SportsCrack

Sport Crack's 2008 NFL Games of the Week

Sure, some of next years great games landed themselves on Sunday and Monday night football, but does that really mean they can be classified as the Game of the Week? For no particular reason, I will choose a game of the week for all 17 weeks of the upcoming NFL season and then explain why it shall be so -- all the while pretending that this is important.

You will find no feel good predictions about teams that may or may not be good here -- only cold, hard, solid facts about teams that we know will be great, barring key injuries and/or a massive collapse. Enjoy!

Week 1: Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns

The Cowboys, regardless of their unimpressive performance in last years playoffs, kick off their season in a west coast daytime game which most certainly looks to be the best of the week. Cleveland will also be the trendy sleeper pick for next year… write it down.

Week 2: Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

While everyone’s sleeper for next year may be Cleveland, for better or worse, my sleeper is going to be Philadelphia. Yes, they play in the uber-NFC East and the division is so stacked it often makes my head spin… none-the-less, barring a complete collapse in the draft, the Eagles should be perfectly capable of yet again making a run for the divisional crown.

Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

Two playoff teams in the first divisional clash of the season? Sign me up! Will Indianapolis continue to dominate the AFC South title, or will Jacksonville claim their spot as a contender for the next couple years with a divisional victory? The first part of that answer will be answered with this game.

Week 4: Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

Yet another divisional match up between two of last year’s playoff teams. The Redskins have a realistic chance of winning the NFC East, yet so does every other team in the division. If you haven’t heard, the NFC East is quite competitive.

Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

A rematch from the postseason on Sunday Night Football? You mean to tell me they actually picked a decent football game to be broadcast? Weird!

Week 6: TIE: New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers, New York Giants @ Cleveland Browns

The first tie of the year. I just couldn’t seem to choose which game should get the honors, so I decided to give it to both of them. Plus, if I picked the Pats game I would probably have been labeled a rabid homer. Seriously though, Pats/Bolts is yet another playoff rematch and Giants/Cleveland just has a fantastic ring to it. Barring a Browns collapse, which unfortunately tends to happen with most trendy sleeper picks. This should be a great game. I think the Browns are for real, though.

Week 7: Seattle Seahawks @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In what could have been a playoff match up last year, we have the front running NFC West Seahawks taking on the defending NFC South champion Buccaneers. To put it simply: Game of the Week material.

Week 8: San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints

Sure, the Saints failed to make the playoffs last year -- but are you going to tell me you wanted want to see this match up against two of the league’s highest caliber offenses? If you said no, than your lying.

Week 9: TIE: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants, New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts

The second tie of the season! A rematch of the NFC divisional game between the Boys and the G-Men and a match up of what could have easily been the AFC Championship game. Something is telling me all four of these teams are still going to be relevant come Week 9, you can call me crazy if you’d like.

Week 10: Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were a play or two away from getting past the Jaguars in last year’s wild card round. The Colts, just a play or two away from defeating the Chargers in the divisional round. Together, they make a great Week 10 match up.

Week 11: San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Are you beginning to see a pattern here? How is it wrong to pick many of last years playoff teams as this year’s Game of the Week winners? Doesn’t this make more sense than banking on some no chance sleepers?

Week 12: Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks

Yet another playoff rematch. Am I feeling bad about it? Absolutely not. At the beginning of this year, would you watch these two teams duke it out on Monday Night Football or would you rather watch the Cardinals/Ravens game?

Week 13: TIE: Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts @ Cleveland Browns

I’ve got a lot banking on Cleveland being for real this year, but I believe I’ll be correct. Seahawks and Dallas during Week 13 should give us a good look at who’s the elite in the upcoming NFL playoffs.

Week 14: New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks

A great inter-conference match up late in the season. Will both teams be playing to get by this week? Or will this be a game that decides either of the two teams fates?

Week 15: New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

If you need an explanation for this game, you need to learn a lot more about the NFL.

Week 16: Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars/Colts met in Week 3 in the game of the week -- why not in Week 16? Going against all I know, it should still be competitive in the AFC South between the two by now.

Week 17: Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Some might feel this is a stretch, but I know in my heart that Philadelphia is going to be back competing for a playoff bid next year. This game very well could have similar ramifications as the Patriots/Giants game of last year (Not undefeated wise, but late in the season postseason important-wise).

State of the Franchise: The St. Louis Rams

Having finished the 2006 season 8-8, many were optimistic about the Rams chances going into 2007. Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt were yet again returning, along with newly crowned elite back Stephen Jackson. Not that anyone goes into an NFL season expecting the worst, but this particular Rams team had a lot of weapons and it was safe to assume they would contend for the NFC West title.

Unfortunately, they did not.

In fact, it wasn't even close. Not only did they not contend, but through various injuries they finished second worst in the entire NFL. Marc Bulger had his worst season since he came into the NFL in 2001. The defense wasn’t one of the best in the league, but it at least wasn’t the sole reason for their disappointing season. Through poor play and even poorer placed injuries, the Rams just never got it started for the 2007 season.

Luckily for them, one of their key weaknesses of the season can be easily remedied through the NFL draft. Sitting at number two in the first round, the Rams have a fantastic shot at Jake Long, the premier offensive lineman of the draft and a sure shot to make an impact for years to come.

The key thing for the Rams to build upon in the upcoming draft is the offensive line. Marc Bulger was actually knocked out for a couple of games for broken ribs in 2007. He broke these ribs because the offensive line failed to protect him on multiple plays. Yes, he had already injuried them the previous week and still decided to play (which is commendable, but come on) -- aggravating the injury -- but guess who’s fault the injury was in the first place? That’s right, the offensive line.

Are you noticing a pattern here? Assuming the Dolphins do not take Jake Long, the Rams would and should take him at number two. Never has such a prized prospect fit such a glaring weakness so perfectly in all the years that I could remember. With new rumors that Vernon Gholston might go number one to the Dolphins, the Rams still must be a mess. Just a week ago, it was reported that Jake Long was in contract talks with the Dolphins, should they choose to draft him.

Their entire franchises fate appears to hinge on how this plays out. Obviously, they can still succeed without him but it would still hurt if they failed to land him. It almost seems to be too good of a match and that in a perfect reality, the Dolphins would take J. Long, the Rams would be stuck between a rock and hard place and their entire draft strategy would be destroyed. Yes, there are many, many great O.L. prospects that will be available in the middle rounds but they would fit in all the better should the Rams acquire Jake Long. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about an offensive lineman going to a particular team in the Top 5 in my history with the game. Then again, I have Marc Bulger in my keeper league, so having Jake Long be his new bodyguard would make me all the more biased.

Much has been said about the offensive line in regards to pass protection, but let’s look at the obvious here: They aren’t very good at run blocking either. Yes, 2006 saw them block their way towards Stephen Jackson becoming a league icon. But through different departures and here it is again, injuries, the offensive line took a step backwards in 2007. A fresh young recruit with the potential to be the anchor for the line for many years to come should add a spark to an otherwise anemic unit.

Although they lost Issac Bruce to free agency, the Rams did sign WR Reche Caldwell and TE Anthony Becht. Reche Caldwell obviously isn’t a premier receiver, but as he showed with the Patriots -- if he’s with a skilled quarterback (I'm looking at you Bulger, stay healthy!), he can put up some decent numbers.

Stephen Jackson looks to return from an injury riddled 2007 and build upon his previous dominance. Look for him to be a candidate for comeback player of the year.

Looking at the NFC West, the Seahawks would appear to be the early favorite, but with the 49ers and Cardinals rounding out the division, the Rams have to feel good about their chances.

If they can get back to their previous years’ form they could easily be a contender for the division title. Also, if the Rams can solidify their leaky O-line and build upon their defense, they could easily remedy their 2007 season. While they might not achieve the previous title of Greatest Show on Turf, they have the potential to put up some points when everyone is on and healthy. Key word healthy.

Prediction: A respectable 8-8 finish, 3rd place in the NFC West. Interaction: Add your prediction and why in the comments.