Sunday, November 18, 2001
Curnutte's picks
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The NFL keeps statistics on pretty much everything.
How's this one to explain how parity has overwhelmed the league?
There are 20 teams after Week 9 within two games of first place, including the Bengals, the second-most since the current division format was established in 1970. This season equals 1983 and 1997.
The season with the most teams within two games of first place after Week 9 was 1981, when 21 teams were that close.
This week's games:
FALCONS (4-4) at PACKERS (6-2): The Green Bay pass rush will have fun against a weak Atlanta line and slow-footed Chris Chandler. As if Brett Favre needed this much help. RB Ahman Green leads NFL in total scrimmage yards with 1,084. PACKERS 31-13.
BEARS (6-2) at BUCCANEERS (4-4): Chicago has lost five in a row at Tampa Bay and last scored an offensive touchdown there in 1997. In the last 10 overall meetings, the Bears have scored an average of 11 points a game. BUCCANEERS 16-13.
BROWNS (4-4) at RAVENS (6-3): Baltimore looks to avenge 24-14 loss at Cleveland, which has lost its last two in overtime by nine total points. Ravens have won seven in a row at home and are 19-3 in November and later games under Brian Billick. RAVENS 16-6.
LIONS (0-8) at CARDINALS (2-6): Detroit has lost its last five games by a total of 23 points. If Lions can get tailback James Stewart back, they could take advantage of one of the NFL's worst rush defenses (29th). LIONS 24-20.
COLTS (4-4) at SAINTS (4-4): RB Edgerrin James is lost for season. QB Peyton Manning has broken jaw. Indianapolis coach Jim Mora (who led Saints to first four playoff appearances) goes home to a rude welcome. SAINTS 30-24.
JAGUARS (3-5) at STEELERS (6-2): Remember opening day when Jacksonville beat Pittsburgh 21-3? Go figure. Jags can't run, and QB Mark Brunell will have his hands full with Pittsburgh's NFL-best pass defense. STEELERS 20-13.
JETS (6-3) at DOLPHINS (6-2): New York has won seven in a row against Miami, including 21-17 decision earlier this season that Dolphins led 17-0 at halftime. Something has to give, though — Jets are 4-0 on road, Dolphins 3-0 at home. DOLPHINS 23-17.
EAGLES (5-3) at COWBOYS (2-6): Without star linebacker Dexter Coakley, Dallas won't be able to stop Philadelphia's balanced offense led by quarterback Donovan McNabb and tailback Duce Staley. Watch Ryan Leaf struggle against Eagles' outstanding pass defense. EAGLES 28-14.
CHARGERS (5-4) at RAIDERS (6-2): Both teams jump all over opponents in the first quarter. San Diego, in spite of its standing as a good defense, has let people into the red zone frequently this season. And Oakland has 18 touchdowns in 30 red-zone trips. RAIDERS 27-17.
49ERS (6-2) at PANTHERS (1-8): Carolina is last in rush defense. San Francisco running backs Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow should have fun against team that allowed St. Louis 337 rushing yards last week. Then there's QB Jeff Garcia and the league's second-best pass offense. 49ERS 33-13.
SEAHAWKS (4-4) at BILLS (1-7): Boone County High's Shaun Alexander had 266 yards rushing against a good Oakland defense last week, and he should see more holes in the league's 25th-ranked rush defense at Buffalo. SEAHAWKS 21-17.
REDSKINS (3-5) at BRONCOS (5-4): Washington's Stephen Davis has keyed winning streak with 447 rushing yards in last four games. Denver has established home-field advantage in new Invesco Field with 4-1 record. More of same today. BRONCOS 29-16.
RAMS (7-1) at PATRIOTS (5-4): New England quarterback Tom Brady is 5-2 as starter and 3-0 at home, a streak that should end today and fuel the Bledsoe-Brady QB controversy. On other side, Rams QB Kurt Warner is fastest in league history to throw for 10,000 yards (36 games). Dan Marino did it in 38 games. RAMS 27-16.
GIANTS (5-4) at VIKINGS (3-5): The sad, strange and touching eulogy to late Vikings lineman Korey Stringer continues when the Vikings retire his number at halftime, even as his family has filed suit for $100 million against the organization. Rematch of NFC title game won 41-0 by New York. GIANTS 24-21.
PACKERS at LIONS: Detroit is 32-27-2 in the 61 Thanksgiving Day games played since 1934. This looks like loss No. 28. PACKERS 30-21.
BRONCOS at COWBOYS: Dallas has played a home game on Thanksgiving every year except two (1975 and '77) since 1966. The Cowboys are 21-11-1 overall on Thanksgiving, but have lost three of four. Make that four of five. BRONCOS 24-13.
LAST WEEK: 13-2. OVERALL, 78-49.
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Curnutte's picks