This Hognosticator thought he had seen a good game in Houston? It may have been, but it was nothing like the thriller last week against the Jags. Without question, an all-time classic. The biggest play of that game (other than Moss\u2019s walk-off TD, of course) may not have been a football play at all, but the Jags losing of the coin toss in OT. The opposite result would have almost certainly resulted in a loss, and instead of discussing the Redskin\u2019s new found Saunders offense, this week\u2019s discussion would have been focused on a heartbreaking hard fought loss and our defensive short comings. Special thanks to Charlie Frye and the Browns for erasing an 18-point deficit in a comeback victory in Oakland – helping out in another week of poor picks on a Sunday where 8 of 12 games were decided by a TD or less, and 5 of those 8 were decided by 3 or fewer points. Congratulations and good work to all the Hognosticators who have consistently out-picked this amateur throughout the first quarter of the season. <\/p>\n
Cleveland at Carolina<\/b>
\nSorry, Charlie Frye meet Julius Peppers. The Panthers can\u2019t seem to play anything other than a close game. They\u2019ll take this close one at home. They better, as their next three games are at Baltimore, at Cincy and hosting Dallas.
\nPick \u2013 Panthers<\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n
Buffalo at Chicago<\/b>
\nThe Bears have won their last eight regular-season home games, allowing just two touchdowns in the process. J.P. Losman has already been sacked 11 times. Look for the Bears to add to that total. The Bears impressive defense is giving up a measly 7.3 points per game through four weeks, and the Bears already hold a comfortable two game lead over their only divisional threat, Minnesota. Unfortunately, the NFC playoff race will more than likely require a visit to Soldier field.
\nPick \u2013 Bears <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
St. Louis at Green Bay <\/b>
\nObviously Seattle and Vikings knew what they were doing when they unloaded Koren Robinson. On Wednesday he was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating his probation in a drunken driving case. Fortunately, he will be able to finish the season with the Packers. Playing for the Pack these days could drink anyone to driving\u2026sorry, drive anyone to drinking.
\nPick – Rams <\/i><\/p>\n
Tennessee at Indianapolis <\/b>
\nThe Titans are a sick 19-point dog. What has happened to this franchise? Tennessee is off to their worst start since 1984 when they were in Houston and have lost seven straight since last December. Vince Young looked horrible last week and his development will take years. Fisher needs to find himself a new home. He\u2019s a good coach and could win now with the proper support from his owner and front office.
\nPick \u2013 Colts <\/i><\/p>\n
Detroit at Minnesota <\/b>
\nThe Lions can\u2019t run the ball and are giving up nearly 29 points a game. The Lions have beaten the Vikes just once this decade; the Vikes have won eight in a row and 14 of the last 16. Minnesota gets back on track this weekend after dropping two straight to the Bears and Bills.
\nPick \u2013 Vikings <\/i><\/p>\n
Miami at New England <\/b>
\nThe Patriots seem to match up well against everyone except the Broncos. That was an impressive victory over Cincy last week. The opposite can be said of the Dolphin performance in Houston last weekend and so far this season. Mike Mularkey, the Dolphin O-Coordinator will deservedly be the fall guy for the Dolphins\u2019 so far disastrous season, unless Culpepper and that offense can quickly show some signs of improvement and cement some victories. Anyone else getting pleasure out of the sophomore, Saban\u2019s struggles after so much early success and praise last season?
\nPick \u2013 Patriots <\/i><\/p>\n
Tampa Bay at New Orleans<\/b>
\nThis win will give the Saints their first consecutive home win against divisional opponents since they won 3 straight in the 2000 season. Unbelievably, the Bucs have rushed for a mere and league\u2019s worst 130 yards in their three loses. Consequently, the Bucs rank dead last in rushing with 43.3 yards\/game and their offense ranks 31st in the league in total yards. Even more surprisingly, their rushing defense is as lousy, ranked 31st in the league, giving up 170 yards\/game. All this translates into unnecessary pressure on a rookie QB, Bruce Gradkowski making his first start and a big day for McAllister and Bush.
\nPick \u2013 Saints<\/i><\/p>\n
Washington at New York Giants <\/b>
\nComing off bye-weeks, the Giants have lost five straight and are just 3-14 overall. They are also a Philthy collapse away from a 0-3 start to the season. It\u2019s time to erase the bad memory of last season\u2019s debacle at New York with Tiki putting up 206 rushing yards in a 36-0 blowout and show Shockey a true example of what being out coached is all about.
\nPick \u2013 Redskins <\/i><\/p>\n
Kansas City at Arizona <\/b>
\nWarner\u2019s done in Arizona and likely for his career. Leinart will be a quality pro QB (probably in another uniform), but it\u2019ll take some time and an absence of the abuse he\u2019ll take behind a perpetually poor Cardinal OL. The Cardinals rank 31st in the league in rushing even with the addition of James – that won\u2019t help the pressure Leinart will receive. One thing both these teams have in common is their only victory has come against the worthless 49ers.
\nPick – Chiefs <\/i><\/p>\n
New York Jets at Jacksonville <\/b>
\nThe Jets have won their first two road games and the Jags have won their first two home games. Something\u2019s got to give. The risk-taking rookie Head Coach Eric Mangini and the Jets have started stronger than expected this season, but are struggling defensively, ranking 29th overall, allowing 378 yards\/game (140 rush and 238 pass). This match up of former Marshall teammates (Leftwich and Pennington) ought to be fun to watch – look for the Jags to get back on track.
\nPick – Jaguars <\/i><\/p>\n
Oakland at San Francisco<\/b>
\nThe 2007 draft bowl. These two teams will give the Titans, Lions and possibly the Bucs a run for the 1st pick of the \u201907 draft. As bad as the 49ers are, the Raiders are worse and a mess from the top to bottom of their roster. Discontent, lack of overall talent and injuries are just a few of the many issues Faider fans get to look forward to each week.
\nPick \u2013 49ers <\/i><\/p>\n
Dallas at Philadelphia <\/b>
\nThis will be an interesting match up of Philthy\u2019s supposedly number 1 ranked offense against the Puke\u2019s supposedly solid defense. This pick is a win-win for Redskin fans. Whichever team loses we\u2019ll be happy. Personally, a Puke loss would be more enjoyable and hopefully this pick will jinx their performance. Brian Westbrook\u2019s status is a huge factor in this game. Buckhalter can\u2019t hold onto the ball and that has to be a concern for Man Boobs II and Philthy fans. Philthy has lost 7 consecutive division games, make it 8.
\nPick \u2013 Pukes <\/i><\/p>\n
Pittsburgh at San Diego <\/b>
\nThis will be a great match up of two great defenses and is a tough pick. Pittsburgh is coming in off two straight losses, while San Diego is coming in after a close 4th quarter game winning drive loss to Baltimore last week. The Steelers have won their last 5 against the Chargers. The Chargers will end that streak and generate enough offense to win at home.
\nPick \u2013 Chargers <\/i><\/p>\n
Baltimore at Denver<\/b>
\nThe Ravens will be up for this nationally televised contest and wanting to make a statement, will show they\u2019re for real. Other than his former team the Titans, the Broncos are the only team McNair hasn\u2019t faced. He\u2019ll be 1-0 against them Tuesday morning.
\nPick \u2013 Ravens<\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n
Bye Week:<\/b> Falcons, Bengals, Seahawks, Texans <\/p>\n
Last Week\u2019s Results:<\/b> 9-5
\nSeason to Date:<\/b> 34-26 <\/p>\n
– Frank Hastings<\/i><\/p>\nHognostications Counterpoint NFL Week 5 <\/h1>\n
This is one week when my expectations have been truly surpassed on several fronts. First, the Washington Redskins finally showed what they are made of and won with true grit. Our QB finally removed all doubts from the minds of those who had any reservations about his ability to lead our team. The Offensive Line showed up ready to play against one of the top defensive lines in the NFL. And Al Saunders’ system is beginning to produce dividends in an average of over 30 points lately. A healthy Clinton Portis always makes a big difference. What a game against the Jags. What a win! <\/p>\n
But a special word must go to Santana Moss. Not only for the STELLAR way in which he played, but also for his demeanor after each score and the way he handles himself under all circumstances. I am one dedicated fan of Art Monk for his work on and off the field. I imagine Art feels happy looking at this kid starting to fill his shoes. So am I. That is how much I think of him. <\/p>\n
Second, the THN community members have, by far, the best Hognostication scores this week that we have had as an entire group in a long while. I started a Poll thread on THN’s message board asking if a perfect score was possible. Well that question -almost- got answered this week. Not one but two members had final scores of 13 – 1. And to top it up, three others followed them with 12 – 2. Amazing! <\/p>\n
I can not really tell you how excited I am about this Hognostications season. On the one hand, I hope that the top scorers keep their good scores up and improve upon our performance obtained at the end of the last season. On the other hand, everybody is doing their best to reach the top and some interesting movements are already taking place. I would not be surprised if some dark horses from last season come to challenge the leaders in a few weeks. I know they are very capable and, like the Redskins, they are beginning to show their true form. <\/p>\n
It is remarkable how competitive the THN hognosticators have become. The difference in the standings is really coming down to a field goal or a late score in the last seconds of just a couple of close games! <\/p>\n
Explore and have a look at the different links available in this Hognostications section: <\/p>\n
– Weekly Pool Standings <\/p>\n
– Season Pool Standings<\/p>\n
– Pool Consensus<\/p>\n
– Pool History<\/p>\n
And last but not least, ALL the player STATPACKS:<\/p>\n
– Player Statpacks<\/p>\n
My picks: <\/p>\n
Rams at Packers 1:00 PM
\nPick – Green Bay <\/i><\/p>\n
Bills at Bears 1:00 PM
\nPick – Chicago<\/i> <\/p>\n
Lions at Vikings 1:00 PM
\nPick – Minnesota<\/i> <\/p>\n
Redskins at Giants 1:00 PM
\nPick – Washington <\/i><\/p>\n
Browns at Panthers 1:00 PM
\nPick – Carolina <\/i><\/p>\n
Dolphins at Patriots 1:00 PM
\nPick – New England<\/i> <\/p>\n
Titans at Colts 1:00 PM
\nPick – Indianapolis <\/i><\/p>\n
Buccaneers at Saints 1:00 PM
\nPick – New Orleans<\/i> <\/p>\n
Raiders at 49ers 4:05 PM
\nPick – San Francisco<\/i> <\/p>\n
Jets at Jaguars 4:05 PM
\nPick – Jacksonville <\/i><\/p>\n
Chiefs at Cardinals 4:05 PM
\nPick – Kansas City <\/i><\/p>\n
Cowboys at Eagles 4:15 PM
\nPick – Philadelphia <\/i><\/p>\n
Steelers at Chargers 8:15 PM
\nPick – San Diego<\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n
Monday, October 9 <\/p>\n
Ravens at Broncos 8:30 PM (ET)
\nPick – Denver <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
The standings with the “professional experts”:<\/p>\n
\nPoolmeisters TW TL TT Pct\n\nCLL 45 15 0 75.0\nairhog 43 17 0 71.7\nTincoSkin 42 18 0 70.0\ncvillehog 42 18 0 70.0\nJustice HOG 42 18 0 70.0\ntheoneandonly9 41 19 0 68.3\nhailskins666 41 19 0 68.3\nDmkskins86 41 19 0 68.3\nJPM36 41 19 0 68.3\nDangerfield 41 19 0 68.3\nJSPB22 40 20 0 66.7\nJake 40 20 0 66.7\nREDEEMEDSKIN 40 20 0 66.7\nArizonaHog 40 20 0 66.7\nSchlereth 40 20 0\ndie cowboys die 39 21 0 65.0\nEA7649 39 21 0 65.0\nHOSS 39 21 0 65.0\nriggins85 39 21 0 65.0\nScottish Hog 39 21 0 65.0\nJaworski 39 21 0\nCountertrey 38 22 0 63.3\nfunbunch 38 22 0 63.3\nFFA 38 22 0 63.3\njoebagadonuts 38 22 0 63.3\nSkinsChic 38 22 0 63.3\nCappster 38 22 0 63.3 \nJansenFan 38 22 0 63.3\nchaddukes 38 22 0 63.3\nHoge 38 22 0\nKing \"The Sleazy\" 38 22 0\nNC43Hog 37 23 0 61.7\nwbbradb 37 23 0 61.7\nWarMother 37 23 0 61.7\nrick301 37 23 0 61.7\nGolic 37 23 0\nSalisbury 37 23 0\nRedskin in Canada 36 24 0 60.0\ntazlah 36 24 0 60.0 \nSkinsJock 36 24 0 60.0\nUK Skins Fan 35 25 0 58.3\nMursilis 35 25 0 58.3\njuansushi 35 25 0 58.3\nAllen 35 25 0\nMortensen 35 25 0\nTexasHog 34 26 0 56.7\n1niksder 33 27 0 55.0\nNikiH 33 27 0 55.0\nThis Heat 33 27 0 55.0\nChrisHanburger 32 14 0 69.6\nvtfootball07 32 28 0 53.3\nTheismann 32 24 0\nPunu 31 29 0 51.7\nskins2win 30 16 0 65.2\nFios 29 17 0 63.0\nATV 28 18 0 60.9\nskinz74 27 17 0 61.4\ngus 27 17 0 61.4\nredskingush 26 20 0 56.5\ndoink 20 10 0 66.7\nSkins4ever 20 12 0 62.5\nSkins Rule 16 14 0 53.3\nKearney420 13 3 0 81.3\ngt1135 12 4 0 75.0\nJagerSkins 11 5 0 68.8\nHALSKNS 10 6 0 62.5\ngfghost 9 7 0 56.3\nshanghaiskins 9 7 0 56.3\nSkinzCanes 9 7 0 56.3 \nRiggoFan 9 7 0 56.3 \nbluskinsfanforeve 7 7 0 50.0 <\/pre>\nEdit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"