NFL Lessons from Week 7

Packers 31- Browns 3
The unbelievable occurred this weekend! The artists formerly known collectively as the Contract Boosters have regained their identity as the Packers offensive line. Previously suffering from multiple personality disorder the hefty group broke out of a group wide identity crisis and allowed zero sacks for the first time all season! The even opened holes on ground as Ryan Grant ran for a season high 148 yards on 27 carries. The Green and Gold dominated every facet of the game as QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 246 and another 3 TD passes, bringing his season total to 11 against only 2 INTs. The Packers D held the Browns to 139 total yards, sacked Cleveland QB Derek Anderson twice and picked him of once. This type of dominating performance is exactly what Packers fan were looking for with the return of Favre due next week. If the O-line can play the way they did in Week 7 the Pack have a chance to split the season series with the Vikes. Things won't get any easier for the Browns next week as they face an angry Ravens team coming off 3 straight loses and a bye week.

Steelers 27- Vikings 17
The Purple People Eaters finally went down. It took the defending Super Bowl champs to do it but other teams can learn from the winning formula.
1. Bottle up Adrian Peterson. No doubt the best running back in the game, the Steelers held Peterson to 69 yards on 18 carries. While other teams like the Packers and 49ers have done a good job at this; 25 carries for 55 yards and 19 carries for 85 yards respectively, this leads to step 2.
2. Pressure Favre. The Steelers sacked the ageless wonder 4 times and picked him at a key time in the game. While it took until Week 7 for a reminder, defenses have always known Favre can be turnover prone. The Steelers won the game in the 4th quarter by exposing Favre's weakness. LaMarr Woodley returned a Favre fumble for a touchdown with 6:23 left and Keyaron Fox brought back an INT to house with 1:00 left to ice the game. While Favre threw for 334 yards, the Steelers managed to keep him touchdownless. But turn about is fair play....
3. Contain Jared Allen. The sack machine was shut out. While the Steelers did allow 3 sacks, Allen is the primary disruptive force against the pass on the Vikings D. When opposing QBs do not have to worry about their blind side they have a chance to beat the outstanding Vikings D.
The Steelers take on the Broncos next. Can they be the first loss for back to back opponents?

Cowboys 37- Falcons 21
World, meet Miles Austin. Entering Week 5 Austin had 5 catches for 81 yards and 1 TD. Two games later he has 21 cathches for 502 yards and 5 TDs. The Cowboys don't have to worry about a number 1 option anymore, huh? The Cowboys won on big plays: a Miles Austin 59 yard TD and a Patrick Crayton 73 yard punt return TD. The Dallas D sacked Atlanta QB Matt Ryan 4 times and picked him twice. After a dysfunctional start, the Cowboys are suddenly 4-2. The Falcons sport the same record and look to be atleast a year or 2 away from Super Bowl contention behind budding superstar Ryan. The Falcons have the Saints next week in an NFC South showdown while the Cowboys host the Seahawks.

8-5 on the picks this week moving me to 66-37.

TBG