Cup O' Joe - Week 3 Predictions

Author: Joe Simpson
Date: September 15, 1990

We hit the first bye week in the AFL, with four teams--Houston, Boston, Chicago, and Michigan--all taking the week off. For Houston and Boston, the bye doesn't come at a good time. They're 2-0, both with big wins, and now they'll have to play fourteen games in a row. For Michigan, the bye comes at a decent time. They're nicked up a bit, and need some rest. For Chicago, the bye comes as a chance for all of the players to actually get to know one another.

Fourteen games line up this week, and we have some real interesting games out there. Let's take a look at the lineup.

Game of the Week

Cincinnati (2-0) @ San Diego (2-0): The only undefeated showdown of the week pits the Royals against the Express, who must cope with losing QB (and Player of the Week last Sunday) Ladell Suggs. He was 26-of-30 for four touchdowns before falling to an injury. He'll be out for most of the season, so the Express went and made a move. Enter James Scott, fresh off a trade from St. Louis. He's a little nicked up himself, but he'll be ready to go. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has two wins within their division, and have looked good doing so. Their offense is eighth in the league, while the defense is seventh. I think the defense is what will win this game. San Diego is ranked 11th, but this game is Cincinnati's to lose. Expect Cedrick Broyles and Michael Anglin to disrupt the passing game, and force Scott into some bad reads with his new teammates. With a new QB at the helm, the Express could be derailed.

Prediction: CINCINNATI 24, San Diego 13

Other games (home team in CAPS):

NEW ORLEANS 17, Miami 14
Washington 28, NEW YORK 16
NASHVILLE 20, Pittsburgh 19
DALLAS 21, St. Louis 7
Denver 24, ATLANTA 20
TAMPA 34, Kansas City 27
CLEVELAND 19, Louisville 10
Philadelphia 37, OAKLAND 31
MINNESOTA 30, Iowa 24
SAN FRANCISCO 20, Seattle 17 (OT) - UPSET SPECIAL
PORTLAND 24, Indianapolis 17
Baltimore 20, CAROLINA 10
Los Angeles 30, ARIZONA 13

Last Week: 10-6
Season: 21-11

Matchups to watch:

San Diego QB James Scott vs. San Diego WRs - Scott will have had exactly two practices to get together with his receivers before the game. The receivers had gotten used to the scrambling of Ladell Suggs; Scott is a runner as well, but a different style altogether. This could screw up Bo Jackson and Patrick Connell throughout the game, and may lead to some deceptively easy interceptions for Royal cornerbacks.

Oakland defensive coordinator Marvin Thomas vs. Philadelphia offensive line - Thomas has promised a lot of blitzing this week against the Shamrocks and their talented-but-aging offensive line. They were beaten for three sacks, but did open up some big runs as well. The Shamrocks may use the draw and screen a lot. If so, it could be a LONG day for the Immortals.

San Francisco secondary against Seattle QB Monte Meier - For the second week in a row, Meier will be testing. It won't be by a lot of pressure from a defensive line this time, like what happened against Portland. This time, we could see a bunch of coverage sacks...and another Seattle loss. Watch CB Ted Chapman and Tavares Cook, and FS John White, and see how well they do in the first quarter. If Meier can't find anyone open...it will be very difficult for Seattle to move the ball.