Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

The regular is here, and the Saints are ready to go marching in! Can I get a WhoDat? On any given Sunday, one NFL team can beat another one, so as Head Coach Sean Payton has said time after time, “Don’t eat the cheese, don’t get ahead of yourself, and take it a week at a time.”

Week 1 Bye teams: NONE.

Thursday September 4th

Week 1, Game 1: Packers (0-0) @ Seahawks (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are VERY STRONG playoff contenders (NFC). Seahawks are coming off a very successful 2013 season that was capped off with their being crowned with the NFL World Championship and Lombardi trophy. This game has playoff implications now, especially since both teams are predicted to possibly capture a first round bye in the playoffs. But for now, it’s game one, and GAME ON! If the Packers can generate a decent running game early, it will open up play action for Aaron Rodgers. With good protection, the Packers will have the upper hand in a shootout, in my humble opinion.

b. Desired outcome: I can understand if some of you pull against the Packers. But for me, I say pull for the Packers to capture a mild upset and steal one in Seattle. That would have the Seahawks (the Saints’ number one competitor for a first round bye and number one seed) down 0-1. That would be a great outcome for the WhoDat Nation!

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Seahawks by 6.


Sunday September 7th

Week 1, Game 2: Saints (0-0)@ Falcons (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC South rivals. Falcons are looking to start out strong vs. the Saints, especially after their extremely disappointing 4-12 season in 2013. The Saints are, of course, wanting to get out of the starting blocks quickly. With their improved defense and promising running game, it appears that the Falcons may have to wait until NEXT week to get their first “W.” Saints appear to have too much on offense and defense for the Falcons to game plan for. With no Tony Gonzalez as a checkdown target, Kenny Vaccaro and Jarius Byrd at safety, and improved coverage with Saints cornerbacks, Matt will hold the ball ¬1-2 seconds TOO LONG, and he’ll be on his back or on the run for most of the game. In fact, Matt Ryan may be the MOST SACKED quarterback in the NFL in Week 1, given their problems in their offensive line, AND the strength of the Saints defense.

b. Desired outcome: Saints, all the way.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 8.5 out of 10 (Don’t be fooled by the point spread in Vegas).

d. Vegas odds on this game: Saints by 3.


Week 1, Game 3: Bengals (0-0) @ Ravens (0-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Ravens by 1.


Week 1, Game 4: Bills (0-0) @ Bears (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Bears are an NFC rival, and playoff contender (early odds).

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bills. Possible upset; Bills are an improved team.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Bears by 7.


Week 1, Game 5: Redskins (0-0) @ Texans (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Redskins are an NFC rival. This is the debut of what may be the best bookend defensive linemen in the NFL: Clowney and Watt. With that, RG3 may be running for his life in this game!

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Texans (…easy pick, since this is an interconference game).

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Texans by 2- ½.


Week 1, Game 6: Titans (0-0) @ Chiefs (0-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Chiefs by 4.


Week 1, Game 7: Patriots (0-0) @ Dolphins (0-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Patriots by 5.


Week 1, Game 8: Raiders (0-0) @ Jets (0-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Jets by 5- ½.


Week 1: Game 9: Jaguars (0-0) @ Eagles (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Eagles are an NFC rival. Sproles is in their backfield, and they are playoff contenders.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Jaguars. They will probably cover the Vegas spread, but still lose.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Eagles by 10- ½.


Week 1: Game 10: Browns (0-0) @ Steelers (0-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Steelers by 7.


Week 1, Game 11: Vikings (0-0) @ Rams (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals.

b. Pull for the Rams. Vikings appear to be more of a threat as a playoff contender. Rams have lost QB Sam Bradford for the season.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Rams by 3- ½.


Week 1, Game 12: 49’ers (0-0) @ Cowboys (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals.

b. Pull for the Cowboys. 49’ers are a legitimate playoff contender; Cowboys’ realistic shot is probably ONLY via division title… PERIOD!

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: 49’ers by 5.


Week 1, Game 13: Panthers (0-0) @ Buccaneers (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC South rivals. This is Lovie Smith’s debut as head coach, and the schedule makers let the Bucs have “home cooking” for this one. Should be a good matchup. Cam Newton is still banged up, and the improved Bucs defense may present problems for him.

b. This is a “Pick Em” game because it’s too early to tell which team is the greater threat. For now, pull for the Bucs, since the Panthers are the 2013 NFC South champs.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Bucs by 1- ½.


b](SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)

Week 1, Game 14: Colts (0-0) @ Broncos (0-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Broncos by 8.


Monday September 8th

Week 1, Game 15: Giants (0-0) @ Lions (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals.

b. Desired outcome: Another “Pick-Em” game. Too early in the season to say which is the bigger threat. I guess we pick for the Giants.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Lions by 5- ½


Week 1, Game 16: Chargers (0-0) @ Cardinals (0-0)

a. Why it is important: Cardinals are an NFC rival.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game--- go with the AFC team.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cardinals by 3- ½.

News from Enemy Camps (Week 1):

Saints’ next opponent: (Falcons): Atlanta Falcons Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

Nice write up.

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

I like this each week.

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

It's on like Donkey Kong!

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

I think Green Bay has some problems along the offensive line. Specifically at center. Hard to judge their defense. They did get a decent pass rush at times, but Lynch and Harvin ate them up. I don't know if it was more of a testament to how good Seattles offense was or how bad Green Bays defense is.
For our sake I hope Green Bay just had a bad game. Seattle is no joke.

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

Green Bay always has a skeleton crew on o-line since their SB run in 2010-11. You'd think they would sink some money into o-line to protect their QB.

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

add to it losing two ROT. starting the game with a rookie center too. the seahawks can be beat but you need to play your best ball.

Re: Contenders Corner (Playoff Contenders) Week 1
 

I may be totally off base, but I think you have to play Seattle like we did the Bears in Chicago in 2013.

BE PATIENT.

Take the gains on the ground and in the short passing game and live to play another down. Don't struggle on every play for another yard and risk a turnover because they are so good at forcing turnovers and limiting YAC.

I think a consistent running attack wears down their D after 3 quarters and they can be had - BUT you have to stay in striking distance on the scoreboard for those first 3 quarters and play good defense.

IF Ingram has really turned the corner, we can wear them down with him and KRob pounding the ball while PT & BC gas them on the short passes.

But I digress - first things first. Let's take the ATL Sunday and then the next 15 on the schedule...