them an edge needed to get things going but a loss for Detroit could be the start of a slippery slope.
Chicago Bears (3-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) - 7.8
Tampa Bay is the only team with a winning record but has been outscored by a total of 32 points so far this year. Last week the Buccaneers came up with a huge win at home against the Saints. Josh Freeman threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns and Earnest Graham ran for 109 yards to lead Tamp Bay to victory. The Bucs defense forced the Saints into four turnovers and kept the visitors off balance throughout the game.
Chicago pounded Minnesota scoring 16 points in the first quarter and never letting up. The Chicago defense played well holding Adrian Peterson to only 39 yards rushing. Devin Hester returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter for his fifth career kickoff return and Jay Cutler threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) at Oakland Raiders (4-2) - 7.3
The Raiders were victorious last week against Cleveland but it came at a price. Oakland lost starting quarterback Jason Campbell to a serious shoulder injury and traded two first round draft picks to Cincinnati for Carson Palmer. Palmer had been holding out and refusing to play for the Bengals, but can now suit up in the silver and black. Palmer will start with only a few days of practice but the game plan shouldn't be too difficult, just hand the ball of to Darren McFadden who's leading the league in rushing.
The Chiefs haven't lost in the past three weeks. Last week was a bye but in the previous two weeks they played the Colts and Vikings who have a combined record of 1-11. Kansas City is ranked sixth in the league in rushing averaging 127.4 ypg as a team. Look for Oakland to roll but tune in to see what Carson Palmer can do.
Houston Texans (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (3-2) - 6.9
The Texans and the Titans are the top two teams in the AFC South meaning that this week's game holds great importance in the race for the division title. Tennessee is coming off of a bye week after losing to the Steelers. Matt Hasselbeck has been solid for the Titans despite Chris Johnson's ineffectiveness running the ball. The Titans are still last in the league in rushing but Hasselbeck has the offense ranked in the top ten in passing offense.
Houston has dropped two straight games and seriously need to get back on track before the wheels fall off. Andre Johnson is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game due to a hamstring injury. If Johnson isn't able to play, look for Houston to rely heavily on the run than usual. The Texans are ranked seventh in the league in rushing behind Arian Foster and Ben Tate.
Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-5) - 6.6
Christian Ponder was named starter this week for the Vikings after Donavan McNabb wasn't able to produce in the first six games of the year. Ponder threw for 99 yards in relief of McNabb leading the Viking offense. Adrian Peterson ran for only 39 yards as Minnesota was completely dominated in every facet of the game.
Green Bay has won each game by an average of nearly two touchdowns. The Mean Green Machine has not lost a game in over ten months. They won their final two regular season games last year, all four playoff games including the Super Bowl, all three preseason games this year, and they're 6-0 thus far in 2011. That's 15-0. Look for Aaron Rodgers to have another outstanding performance and boost his MVP stock as he leads the Packers to their 16th straight victory.
Baltimore Ravens (4-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) - 6.1
Jacksonville looked to prove all doubters wrong after an opening weekend victory but has since dropped five straight. Now the Jaguars are trying to acclimate a rookie quarterback and prepare for the future while not destroying the present. Jacksonville is last in the league in passing offense but is ranked in the top ten in rushing offense. Last week the Jags lost to Pittsburgh and unfortunately this week's match up isn't any easier.
The Ravens tout the league's best defense and are winners of three straight. Joe Flacco's offense is averaging over 32 points per game with the help of Ray Rice who leads the team in rushing and is second in receiving. This game is on Monday night so at least tune in just because it's the only game on.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) at Arizona Cardinals (1-4) - 6.1
With the addition of Kevin Kolb, Arizona looked to be poised for another breakout year. However, quite the opposite has happened. The Cardinals are near the bottom of the worst division in the league and hit a new low two weeks ago when they lost to Minnesota giving them there only win of the year so far. Previous to that the Cards had lost three games by eight points. After a bye week Arizona hopes to get revenge for Super Bowl XLIII against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has won two in a row and has the No. 1 ranked pass defense in the league. Last week Ben Roethlisberger threw for 200 yards and a touchdown and Rashard Mendenhall ran for 146 yards and a touchdown. Mike Wallace is fourth in the league in receiving yards so far averaging 102 ypg.
Indianapolis Colts (0-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-2) - 5.4
The Saints are second in the league in passing offense but are coming off of a tough loss at Tampa Bay last week. New Orleans turned the ball over four times including three interceptions from Drew Brees. The Saints are now tied with the Bucs for the lead in the NFC South. Jimmy Graham has been Brees No. 1 target this year and is currently third in the league in receiving yards. Brees has thrown for 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions so far.
The Colts have been looking more miserable every week, but last week showed some hope for the future. Indianapolis trailed by 13 heading into the fourth quarter and rallied to pull the game within three but couldn't get any closer than that. Dallas Clark was spotted scoring a 1-yard touchdown off a pass from Curtis Painter. Clark hasn't been very productive without Peyton Manning under center. This Sunday night Super Bowl XLIV rematch has lost some luster, but should still be exciting.
St. Louis Rams (0-5) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3) - 5.0
St. Louis hasn't won a game and Dallas feels that they should be undefeated. All three of the Cowboys losses have been by a combined 11 points. Also, in the three losses Tony Romo has thrown a total of five interceptions and the team has blown a fourth quarter lead in each game. If Dallas doesn't win this weekend look for there to be severe consequences somewhere within the organization.
The Rams have been outscored by a total of 88 points in their five losses. They haven't been able to get any offense going or stop anyone on defense. Sam Bradford has only thrown three touchdowns so far and has bothered by injuries this season. Reports are uncertain who will start Sunday, Bradford or A.J. Feely. But, whoever starts don't expect them to win.
Seattle Seahawks (2-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-3) - 4.7
This game features a few of the world's greatest college football icons. Former Texas great Colt McCoy leads the Browns who are looking to snap a two-game losing streak. McCoy is averaging nearly 240 ypg and has thrown for eight touchdowns. Peyton Hillis may be suffering from the Madden NFL '12 cover jinx because he has only scored twice so far this season and is averaging 42 ypg.
Pete Carroll led USC to two national championships but is now trying to make the Seahawks competitive in their own league. Most Seattle fans think that their team could compete in the PAC-12, but aren't sure about the NFC West. The Seahawks won two weeks ago before heading into a bye week and they look like they're still trying to decide on who will be their quarterback, Tavaris Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst.
