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Colt McCoy, then a Longhorn

Do you remember that Simpson’s episode where Homer changed his name to Max Power? If ever I was able to chose my own name I’d have to go for Colt McCoy. There are some great names within the NFL rosters, but if ever there was a name that could strike fear into the hearts of the towns folk it is Colt McCoy. If I were him then I’d really play up to my name. I’d turn up to work in a cowboy hat, even better than that I’d be on horseback. I’d drink ole joe during the day, whiskey at night. If I wanted someone out of my office I’d make em dance to the sound of my six-shooter before throwing them through the window.

How did I get on to this? Oh yeah, it looks like McCoy will get another start on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are both injured leaving McCoy as the starter. Not a bad starter to have in my opinion, he clocked up an 80.5 QB rating against the Steelers. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has been talking him up too.

In many ways it is a great game for McCoy to start, there is little pressure because not many people are expecting to Browns to win. That means that there is a good chance that we will see some great play from the Browns. I don’t expect a win either, but a game which builds on last Sundays performance against the Steelers would be a great result here.

We should see even more new talent take to the field as receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs are both out injured. Robaire Smith and Tony Pashos are also out.

One to watch for New Orleans this week is Chris Ivory, who ran for 158 yards on 15 carries against Tampa Bay last week. He seemed to be able to find space that wasn’t there, so it will be interesting to see if he can build on that this time around.

While the Saints have not had the best of starts and seem not to be playing at the same levels as last year, this should be an easy win. However, it is also a must win so there will be massive pressure to get the job done. Still, if there is one team that can handle pressure it is previous NFL London hosts the New Orleans Saints.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints

Image Credit
Colt McCoy – Aaron Vazquez

Bucs' Flags at Wembley

The 2010 NFL Wembley game could be a little different, budgets may well be tight, the 49ers may well feel there is not a lot to cheer at the moment too.  One thing is for sure though, the UK NFL fans do a great job at getting behind the home team.  Us Brits love to support the underdog and San Francisco have a great following here too, so it should be an amazing crowd.

I for one can’t wait to get there and be in the company of so many NFL fans, not just UK NFL fans, but the whole mix of nationalities we saw last year.  There is truly something for everyone at the International Series.

Somewhere in the UK there are people who know the answer to the original question though, if you are one of them then please tell us what the palns are.  There may even be a beer in it for you, and at Wembley beer prices that is quite a reward!

Image Credit: Not Enough Megapixels

The Indianapolis Colts make their way to Washington this Sunday to face a rejuvenated Redskins team.  It is interesting to see just how close things are so far this season, and I don’t think that there were many who put the Redskins and the Colts level at week 6.

FedEx Field

Washington will be missing Clinton Portis, but have some good news as Albert Haynesworth returns to the skins defence after missing last week’s game due to the death of his brother.  Indianapolis have a couple of gaps with injuries to Joseph Addai and Donald Brown.

Home advantage as ever will play its part, another important factor that leaves little between these teams.  If I was a betting man…err, which I am, then I would have a little flutter on this game.  The odds offer some real value for a Skins win.

My Prediction: Washington Redskins

Image Credit: Clydorama

Whichever way you look at it the Rams are a much-improved team this season. At the end of last season you might have written them off right away against the Seahawks, but as things stand now this could be one of the games of the week.

Inside the Edward Jones Dome

Seattle have got off to their best start in three years (2-1). The Rams on the other hand are 1-2, but they have been putting in very good performances not least of which was last weeks’ win over an improved Redskins side.

The Rams will miss Steven Jackson who is out for an unknown period with a groin injury. That said, Kenneth Darby stepped up and proved that there is depth in the team. We should expect another big week from him this week.

All eyes are still on Sam Bradford, he seems to be getting better each week, but will be punished by the Hawks on any interceptions. His role will be massive in this game as there are holes in the Seahawks defence that are there to be exploited.

While Seattle have made positive moves signing wide receiver Brandon Stokley and linemen Allen Barbre and Breno Giacomini I think there are still enough weaknesses for the Rams to take advantage of.

Prediction: Slim St. Louis Win

Image Credits: Edward Jones Dome – Geir Arne Hjelle

Peyton Manning

So it is time for Manning v Manning showdown, Peyton v Eli.  This is only the second time that the two brothers have met in the NFL, and we all know just how brothers can have close battles, lets hope they can bring that to the field and we get a nice tight game.

Peyton Manning will not be as worried about facing his brothers team as he will be about making sure that they don’t go down for a second successive week to the underdog.  Last weeks loss against the Texans was the shock result of the week, none of us here at Mac called it, and I am sure very few others did either.

The Texans exposed some pretty big holes in the Indianapolis Colts running a record 257 yards (It’s a happy fantasy player who picked up Arian Foster this week!).  So, the test now is how the Colts respond to that loss and the lessons they take from it.  You can bet that the Giants have been watching that game closely this week making sure that they are ready to make the most of any weaknesses that have not been patched.

Bob Sanders is out with a Bicep tear (is there a more manly ingury?  GRRRRR) which is a sad blow as he has been hampered by injury for years now.  Speedy recovery Bob.

The Giants have work to do too.  The Giants had four turnovers last week, and 95 yards of penalties.  They will need to tighten up in order to brush the Colts aside in their own backyard.

Eli Manning

The Giants will be looking to get at Peyton in this game, they sacked Matt Moore four times last week.  Protection seems to be a weak spot for the Colts, so don’t be suprised to see Peyton on the deck a few times.

Odds makers have the Colts way ahead in this game, but I see it being much closer.  I think the Giants momentum coupled with their desire to show that they are the best might just carry them through here.  That said, don’t write off the Colts.  Yes, it was a poor opener which they should have won, but they are a quality team that will not rest until they have it right again.

I am going to have to side with previous NFL London visitors the New York Giants this week.

Sadly this is the night game for UK NFL fans, so respect to those staying up.  If you are reading this during the game then please leave a comment as we would love to hear from you.

Image Credits:

Eli – Jason Poulton
Peyton – kuramasgirl556@sbcglobal.net

Special Report from Joshua Modaberi:

After seven months away the NFL was back last night with the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings in a repeat of last years NFC Championship match.

The Saints came out on top in that encounter which they won in overtime 31-28. New Orleans then went on to win their first Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts in Miami 31-17.

Sean Payton’s side continued from where they left off last season by beating the Vikings 14-9.

The NFL is a bit like a London double decker bus – having been away since February, this weekend in the UK there are still another five games on TV.

Joshua Modaberi has caught up with Kevin Cadle from Sky Sports and Dan Arkush from Pro Football Weekly to discuss the remaining television fixtures over the opening weekend.

Kevin Cadle on
Carolina @ NY Giants Live on Sky Sports 4 Sunday from 17.30:
“I don’t think you can look past the New York giants in this one, they are going to be opening the brand new stadium.

“Eli Manning is probably coming off his best season ever as a pro. Wide Receiver Steve Smith really came out and did a great job last year receiving the ball and Ahmad Bradshaw has established himself as the number one running back.

“You are still going to have to look at what the Giants are going to do defensively and that will be the key to their season. On Sunday they are going to have to go out there and do something with Carolina’s dynamic duo – they had two guys running 4,000 yards last year so you know they are going to be looking to run the football against the Giants.”

San Francisco @ Seattle Live on Sky Sports 4 Sunday from 21.00:
“We don’t know a lot about Seattle, right now you don’t know if Pete Carroll thinking is as a head coach of this particular team.

“What kind of team are the going to have, you have Justin Forsett as the top running back, and he’s only about 5’6 on a good day. With Seattle I think the betting will be out for them until teams can see exactly what they emphasise and what they are doing on both the offensive and defensive edge.

“As for San Francisco we know all about them, Mike Singletary has put a stamp on that defence and the defence is going to get better and better.

“Offensively I think the San Francisco organisation has done a tremendous job as far as trying to assist the role of Alex smith. Last year they brought in Michael Crabtree and now this year you have two new offensive linemen who where the top two draft choices – so they are trying to do whatever they can to get things in order for Alex Smith to be as successful as he can possibly be.”

Dan Arkush on
Dallas @ Washington Live on Channel 4 Monday from 00.55:
“Dallas in terms of pure talent probably have the most talented team in the league. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will get to the Super Bowl by any means.

“I think in this game they match up well against their opponents the Redskins. Nobody can really get a firm reading on what the deal is going to be with Washington.

“They have a new head coach in Mike Shanahan, who was a very successful head coach with the Broncos. By all accounts he seems to be heading in the right direction with the Redskins. Donovan McNabb is another great addition to Washington, but I think Dallas is going to win this game with the Super Bowl in Dallas they are going to want to have a good season and get off to a winning start.”

Baltimore @ NY Jets Live on ESPN Tuesday from 00.00:
“There is a lot of buzz about the Jets, Rex Ryan is a very entertaining head coach and is also a very good one. They have an excellent defence, which has been bolstered by the return of Darrelle Revis.

“Baltimore will be a tough opponent, for years the main thing people have thought about when they think of the Ravens is the defence, which remains strong.

“But what has happened in Baltimore now is that they have become an offensive powerhouse.

“Both these teams are looking really good and it’s going to be a great Monday night match up. I guess because the Jets are at home they might just snatch it, but it is a tough one to call.”

San Diego @ Kansas City Live on ESPN Tuesday from 03.00:
“San Diego are widely considered to be the top dog in the AFC West, which is a pretty week division overall.

“Kansas City I think has the chance to come on strong as the year progresses, they have good coordinators there. I think it will be a close encounter but I think San Diego will win.”

To listen to more of the interviews with Dan Arkush and Kevin Cadle check out -  http://www.worldsport.podbean.com/

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers edged a preseason win against the Raiders this weekend.  While the Raiders seem much improved, this was the kind of game that the 49ers needed as it proved a good test and exciting stuff (including a 57 yeard field goal from the Raiders).
Back up Quarterback David Carr looked cool and calm during his time in the game and put his marker on the position. Adams also made an impressive put return to claim a touchdown.

Aubrayo Franklin has been signed as a franchise player and returned to camp after holding out for a deal.  Travis LaBoy is also making great progress and could be a player worth watching this season.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos pulled out an impressive pre season win over the Steelers.  Kyle Orton was in great form and not affraid to put his health on the line for the sake of the game.  He made a tackle which saw him leave the field for a time.  Tebow also looked great and so it seems the Droncos have some great depth here.

Left tackle Ryan Clady is back in training after his knee operation which is good news for the Broncos this week.

Prediction-O-Meter

No change in the prediction-o-meter this week, we hope that it gets a bit more even as the NFL at Wembley draws closer.