The adage is as timeless as football itself. . . Injuries are part of the game. Sure, there are some instances where the impact is minimal, but too many times already the season have we, the football faithful, been robbed of what should have been some quality match-ups. In Week Five, we should have had a tough inter-conference battle between two Super Bowl caliber teams. Instead, we got a 30-6 stampeding over the Dallas Cowboys via the New England Patriots. For Week Six, we are similarly deprived. Two other predicted postseason performers should be intriguing individuals everywhere as the red hot Arizona Cardinals travel to the Steel City and face the Pittsburgh Steelers. But “Big” Ben Roethlisberger is hurt. Not that Michael Vick is doing a bad job, but against the Cards. . . ? I see that beat down looking something like this:
I guess we can always hope for a Super Bowl Rematch? At any rate, on with The Student of the Game’s Match-Up Mania.
Panthers v. Seahawks
I remember how much flack I caught when Seattle’s Russell Wilson got his big money extension and I said I thought Cam Newton was a better quarterback. I believe the reactions sounded something like this. . .
There are plenty of excuses Wilson apologists put forth (mostly blaming the O-line). But it’s hard to refute the Monday win against the Lions in Week Four as proof of Wilson’s overrated stature. The defense forced 18 punts on the 20 drives they were on the field, and the Seahawks needed a Kam Chancellor miracle forced fumble and a blown call to crawl to a second win.
Meanwhile, despite a mediocre O-line, a receiver corps featuring a tight end as its most dangerous target and all the other stuff Wilson fans use to give him a pass, Cam and Carolina are STILL undefeated in 2015.
In fairness, the Carolina Panthers schedule isn’t exactly a cast of characters worthy of Mount Olympus, but Seattle hasn’t faced a list of Juggernaughts either. At the end of the day, the quarterback who is able to run the football, will also be the one that wins the game. He will open up his offense in the air as he forces defenses to respect his ability to move the ball. I’m hoping the Panthers win so I’m not hunted down by the 12th man or the Dread Pirate Roberts.
Giants v. Eagles
So the Giants have reminded us in the past 3 weeks that they were in reach of being 5-0 if it wasn’t for opening the season with back-to-back efforts snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Even still, at 3-2, Big Blue as taken charge of the NFC East that houses a team whose stars are decimated by injury and two other teams that are suffering an identity crisis so confusing, that Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dr. Oz and all daytime television shows combined could not find a cure, nor show off as much drama. And consider . . . this means the New York Giants are currently (accent on currently) the most stable force in a division. A description I’ve never uttered or typed since regarding this franchise . . . ever?
Meanwhile, Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly and his unique offense can’t seem to decide between if they belong in ugly duckling or beautiful swan status. Despite “the sink one week, swim the next” way of life Philadelphia fans have been subjected to, the Eagles have proven they can at least shred through weak defenses as they did against the Saints last week, and take advantage of opposing mistakes as they did against the Jets in Week Three.
The key to this game comes down to which team can remain stable. The team that relapses into making their fans insane with crazy interceptions thrown or embarrassing productivity on offense is the one that will be committed to a padded room and likely no playoffs. Since the run game is central to establishing said stability, I would suspect that the Giants vastly superior run defense bring them out on top in the contest to maintain the division lead.
Honorable Mention
Texans v. Jags
Let’s be clear . . . it’s rare enough that either of teams make their way into the MuM, but lo and behold — here be Houston and Jacksonville. Sure, neither team could beat the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts with a 40-year-old starter. But in light of the fact that the New England Patriots will most likely exact perceived revenge on the Colts franchise that accused Tom Brady of the Deflategate scandal that led to an allegedly undeserved punishment that Brady never served, the winner of this game will only then be 2 games out of first nearly midway through the season with a 2-4 record. While still a pretty bleak outlook, optimists could look at it this way . . .
