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NFL game briefs

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 7, 2001

Packers at Bucs

OF NOTE: The Bucs have won the past three times the teams have met at Raymond James Stadium. They need this one to keep from falling to worse than .500. Without the injured Warrick Dunn, the Bucs' already struggling offense may be too weak to stay with the Packers, who lead the league in scoring and points allowed. Packers running back Ahman Green figures to have another 100-plus yards from scrimmage. The Bucs will be the first to score on the Packers in the second half, but it will be too little too late.

FRY'S PROMISE: Packers 24, Bucs 23

Titans at Ravens.

OF NOTE: The Titans need this game in the worst way. Losing this division game and falling to 0-3 would be a serious blow. The Ravens aren't as formidable as they were last season, but they are flying high after toppling the Broncos Sunday. With quarterback Steve McNair perhaps not 100 percent, the load falls to running back Eddie George. But the Ravens are stingy against the run (no 100-yard rusher in 36 consecutive games), which is why they've won the past two times they've played the Titans. After today, make that three.

FRY'S PROMISE: Ravens 20, Titans 16

Redskins at Giants.

OF NOTE: My 6-year-old cousin Mykala could figure out who's going to win this game. The 'Skins are downright awful. They've been especially bad against the run, giving up more than 200 yards on the ground Sunday to Kansas City. That means running back Ron Dayne will bulldoze the Redskins' injury-riddled defense and make everyone forget teammate Tiki Barber is hurt. With another game under his belt, quarterback Tony Banks (11-for-27 for 116 yards last week) will keep this one from being another blowout, but not by much.

FRY'S PROMISE: Giants 27, Redskins 14

Chargers at Browns.

OF NOTE: You hate to see either of these rebuilding teams lose, but history says it will be the Browns. The Chargers have won five of the past six meetings. They will ride rookie running back LaDainian Tomlinson again as they have all season. The Browns are decent against the run, but they haven't faced a runner as good as Tomlinson. The Browns' stellar pass defense (league-leading 11 interceptions) ought to slow quarterback Doug Flutie, but Tomlinson should be enough to keep the Chargers unbeaten.

FRY'S PROMISE: Chargers 14, Browns 10

Cardinals at Eagles.

OF NOTE: The Eagles have won two in a row and seven of the past nine at home against the Cardinals. There could be trouble brewing in Arizona if the Cardinals drop this one to stay winless. Quarterback Jake Plummer (four interceptions) ain't getting it done, and won't today against a fierce Eagles defense that's second in sacks (13). Running back Michael Pittman is dangerous, but the Cards figure to be so far behind by halftime that running the ball won't be an option.

FRY'S PROMISE: Eagles 31, Cardinals 10

Bears at Falcons.

OF NOTE: Normally, the Falcons would be the easy pick, but who knows what they'll do without injured running back Jamal Anderson, who is out for the season. Atlanta likely will rely a little more on quarterback Chris Chandler, who is having a great season. The Bears are suspect against the pass (allowing 238 passing yards a game), making them easy pickings for Chandler, who is remarkably accurate (70 percent). The home-field factor ought to help. Chicago is 4-14 on artificial turf the past five seasons.

FRY'S PROMISE: Falcons 26, Bears 17

Bengals at Steelers.

OF NOTE: This one is almost a tossup. The Bengals appear to be vastly improved, while the Steelers are coming off a 20-3 win against Buffalo and have beaten the Bengals 15 times in the past 20 meetings. For some reason, I'm not sold on the Steelers. Their offense still is highly suspect. The key here is running back Corey Dillon. If he has a big day, the Bengals, who are 0-4 in the past four road games against winning teams, will gain more believers. If not, quarterback Jon Kitna (three interceptions last week) will be hard-pressed to win it by himself.

FRY'S PROMISE: Bengals 10, Steelers 6

Vikings at Saints.

OF NOTE: This is another one that's tough to call. Are the Vikings out of their funk? Are the Saints truly an elite team? Both questions should be answered today. The Vikes have won the past three against the Saints, but I don't think the Vikes' early-season problems are fixed. Running back Michael Bennett might finally have a breakout game, but the Saints' pass defense (ranked third in NFC with 10 sacks) will give Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss and Cris Carter problems, as will the noisy Superdome. Minnesota is good, but no longer great.

FRY'S PROMISE: Saints 27, Vikings 21

Patriots at Dolphins.

OF NOTE: After the Patriots shocked the Colts last week, who knows what to expect from them today? Here's a hint: The Fins have won the past four, and 10 of 12 at home. Whatever magic reserve quarterback Tom Brady used to confound the Colts ain't going to work this time. Despite being trampled by the Rams last week, Miami's defense is among the best in the league, especially against the run. It will shut down running back Antowain Smith (43 carries for 147 yards) and put the game in Brady's hands.

FRY'S PROMISE: Dolphins 23, Patriots 20

Chiefs at Broncos.

OF NOTE: You'd think the Broncos would win this one going away, but they probably won't. K.C. usually plays Denver tough and has won the past four times they've met. Denver, though, looks to take out its frustration from last week's loss against Baltimore. The Chiefs are the perfect target. Running back Priest Holmes (147 yards against Washington last week) won't find it so easy. Plus, the Chiefs are banged up with receivers Sylvester Morris (knee) out and Marvin Minnis (concussion) questionable.

FRY'S PROMISE: Broncos 27, Chiefs 17

Jaguars at Seahawks.

OF NOTE: Quarterback Mark Brunell's status remains a huge question mark. If he's close to 100 percent, the Jags will be in this one until the end. If not, Seattle could steal it, which it desperately needs in its first of three consecutive home games. Thing is, Seattle is hobbled too, with running back Ricky Watters out (Shaun Alexander will start) and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (concussion) questionable. In fact, Trent Dilfer will start at QB. Some home cooking ought to be enough to push the Seahawks over the top.

FRY'S PROMISE: Seahawks 13, Jaguars 10

Jets at Bills.

OF NOTE: Each needs this game to hold its their season together, but this one looks like it's going to the visitor. Jets have won four of the past six meetings, and quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who has no interceptions, is 3-1 against the Bills since arriving in New York. The Bills always play the Jets tough at home (two of past three decided by seven points or fewer), but they still are struggling with their new West Coast offense and the running game isn't potent enough to take advantage of the Jets' league-worst run defense (164.7 yards a game).

FRY'S PROMISE: Jets 16, Bills 14

Cowboys at Raiders.

OF NOTE: The Cowboys have won two of the past three against the Raiders and get quarterback Quincy Carter back, but so what? The Raiders have won 10 of their past 11 home games and looked awesome in crushing Seattle last week. Dallas' best hope is running back Emmitt Smith (321 yards and seven touchdowns in three games against Oakland), but he faces the AFC's second-best run defense (73.7 yards allowed a game). Dallas will win this season, but not this week.

FRY'S PROMISE: Raiders 35, Cowboys 21

Panthers at 49ers.

OF NOTE: The Niners are looking like playoff contenders. Give props to Jeff Garcia, who is developing into a top-flight quarterback. Panthers have won the past four against the Niners, partly because of underrated receiver Muhsin Muhammad (34 catches for 457 yards and 5 touchdowns in past four meetings). But the Niners are vastly improved. Plus, running back Garrison Hearst always stomps the Panthers defense (370 yards in past three meetings), as does receiver Terrell Owens (20 catches for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns).

FRY'S PROMISE: Niners 28, Panthers 14

Rams at Lions.

OF NOTE: The Lions, who are going with quarterback Ty Detmer again (seven interceptions against Cleveland), have won three in a row against the Rams. But that's the only thing in Detroit's favor. Rams are playing better than any team in the league. No one has stopped their quick-strike offense (league-leading 303.3 yards a game), and Detroit won't either, although the Lions surprisingly defensed running back Marshall Faulk better than most teams (53 rushing yards in past two games). Still, it's Rams all the way.

FRY'S PROMISE: Rams 24, Lions 7

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