NFC North – Bears, Packers and Lions in Action this Weekend

Detroit Lions Won  A Game? Make It Two Against Browns
Matt Ryan looked OK in his first action under center, but Matthew Stafford stole the show as the Lions won a game for the first time in a year. Stafford went 7-for-14 for 114 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He’ll get to test that arm of his a bit more (unless he’s tired from lifting his wallet from the bedroom dresser) against a Browns’ secondary that gave up 162 yards passing on just 13 completions.

The Browns looked completely inept against Green Bay, with four interceptions thrown and zero touchdowns. In fact, they had zero points, not even managing a field-goal. The defense gave up 230 yards on the ground, and while Detroit searches for its true number-one ground gainer, there will be plenty of candidates in line to give the Browns hell as they prove they are worthy.

NFL Furious Free Pick: Detroit +3 (UNDER 36.5)

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Eli Manning To Overshadow Jay Cutler
Manning may not have a real number-one receiver yet, but he’s certainly doing his best to nurture the development of his young receiving corps. Though he lasted just one series, the Giants learned that they have many eligible receivers to take the place of Plaxico and the newly departed Toomer.

The even scarier thought for the Bears is dealing with Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and the emerging Danny Ware on the ground. Overall, New York’s ground attack gained 139 yards, though they’ll have a harder time against Chicago.

The difference between New York and Chicago, however, is chemistry. Jay Cutler threw Devin Harris under the bus for allowing an interception. Cutler lasted just a few series before being yanked, and his backups aren’t even worth having their names written in this space. The reserves in Chicago (surprise, surprise) are thin and pathetic, giving the upstart Giants plenty of room to breathe on both sides of the ball.

NFL Furious Free Pick: NYG +2.5 (UNDER 36)

Buffalo Visits Green Bay Without Terrell Owens
Trent Edwards has been impressive this month in preseason ball, but nobody has impressed me more than Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers completed just 5-for-10, but managed 102 yards and a touchdown to Donald Driver that was an absolute bomb of a pass. The Packers, overall, looked very strong against Cleveland.

They’ll get a stiffer test against Buffalo, but I don’t expect the Bills to be a serious threat to Green Bay, nor its decisive gameplan on Saturday. Ryan Fitzpatrick was solid against Chicago, but don’t expect him to have back-to-back games with 13-of-16 completions for 143 yards. Fred Jackson has looked solid as a feature back, but against Green Bay’s swift and agile front-seven, he’ll have more trouble.

NFL Furious Free Pick: Green Bay -3.5 (OVER 37)