Boys I'm loading up this Sunday. Here's what I have so far.
Washington -3
Cincinnati -3.5
At first glance it seems squarish to be laying chalk on the road. However there are factors in these match ups that cannot be overlooked:
Bengals @ Panthers
The Carolina Panthers offense has looked anemic in their first two games. John Fox has decided that its time for Jimmy Clausen to get his first nfl start. While Clausen is talented, I just don't see him passing the ball effectively against a secondary that boasts possibly the best corner tandem in the nfl. So you can expect to see a lot of Stewart and Williams for Carolina, but that doesn't scare me too much considering the sluggish offensive line they run behind. The Bengals should be able to load the box and keep the run in check, forcing Clausen to beat them vertically (which I do not see happening). If the Bengals can establish Benson early, it will open up the pass significantly later in the game (play action etc.) giving Owens and Ocho a chance to make plays down field. I see the Bengals getting up early and putting the young QB and the Carolina offense in a tough position to make a comeback. Bengals 24 Panthers 10
Redskins @ Rams
I like Sam Bradford, he's shown us so far that he can be a very capable quarterback in this league. However like pretty much every rookie qb who has taken the reigns in his first year, he is going to throw a lot of picks and at times struggle to move the offense. The Washington secondary was embarrassed last week, giving up 500 yards passing to Schaub. They are clearly better than this and have the talent on defense to be a very solid unit. I think they will come out hard on Sunday and take advantage of the mediocre STL Wr's. The Redskins let me down last week as I had them on the ML against Houston, regardless of the result I was impressed with what I saw out of McNabb and the offense. They moved the ball with ease through the air, something I don't see changing against a traditionally soft STL secondary. Its hard for me to believe that a veteran team like the Skins will lose this one after that tough loss last week. Shanahan will have his team ready to play, against a rookie qb, I have no problem laying the points. Redskins 27 Rams 13
Washington -3
Cincinnati -3.5
At first glance it seems squarish to be laying chalk on the road. However there are factors in these match ups that cannot be overlooked:
Bengals @ Panthers
The Carolina Panthers offense has looked anemic in their first two games. John Fox has decided that its time for Jimmy Clausen to get his first nfl start. While Clausen is talented, I just don't see him passing the ball effectively against a secondary that boasts possibly the best corner tandem in the nfl. So you can expect to see a lot of Stewart and Williams for Carolina, but that doesn't scare me too much considering the sluggish offensive line they run behind. The Bengals should be able to load the box and keep the run in check, forcing Clausen to beat them vertically (which I do not see happening). If the Bengals can establish Benson early, it will open up the pass significantly later in the game (play action etc.) giving Owens and Ocho a chance to make plays down field. I see the Bengals getting up early and putting the young QB and the Carolina offense in a tough position to make a comeback. Bengals 24 Panthers 10
Redskins @ Rams
I like Sam Bradford, he's shown us so far that he can be a very capable quarterback in this league. However like pretty much every rookie qb who has taken the reigns in his first year, he is going to throw a lot of picks and at times struggle to move the offense. The Washington secondary was embarrassed last week, giving up 500 yards passing to Schaub. They are clearly better than this and have the talent on defense to be a very solid unit. I think they will come out hard on Sunday and take advantage of the mediocre STL Wr's. The Redskins let me down last week as I had them on the ML against Houston, regardless of the result I was impressed with what I saw out of McNabb and the offense. They moved the ball with ease through the air, something I don't see changing against a traditionally soft STL secondary. Its hard for me to believe that a veteran team like the Skins will lose this one after that tough loss last week. Shanahan will have his team ready to play, against a rookie qb, I have no problem laying the points. Redskins 27 Rams 13