Dr. Z's Forecast
Posted: Tuesday November 17, 1998 06:08 PM
By Paul Zimmerman  Philadelphia owner Jeff Lurie, after his
Eagles were blown out by Washington 28-3 on Sunday: "We were pitiful. I'd
rather see paint dry than watch our team play. Pitiful." New York coach
Jim Fassel, after his Giants were blown out by Green Bay 37-3: "If this is
the way we're going to play, I'd rather give some other guys an
opportunity."
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The Seahawks, who couldn't hang with the Raiders, will find the
going really tough in Dallas. John W. Mcdonough | The Giants have the second-worst offense in the league,
averaging 246.6 yards a game. The Eagles have the worst, at 245.6. That
means, with 10 games under their belts, only 10 yards separate these clubs,
which makes their meeting in the Meadowlands this Sunday especially
dramatic. I can hear Philly coach Ray Rhodes now: "O.K. guys, let's go out
there and outgain them by 11 yards." It'll be dramatic, all right. But
any coach will tell you that yards don't mean a thing; it's what you put up
on the scoreboard that counts, and the Eagles are pretty astounding in that
department, too. They're the most anemic scoring team in the NFL, with 92
points, a 9.2 average, which is their lowest since 1937, when they averaged
7.8. That figure might seem out of reach, but you never know. If the Eagles
keep putting up 3s (and Bobby Hoying has thrown
199 passes this year without a touchdown), they'll be right on the mark
after their 13th game. The Giants specialize in three-and-out series,
in which they lead the league, and they seem to be getting further and
further away from the passing game. Their passing yardage has gone down
steadily in the last three weeks, from 143 to 127 to 62 against the
Packers, but I foresee a bold approach this weekend because Eagles
cornerbacks have intercepted none of the 283 passes thrown by the enemy
this season. O.K., enough stats. But how do you handicap a matchup like
this? Easy. Take the home team. Giants to win it on a safety.
What's the motivational hook for the Jets when they travel to Tennessee?
Plagiarism. The Oilers stole New York's old AFL nickname last week when
owner Bud Adams decreed that starting next season his team will be known as
the Tennessee Titans. From 1960 through '62 the Jets were known as the
Titans. So call this game the Battle of the Titans. I like Tennessee
, despite the fact that the Jets make a habit of traveling to tough
places (i.e., New England and Kansas City) and coming away with a win. The
Oilers hung in with inspirational defense against the Steelers, fighting
poor field position all day and finally putting it together for the winning
drive. Tennessee is on a roll. Jacksonville has never beaten Pittsburgh
in Three Rivers, and now that the Jaguars lead the Steelers by two games in
the AFC Central, you'd think that there would be more pressure on the home
team. Could be, but I think this one will be decided by whichever team is
healthier. Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell wasn't right
in the win over Tampa Bay. Neither was Pittsburgh left corner Carnell Lake. But the
toughest injury was to Steelers kicker Norm Johnson, who didn't
play because of a strained calf muscle. Rookie Matt George took his place,
but he looked so shaky in warmups that coach Bill Cowher went for it twice
on fourth-and-one within field goal range, and his team was stuffed both
times. I also think that Jerome Bettis is still
bothered by a knee injury; he wasn't running with his usual zip against
Tennessee. Too many injuries. Too many ifs. Jaguars in a squeaker.
Miami to beat New England in the Monday-nighter in Foxboro.
The Patriots probably give Dan
Marino as much trouble as any team, but they've got too many people
banged up. Minnesota over Green Bay in the Metrodome, although I
don't foresee a repeat of that long-range bombing the Vikings inflicted on
the Packers last month. Packers defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur will
have some exotic blitz scheme cooked up. Turnovers might decide it. The
Cardinals are finally taking the wraps off Jake Plummer, and I look
for Arizona to win in Washington . Denver over Oakland ,
and I hate to sound like Johnny-one-note with this injury thing, but the
Raiders' Napoleon
Kaufman, Eric Allen
and Anthony Newman went
down against Seattle. Allen is out for the year, and I don't know how
functional the other two will be. Finally, Dallas big over the Seahawks
, who are on a self-destruct mission with all those penalties (27 in
the last two games) and who went 0 for 13 on third-down conversions against
Oakland.
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