Larry Ness
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a 2-0 start, completing 18-of-22 passes for 178 yards (1 TD / 0 INTs) vs the Vikings and then throwing for 328 yards with three TDs (0 INTs) vs the Lions. However, The Pack has now lost three straight. While Rodgers has played poorly in just one of those games (a three-interception effort at Tampa), he's the "center of attention" after the Favre debacle this past summer. On top of that, it's quite obvious that his sprained shoulder is causing him much pain and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. RB Ryan Grant has had lingering injury woes and while he performed better last week with 83 yards in 18 carries, his previous three-game stretch was 94 yards on 43 carries (2.2 YPC). He's yet to score a TD in '08, after five games. The Green Bay defense has allowed 161.4 YPG on the ground (5.1 YPC) and now DT ******* is on IR and LB Hawk continues to suffer with a sore groin (questionable this week). The pass D is still without CB Harris and two safeties, Bibgy (hamstring) and Rouse (knee), both missed gain LW and could miss again here. Now it's not like the Seahawks are without their own problems but I sure like them in this matchup. Seattle had little chance vs the Giants last week (anyone want to argue AGAINST the Giants being the NFL's best team right now?), as the Seahawks' D is built on speed and quickness and was overmatched against a "power team" like New York. Matt Hasselbeck's hyperextended knee is good enough for him "to go" in this one and if rookie Matt Ryan was good enough to handle the GB pass D at Lambeau, Hasselbeck should be up to the task here in Seattle, despite the team's WR woes. I'm not sure if Branch will paly again this week but Engram returned to the lineup LW and caught eight passes. RB Julius Jones has averaged 133.5 YPG rushing in his two home games this year, as well as averaging 5.6 YPC. That's good news vs Green Bay's soft' front-seven, which has allowed 190 YPG on the ground if one were to subtract the Detroit game. I realize that Seattle has only played SF and StL at home this year but the team has scored 30 and 37 points in those games. Let's also not ignore this team's great home record. The Seahawks have gone to the postseason in each of the last five seasons (tied for the second-longest active streak with the Pats / Colts have made it six consecutive years) and over those five years are 37-8 SU (including the playoffs) at home. The Seahawks are 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games (including '08) and should have little trouble with The Pack in this one, even if Rodgers can "go the distance." The Green Bay faithful don't even want to think about what happens if Rodgers goes down!
Las Vegas Insider Sea Seahawks.
The Texans entered the NFL in 2002 and last year's 8-8 season was the team's first non-losing season. Head coach Gary Kubiak is well respected and while stuck in a tough division with the Colts, Jags and Titans, the Texans were optimistic a run at a winning season was reasonable in '08. As for the Dolphins, they were coming off a 1-15 season in '07 but with Parcells as the team's new GM, most predicted that Miami would be more competitive this year. While Houston has opened 0-4, the Dolphins are 2-2, having beaten both the Pats (38-13 in New England) and the Chargers (17-10 in Miami) in their last two games. In case you've forgotten, the Pats and Chargers met in LY's AFC title game. The Texans lost 30-27 in OT at Jacksonville in Week 4 and then last week in the team's first home game of the season, "gave away" a game to the Colts. Houston led 27-10, with fewer than five minutes to play. The Colts got within 10 at the 4:04 mark but when the Texans recovered the ensuing onsides kick, Houston looked safe. However, Sage Rosenfels, subbing for the ailing QB Matt Schaub (stomach virus), fumbled just seconds later. Indy LB Gary Brackett returned the ball for 68 yards and a touchdown. Incredibly, Rosenfels fumbled again on a sack with under three minutes to play. Indy cashed in on that miscue for a 31-27 win. It marked the first time in league history that a team had recovered from a 17-point deficit to win in the final five minutes of regulation. Getting back to Miami, the Dolphins shocked the Pats in Week 3 and then had a bye. It was a chance for the team to "settle down" off the big win and in Week 5, caught the Chargers playing their third road game in four weeks, while traveling cross-country. Ronnie Brown topped 100 yards for the second straight game, as the Dolphins again used the single-wing formation with success. The defense was super, holding the Chargers to just 10 FDs (LT had 35 yards rushing and Rivers was 13-of-28 for 159 yards). Pennington continues to complete a high percentage of his passes (67.0) but his arm strength is still a major issue. He hasn't made many mistakes (one INT) but also has just three TD passes. Brown is terrific but Ricky Williams "is NOT back," as excluding his 98-yard game vs the Pats, Williams has run for just 91 yards (2.8 YPC) in his other three games. Pennington doesn't get much help from his WRs either. As a unit, Miami's receivers rank among the league's least talented (Camarillo averages 12.6 YPC and Ginn, 8.7). The defense has been very good but will be tested here. It's not a great spot for Miami, off two consecutive major upsets and visiting a team which is WAY better that its 0-4 record (Texans could/should be 2-2). Let's remember that the Dolphins' back-to-back wins give them only 4 wins over their last 25 games overall and the team's Week 3 win at New England ended an 11-game road losing streak. The Texans expect to have Schaub back at QB (had 307 yards passing and three TDs at Jacksonville in Week 4) and rookie RB Steve Slaton has really helped the team's offensive balance. He had 116 yards (6.4 per) at Jacksonville, 93 yards vs Indy (5.8 per) and has 285 yards rushing (5.0 YPC) plus 16 catches on the season. WR Andre Johnson is healthy again (24 catches), Walter has 17 catches plus a team-high three TD receptions and TE Daniels (19 catches) has looked solid. Houston's defense is vulnerable but I think the Texans can overcome those shortcomings. Last week's game with Indy was the first of FOUR consecutive home games, as the team will host the Lions next and then host the Bengals, a contest rescheduled (from Nov 9) due to the postponement of Houston's Week 2 game with the Ravens (which will now be played on that Nov 9 date) A win over Miami could kick-off a three-game winning streak, as the Lions and Bengals join the Texans as one of the NFL's four winless teams (Y-T-D). The Texans are 8-3 SU and 8-2-1 ATS in their L11 home games and this win comes easy.
Weekend Wipeout Winner Hou Texans.