It’s not the Sunday night game this week [and it should be]. But all eyes will be on the Dallas-Eagles game when Terrell Owens heads the mighty 911 offense into Philadelphia where the Eagles are nicely situated in the NFC East with a 3-1 mark.
The last time Owens was in a Eagles uniform for a full season he grabbed 77 passes for 14 touchdowns, led the team to a Super Bowl but succeeded in pissing off both his quarterback, Donovan McNabb, and coach Andy Reid. But you got to hand it to Terrell. He wasn’t thinking too much about a mere $49 million contract when principle began getting the better part of his mouth during spring camp about the way McNabb played in the Super Bowl. After that Owens’ days were numbered when he further suggested that Brett Favre would have done better guiding the Eagles. Owens was pretty much a non-entity after that, and was released earlier this year.
Look for the notorious Philly Boo birds to get on Owens’ case. Even with a broken finger, Owens managed to catch 5 passes for 88 yards in Dallas’ 45-14 win over Tennessee last week so that injury doesn’t seem to be much of factor. So far Owens has put decent numbers up, 14 grabs for one touchdown, though he did drop one ball in the end zone last week that would have been good for another score.
However you might be surprised to hear that The Birds are number one in offense in the NFL, averaging 426 yards a game with McNabb completing nearly 60 percent of his throws so far. In their two meetings last season, Dallas won both games.
And of course the other big news this week is the fact that Matt Leinart starts for the Arizona Cardinals and Daunte Culpepper of Miami is nursing a bruised shoulder such as that should matter.
From AP: The Kansas City defense is ready to give Matt Leinart a memorable welcome to the NFL.
“We’ll mix it up a little bit,” linebacker Derrick Johnson promised. “We’ve got some things to put on him.”
Leinart wasn’t supposed to be a starter this soon, but with Kurt Warner’s 10 fumbles and five interceptions in four games, Arizona coach Dennis Green made the switch.
So the left-handed rookie who led the Trojans to two national titles and won a Heisman Trophy in the process will be at the controls Sunday when the Cardinals (1-3) try to snap a three-game losing streak against a Kansas City team coming off a 41-0 rout of San Francisco.
He will face a defense that has not allowed a touchdown pass in 12 quarters to start the season, a franchise record.
“They’re probably licking their chops with a rookie quarterback coming in,” Leinart said, “but that’s just the name of the game. We’ve got to prepare for that. We’ve got to understand protections and all that kind of stuff.”
Leinart’s well-documented football intelligence will get a severe test. In college, it’s safe to say, he never saw a defense like this.
The Chiefs (1-2) love to confuse offenses with an array of defensive sets and schemes.
“He’s a good player. I’m sure they have a good game plan for him,” Kansas City linebacker Kawika Mitchell said. “But it’ll be a challenge for him, I think. We’ve got a good defense and if we continue to play aggressive like we have been, then we’ll do a good job against him.”
Only San Diego and Baltimore have allowed fewer yards than the Chiefs per game, and only the Chargers have better numbers against the pass.
“They like to blitz,” Arizona coach Dennis Green said. “They’re the only team in the league that plays eight up. They will put eight up and play man coverage. It’s kind of a throwback to what some guys were doing in the late ’80s. They’ve had some success. They’ve got two real veteran cornerbacks (Ty Law and Patrick Surtain), which they feel enables them to do that.”
If Leinart can get enough time to throw, it could create some big plays for wide receivers Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald.
“It’ll be a test,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “They have tremendous wideouts. What they do well is when they get down the field, they’ll adjust to the football. They make difficult catches look easy.”
The key, running back Edgerrin James said, is for the Cardinals’ offense not to get discouraged.
“If you get confused, they’re going to make some big plays,” James said, “but the one thing about them is they will give up some big plays also. It’s just a matter of not getting frustrated, and when they make a big play not getting down. They’re going to come up with certain looks that are kind of funky and it’s going to shock you at times, but if you’re able to handle it, you’ll be all right.”
The Cardinals are expected to keep the game plan simple for Leinart, but to make that work they will have to get improved play from the offensive line, which was roundly criticized by Green during the week. Despite the addition of James, the Cardinals rank 30th in the NFL in rushing at 70 yards per game.
On the flip side, Kansas City probably will pound Arizona with a gigantic dose of Larry Johnson, who needs 78 yards to become the first back since 1970 to rush for 2,000 yards in his first 16 careers starts. He can do damage in other ways, too. Johnson leads the AFC in total yards from scrimmage at 457 – 295 rushing and 162 receiving.
Like the Chiefs, the Cardinals go with unpredictable defensive sets and try to bring pressure against Damon Huard, who will get another start in place of injured Trent Green.
“That causes a lot of problems because of the simple fact that you’ve got to figure out where they’re going to come from and what they’re going to do,” guard Will Shields said.
The Cardinals think they know what the Chiefs will do, though, and that’s give the ball to Johnson – over and over again.
“Absolutely we’re going to see a lot of them. That’s their bread and butter,” Arizona defensive end Bertrand Berry said. “That’s what they hang their hat on. I’m sure we’re going to see plenty of No. 27 running with the rock. It’s our responsibility to go and tackle him and get up and do it all over again.”
Gene sez: Here’s how guest prognosticator Sean from www.pornlegends.com sizes up this weekend at a glance.
Philadelphia over Dallas – Eagles TKO TO.
Chicago over Buffalo – I’m pulling for Dick and his staff…
Minnesota over Detroit – Purple People Eaters feast on Lions.
St. Louis over Green Bay – Somebody call Lynn Dickey.
Indianapolis over Tennessee – This game will be uglier than Liza Minnelli without makeup.
New England over Miami – Fish fry in Beantown this weekend.
New Orleans over Tampa – The ghost of John McKay seen at Bucs practice.
Giants over Washington – The ghost of Joe Gibbs seen at Redskins’ practice.
Carolina over Cleveland – Mark Foley emailed me and said I should take the Panthers and that I also have a nice ass.
San Francisco over Oakland – John Brody goes deep against the once proud Raiders.
Jacksonville over Jets – Jags jettison Jets.
Kansas City over Arizona – Dear Matt Leinart: You will not be playing Stanford this weekend.
San Diego over Pittsburgh – The ghost of Dan Fouts’ beard seen at Chargers’ practice.
Baltimore over Denver – Toothpick always told me to take the road dogs in week 5.
Here’s this week’s schedule followed by the Adultfyi picks:
Sunday: Buffalo at Chicago; Cleveland at Carolina; Detroit at Minnesota; Miami at New England; St. Louis at Green Bay; Tampa Bay at New Orleans; Tennessee at Indianapolis; Washington at New York Giants; Kansas City at Arizona; New York Jets at Jacksonville; Oakland at San Francisco; Dallas at Philadelphia; Pittsburgh at San Diego
Monday night: Baltimore at Denver
Sean [42-18] from www.pornlegends.com: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, KC, Jax, SF, Philly, San Diego, Baltimore.
Ryan [42-18]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, Washington, KC, Jax, Oakland, Dallas, San Diego, Baltimore
Steve Seidman [41-19]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, Arizona, Jax, SF, Philly, San Diego, Baltimore
Gene Ross [41-19]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, New York Giants, Arizona, Jacksonville, Oakland, Philly, San Diego, Baltimore
Dan Davis [41-19] of Genesis Magazine: Chicago, Carolina, Detroit, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, Arizona, Jax, SF, Philly, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
John Gray [40-20]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, Arizona, Jax, Oakland, Philly, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
Brian aka Plus One [40-20]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, KC, Jax, Carolina, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
Mike Dickinson [40-20]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, KC, Jax, Oakland, Philly, San Diego, Baltimore
Harry Weiss [39-21]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, KC, Jax, SF, Dallas, San Diego, Denver
Billy the Crystal [38-22]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, Kansas City, Jax, SF, Philly, Pittsburgh, Denver
Brian Wallace [37-23]: Chicago, Carolina, Detroit, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, KC, NY Jets, SF, Philly, San Diego, Denver
Shannon from Adult DVD Empire [36-24]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, Washington, KC, NY Jets, SF, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Denver
Wankus [35-25], www.tylerfaith.com: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, Miami, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indy, Washington, KC, NY Jets, SF, Dallas, San Diego, Denver
Serenity [35-25], www.serenity.net: Buffalo, Cleveland, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, New York Giants, KC, New York Jets, Oakland, Philly, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
Steve Lane [34-26]: Chicago, Carolina, Detroit, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indy, Washington, Arizona, Jax, Oakland, Dallas, San Diego, Denver
Big Ty [34-26]: Chicago, Carolina, Detroit, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, Arizona, NY Jets, Oakland, Dallas, San Diego, Baltimore
Sandy Bunz [34-26], www.sandybunz.com: Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indy, Washington, Arizona, Jax, Oakland, Dallas, San Diego, Denver
Karl the Birdman [32-28]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, KC, Jax, SF, Dallas, SD, Baltimore
Steve Volponi [31-29]: Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, New England, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indy, NY Giants, Arizona, Jax, Oakland, Philly, San Diego, Baltimore