Rob Long: Got The Bye Week Blues?
Throughout the course of the week I've been asked the same question in various ways. That question is, "Rob, what are you going to do Sunday now that the Ravens aren't playing?" Huh? I don't understand.
Yes, the Baltimore Ravens are the team that I ultimately cheer for. The Baltimore Ravens are the only NFL team who's colors I wear. The Baltimore Ravens are my HOME TEAM. However, I love football. This is my chance to watch the National Football League without the emotions of my team winning or losing. It's a great football weekend and it begins Saturday with college football.
It all begins at noon on Saturday with Ohio State coming off of a big win last weekend against Michigan State. The Buckeyes will have to do it again on the road against Minnesota.
Then at 3:30 Mississippi State will get another big test as they travel to take on always battle tested Alabama. This could be an elimination game for the Crimson Tide who already have a loss this year. Two losses will knock them right out of the playoffs.
The prime time college football match up is Florida State against the Hurricanes in Miami. No this isn't Jimmy Johnson and Bobby Bowden but after the Seminoles dropped from number two to three after a win. In addition to that, the number two team has a loss. There are a lot of people hopping on the Miami bandwagon for this game. I want to see how Florida State responds.
Sunday has a few games I'm interested in. First, I want to see if the Kansas City Chiefs are for real. Well, maybe their game against the Seattle Seahawks in Kansas City will prove whether or not Seattle is for real. Either way, I'm looking forward to this contest.
At 4:25 it's a battle of two of the best teams in the NFC. The Detroit Lions travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. Even with Carson Palmer going down last week the Cardinals are still a very good football team led by their defense. The Lions boast a good defense of their own with one of the best defensive lines in the league. I think they get the win on the road in a very close game.
The prime time NFL match up is going to be a thing of beauty. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots head to Indy to take on Andrew Luck and company. I know Luck gets a ridiculous amount of love but he deserves every bit of it. He's THAT good and there's nothing better than to see one of today's best take on a certain first ballot Hall Of Famer in Brady.
Yes, the Ravens have a bye week but football is still on. This is that week when I can sit back and just enjoy the games from a fan's perspective. Can't wait.
Picks
Ohio State 31 Minnesota 20
Alabama 27 Mississippi St 21
Florida State 31 Miami 17
Kansas City 20 Seattle 16
Detroit 27 Arizona 24
Indy 31 New England 27
Want more options for this Sunday? Check out some of our ideas here: 5 Ways To Cure Your Bye Week Blues.
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