Out on a Limb
Fantasy Football Predictions

Mile High Melee

The predictions made here each week do not represent the views of everyone on FIC and should not be used for gambling purposes.

Some try blind guesses by having their pets pick the games each week based on which treat they decide to choose. Others make themselves out to have bizarre psychic nicknames. Still more throw darts at a board and pick whoever it lands on. And, yes... there are a few actual experts, but I'm not one of them. Kick off every weekend with "The Mutt" as he tests his skills all season long against a few of our correspondents in the race for the FIC Cup.

Official FIC Cup Standings (Last Week in Parentheses)

Tim Noakes 44-28-2
Jeff Brown 39-33-2
The Mutt 36-36-2
Jay Schell 31-41-2
Chris Wang 28-29-1
Zach McCann 26-46-2

Mile High Melee

Oxygen is at a premium as the Dolphins look for a little breathing room atop the AFC East, while the Broncos still don't really get much of a breather when they play outside of the best division in football. And to top it all off, The Mutt can't even breathe because allergy season is in full bloom.

Game of the Week: Miami at Denver (-3.5)
Miami Offense vs. Denver Defense
The strength of both of these defenses plays right into the offensive strengths of their opponents, which could lead to a dramatic field position game. Ricky Williams has been dominant all season long for the Mammals, but no feature back has even approached the century-mark against the Broncos vaunted run defense. Williams will certainly get his carries and may even bust one loose and strike paydirt, but don't bank on more than 70 yards on the ground from Miami's best offensive weapon.

To win this game, the Dolphins will have to rely on Jay Fiedler thriving in the thin air of Mile High Stadium. Fiedler has done his job astoundingly aside from Miami's Week Four loss at the hands of the Chiefs, but must open up his typical ball-control game in order for Miami to succeed. Fiedler may be forced to put the ball up close to the 45 times that he did against K.C., and while another four interception performance is unlikely, expect at least a pair. Advantage: Broncos

Denver Offense vs. Miami Defense
Like Miami, Denver is strong on the ground, though they don't have a true feature back that they stand by. Clinton Portis figures to get the bulk of the workload for the third straight week, and combines a slashing style with decent ability on the inside. Miami is fantastic against straight-ahead runners, having busted up the entire Lions backfield, annihilated a banged-up Curtis Martin, limiting the league's leading rusher to just 50 on the ground, and telling powerful Antowain Smith to sit down last week. However, while Holmes can slash a bit, the Dolphins have faced only two backs this year who really rely on nasty cuts. Kevin Faulk only had two carries last week, but busted loose for 8.5/carry, and, perhaps more importantly, Edgerrin James torched the Mammals for 138 yards on 30 carries in Week Two. Of these backs, the most comparable would certainly be Edge, and that could make for a long day defensively for the Dolphins.

Brian Griese has seen enough solid play around him so that he doesn't have to win games with his arm, but has proven that he can when necessary, and has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the last two weeks. Don't expect a third straight 300-yard game from him, and a pick or two are likely against an aggressive Dolphin defense, but he should put up adequate passing numbers and may find Smith or McCaffrey in the end zone. Advantage: Broncos

Special Teams
Both teams have extremely solid place kickers, with a slight edge to Elam in the Mile High city, where he kicked an NFL record tying 64-yarder a few years ago. The Dolphins have a slight edge with Royals over Rouen in the punting game, and are a better coverage team. The disaster in Baltimore still weighs heavily against the Broncos special teams, and Miami should have a slight edge here. Advantage: Dolphins

Coaching/Intangibles
As has been the case with most of the Games of the Week, these are two veteran presences on the sidelines who have been there and done that. No true edge can be given aside from the fact that Shanahan won his two rings as a head coach while Wanstedt won his as a coordinator back with the Cowboys of the early '90's. However, the thin air of Denver is always a hassle on both teams. The Broncos are far better adjusted to this problem, and the home field crowd should play a bit of a factor as well. Advantage: Broncos

The Crystal Ball
The AFC East has been schooled by their Western counterparts so far this season, and are just 1-3 in head to head play against the opposite coast. Look for that to continue as Portis will find ways to run around, through, and over the Dolphins on Sunday. Expect Griese to find a receiver open in the end zone once or twice as well, and don't count on the Miami offense ever really getting in sync. Broncos 24, Dolphins 13

Lock of the Week: Buffalo (-7) at Houston
The Texans made their season with an upset over the Cowgirls in Week One, but haven't shown any ability to hang with anyone. For once, a small number's on the board against them, and Bledsoe should have the Bills rolling in this one. Even if the Texans defense plays well, their offense just doesn't have what it takes to stay in this one. Hey! Throw The Mutt a bone. Is it possible to be this bad with the lock???? Bills 34, Texans 14

Upset Special: Detroit at Minnesota (-4.5)
Denny Green... Mike Tice.... Right now, it doesn't matter. With Moss and Culpepper at the helm, this Minnesota team looks like the least disciplined club in the league (possible exception of the Lambs). Detroit still has a solid defense, and Joey Harrington seems to have the offense believing. Lions 27, Vikings 23

A few things to ponder while Tim Couch attends classes at the Ryan Leaf School of Public Relations.....

R.D.C.I. (figured at 2/day) - Dayne Cheeseburger Consumption 76, Giants 76
Number of TD Catches by Isaac Bruce - 1
Number of TD Catches dropped by Isaac Bruce - 3
Number of TD Catches by Bucs LB Derrick Brooks - 3

New Orleans (-1) at Washington - Duce will get loose all day against an overly aggressive Washington defense, and Brooks should be able to find a passing lane or two. The Pat Ramsey Era began last week, and Spurrier won't soon be turning to his old Gator Guard. Saints 31, Redskins 27

Pittsburgh (-6) at Cincinnati - The Bungles finally showed some heart last week against the defenseless Dolts, but Kitna didn't quite have enough in the tank to pull off the comeback. The Steelers can't stop the pass, and the Bungles have no game in the air. Tommy Maddox will be looking for HeHateHim in the end zone, but will have to settle for Hines Ward instead. The Curtain 30, Bungles 17

Carolina at Dallas (-2) - The Cowgirls somehow drew the lot as home favorites, but Rodney Peete will finally remember to take his arthritis medication in this one. Cameras will repeatedly switch to fans that are snoring in the stands of Texas Stadium, yet again. Panthers 20, Cowgirls 13

Baltimore at Indianapolis (-6.5) - A lot hinges on whether Ray Lewis plays or not. It doesn't look good. The Ravens offense has been upgraded from pitiful to mediocre, but until Jamal Lewis starts adding some touchdown dances to his 180-yard performances, It's a Shame About Ray. Dolts 27, Ravens 17

Green Bay at New England (-4.5) - The Champs are looking like chumps after their recent road trip, and Favre loves to beat up on teams that are down. However, the Pats have enough heart so that the hometown crowd should give them a boost. Take the Pack to cover, but the Champs will take 'em down. Pats 31, Pack 27

Atlanta at New York Giants (NL) - No Vick-tory this time. The Giants will still do anything and everything that they can not to score in this one, but the Falcons have just lost their most (and only) dynamic player. Doug Johnson won't look terrible, but he will be wiped off of Michael Strahan's boots a handful of times before this one's over. Giants 17, Dirty Bird 13

Jacksonville (-2) at Tennessee - Remember back when this game meant something? Fred Taylor does, but it's looking like the Titans may not play a game that's meaningful for them the rest of the way. The Mutt's preseason picks in the AFC showed a little desire to win in Oaktown a few weeks ago.... after they were already down by 30 or so. Jags 27, Titans 17

Oakland (-7) at St. Louis - Hear that? That's Mike Martz's ego being trampled on again and again and again. To quote Stimpy, "Oh Joy!" Oh... Jamie Martin may get trampled on a few times, too.Raiders 34, Lambs 17

Kansas City at San Diego (-3) - The Chiefs have quietly become the most fun team in the NFL to watch, while the Chargers looked fantastic until they ran into the buzzsaw that is the Denver Broncos last week. While the Bolts will shake it off and finish the year strong, Trent Green and Priest Holmes are as balanced an attack as their powerful defense will see all year, and the Bolts offense is too one-dimensional. If Brees has to take to the air, The Mutt thinks he smells something. Chiefs 27, Bolts 23

Cleveland at Tampa Bay (-7) - Tim Couch is lucky the Brownies are on the road this week, but the respect that he gets from his teammates shouldn't be much better than what he'd get from his hometown fans. The Bucs will roll, and Brooks may find another way to score! Bucs 31, Browns 13

San Francisco (-3) at Seattle - Jeff Garcia finally looked like he's ready to do some damage last week against the same old sorry Lambs, but are the Niners ready to face a team that's got some direction? After destroying the Vikings, Shaun Alexander will make his encore in Prime Time, and should be ready to show the Monday Night public that he's arrived. In a slight upset, the 'Hawks will get themselves and the idle Cardinals back into the NFC West race. Seahawks 27, Niners 23

On The Year
Overall: 36-26-2
Game of the Week: 3-2
Lock of the Week: 1-4 (YUCK!)
Upset Special: 2-3

Want to state your case on what the "Game of the Week" should be each week? Starting with Week Three, we'll be running a poll each week to decide which game deserves the honor. If you'd like to vote in this poll, please click this link to take you to the forum! Be on the lookout for more ways to get involved in future weeks.

Guest Columnist

Barry Lewis

Game of the Week: Miami at Denver (-3.5): Everywhere I have read this past week is telling me that I should sit Ricky Williams. The question that I have is why? I understand that the Broncos defense is among one of the best, through the first 6 weeks into the year. However, Miami is going to look to control the clock in this game and if I had a choice between Ricky Williams and Clinton Portis, then I know who I want. Also, since when was the Miami Dolphins defense not of the same aptitude as the Broncos? With Denver giving Miami 3.5 this weekend, I will take the points. Miami 27, Denver 23

Lock of the Week: Buffalo (-7) at Houston: Drew Bledsoe to Price…TD!; Bledsoe going deep to Moulds…TD! If you have the opportunity to need a team defense for this weekend, my advice is for you to pick Buffalo if you have not already and then dump em after the game. Buffalo 27, Houston 10

Upset of the Week: New Orleans (-1) at Washington: The emergence of Patrick Ramsey gives Redskins hopeful light at the end of the tunnel here. Spurrier may have found the key to the combination at this point in the season. Stephan Davis was finally used properly last week. The number of defensive stops in the 2nd half will determine this game. With that said, look for the ‘Skins to pull off a mild upset at home against the Saints. Washington 28, New Orleans 17

Pittsburgh (-6) at Cincinnati: The emerging quarterback story will continue in this tilt with Tommy Maddox, the best XFL’er there ever was, continuing to get the ball to Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress. The Bengals got a nice performance last weekend from Corey Dillon. However, the Bengals play into the Steelers strength (run defense) and away from their weakness (pass defense). Peter Warrick may catch a bunch of balls this weekend, however. Pittsburgh 25, Cincinnati 14

Carolina at Dallas (-2): I dumped Rodney Peete this past week in favor of Tommy Maddox. I know that there has been a lot of talk about this Panthers team, but I just don’t have a lot of confidence in a team that won 1 game last year. Lamar Smith has only had 1 game where he carried the ball over 4 yards a clip. Please keep that in mind as the Cowboys should win this game and cover by the narrowest of margins. Dallas 16, Carolina 10

Baltimore at Indianapolis (-6.5): Indianapolis is catching a break against the Ravens, as Ray Lewis will enter this weekend as doubtful. However, one should not underestimate the Ravens offense. Chris Redman and Jamal Lewis should have a very good day against this Indy squad. But, as I say again, Manning, James, Harrison and Pollard will have their way this weekend. Expect Baltimore to cover this weekend. Indy 26, Baltimore 20

Green Bay at New England (-4.5): The injuries to Joe Johnson and Vonnie Holliday, spells out one clear message to me this weekend for Patriots Nation. Expect Antwoin Smith to break out. These two injuries will leave the Pack gasping for air especially since “she” is coming to the roost. The Pats win this one in a walk. New England 27, Green Bay 17

Atlanta at New York Giants (NL): If this game had a line, it would be my lock of the week, even with Michael Vick healthy. The Giants as I have previously stated will be more than likely fighting with 4-6 other NFC teams for 2 playoff spots. This will set up the Giants to continue to battle in the NFC East knowing that they have yet to face Washington and Philly. New York Giants 31, Atlanta 10

Detroit at Minnesota (-4.5): This should be a high scoring game with the Vikes coming out on top. Playing James Stewart and Moe Williams this weekend is a good idea for anyone that is considering it as well as Moss. Minnesota 31, Detroit 24

Jacksonville (-2) at Tennessee: What is wrong with the Titans? Tennessee could have been my upset of the week because they are in true desperation mode with Eddie George and McNair needing to lead the Titans offensive attack. The Jags are going to be in 2 tough road games with this one and then @ Baltimore. George needs to desperately reassert himself in this game. Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 21

Oakland (-7) at St. Louis: Oh my….Oakland exacts revenge for not having the ability to play St. Louis in the Super Bowl. BTW, New England is on the Raiders schedule this month as well. With that being said, Oakland may not have Charlie Garner and the Rams will have Marshall Faulk but may not have Jamie Martin, which is extremely problematic for a team still looking for its first win. Oakland 32, St. Louis 23

Kansas City at San Diego (-3): The NFL’s best division will square up two teams fighting to earn the right to take an advantage in the race for the 2 wild card spots in the AFC. Kansas City, Denver and San Diego all enter this weekend with winning records. This is probably the toughest game to call of which makes my choice easy. Tomlinson against the Chiefs defense has an advantage over Holmes and the Chargers defense. Saying that, this game will be won and lost based on who takes advantage of turnovers, which leads me to believe that it will be Drew Brees losing out to Trent Green performance-wise. Kansas City 23, San Diego 17

Cleveland at Tampa Bay (-7): Kelly Holcomb is out and Tim Couch is in. If anyone is keeping track, Couch is under-performing and is going into a Tampa Bay team that continue to convince me that they are going to be playing in the Super Bowl in January. Look for Brad Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Keyshawn Johnson to have big weeks. Tampa Bay 30, Cleveland 13

San Francisco (-3) at Seattle: Many are calling this one a potential upset special. I don’t see how or why besides the fact that Seattle is at home; Shaun Alexander scored 5 times prior to the bye week; and because San Francisco will be facing the likes of New Orleans, Arizona, Oakland and Kansas City, not to mention Philly and San Diego in the next 6 weeks. The 49’ers will be starting Tai Streets in place of injured JJ Stokes. But the game will be won on the ground behind Garrison Hearst. I had high hopes for Seattle at the beginning of the year and while this game could be tight, expect a 49’ers cover and win here. 49’ers 29, Seattle 25

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