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Former AFC East Rivals Square Off

The views expressed in this column are not compiled from all of our correspondents and certainly shouldn't be used for gambling purposes.

Former AFC East Rivals Square Off

While it's no longer a lock that these two proud franchises will play every season, the Colts will head to Miami to take on the Dolphins in a matchup of former divisional rivals. The two teams combined for the last three AFC East titles prior to re-alignment after the 2001 season, and at least one of the two has ended up in the playoffs every year since 1994. With the Colts flying off to a 6-1 start and Miami in the driver's seat for a Wild Card spot at 5-2, don't be surprised to see both teams playing in January this year.

Game of the Week: Indianapolis at Miami

When the Colts have the ball: While Miami boasts the top scoring defense in the league and the eleventh best defense from a total yardage standpoint, this matchup could be trouble for the Mammals. The Dolphins rank 27th against the pass so far this season, and they can expect Peyton Manning to be putting the ball up an awful lot in this one, whether the Colts are ahead or behind. Marvin Harrison still gets my vote as the top receiver in the league, but he's ranked third in yardage behind Torry Holt and Randy Moss. Either way, he's money, and the Dolphins will be hard pressed to stop Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Edge looks to be close to 100% after last week's performance against Houston, but the Dolphins are stingy on the ground and have given up just 74 yards a game (tops in the league). James may have to show off his flair as a two-way back who can move the ball on some screens to be a factor in this one.

When the Dolphins have the ball: Ricky, Ricky, and more Ricky... and that's not the Colts Ricky Williams. Williams has carried the ball a ridiculous 184 times so far in seven games, which tops the league... in fact, it tops the second busiest back, Deuce McCallister, by 15, and McCallister has played an extra game. The Dolphins will again be heavily reliant on Williams to carry the load and keep the Colts' high-flying offense off the field in this one. Look for him to approach 35 carries. Brian Griese did a tremendous job with the passing game last week against the Chargers, and he'll be asked to be very efficient in this one. Miami won't be expecting the 192 yards and three touchdowns that he had in Arizona last Monday night, but they'll need him to keep that interception tally at zero. They must make the Colts move the length of the field.

Special Teams: Olindo Mare just hasn't looked like himself this season for the Dolphins, and is a disappointing 8/13 on his field goal attempts. Mike Vanderjagt made quite a few enemies in the Colts' locker room with his comments in last season's Pro Bowl, but he's showing why Indianapolis kept him around anyway, and is a perfect 18/18 so far this year. Neither kicker has done much from long range this season. Brad Pyatt has been a stellar return man for the Colts, and ranks third in the league on kickoff return average. The Dolphins haven't returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 1989, and their punt return game isn't much better.

Coaching/Intangibles: Both of these coaches rely on defense more than anything, but Tony Dungy has a lot of weapons and a great system in place offensively. Dave Wannstedt has built his Dolphins' offense in the mold of the old Bill Parcells' Giants teams, and loves to just play keepaway. If Dungy can get his offense clicking, the Dolphins will be in a lot of trouble.

The Verdict: Indy will need to find a way to take their Cover 2 scheme and push everyone up in the box, because they'll know that almost every play it's going to Williams. With a one-dimensional offense coming at defensive mastermind Tony Dungy, the Colts should find a way to contain him. Peyton Manning will find plenty of seams in the Dolphins' coverage, and I don't think this will be as close a game as many think it will be. Colts 27, Dolphins 16

Lock of the Week: Philadelphia over Atlanta - As difficult a time as the Eagles have had moving the ball all year, the league's worst defense should be a welcome sight. If there's one thing that the Eagles have done well offensively, it's running the ball, and the Falcons have given up a whopping 149.7 yards per game on the ground thus far. The fact that Atlanta can't get anything going offensively won't help them much either, and this one should be a snoozer. Eagles 27, Falcons 6

Upset Special: New Orleans at Tampa Bay - This game just smells like a trap. The Bucs have struggled to get any consistency going all year, and they're coming off of a 16-0 win last week against an overachieving Cowboys team. After an overtime loss to division leading Carolina last week, the Saints are showing just how improved they've been lately. The offense is starting to click, and they'll have to have a huge day to pull off the upset here, but they're capable. The Saints won both meetings last season, and they need this game if they plan on having any hope of playing in January. The Saints' magic number to win this week is 21. Saints 24, Bucs 20

And now we'll breeze through the rest....

San Diego at Chicago - Sadly, both teams have more to gain here by losing. They're each mathematically alive, but on life support, and it's only Week Nine. While Brees, LT, and Co. couldn't rally against the Dolphins on Monday in the wake of the San Diego fires, beating the Bears shouldn't be a problem. All we are saying... Is give Rex a chance. Bolts 27, Bears 13

Washington at Dallas - The Cowboys certainly had it handed to them last week, and Bill Parcells will use that as a motivational tool for this week's game against their biggest rivals. The Ball Coach better have made good use of his team's bye week, because the 'Skins were reeling heading into it, and their schedule just continues to get more difficult as they face division leaders in their next three games before heading to Miami to take on a 5-2 Dolphins team. Cowgirls 24, Deadskins 13

Oakland at Detroit - What can Joey Harrington do with no weapons? Not a whole lot. Unfortunately, I'll stand by my promise that I made two weeks ago when the Raiders played Denver. Detroit may have to find a way to score on defense and/or special teams for it to happen, but we're going against Oakland the rest of the way. Lions 13, Raiders 12

New York Jets vs. New York Giants - Technically, this is a home game for the Jets in Giants Stadium, but who does the NFL think they're kidding? The Giants are coming off of a big win in Minnesota last week, and they'll be ready to take on The Chad at the neutral site on Sunday. Giants 27, J-E-T-S 17

Jacksonville at Baltimore - Something's going to have to give here. The Jags have allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season long (Stephen Davis, Week One), and Jamal Lewis is on a fat roll right now, with 100 yards or more in his last six games since Week One. The actual result of the game will never be in doubt, but the Jags can at least try and stop the streak. Ravens 23, Jaguars 13... Lewis' streak will end with 96 yards on the ground

Carolina at Houston - This is another game that just screams, "Trap!!!!" With a rematch with Tampa Bay looming next week for the Panthers, they could easily be looking ahead this week against the second year Texans. However, a closer look shows us that Tony Banks will be starting in place of David Carr for the Texans, and he'll find a way to fumble the game away to the Panthers. Panthers 19, Texans 17

Cincinnati at Arizona - Both teams are enjoying a little more success than expected, and that will continue this week for the Bengals. While Marcel Shipp should have another big day against a Bengals' defense that's 23rd against the run, Jon Kitna will have a bigger one against one of the league's worst scoring defenses. If the Bungles win this one, we'll have to change their name back to the Bengals, as they'll be .500 for the first time in what seems like a decade. Does anyone else think Marvin Lewis deserves a medal? Bungles 31, Cardinals 20

Pittsburgh at Seattle - Whoddathunkit? fact of the week: The Steelers are in last place in the AFC North. Don't bank on that changing this week. Seattle has a lot to prove after losing to a Bengals team they should have beaten last weekend, and they still look to be at least a year away from serious Super Bowl contention. Seattle's last three wins have come by a total of nine points, but they're 4-0 at home. Look for both of those trends to continue as the Seahawks eek out a close one. Seahawks 23, Steelers 21

St. Louis at San Francisco - Does anyone think that Cedrick Wilson will hit the dirt if he gets the chance he had when these teams squared off in St. Louis in Week Two? Sadly, he won't get that chance. Mike Martz is still the cockiest coach in football, but the Lambs just have too much talent for him to find ways to lose games like this one. Seahawks and Rams fans should circle Week 15 on their calendar, because that game should be for the NFC West title. Lambs 34, Niners 13

Green Bay at Minnesota - The Pack certainly picked a great time for their bye week, as they're about to hit the heart of one of the league's toughest schedules. They'll play host to Philly next week and then head to Tampa Bay before hosting another of last season's division winners in San Francisco. This game is a must win for Favre and Green Bay, but it just doesn't look like it's going to happen for the Pack this year. Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper will be out for blood after losing their first game of the year last week, and they'll put down any chance of a revolt in the NFC North, virtually clinching the division title with a home win tonight. Vikings 30, Packers 24

New England at Denver - MNF picked a winner for Week Nine, and this could be the most entertaining game of the week. With Jake Plummer and Steve Buerlein still out, though, Denver will have a lot of trouble moving the ball against the Patriots. New England will be looking at a chance to get some breathing room in the AFC East heading into their bye week, and they should find a way to win this one on the road. Patriots 27, Broncos 23

(Last Week in Parentheses)
On the Year: 67-33 (11-3)
Game(s) of the Week: 4-5 (1-0)
Lock of the Week: 5-2 (1-0)
Upset Special: 3-4 (1-0)

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