Home » Columns, Punt Pass & Pick, Sports

Punt, Pass and Pick: Week Four

26 September 2012 By Jonathan Munshaw, News Editor and Jesse Jones, Staff Writer No Comments
Munshaw vs. Jones

Jon: Well, I got one game right last week. So there’s that. I have yet to have a winning record this year as well, but same with my fantasy football team and same for my Browns, so this football season is just not going my way so far.

This week, I hope to rebound against Jesse Jones, but you all can call him Julio Jones.

I’m still avoiding the Browns game this week, especially because I will be in Bateman’s, as it is Thursday night, getting berated by Ravens fans for how bad the Browns are, so I am trying to avoid further humiliation.

Jesse: Jon, I only have one thing to say to you and I’ll try to put it nicely. When it comes to the NFL, you are as knowledgeable as Sarah Palin is when it comes to foreign policy.

No but really, I am honored that Munch (Jon) believes I will be as on par with my picks as Julio Jones has been for me in fantasy football this year, which unlike Munch, I have a winning record in all four of my leagues.

All jokes aside, let’s get down to business.

 

San Francisco 49ers -3.5 at New York Jets

Jon: The 49ers got beat by Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings last week, so people are going to be hating on them this week, but the Jets barely got by Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins. Mark Sanchez looked like, well Mark Sanchez, against the Dolphins, only completing 46.7 percent of his passes and walking out of the stadium with a 32.4 QB-rating. The San Francisco defense is too tough for quarterbacks play like that, and I expect Frank Gore to have a strong day rushing the ball after only having 63 yards against the Vikings.

49ers 24, Jets 16

Jesse: In the words of the infamous Skip Bayless, it is time to UNLEASH TIM TEBOW! With Darrelle Revis out for the year and Mark Sanchez playing more like Mark Sanchez since the first week of the season, what do the Jets have to lose?

San Fran is one of the most complete teams in the league and has one of, if not the best, defense in the NFL.

I cannot see the Jets getting anything on offense in this game and without Revis, expect Michael Crabtree to have a big game.

49ers 27, Jets 14

 

New Orleans Saints +7.5 at Green Bay Packers

Jon: After losing the first three games of the season, the Saints and their third-string coach have the same record as the Browns, and that’s never a good sign. The Packers haven’t necessarily looked like world-beaters either. Especially because of their struggling running game and the debacle that was the Monday night game. But I think Green Bay will be looking for retribution after its crushing loss to the Seahawks.

Packers 32, Saints 28

Jesse: I honestly did not expect the Saints to be winless after three games. In fact, I thought they could actually be 3-0 with the leadership and talent of Drew Brees. It just goes to show that coaching is more important than many people realize.

The Packers should be 2-1, although they too have not looked impressive offensively. However, I expect their offense, which is ranked 25th in the league, to rack up the yards and points against the Saints’ last-ranked defense. Aaron Rodgers will have a huge game.

Packers 31, Saints 21

 

New York Giants +2.5 at Philadelphia Eagles

Jon: The Giants rolled Cam Newton and the Panthers on Thursday night football last week, and this week they face the human turnover Michael Vick. In the victory over the Panthers, the Giants showed off how much depth they have. I know you all started wide receiver Ramses Barden last week on your fantasy teams, who caught nine balls for 138 yards, and backup running back Andre Brown who carried the ball for 113 yards and two touchdowns. New York is just a better team than Philly this year, and it’s going to show.

Giants 28, Eagles 11

Jesse: Both these teams usually match up well against one another in this classic NFC East rivalry. However, the Eagles have a banged up offensive line and are -6 in the turnover category.

Eli Manning has all but cemented his place in the elite quarterback club. He has his offense ranked third in the league, averaging 426 yards and 31.3 points per game. Their defensive line is as ruthless as any other in league.

With constant pressure on Michael Vick, the Eagles won’t have a chance to get lucky again this week.

Giants 27, Eagles 14

 

Chicago +3.5 at Dallas

Jon: I can’t decide how I feel about the Bears this year. They beat the Colts, who aren’t good, lost to the Packers and beat the Rams, who also aren’t good. If Bears quarterback Jay Cutler continues to struggle, throwing three touchdowns and six interceptions, and boasting a 31.4 QB rating, the team can only go so far. While the Dallas defense isn’t destroying worlds, it is holding opposing offenses to only 5.9 yards per completion, so I expect Cutler and the Bears to stumble.

Cowboys 27, Bears 16

Jesse: Before the season started I said the Bears would make the NFC Championship because of their defense and Jay Cutler being reunited with his long-time buddy Brandon Marshall. Well, Cutler and Marshall have only connected for one touchdown, and Cutler has thrown six picks. The offensive line is a joke, giving up 11 sacks after three games for a loss of 83 yards. Let’s not forget both their wins have come against sub-par teams, to say the least.

Dallas has the top-ranked defense so far this season thanks to a revamped secondary. However, its offense is only putting up 15.7 points per game and has to go against the Bears’ defense, which is ranked sixth in the league.

This game will come down to which quarterback throws the most costly interception.

Bears 20, Cowboys 17

 

Carolina +7 at Atlanta

Jon: Not sure if Carolina Panthers offense, or worse version of Cleveland Browns offense. Cam Newton has thrown two touchdowns and five interceptions, and former-Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has even made an appearance for the Panthers. Their leading rusher is DeAngelo Williams, who is only averaging 3.8 yards per carry, and has only scored one touchdown so far. Atlanta is going to roll.

Falcons 30, Panthers 20

Jesse: How good has Matty Ice been for the Falcons so far? He’s thrown for eight touchdowns after three games, is leading his offense to an average of 31.3 points per game and an undefeated record. Not to mention they just did one of the hardest things to do in football: travel across the country to San Diego and win by 24 points.

The Panthers are coming off an embarrassment at home in primetime. Cam Newton has been less than stellar, throwing for only two touchdowns and five interceptions. The only way the Panthers have a chance in this one is if they can get the running game going and keep Matt Ryan off the field.

Falcons 28, Panthers 14


Leave your response!

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.

Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam.

Formatting help »

By posting a comment you acknowledge and accept the following policy. Any material published on TheTowerlight.com may be used in the print edition. The Towerlight reserves the right to remove any comment from our website at any time for any reason. Online comments do not reflect the views of The Towerlight.