The League Where They Play For Pay: Week 4

After this weekend we will be at the quarter pole for most NFL teams. Most teams have shown what their strengths and weaknesses will be in 2010. Let’s take a look at what we should look at this weekend.

• Can the Steelers start off 4-0 without Big Ben? Of course it is possible, but I have not seen enough to believe the Steelers are for real. They have the Ravens at home this week which should test the Charlie Batch led offense. Expect a low scoring hard-fought game with Ray Lewis complaining about something. The Steelers have not scored a TD in regulation against a real team this season and that could continue against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
• Will the real Saints finally show up? The Saints have been nothing short of average. If your brought in a person who knows nothing about the past, they would assume the Saints are nothing more than a 9-7 team. This weekend they host the Carolina Panthers which will hopefully get the offense going. Sean Payton does not want to hear about Super Bowl hangover as he as brought in John Carney to kick  and replace the former folk hero, Garrett Hartley. I expect the Saints to show us why they are the defending Super Bowl Champs.
• Everyone is worried about Donovan McNabb getting booed in his return to Philadelphia. I say, who cares. McNabb was treated like absolute dirt while he was in Philadelphia, despite taking the team to five NFC title games and a Super Bowl. My hope is that McNabb outplays Vick because he always deserved better than the way he was treated. He always took the high road and I think the Eagles will regret trading him to a division rival.
• Are the usual September struggles just a blip on the radar for the Chargers? Absolutely! The division is still terrible despite the Chiefs starting off 3-0 and beating the Chargers. I fully expect the Chargers to turn it up a notch and turn the season around and it begins this weekend with the Arizona Cardinals coming to town.
• The Sam Bradford Show got its first win on Saturday against the hapless Redskins. He may very well get number two against the Seahawks at home. Bradford looks like a quarterback that is going to succeed in this league for a long time. I like the Rams to win 21-19 and put the Rams in a first place tie with the Cardinals (following a loss to the Chargers).

Two Minute Drill

• Falcons will put the 49ers 0-4. Should Mike Singletary be on hot seat after these high expectations?
• Miami and New England may be in a shootout on Monday night. Neither team can stop the pass expect a 34-31 type game.
• Jets have a huge “Trap Johnson” game against the Bills. They tend to struggle in Orchard Park but I expect a tidy, 26-14 win.
• The Colts are going to have no problem mopping up on the Jaguars. 35-12, Peyton may sit the entire 2nd half.
• The Chiefs will be undefeated following this weekend.