Surprises...WK4 & AFC West

I love to talk about the emotional and the mental side of the game......I also love to identify and pick underdogs or under-respected teams, players, whatever.

Week 4:

AFC West:

KC is in a perfect spot against the NYGs this week. For those that only look at the play and strategy of each team, the NYGs are a lock. I really expect KC to play tough here. Not only are they going against NY at home (in a very tough place to play), benefit from the "who do we fear on this team?" syndrome that NY will find it hard to defeat, and from Haley's prowess as an offensive guru. Haley started sticking with the run late in the Phi game, despite the score......what does that mean?? Well it could be a lot of things, but based on how poor the protection was, I expect he conceded that he did not prepare his team to protect well enough for the Phi blitz. I expect KC to be fully prepared this week. The offense only now coming together is conceivable based on Haley's poor organization and the OC fire. The NYGs are notorious for laying eggs against poor opponents. I blame Coughlin and expect to see his dry "nuts & bolts" coaching leave the team lackluster for this week.

OAK....now I don't think OAK can truly beat anybody because the cohesion and team synergy are not there. How can they be? Competition really doesn't happen amongst players on this team and the coaches don't hold the final say. For some reason though, I think this team has a little more than people give it credit for (close games against KC and SD). HOU is about a good a matchup as they can get and it comes after an AFC West thumping by us......If JaMarcus can't manage to be focused for this game and pull something off....along with McFadden, then this team is already starting its nosedive

SD.....is, as everyone says, the best team in the AFC West??? No, SD is a team that is carried by who I consider the best QB in the NFL. They will be in every game no matter what. I think they will give us fits too. PITT is so ripe to get beat here though. They have been surprised the last two weeks, but I don't think that surprise has sunk in. They still think they are really good....defending CHAMPS, right! They aren't....good talent, but its obvious they are missing the focus and killer instinct this year. I am going to enjoy watching Tomlin coach under fire. SD can pull this out and I hope they do. It will give them big heads and the media will be hypeing them way beyond their level of play.

To include Denver, this could be an AFC West sweep week. I know, its the weakest division, but that stuff is way overrated at this point. I like the positions of all these teams and their opponents (overconfident). We'll see how it plays out.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Josh Johnson......I hear Morris, his own coach say, "he's my Jason Garret"......What?? Why play him then? Lets get to Freeman. The reason is this guy can be good....in fact, I think great. Read up about his play in college. I don't wanna hear about the competition. Its like the Broncs domination (well on D at least) of three bad teams....its still domination. He looked very good last week in a series vs. the NYGs. They blitzed him twice and he picked 'em up and made great decisions. He should have had a TD, but his WRs were surprised someone could get the ball down the field. 

Jim Harbaugh coached this guy in college and said he was a top D I talent.....Why is he playing?? Because the OC, Olson, knows he's good and he gives TB a chance to win now...someone wake up Morris so he can stop telling other NFL coaches, "We just wanna grow up and be like you....good!" WHAT??? It is too bad Johnson is in this situation. I expect him to play great against WAS and for the season. TB is terrible though.

Enjoy the games!!!