NFL Week Seven Bold Predictions: Von Miller Gone Sacking
By Erik Lambert
Aug 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) gets past St. Louis Rams guard Shelley Smith (66) during the game against the St. Louis Rams at Sports Authority Field . Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Week seven offers all sorts of juicy NFL plot twists as the halfway point approaches. So where can the bold predictions come true?
Von Miller will sack Andrew Luck three times
Naturally the big story of week seven is the return of Peyton Manning to Indianapolis to face a Colts team he led to a championship and tons of winning seasons along with the guy who replaced him in Andrew Luck. That is why it’s easy to overlook a far more important return for the Denver Broncos which is defensive end Von Miller from suspension. Reports are he’s in excellent shape and undoubtedly dying to get back on the field. Not only will he help galvanize the Broncos pass rush, but he alone will sack Luck three times before the game is over.
Brandon Weeden will get benched against the Green Bay Packers
The Cleveland Browns remain committed to Brandon Weeden despite his ugly performance against Detroit in week six. How much long that lasts may be decided on a visit to Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers defense is hurting without Clay Matthews but they are still good enough to feast on quarterbacks who aren’t playing well. They proved that against Joe Flacco a week ago. Their tough coverage and creative blitz packages should present plenty of problems for Weeden. How many interceptions before he gets benched? Here’s saying the Packers will hit that number, forcing the Browns to turn to veteran Jason Campbell.
The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals will combine for over 10 sacks
Two of the best defensive lines in the NFL lock horns in week seven. Ndamukong Suh and the nasty Detroit Lions meet Geno Atkinson and the relentless Cincinnati Bengals. Neither quarterback is going to feel very comfortable in this game. It will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. Based on track record Matthew Stafford holds a slight edge over Andy Dalton but at present the Bengals have an edge in talent. Either way it won’t matter. The D-lines dominate this game and combined will end the day with over 10 sacks.
Charles Tillman will force two fumbles against Washington Redskins
One of the more overlooked defensive returns is the Chicago Bears getting back Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman who has nursed a sprained knee. His coverage alone will be a welcome relief for a defensive line ravaged by injuries. However, one thing fans are waiting for that hasn’t happened is the appearance of the famous Tillman ball punch. Forcing fumbles is what has made Tillman a household name in Chicago and abroad. Given how sloppy the Washington Redskins offense has played so far this season, they certainly won’t prepare specifically for Tillman on the lead up to a very important game. That will prove a big mistake. By the end of the afternoon “Peanut” will not have one but two forced fumbles against the Redskins offense.
The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs won’t combine for 300 passing yards
T.J. Yates against Alex Smith certainly sounds like a heavyweight fight doesn’t it? Put simply this game between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs will be all about which run defense is better. Can the Chiefs stop Arian Foster and can the Texans stop Jamaal Charles? The teams boast two of the top three pass defenses in the league. Not only with Smith and Yates play second fiddle in this matchup, they won’t even combine to go over 300 yards passing.