1. What has been the best game of the season through the first four weeks?
Jon-Michael Bagay--Through the first four weeks, my favorite game so far has been the Super Bowl rematch between the Broncos and Seahawks. It was a very close game and it showed that this year's NFL Playoffs is even going to be harder to predict before the season started. What this game showed me was that teams were beginning to figure out to play Seattle. The Chargers played them the week before and they took over the second half in the run game. At the beginning of the season I thought the Seahawks had a really good chance of repeating, but now it seems like that was a long time ago and now it really is anyone's ball game now.
Jarrod Taylor--The Seahawks Broncos game has got to be the best game of the season by far. Super Bowl rematches during the regular season do not happen very often so we must savor the ones we get. The fact the game went into over time on a classic Peyton come back drive followed by a game winning Russell Wilson March down the field was icing on a cake of everything American. It is not very often you get the best secondary in football matching wits against the best pre-snap Quarterback to ever play the game.
Bryan Castillo--So far this season the Broncos-Seahawks game may have been the best game of the year. This game wasn’t the best from start to finish but the 4th quarter and overtime certainly made up for it. There was a lot of hype building up going into this rematch and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The game was physical and grinding throughout and you couldn’t have asked for more suspense than looking Peyton Manning lead a close to miraculous comeback in the 4th quarter to force overtime. Thus far this game is the only one thus far to be taken into overtime.
Caleb Wahlgren--I am going to have to disagree with my counterparts on this one. The 4th quarter comeback by Peyton Manning was epic, but it was not exciting for all four quarters. My favorite game so far this season was the bizarre affair between the Eagles and 49ers in week 4. Philadelphia couldn't do anything on offense and still almost got the win as they were up for a majority of the game. It shows how every play in the game is important, because you never know when you are going to see a punt block touchdown, an interception return for a touchdown, and a punt return touchdown for one team.
2. Do you think that Tony Sparano will be able to make a difference replacing Dennis Allen as Head Coach of the Raiders?
Bagay--No, Tony Sparano didn't make a difference at Miami, so he sure won't do it in Oakland. The years that he coached there were outright terrible. His only good season was his first when he took the "Wildcat" into the NFL. Then everyone figured it out and the rest is history. Tony Sparano does bring experience to the table with the Raiders Interim job, but that won't be enough to settle in a disappointing year for the Silver and Black.
Taylor--Short and sweet NO the raiders are the raiders because their front office makes Dallas and Jerry Jones seem stable.
Castillo--Tony Sparano, Dennis Allen, it makes no difference which one of these two is the coach for this season. Both are offensive or defensive specialized coaches and not much will change with the coaching change. When you have a rookie quarterback and with all respect to Maurice Jones-Drew, an over the hill running back behind a mediocre offensive line, there’s not much to work with. Yes their defense is improving and actually has great upside, but they don’t have much depth on either side of the football and they must endure the growing pains that come with a rookie quarterback.
Wahlgren--The Raiders are in a very difficult division with the improvements made by Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs and Mike McCoy of the San Diego Chargers. Peyton Manning and the Broncos are the class of the division for a while. They just don't have the talent, especially at the quarterback position, where they keep doing it wrong. Especially at quarterback, where Carson Palmer, Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn, Matt McGloin, and Derek Carr all were different starting quarterbacks for Dennis Allen. This doesn't even include the off-season trade for Matt Schuab. But unless they can get the quarterback right, it doesn't matter who the coach is for the Raiders.
3. What game are you most eagerly anticipating in week 5?
Bagay--All bias aside, my game to look for the week is Pittsburgh vs. Jacksonville. Bortles-Roethlisbeger comparisons galore! Both of these teams defenses have been disappointing in the first quarter of the season, especially the younger, Gus Bradley-lead defense, and we may even see a possible shoot-out in Duval. I want to see how the rookie quarterback handles the pressure of his first home start with the fans behind his back and looking for his improvement at the helm after his good start against San Diego. I also look for Antonio Brown to put up big numbers for you Fantasy Geeks and Freaks out there, I have him starting no questions asked.
Taylor--Cowboys and Texans but I am bias being from Texas. Things may very well break and burn in the state for 3 hours during the game Sunday. Texans love football more than anything else and trying to conciseness either fan base to respect the other is near impossible. Also the defensive line of Houston matching up against the offensive line if Dallas will be one of the best of the year.
Castillo--I’m keeping an eye on the Bengals-Patriots game Sunday night. I’m not sure if this will even be a close game but I’m more than intrigued in seeing how the Patriots rebound from Monday night’s embarrassing loss. The Patriots have been one of the elite teams in the league for more than a decade now and it raises great curiosity among fans if this is finally the year they fail to reach double digit wins and miss the playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see if Bill Belichick has any magic left on that old clipboard of his.
Wahlgren--I think Arizona and Denver will be a better game than most people realize. It's always enjoyable to see Peyton Manning going up against some of the best defenses in football, and that is exactly what will happen when he goes up against Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals.
4. Pick an AFC and NFC team currently out of the playoff picture that you will guarantee will make the playoffs and why.
Bagay--The AFC team I look for to make the Playoffs are the Miami Dolphins. Every time there's criticism thrown their way, they always seem to respond with a big victory the week after (Incognito situation, then @PIT/Tannehill to be benched? then vs. OAK). Looking at eh rest of their division, New England's defense is not helping Tom Brady out, with questionable tactics from Bill Belichick, Buffalo pulling the hook on E.J. Manuel, and Jets fans beginning to douse Geno with boos, Miami is looking pretty to steal the AFC East this year after the first quarter of the season. For my NFC team, I've said this the beginning of the year to everyone I have talked to, it has the be the New York Giants. Nothing really pops at you when you look at their roster, a very decent offense led by a guy who won two Super Bowls because his defense, right? Eli Manning has really put the work these last couple of weeks and has stayed consistent and made throws that make you happy if you're a Giants fan. After being Houston and Washington, Tom Coughlin may save his job after all. For an even bolder prediction, I'll have the Giants finish the year 10-6 with the division title. We shall wait and see.
Taylor--NFC: Saints, the NFC South is still up for grabs and I will never bet against Sean Peyton and Drew Brees. AFC: New England Patriots, if there was ever a duo of coach/player to trust in it's Bill and Tom. They have taken under talented team after team to playoff glory and after a rough start will manage to do it again in a weak AFC East.
Castillo--The New England Patriots and New York Giants will ultimately find their ways into the playoffs by season end. I don’t think the Patriots are Super Bowl contenders anymore but they’re certainly still good enough to win the AFC East division. Their division is arguably the worst division in the AFC and somehow I believe the Patriots defense will improve as the season goes on and carry them into the playoffs. Too much talent in the linebacker and secondary to think they can’t turn that unit around. The New York Giants have fixed their offensive line issues and have found a running game to relieve some pressure off Eli Manning. While their defense isn’t what you would call elite, it’s good enough to take knock off the Eagles from the playoff picture and battle the Cowboys for the division title/wild card spot.
Wahlgren--In the AFC, The Bills are currently the representative for the AFC East, and that just is crazy. They haven't made it since 1999, when they were eliminated on the Music City Miracle by the Titans. They are the weakest link for teams currently slotted for the playoffs in the AFC, so I think the Patriots will end up winning that division. In Tom I Trust. In the NFC, I am going to pick the Green Bay Packers, they aren't currently in the playoff positions, but they started with the toughest part of their schedule and there is much more improvement to come for the Packers.
5. What is your Super Bowl match-up and result at this point in the season?
Bagay--The Super Bowl match-up that I have set-up, after one quarter of the season has to be San Diego against Arizona. These two teams have impressed me from the get go. Heck, these two teams have already faced off Week One with an impressive comeback by the Cardinals. Phillip Rivers has shown that he has weapons to spare in San Diego, even though their running game needs to improve throughout the year. San Diego's defense is also looking stout ranking high up there in the league at 13th in total defense. For Arizona, they're winning games without Carson Palmer. If they can show me that winning with Drew Stanton and be undefeated is possible after 3 games, then that's pretty good. Being ranked 1st right now in defense does help after all. Bruce Arians has done a great job in Arizona and he may just take that division with questions to answer in both Seattle an Denver. Arizona also has weapons to spare with the figures of Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd and the emergence of John Brown is good for them. Another bold prediction, I have them going undefeated until they travel to CenturyLink Field in Week 12 against Seattle. How about that?
Taylor--The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, a Super Bowl rematch for the ages. I can not find two teams that I have faith can beat either of these teams in a playoff run. I see Seattle's defense once again defeating Manning and solidifying the Seattle defense as one of the all time best.
Castillo--As of right now I’m picking the Seattle Seahawks and the San Diego Chargers to meet in this year’s Super Bowl. The Seahawks are still the best team in the NFC and right now there doesn’t seem to be a team capable of going into Seattle and dethroning the champs. The Arizona Cardinals have the best shot right now at doing so but it’s hard to bet on them if Carson Palmer is unable to come back at 100%. The Chargers came on strong the second half of last season and have continued that trend early on through 4 weeks. They were able to beat the Bengals last season on their own turf and have shown to give the Broncos all they can handle anytime they play one another. If Rivers keeps playing at a high level look out for the Chargers.
Wahlgren--It's still way too early to make this prediction. So many games and injuries are still going to occur. If I was forced to choose today, I am going with a dark horse for my AFC pick, I'm taking the Bengals. They are good at home and I think Dalton finally gets his act together in the postseason this time around. Until an NFC team beats the Seahawks that is who I am going to choose from the NFC. I was surprised they lost to the Chargers but it's the team I trust the most from the NFC. I have the Bengals pulling the upset with AJ Green scoring a game winning touchdown. Bengals 27, Seahawks 24.