NFL Week 11 Picks!

Quick picks cuz I’m out of time on a crazy early Thanksgiving weekend and well, yeah, so let’s just get to em.

Dolphins at Bills

I figured the Bills had an awful, underachieving defense and that the Phins would turn around their slide. I was wrong. Tannehill has been awful the last few weeks and Reggie Bush is fading fast.

Dolphins

Browns at Cowboys

The Cowboys are in prime position to take the NFC East as the leader, New York, has done nothing in recent weeks to build on a fast start. The Browns are currently in the way but are in so much flux, I cannot expect them to contend with a Cowboys team that just might be building a little bit of momentum.

Cowboys

Jags at Texans

The Texans will keep rolling. Look for their passing game to get it going again as they will really need to get the kinks out of that aspect of their game if they really do want to play in the Super Bowl. Everything else is pretty much dialed in.

Texans

Jets at Rams

Can the Jets’ season get any worse? Ownership “not sign[ing] up for 3-6” is not a ringing endorsement. Sanchez and co. have been awful offensively and that is no bueno going into St. Louis to content with the Rams who should have beat the Niners and are otherwise the other guys in a very tough and talented NFC West.

Rams

Bucs at Panthers

Tampa Bay has looked good and Doug Martin is a monster. Carolina has looked bad and Cam Newton is having a rough sophomore tour. That said, Cam has mostly struggled to throw this year and that is one area the Bucs are definitely soft. That and the Panthers always play their divisional rival tough at home.

Panthers

Cardinals at Falcons

The Cards’ offense will continue to struggle putting up enough points to beat the elite teams in the NFL such as the Falcons. Their defense is good but they are unfortunately going to be visiting a Falcons team that has just had their first loss of the season which will have taken a lot of pressure off them to “stay unbeaten.” Meaning, the Cards are going to be playing a loose team that is considerably better than them in their house. ASSWHOPPN

Falcons

Packers at Lions

Not a surprising road pick here. The Lions have come on a little bit as of late with their offense awakening but their defense has been so inconsistent and horrifying when bad that they don’t have the record to show it. Sure, Stafford can bring them back almost every time out but against Rodgers who will likely stake the Packers to a hefty double digit lead early, there is no coming back.

Packers

Eagles at Redskins

I’ve lost all faith in the Eagles and so should you. They looked horrible against the Cowboys and now that Nick Foles is under center, no, I don’t expect a better output for them. The fact is, Vick had less to do with their issues on offense than their offensive line that played better than they have all year this past weekend. That won’t matter in D.C. when RG3 rips the Eagles defense apart.

Redskins

Bengals at Chiefs

The Chiefs came scarily close to a rare win and doing it on the road in one of the toughest places to play against a pretty good Steeler team. But alas, it was not to be. They return home to host a Bengals team that punked the Giants the week before with strong defense and timely big plays from QB Andy Dalton. Expect more of the same.

Bengals

Saints at Raiders

*weeping*

Saints

Colts at Patriots

These used to be the Super Bowl before the end of December. This was the big game you fired up the grill, invited all your friends, bought a few 30 packs and got it going. After last year, it didn’t look like this rivalry would mean anything moving forward… except Andrew Luck changed all of that. On the road though, I have to give the advantage to the old guard of Belichick and Brady while Luck and Co. get accustomed to what it means to play in this game. You say it’s just another football game; I say Brady comes out and throws 4 TDs and the Pats win at home.

Patriots

Chargers at Broncos

The Chargers cannot afford another loss on the season and to the Broncos no less. At this point, anybody with any sort of sense at all realizes that the Broncos are driving in the AFC West and if the epic comeback last month by them over these same Chargers in San Diego didn’t convince anyone that the torch in the division was being passed on, it will this week when the Broncos don’t need to come back in a huge way in the 2^nd half because they’ll be up comfortably by the time that comes around. Peyton will looks crisp, defense will be tougher than usual, Rivers will be mistake prone, Mathews will be missing, Norv will be confused and the West is going to get a little closer to being won.

Broncos

Ravens at Steelers

I find the hopefuls that think that the Steelers are somehow going to survive the B-Left phase while Ben is out to be just that… hopeful. And adorably unrealistic. The Steelers barely have a running game (Mendenhall is supposed to be back but we don’t know how effective he will be) and their defense is not what it used to be. And anyway, Leftwich’s sluggish delivery spells bad things for ball hawking defenses like the Ravens. I don’t expect the Steelers to survive this one.

Ravens

Bears at Niners

Would have been the game of the week… might still be the game of the week even if Cutler isn’t playing and Alex Smith a gametime decision. That’s just how well these two teams are coached and how tough as nails both of these defenses can be. In the event that this is reduced to backup-a-backup, I give the edge to Kaepernick as I don’t like what I see from Campbell. I think Campbell is not a good fit for what the Bears need him to do (feed Marshall the ball) while Kaepernick is perfect for what the Niners try to do (he’s a faster, more agile Alex Smith even if he isn’t as good a QB yet). Plus it’s in San Francisco.

Niners

Dig it.

NFL Week 10 Picks!

The fascinating thing about predicting anything is that the prognostication itself is a function of existing data and the better (and if you’re doing it on the fly, the faster) one is able to collect, prioritize and analyze relevant data, the easier it is to make a prediction. In a sport with as many moving parts and dynamic variables as Football, the game is exciting as a result.

That said, I consistently prove that while my football knowledge is elite (or at least I think so lol)... my gambling skill is worse than the Kansas City Chiefs. For a second consecutive week, I did not play the pool and again I finish with a strong 11-3 count.

It’s also apparent I should never pick the Raiders if I ever want to see them win anything ever again. #weepfailsleep

73-49

After a horrendous start to the year, I’m storming back. Cue the Black Stallion theme.

Colts at Jags

It’s really exciting to see a young team led by a rookie getting the game quickly inspired by their coach’s off-field fight to bring the fight on the field week in and week out. After last year’s awful season, the Colts are turning in one of the best stories of the year and at 5-3 are looking playoff bound. Luck gets a chance to show off his wares on the road against a division rival, albeit the bottom feeder Jags, and cement the Colts as a favorite for a wildcard spot. There are still questions about the Colts defense but fortunately for them this week, the Jags are unlikely to take advantage of it. It’s a pity to see Jacksonville’s defense go to waste every week.

Colts

Lions at Vikings

Tough call. The Lions are on a roll climbing back to respectability after looking really bad for the first portion of the season but at the half way point, they’ve revitalized themselves on both sides of the ball.  They’ll need it; Adrian Peterson comes in playing better football than I have seen him play since his rookie campaign. The Vikes are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the surprising Colts and, at home in a divisional rivalry, should be able to hang a few scores, dominate the clock with AP and suffocate the Lions’ offense just enough to win out. It’s a tough call but I’m going with the home team.

Vikings

Giants at Bengals

Boy it couldn’t be a worse time for the Bengals to host the G-men. The Giants certainly can go through funks (as we’ve seen over the past few years)  but they lost a heartbreaker at home in the wake of Sandy and have otherwise been one of the stronger squads this season. The Bengals are reeling with four straight losses so expect the Giants to do the same as the last four have.

Giants

Titans at Dolphins

Titans have looked resilient at times this season for a 3-6 team but that defense is still swiss cheese and the Dolphins even at a middling 4-4 have looked strong. At least strong enough with Tannehill at the helm to put up points and win at home. I like the Dolphin defense at home, too and that should seal the deal if they can bottle up CJ2k.

Dolphins

Bills at Patriots

The Patriots already own the Bills to begin with but Buffalo is moving backwards and moving backwards fast. It’s disappointing that a team with both CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson can put up duds on offense regardless of the competition but that’s the kind of offense the Bills have. After getting smacked by the Pats in Buffalo earlier in the year, I don’t expect them to come into town and beat the Pats coming off a bye, coming off a beatdown.

Patriots

Falcons at Saints

My upset bid of the week. The Falcons are the class of the NFC right now at 8-0, no doubt but they are due for a loss and it is better to get it out of the way and there is no better game to do it than against an explosive offense like New Orleans’. It’ll allow them to reassess what they need to do on defense to shut down big game QBs, something they’ll have to deal with if they hope to win a Super Bowl. The Saints have turned their season around and may be feeling a little bit of their own magical Cinderella pixie dust with all the turmoil and chaos surrounding their franchise right now. The Saints are still fairly whack on defense but they are also at home in tha Bayou and I just think the Falcons are due for a let down.

Saints

Chargers at Bucs

The Bucs ran the ball something wicked all over the faces of the Raiders. I yelled. I cursed. I wept. The Bucs are stronger than most realize and Doug Martin didn’t run shod on a bad Raider run D (in fact they had been good most of the year)... he ran all over them like he had run all over the Vikings who are ALSO strong against the run. The Chargers are tough against the run too but I don’t expect that to matter much as the rookie has really found his groove and it really opens things up for what is also a big game passing attack for Tampa. Expect VJ to light up the Charger secondary, Rivers to continue making peculiar errors and the Chargers to shoot themselves in the foot on the road, traveling East against a tough Buccaneer team.

Bucs

Broncos at Panthers

So this guy Peyton’s pretty good. I can’t even imagine what the win +/- is for the Broncos without him. Definitely a 3-5 swing from 5-3 but probably even worse than that. He has revitalized the organization and they are looking primed to win the West. They’ve won a lot of close games which leaves the door open for a strong opponent to give them trouble but the Panthers are not that strong team even coming off their second win of the season over the struggling Redskins. I still have questions about Cam’s new offense as it still looks all over the place and the Panther defense is a mess (which sucks when you have to deal with Peyton). Even on the road, the Broncos should continue their roll.

Broncos

Raiders at Ravens

I’m not even going to mess with this.

Ravens (go RAIIIDERRRRSSS now you have my blessing, JUST WIN BABY!)

Jets at Seahawks

I can’t seem to figure out what my opinion on the Jets actually is. They aren’t very good. They’re not good in the passing game, they aren’t good in the running game, they aren’t as good as they usually are on defense, their special teams are meh, and their coach has just been voted the most overrated coach in the league. All that amounts to a rank mediocrity. The Seahawks on the other hand, despite being manned by a rookie QB, are underrated offensively, powerful defensively and even more intimidating at the latter when at home. Which they are. Lynch runs rampant. Wilson throws a couple scores. Defense gives up nothing. Carroll hustles Sanchez.

Seahawks

Cowboys at Eagles

If you thought the Eagles were bad against the mediocre Saints’ rush, then wait until you see how offensive their offensive line will be when the Cowboys come to town. The Cowboys are solid on defense and would be a top five unit if it weren’t for the unending vomit of mistakes from the other side of the ball that puts them in a position to fail. That won’t be a problem on the road against Philly where they will play tough divisional ball, chase Vick around the field all day, and play better away from big D as they almost always do.

Cowboys

Rams at Niners

The Rams look so promising at points. It just really won’t matter when they travel to San Fran and deal with a surging Niners team. This can, like all NFC West games these days, be a tightly contested one but I just don’t see the Rams being able to bottle up Frank Gore all day long and I can’t even imagine how much of a difference Amendola will make in scoring on the Niner defense at home. Niners continue to roll.

Niners

Texans at Bears

The game of the week no doubt. Two 7-1 teams that run the ball well, play stellar defense and have enough moxie and guts to win any game on any day. However, only one of these teams walks away 8-1 and that team will be the Houston Texans. It’s true that the Bears defense has been monstrous all season and that Cutler has consistently shown a chemistry with Brandon Marshall that seems to supercede every coverage and doubleteam. The wildcard for the Texans’ offense will be to balance Arian Foster with the passing game where Andre Johnson has been shut down by strong corner play and there isn’t anyone in football playing better than Charles Tillman right now. I had initially picked the Texans to win for a couple of reasons but mostly because of Tillman's possible absence for the birth of his child. So why am I changing my pick? Because if there was a player in this game that could change the way the game might play out, it's Tillman. I don't even know why I'm starting Andre Johnson in my fantasy league. Game of the week, I tell you. You may as well toss a coin. But I’m going with the

Bears

Chiefs at Steelers

Yawn. It would take a grand meltdown or injury-fest for the Steelers to lose this one. The Chiefs are a mess. If they win this week, I’m sending Romeo Crennel a bouquet of roses. It’s a really good thing I won’t have to do that.

Steelers

Dig it.

NFL Week 9 Picks!

72-46

Great. I skip a week of the pool and not get around to blogging the picks and I go 12-2 like a boss. Way to go, guy. How much do you want to bet my projections are absolutely abysmal this week?

Carry on.

Chiefs at Chargers

The bottom line here is that while both teams stink, the Chargers clearly stink less. The Chiefs barely got a TD in at the end of their game with the Raiders and that’s because the Raiders aren’t very good either. The Chargers probably shouldn’t have lost to the Browns (even though I picked them for precisely the reason they ended up beating the Bolts but nevermind that) but inconsistent play by Rivers and a relatively nonexistent running game can be blamed for that. Chargers are going to bounce back in a big way and unlike other teams that are capable of taking advantage of San Diego’s penchant for choking away big leads, the Chiefs don’t have the ability to do that really. But then again, you never know in a divisional match up between these guys. I’m still going with the

Chargers

Ravens at Browns

That was a nice win for the Browns. I am convinced this team’s future is bright. Their defense is solid against both the run and the pass, Trent Richardson is coming into his own as a big league half back, and Weeden has surprised in the passing game with young talented receivers like Gordon and Little. The Ravens are falling fast in public opinion now that their decimated defense looks beatable and faith in Flacco, again, fading. They’re still talented enough to make the playoffs and maybe win a first round match up but title hopes should be tempered. They’re good enough to beat the Browns on the road, though and as much as I’ll personally be rooting for the Brownies, I think there are still too many experienced playmakers in Purple n Black to bet against them.

Ravens

Cardinals at Packers

Two teams headed in opposite directions; the Cards are flailing helplessly after starting the season fast and the Packers are finally getting into a groove after looking ordinary for the first couple of weeks. The Cards pose a threat because they have a strong defense but after what accuracy Alex Smith showed in the passing attack last week, one has to wonder what A Rod will be able to do with his plethora of weapons. The Cardinals offense is a non factor against the Pack at Lambeau.

Packers

Bills at Texans

The Bills are one of the least predictable teams in the league except for one thing: their defense gives up yards and points like the Salvation Army. It almost doesn’t matter what their offense is capable of because they’re going against a strong defense and they won’t be able to stop the Texans who are rolling right now in almost all facets of their game. Arian Foster is going to have a monster game.  And any drives that stall will probably do so in or around the red zone which will mean a big day for Shayne Graham as well.

Texans

Dolphins at Colts

I’m liking the Dolphins this year and how tough they play under coach Philbin but I wonder if their general lack of talent will eventually catch up to them. The Colts are starting to get into a groove now that they are thoroughly motivated and inspired by Coach Pagano’s illness and the way it galvanized their play and vitalized rookie Andrew Luck who is playing every bit the 1^st overall pick we expected him to be. There is simply more talent on the offensive side of the ball for Indy than there is for Miami. Miami can bottle things up in a hurry with an active defense but I expect the Colts to prevail at home.

Colts

Bears at Titans

The Titans have at least shown that they can still run the ball and I’m not sure they should go back to Locker even after he comes back now that it’s apparent Hasselbeck still has the veteran know-how to make tough passes when it matters most. Well, against teams that the Titans have a chance to beat, that is. The Bears aren’t one of those teams. They’ll struggle to stop all of Chicago’s offensive weapons especially without much of a passrush on Cutler and the Bears defense has been suffocating people all year.

Bears

Lions at Jags

Don’t overlook the Jags defensively; they’ve given all sorts of teams fits when they expect to come in and trounce them. The only concern here being that the Lions seem to have finally got their offense clicking as Stafford and co. put in their best game of the year thus far last week. Look for that trend to continue with Detroit’s defense doing just enough to stifle Jacksonville’s punchless offense and win on the road.

Lions

Panthers at Redskins

I’m tempted to give Cam Newton and the Panthers another shot but I’ve literally struck out completely on them this year as they have basically stunk up the joint with their “vaunted” rushing attack in what has turned out to be a busted sophomore effort for the stud QB. The Redskins have been up and down. One week, they look great behind their own young, exciting QB and then they fall just short the following week. In this case, I’ve got to go with the home team coming off a tough loss. The Redskin defense is decimated by injuries and can be exploited by a rejuvenated Cam and co. (if they’re rejuvenated that is which they’re probably not) but I’m not counting on them doing anything, especially on the road. Watch me be completely wrong about that but then that wouldn’t surprise me when it comes to Carolina anymore.

Redskins

Broncos at Bengals

I hate to admit it but the Broncos really are looking like the class of the AFC West and with how dismally mediocre most of the AFC looks, they might be in line to make some noise in the playoffs, too. Peyton is going to win against Cincy because it really does just seem like Peyton is winning against everyone. The Bengals will be able to move the ball on Denver’s overrated defense but I’m not sure that Dalton will be able to go toe to toe with Peyton if the going gets rough (as it did for Brees last week). Don’t be surprised if Dalton lights up the Bronco D with Aj Green reaping most of the benefit but as far as the end result, it’ll most likely be the road team that pulls it out.

Broncos

Bucs at Raiders

So everyone is picking the Bucs in this one and it’s understandable why. They boast a nice passing game with lots of options, a very strong running game and a defense that started off the season very well but has slightly tapered off since. However, let me put on my homer contrarian hat. The Raiders have won back to back games out of the bye after nearly taking arguably the best team in the league in their own house before losing on a pick six. The defense is tightening up (and getting healthy) and they’ve shown improvement in not shooting themselves in the foot with stupid penalties and giving up poorly timed big plays... basically what doomed them in losses to the Broncos, Dolphins and Falcons. There can’t be enough said about confidence and building momentum and even though the Jags and Chiefs are bottom feeders, a win is a win is a win. And so it will be on Sunday.

 RRRAAAIDERSSS

Vikings at Seahawks

The Vikings are reeling. Ponder is coming back down to Earth. The defense is still good and Adrian Peterson can run on just about anyone but one has to wonder if the Vikings will be able to ride just that on the road in one of the toughest places to do anything productive against one of this year’s best defensive units to begin with. The Seahawks will bounce back from a tough loss against the Lions last week.

Seahawks

Steelers at Giants

 The Steelers did appear locked back into Steel Curtain mode last week but it should be noted that they dialed up some of those old demons that have haunted the Cincinnati Bengals for years and is not as indicative of how they’d match up with an elite team such as the Giants in New York. Given the circumstances surrounding the big apple and its bout with Sandy, I’m counting on one of those epic New York type of nights when the result of the game is greater than the sum of all its parts, the Giants come together the way the Saints did following Katrina and Eli Manning has one of those Eli nights and lights up an otherwise strong Steeler D. Sorry Pittsburgh but this really was the wrong week to be playing the G men.

Giants

Cowboys at Falcons

The Cowboys are having one really bad season. I picked them last week to pull it out against the Giants and they nearly did before, as has become routine, they somehow did not get the break they needed or turned the ball over one too many times. They don’t get any easier a matchup this time around as they travel to Atlanta to take on the undefeated Falcons. About the only thing going in Dallas’ favor right now is the fact that Atlanta is statistically due for a loss with every passing week and the only thing that can help Romo and co. is luck. I, however, am obviously a terrible gambler and don’t put much stock in luck as it is so throw that out the window, I’m expecting the better team to win and that team is the

Falcons

Eagles at Saints

The Eagles are a mess. The starting QB fiasco of this past week is proof of that. With how poorly coached the Eagles have been for years, now and how Reid has managed some of the extraneous issues that have surrounded this club (I mean, he actually has done an excellent job, it’s just that I wonder if he isn’t partly the reason why it all happens to begin with), I’m still surprised he’s coaching them. That’s organizational loyalty. I love the guy but the one consistent bottom line in the Eagles saga over the past decade has been him. Their defense is really going to need to step it up because a very angry Brees is going to be operating at home coming off a very uncharacteristic performance against the Broncos. Granted, a date with the New Orleans defense is just what the doctor ordered for Philly’s funky offense but I just don’t know if it’s going to be enough to keep up with the Saints at home who can drop 40 in a heartbeat. I’m going with the home team on Monday night.

Saints

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NFL Week 7 Picks!

I had made the bold proclamation that my early season struggles were due, in large part, to the replacement referees and not my murky crystal ball. After going 6-8 last week, I am starting to wonder...

One thing is certain regardless of whether or not the officiating was on point or not; there is a distinct sense of parity this season that has been missing from most pro sports leagues. Despite my bad weeks, I’m going at the same clip as most other Yahoo! Users (which is 52-39). For the first time in years, I don’t have a clue who’ll be in the Super bowl.

And I’m not worried about it right now. Right now, I’m focused on navigating this brave new NFL.

                                                                      

Read on.

Seahawks at Niners

Both of these teams were involved in late game stunners albeit in significantly different ways. The Seattle defense (and their 12^th man) gave Brady and the Patriots fits all day, Russell Wilson had a career defining moment and the Seahawks validated their fast start. The 49ers were supposed to be the best team in the NFL this year, the team that could not be beat and instead they were touched up at home by the defending champs in a game they were expected to exact their vengeance. Now these two divisional rivals tangle in primetime and we’re in for a low scoring, defensive clinic treat. Is it Halloween yet? Scary linebackers are going to be running amuck all night long. The Seahawks are built much like the Niners with Marshawn Lynch the engine of an offense that is provided opportunities by their killer defense. But can they beat the incumbent on the road? Coming off a beatdown, I expect the Niners to bounce back with Harbaugh’s fire very visible on both sides of the ball and win at home.

Niners

Ravens at Texans

Like the Seahawks/Niners tilt, this matchup’s going to be reduced to a defensive struggle. How much will the loss of Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis affect the defense? Nevermind what Ray’s non-football influence offers the Ravens, his on-field presence makes all the difference in the run game. A run game, mind you, that Arian Foster and the Texans can’t wait to get back on track in a big way. Coming off a disastrous showing at home in primetime, the Texans will be looking to establish the run and take advantage of Baltimore’s dinged up secondary. It’ll be interesting to see how Baltimore exploits Brian Cushing’s absence and whether or not that really was the difference for the Texans against Green Bay last week.  Baltimore is notorious for being tough to beat in the face of adversity and the odds and might be in the perfect position to win on the road with a Texans team that might be feeling human for the first time this year. Not in my estimation, though.

Texans

Packers at Rams

This has trap game tattooed across its face. The Rams have a tough defense, have been very well coached and are getting just enough production offensively to overachieve and get to .500 in a very tough division. Will it be adequate at home against a Packer team coming off an explosive offensive performance? My guess is not. While Packer fans I know are all concerned about it, I’m not. The Pack should continue the momentum and win on the road.

Packers

Titans at Bills

I hate to admit it but I really did flip a coin on this one. On one hand, the Titans look a bit better managed with Hasselbeck under center and CJ2k is due for another big game which is not a stretch against this awful Bills defense. On the other hand, the Bills have explosive potential on offense especially with  both Spiller and Jackson available and involved. Fitzpatrick is much better under center when they are. Awful when they’re not. This will be a barn burner much like the Titans/Lions tilt was. My coin flip went with the home team and I’m sticking to that story.

Bills

Browns at Colts

I’m happy for the Browns getting their first win of the season (and having called it! Hehe) but there’ll be a letdown this week when they travel to Indy. The two areas where the Browns can give the Colts trouble especially on the road is in their run game (Indy is awful against the run, just look at what Shonn Greene did to them last week) and in their secondary where they can limit Andrew Luck’s effectiveness in the air. It just won’t be that much of a limitation. I think in the end, Luck will find a way to take this winnable game at home. The Browns won one at home; I just don’t trust them on the road just yet.

Colts

Saints at Buccaneers

The Saints finally got their first notch in the win column but it does not get them out of the woods. They still only outscored a team in the Chargers that we now know is not as good as advertised (at least defensively) and otherwise have been unable to stop ANYONE to help Brees out. The Bucs have been surprisingly solid this year after stinking up the joint last season, having a nice running game from rookie Doug Martin and a much improved passing game from Josh Freeman and his new weapons. Their defense plays tougher at home than on the road... and they always play the Saints tough. I know a lot of folks will disagree with me but I think the Bucs are going to bring the Saints back down to Earth. Brees was having a special night when they got their first win of the season; coach Payton was in the house, the cameras were all on Brees as he broke the record and the Chargers expectedly choked away the game. The Saints’ problems (many of which surround their defense and lack of middle linebacker presence and passrush) will not have gone away in a week. The Bucs will not provide the Saints with those comforting circumstances.

Bucs

Cowboys at Panthers

Upset alert. Most folks are taking the Cowboys in this one and with good reason. They barely lost to the Ravens (they shot themselves in the foot is more like it) and have had the potential of being a contender this season (like so many before it) and can turn it around at any moment. However, here are a couple things to consider: with Murray out, an already ineffective running game (due to an offensive offensive line) will be even more so with the grossly underachieving Felix Jones taking over. Romo is volatile when forced to throw and the Panthers, for all their defensive issues, can pick people off in bunches. Consider also that Cam Newton had an absolutely awful outing his last time out when Seattle’s elite defensive front made life miserable for a team that is predicated on running the ball from both the half back and quarterback position. After an extra week to prepare for the Cowboys and with a concerted effort to right the ship on what has so far been a disastrous sophomore effort, I expect Cam to have a monster day. At home.

Panthers

Cardinals at Vikings

A few weeks ago, we were talking about the surprising Arizona Cardinals. They were winning with stifling, aggressive front seven defense and just enough offense. Then that offense became less than enough and just got even more so when Kevin Kolb was added to the laundry list of injured players that has already claimed Arizona’s entire running game, it seems. This is no good against the Vikes who, despite coming down to earth last week in D.C., will bounce back at home to stifle an already stifled offense. Ponder was uncharacteristically mistake prone en route to an ineffective day for the offense. Expect a bounce back effort by the whole squad and multiple sacks for Jared Allen on Skelton behind that nonexistent Arizona offensive line.

Vikings

Redskins at Giants

What to make of the Giants? They have played exactly as you would expect of them. They’ve lost both divisional games this year. Beaten everyone else. Struggled with Cleveland and Tampa at home... but smashed the Niners in San Francisco. Maybe trends mean nothing to Eli Manning (and as a result to us armchair football analysts) but everything points to a loss at home for the G men. RGIII seems like he can run against just anyone (as long as he slides and keeps his head from getting rung) and Pierre-Paul can dish all the warning he’d like but RGIII and Alfred Morris will kill the Giants on the ground, an area of weakness for them. Then again, they didn’t seem too phased by San Francisco’s run game a week ago. At any rate, they’re the favorites in this game and as a result are most likely going to lose. I’m counting on the Redskins’ rushing attack to set the tone early and often.

Redskins

Jets at Patriots

The dynamic here is so simple, it jumps off the screen like a mike blitz. The Jets ran shod on Indy’s awful run defense and it set the tone for them to win. The Patriots lost a very tough game against one of the best defenses in the league that not only shut down their run game but gave Brady nowhere to pass the ball on most downs. This is a bad situation for the Jets to be in coming off their win, lined up behind the cue ball with Belichick staring them down. These bad beans will eventually spell doom for them in Foxborough. I don’t envy Sanchez this weekend.

Patriots

Jaguars at Raiders

When I picked against the Raiders last week, they nearly pulled off the monumental upset of the Falcons in Atlanta, picking off Matty Ice three times in the first half after not having picked anyone off all season! So by that logic, I ought to pick against them every week, no? No. The Jaguars are probably the only team where it might be safe (emphasis on the might) to say the Raiders are a lock to win. The Raiders haven’t been nearly as bad as their record or their blowouts have indicated. They’ve lead or been tied or trailed by a few points at halftime in every game this year before blowing it in the 3^rd quarter. The Jags have been even worse coming out of halftime and the Raider running game behind McFadden should get the job done in closing this one out. It’s possible that the Raider defense is turning the corner finally in getting pressure on the QB as evidenced by their impressive performance on the road last week against Atlanta’s explosive offense. The Jags defense isn’t much of a test for the Raider offense even if it does go off but it’ll be an opportunity to gauge them anyway. Then there’s the possibility the Raiders blow it anyway.

RRAAAIIDERRSS

Steelers at Bengals

The Steelers are having a very pedestrian year. Their defense is not nearly as good as they’ve been in past years and their running game is dinged up and ineffective. This has drastically altered the team’s identity, turning it into a passing offense that looks to outscore their opponents rather than grind it out. Lucky for them they draw a date with the Bengals who are looking very streaky at this point... they win three straight and look like they’ve turned the corner, then lose back to back games to Miami at home and the previously winless Browns in Cleveland. Which Bengals team shows up? The Steelers hope the recent trend continues. However, I’m convinced that playing at home against division rival and previously anointed monkey-on-the-back Steelers, the Bengals come out strong running the ball well and Dalton making smart, big throws.

Bengals  

Lions at Bears

You never know with these Monday Night NFC North games but how can you bet against the Bears at this point? They were embarrassed in a similar spot earlier this season by the Packers but that was in Green Bay and that was, well, the Packers. The Lions come in being one of the bigger underachievers this season (although they beat a very uninspiring Eagles team in dramatic fashion) due largely to not having an effective running game, porous defense and not many receiving weapons outside of Megatron (and sometimes Burleson) for frustrated stud QB Matthew Stafford. The Bears feast on QBs with limited options and no running game to back them up. On the other side of the ball, I just can’t figure out who the Lions will use to stop Brandon Marshall. And if Matt Forte is on point, this game is a wrap. Which I think it will be.

Da Bears

Dig it.

NFL Week 6 Picks!

So…  when I suggested that I thought the replacement refs were inadvertently doing a number on picks across the prognostosphere, I was met with incredulity. “Maybe you just suck, weed” was what I was told.

But the numbers don’t lie. I went 25-23 before the lockout ended (for all intents and purpose, a .500 clip that means a penny could have done a better job)… and after going 11-3 last week, 21-8 since.

No, it’s not a coincidence.

Steelers at Titans

The Titans might be the worst team in football except the Jags still play in Jacksonville (for now). Their defense is horrendous and CJ2K is MIA meaning it doesn’t matter who suits up under center for the Titans,  a one dimensional passing attack with that stable of receivers is going to get smoked by a defense like Pittsburgh’s even if Troy still can’t go. With Mendenhall back in the mix and looking good, the Steelers have regained the balance in their offense that had been missing.

Steelers

Rams at Dolphins

I seriously did try to ignore the Dolphins after the number they dropped on the Raiders in Week 2 attributing their explosive win to taking advantage of a shitty Raider team. Except that since then, they lost a couple games by a single field goal each time (while Carpenter was missing ‘em left and right, mind you) and won another on the road in Cincinnati. Tannehill looks better than I expected, Bush really is running the ball like more than a gimmicky change of pace and Hartline might just be a serviceable #1 (did I just say that?)… I like the Rams and their tough defense and how they grittily edged out the Cards but on the road against this Dolphins team, they won’t get too far with that offensive production.

Dolphins

Cowboys at Ravens

I guess you never know and any given Sunday and blah blah but there’s nothing here to indicate that the Cowboys are going to straighten out their issues in the run blocking and pass protection to help Romo not make half a dozen mistakes per game in time or effectively enough to survive the Baltimore defense. The Ravens are a mystery themselves; after showing signs of their offense waking up this season after years of being Ray’s sidekick, they win a weird one against KC 6-3. The Cowboys have a decent D but I’m not sure it’ll be enough to stop the Ravens from bouncing back at home and putting up some big points.

Ravens

Lions at Eagles

The Eagles have been in a lot of very close games this year and their loss to the Steelers by less than a field goal has to sting given how absolutely awful Vick was, again, at protecting the football. His job security is certainly in question but not in the immediate future and I expect the Eagles to atone for their abysmal loss last week by handling the Lions at home this week. The Lions have regressed big time this year. Given the expectations, I think moreso than any other team in the league. Their total lack of everything outside of Stafford-to-Megatron is nauseating to watch. Even though they are atrocious against the spread this year (and even last year), I’m still going with the

Eagles

Bengals at Browns

It’s hard to figure out these Bengals, that much is certain. When they’re good, they’re good and when they’re bad, they’re bad. The Browns played them very tough in Cincinnati as Weeden had the best game of his young career in almost upsetting the Bengals on the road. Didn’t work out that way but after how stifled the Cincy offense was against Miami, I’m a little hesitant to look for a repeat. The Browns looked solid for stretches of their tilt with the defending champion Giants before Eli went bezerk and threw three TD passes to Victor Cruz in, what, five minutes or something? I am starting to like this young offense the Brownies have going with Weeden, Richardson and their young receiving corps. Cleveland gets its first win of the season.

Browns

Colts at Jets

The possible let down for the Colts after such an emotional win over the Pack with what’s going on with Coach Pagano is very real… especially considering they have a rookie QB. That said, Andrew Luck may not be an ordinary rookie and if he continues to distribute the ball the way he has (and if Reggie Wayne continues to have a career year), there’s nothing that the Jets can do to stop it with their overrated defense and punchless offense. I don’t hide my disdain for the Jets and the circus going on over there in New York.

Colts

Chiefs at Bucs

The Chiefs looked a little more resilient this past weekend against the Ravens in losing only by a field goal instead of the demolition many had anticipated. Cassel is knocked out and Quinn is going under center this week on the road. Even with Jamaal Charles studding it out for them, the Chiefs are going to be pressed to beat a solid Bucs team coming off a bye at home.

Bucs

Raiders at Falcons

Why even bother. Funny trend: they win when I pick against them. So

Falcons

Patriots at Seahawks

This could be a nasty situation for the Pats having to travel West to tangle with a tough defense in one of the toughest places to play in the league. The line is aptly sitting (currently) at 3 ½ and if the Pats are going to win they’re not going to do it by too many scores. I still think they’re too strong for the Seahawks and their hit or miss offense (Marshawn Lynch excluded).

Pats

Bills at Cardinals

The Bills probably have the worst defense in the league and that’s after they spent a boatload of cash on defensive upgrades. They’ve been shredded by everybody with two working arms while their own QB has routinely thrown it to the other team (more often than he’s thrown to his own).  That isn’t going to change on the road against a Cardinals team that just lost their first game of the season and have had a week and a half to prepare for the Bills. As long as they keep Kolb upright, this could be a blowout. Even if not, they’re probably still going to win. The real question now for the Cards is how effectively they will run the football with so many injuries in their backfield. Still, this doesn’t look good for Buffalo.

Cards

Giants at Niners

One of the games of the week if not it. These two franchises historically don’t like each other much as they almost always run into each other when games matter most and after the Giants rolled into San Fran and basically stole the NFC Championship from under their noses, you can expect the Niners to come out with a bit more oomph than they normally would. The line is sliding towards the Giants right now and they are pretty awesome on the road against the spread but the Niners are undefeated at home against it since Harbaugh took over. I’ve learned never to count Eli out or readily bet against him but the Niners have also just wiped the turf with the last two teams they’ve met to the combine tune of 79-3… sooo…

Niners

Vikings at Redskins

The Redskins are in trouble and it’s most unfortunate. What looked like such a promising season after drafting RG3 and looking solid in the preseason (was there really talk about them challenging for the NFC East???), they have been ravaged by injuries to key players the latest of which being a concussion to their prize signal caller. Even if he is able to play, he’ll be doing it with a little cobweb action going on regardless. The Vikings, on the other hand, have been one of the many surprises in the NFC. They are very tough on defense, play smart conservative football on offense and Ponder is getting a very favorable matchup against Washington’s weaksauce secondary. I can’t believe that the Vikes might be on the verge of going 5-1

Vikings

Packers at Texans

The nightmare continues for the Pack. What was supposed to be a bounce back season for the Packers has turned into an utter mess. They’re under .500 in the early going, chasing two 4-1 teams, were robbed on national television of what would be a 3-2 record and just lost their offseason prize RB, Cedric Benson for likely the year (just ask the Raiders how that 6-8 week Lisfranc prognosis worked out for them).  They can certainly bounce back and all that jazz but trying to get that process started against the Texans who have not shown any weaknesses thus far is no easy task. The Texans can run the ball against anyone and against a soft run D at home, that shouldn’t be an issue. JJ Watt is going to be chasing Rodgers all day behind that swiss line of his. This doesn’t look good for the Pack.

Texans

Broncos at Chargers

With the way the Chiefs and Raiders are stinking up the joint right now, this is a fight for the top of the division. Right now, the Chargers are in the driver’s seat even in spite of their second loss of the season. But not by much. Peyton Manning is really special in primetime football and with a chance to put his team into first (it’ll be a tie in terms of straight up record) in the opponent’s house, I wouldn’t dare bet against him. I hate both of these franchises but this is our division and I’ll be watching with a very close eye.

Broncos

NFL Week 5 Picks!

After an improved 10-5 record last week (still unacceptable), I feel I'm moving in the right direction.
At 35-28

Here we go...

Cardinals @ Rams

Straight to the point, I don’t think the Cards can go 5-0. They are due for a loss, are playing a division rival that always plays them tough and who are fairly underrated themselves, and are on the road. This adds up to what ought to be an upset in St. Lou. The Cards have been getting it done with elite pass rush, one of the best secondaries in all of football and just enough offense to get by. The Rams should be able to get in just enough offense to get the job done. I’m goin with the..

Rams

==========================

Browns @ Giants

The Giants at home are just too good at finding ways to win for the Browns to be able to come in and steal one. Especially if Trent Richardson is a bit dinged up. The Browns will continue to slide.

Giants

Eagles @ Steelers

The Eagles have won three games by less than 2 points and face a Steeler team that gets their defensive studs Polamalu and Harrison back…. In Pitts. And I hear Vick is a dogowner again. That doesn’t bode well for the Iggles.

Steelers

Packers @ Colts

You never overlook an opponent but after the airshow that the Pack and Saints put on last week, it’s hard to imagine A-Rod with a poor follow up effort against a young, rebuilding team.

Packers

Falcons @ Redskins

This one took me some time to decide on mostly because it does seem that RG3 finds a way to win in the sort of way that makes it almost impossible to predict the outcome of any game involving him. Like that Bucs game. The Falcons are the hottest team in the NFC right now, though and might be a little too much for an RG3 heroic.

Falcons

Dolphins @ Bengals

The Bengals have been a nice surprise this year although Andy Dalton and AJ Green were no secret coming into the season.  The Dolphins got lucky with an awful Raider team and will sadly be on the losing end of this one as well.

Bengals

Ravens @ Chiefs

The Ravens look to continue to roll against a Chiefs team that has given up the second most points this season already. Romeo Crennel’s improved defense hasn’t turned the corner yet and the Ravens offense has.

Ravens

Seahawks @ Panthers

The Seahawks had a difficult loss last week on the road against a team in the Rams that struggled to move the ball against them. The Panthers are getting healthy and Cam is a bigger threat under center than Bradford was. Panthers bounce back from a couple of rough losses and take this one at home.

Panthers

Bears @ Jags

The worst possible matchup for a mistake prone team is to face the mistake grubbing Bears. Couple that with the Bears’ revitalized passing attack going against one of the softest secondaries in football and you have yourself a recipe for a buttwoopin.

Da Bears

Broncos @ Patriots

Yay, Peyton and Tom rivalry rematch reunion! And not a particularly fair one as the Patriots are probably going to stomp all over the overrated Bronco defense so bad that Peyton won’t be able to bring them back by himself… which he’d have to as there really isn’t anyone else on this team that is that caliber a player on either side of the ball for Denver. Too much firepower for the Pats in this one, at home and starting to get rolling.

Patriots

Bills @ Niners

The slide will continue for the Buffalo Bills. They got smoked last weekend in the 2^nd half by a Patriots team that flipped the switch. The Niners blanked the Jets and stifled them in every facet of the game. Expect Fitzpatrick’s mistake-prone ways to be made a mess of by the Niner defense at home.

Niners

Titans @ Vikings

The Titans are the worst defense in the world right now, their only win coming at home against a team that gave up 44 points to them … to overcome the 41 they gave up! The Vikings have been playing a mistake-free, hardnosed, run the football, play solid defense sort of operation this year and will continue the trend at home against a Titans.

Vikings

Chargers @ Saints

Well, the Saints get another shot at breaking the seal and winning their first game of the season. Coach Payton will be at the game watching, they’ll be at home and I expect Brees to go nuts. They can be scored on at ease and I don’t expect the Chargers to be far behind but the Saints should have enough moxie to get their first win.

Saints

Texans @ Jets

The Jets are headed in the wrong direction. I saw this coming from last offseason. The Texans pose the same threat as the Niners did last week except with a better run game, better passing game and the confidence of an undefeated team. Defensive injuries, questions at QB and an ineffective running game will spell doom for New York.

Texans

Dig it !

NFL Week 4 Picks!

More 8-8
More utter mediocrity. Flip a coin.

OR maybe these refs really did do a number on my picks???

Browns @ Ravens
Oh yeah, there's this game on Thursday that I don't really get to watch.
Ravens (though the Brownies are underated still)

Dig it.

NFL Week 3 Picks!

8-8 last week.


Worst week in recent memory. As some anonymous reader suggested, you’re better off making your picks based off of Vegas odds. Maybe he or she is right.

But they’re probably not.

Giants @ Panthers
So Eli Manning has this habit of bringing his team back from horrendous holes afforded by the Giants’ awful defense. He’s pretty amazing, have you heard? One of my favorite QBs in the league. He has big talented receivers and an incredible sense for the dramatic all while being as stoically unreadable as a lamppost. He has a couple things going against him this week though. Injuries to both Bradshaw and Nicks take away a quasi reliable run game and his biggest, baddest receiver. I love Victor Cruz but Cruz is a function of Nicks’ size and possession ability. The Panthers are not the best team defensively but have the ability to shut down the NY running attack, making them one dimensional and we saw what happened to the Saints last weekend when that happens. If the Giants fall behind early, they might not make it back the same way they stormed on Tampa last weekend. I like Cam to again terrorize the second level with the threat of his legs and the power of his arm. Panthers at home, baby.
Panthers

NOT AGAIN lol

17-16.

YUCK.

Bills at Browns

I’ve spent the early part of this season fixated on up and coming teams turning the corner and while some have, some have been a mix bag. One of those teams is the Bills who looked like shit against the Jets in week 1 but then devastated a Chiefs team I thought coming into the season was going to surprise. I still think last week is the aberration and as good as Spiller is, KC wasn’t any good in week 1 against the run either. The Browns on the other hand are an underrated defense, apparently have found a QB in Weeden and have a stud RB in Richardson. And I don’t trust the Bills on the road.

Browns

Niners at Vikings

I wish there was a way I could predict the Vikings win and sound like a genius but as improved as Christian Ponder has appeared to be and as quickly and strongly as AP has returned, I cannot bet against the best team in the game, right now. Niners trump the Vikes in every aspect of the game with *maybe* the exception of running back although the Niners don’t have too shabby a backfield committee themselves. This one’s a lock.

Niners

Lions at Titans

The Titans might have the worst defense in all of football and that’s saying a lot cuz there’s some really craptastic ones. Mix that with an explosive offense like the one the Lions sport and that spells doom. Chris Johnson is having an even more disastrous season than even, say, McFadden and that’s pretty bad. Jake Locker is even more inaccurate than I last remember him. That can’t be good.

Lions

Bengals at Redskins

The issue with my pick here is that the Washington defense is decimated at key positions. It simply leaves room for an ambiguously middling team like the Bengals who aren’t great at anything (but not awful at anything either) to come in and grind one out. Which could still happen. Except for RG3 bouncing back from a tough loss against a surprisingly good Rams team. Yeah, they’ll bounce back.

Redskins

Chiefs at Saints

The Chiefs are starting to look a lot like how the Raiders look to me; could-have-beens. They can’t hope to catch the Saints tripping for a third straight week and certainly not at home. Of course the Saints are a disaster themselves, showing that Sean Payton was a lot more important to this team’s leadership, playcalling and discipline than was previously figured. Still, they have enough talent (and Drew Brees) to beat the Chiefs and get their first win of the season.

Saints

Jets at Dolphins

I don’t say this as a jilted Raider fan but the Dolphins got very lucky last week and played (and consequently demolished) a really, disjointed, awful team in the Raiders. They play a better Jets team who should do just barely enough to win the game. Let’s just say guys like Hartline aren’t going to light up the Jets D… with or without Revis.

Jets

Jags at Colts

I generally like what I’m seeing out of the Colts. I think they’ve got a ways to go in terms of team sync but the offense has its potential even in spite of a questionable offensive line. The Jags are not quite a bad as they seem but they’re also not good enough to win on the road in Indy especially after Andrew Luck notched his first career win and is now hungry for one against a beatable divisional rival. I like the Colts at home with a rookie quarterback.

Colts

Bucs at Cowboys

Two things can happen here: either the Bucs come out and bounce back from a tough 2^nd half controversial meltdown of a loss and take it to the Cowboys with basically the same nice balance of strong defense and effective offense… or the Cowboys explode offensively (as they certainly are capable of doing) after being suffocated by the Seahawks and run away with it early. At which point a heavy dose of DeMarco Murray won’t help. I’m betting on scenario B.

Cowboys

Rams at Bears

My initial pick was the Bears. I had picked them against the Pack because I thought they were balanced and potent… much like a poor man’s Niners. Instead, their defense looked Swiss, their running game worthless even with Forte out there and Cutler melted down. What they run into this week is one of the best stories so far this season, a Rams team that finally has enough healthy pieces to show off what most people around the NFL thought they were getting in Sam Bradford and a defense loaded with talented, young studs. The Bears running game will still be pressed to move the rock and Cutler is going to be throwing into coverages all day. I’m not so thrilled about the Bears in this one but I do think the team will find a way to overcome all the drama surrounding the team right now, Forte’s injury and somehow eke out a win at home. My head tells me Rams…but my gut says

Da Bears

Eagles at Cardinals

I’m taking the Cards. I don’t like bandwagons but I’d be an even bigger chump if I ignored a real trend like the Cards and their killer defense. They have all sorts of questions on offense, primarily in the passing game but they’ve been getting it done defensively and I expect that to continue to put them in excellent field position to continue to just smother opponents into the turf especially with Michael Vick playing mistake prone football. The Bird bowl is between two undefeated’s but I am less impressed by the Eagles than I am by the Cards even though they snuck by the Ravens. And they’re at home. Call it a trendy pick but I’m going with the

Cards

Falcons at Chargers

The Chargers are home favorites here. Understandably so; they’re a talented squad with an uncharacteristic 2-0 start and are starting to get healthy again. That would be fine if it weren’t for the fact that the team coming in is probably the second best team in the NFC right now with an excellent balance of strong defense both against the pass and the run, a good run game and an elite passing attack. The Chargers have taken advantage of two really awful teams en route to 2-0. The Falcons showed they were for real with how thoroughly they dominated a fairly strong squad in Denver. This is a big test for both teams as we gotta see the Falcons string these kinds of wins on the road and we need to see the Chargers beat somebody good before we start talking about their hottest start maybe ever. My monies are on Matty ICEEEE

Falcons

Steelers at Raiders

I could write an entire blog on the Raiders and how this one will go down but I’m going to keep it simple. Unless Coach Allen and co. ditch the now infamous ZBS (zone blocking scheme) for the power game that unlocked McFadden last season, this is going to be another 10-15 yards on the ground performance and a loss. Which is pretty much what’s going to happen. FML.

Steelers

Texans at Broncos

Boy, the Broncos sure did get a tough opening schedule. After looking great against the Steelers on Opening Night, they were handled (despite the customary late Peyton surge) by the Falcons and now draw the Texans who might have the best defense in the AFC lol YAY! The Texans can run the ball better than the Falcons and wear that defense down the same way that Turner and co. did allowing them to buoy themselves for when Peyton starts to toss self-targetting heatseekers all over the field. Three extremely tough defenses to start the season for Peyton. Who said he’d break? Lol Still…

Texans

Patriots at Ravens

One of the games of the week. Some pundits say that the Patriots lost last week because Coach Belichick refused to roll out the whole playbook in anticipation of this game. Pfft. Coach Belichick does whatever is necessary (even videotape OMG lulz) to win. The Pats have other issues to worry about than hiding plays from the next team on the schedule and those issues might be exploited this week when now free-throwing Joe Flacco lines up under center. The Ravens defense is going to be raring to go after losing a tough one to the Eagles and they’ll be at home. I like the Ravens in this one.

Ravens

Packers at Seahawks

Call me stupid but I’m picking against the Pack for the third straight week. I love Aaron Rodgers and his receiving corps but I just don’t know how much longer we can keep forgiving this team for being OK at everything else. Not bad, granted, and the number their D put on Chicago was pretty funny as an unbias bystander but that defense won’t scare many week in and week out. Now the Seahawks don’t have a particularly good passing offense but Marshawn Lynch is going to stampede through that soft defense all day in Seattle. The Packers as explosive offensively as they are will find playing against the top notch Seahawk defense very hard to manage in Seattle where it will always seem like there are 12 guys on the field. It might be low scoring and with Benson and Lynch grinding it out but this is going to the home team in what will be a shocking upset (for some).

Seahawks

There. I’ll continue to be bold with my picks.

DIG IT.

NFL Week 2 Picks!

Yuck.

9-7 wasn't what I had in mind when I set upon week 1 in a fury of inspiration. Granted, there were a couple surprises but the more blatant mistakes were my misappropriated faith in players and teams that performed well last year but did not project well this year. 

Won't be making that mistake again.

Bears @ Packers

I'm going with an unpopular underdog pick right off the bat. And why not? This is the most classic rivalry in all of football and regardless of who's better than who, you know they'll whittle each other down to the bone. At a quick glance, it doesn't seem likely that a contender as explosive as the Packers will find itself at 0-2 to start the year. Only that might very well be the case once the Bears come to town with their renovated offense and always stout defense. The concern for the Bears will be that they gave up a good chunk of yards and points to the dilapidated and rebuilding Colts while this is an entirely different beast altogether offensively in Green Bay. To their advantage, Greg Jennings might not be able to go and Cedric Benson was nonexistent in week 1. A Rod still has plenty of weapons but the fair question now has to be will it be enough to keep up with the Bears who sport the Forte/Bush attack along with big physical receivers in Marshall and Jeffrey who will challenge the physical man to man style of the Packer corners. Couple that with a bland pass rush that won't hit Cutler nearly enough and one can see how the Bears can pull this off. I'm going on a limb here calling the upset on the road but 

Da Bears

***FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL***

Cards @ Pats
Tha Pats might be the team to beat in the AFC and the Cards barely held on to beat the Seahawks without getting much out of their offense which will be stuck in idle for probably the rest of the season. There’s not much to see here. Patriots should roll at home by two TDs, Cards don’t cover.

Pats

Raiders @ Dolphins

Raider offense should bounce back. WR Denarius Moore is suiting up, young stud center Stefen Wisniewski starts and it looks like long snapper Condo has passed all Concussion Protocol tests meaning the major areas of concern from last week (deep threat, run blocking and special teams) should all improve. The Raider defense will be too tough for the Miami offense to score points (ask the Charger high flying offense what that was like) and in spite of a short week and traveling East, the Raiders should take it.

Raiders

Vikings @ Colts

I expect Andrew Luck to break through against the Vikes at home in Indy. After all, he didn’t look too bad against an above average Bears defense and with limited weapons on the Colts. Donald Brown should be able to do a little more against the Vikes than he was against the Bears and that should open things up a little more for Luck. This is by no means a lock because it’s clear that Adrian Peterson is back and the Colts are nowhere near as stout on run D as the Jags. Still, I expect the rook to get his first big league win and upset in the home opener.

Colts

Texans @ Jags

The Texans are going to continue to roll in the early going with another favorable matchup. They already have the rest of the AFC South looking up at them and that’ll continue as they improve to 2-0 behind stifling defense and a healthy offense. Texans win by two TDs.

Texans

Browns @ Bengals

The Bengals looked so atrocious last week that this game will not only be a welcome sight but an opportunity to test their young leaders Dalton and Green on their resolve and ability to bounce back. The Browns are better on D than most realize but losing Haden to suspension is no insignificant matter and it will show when the Bengals are able to move the ball through the air with regularity in this AFC North matchup. Browns might be able to cover the spread but I wouldn’t count on it.

Bengals

Chiefs @ Bills

Both teams got off to terrible starts and are looking to bounce back. However, I have more faith in KC doing that than Buffalo who got smashed in every facet of the game by the Jets. Spiller is a beast but the Chiefs defense is much better than the Falcons made it look. Expect Cassel to find a groove early and Charles and McCluster to be wild cards that Buffalo’s “revamped” defense will be unable to contain.

Chiefs

Ravens @ Eagles

One thing is for sure; Michael Vick is going to need to look a lot better if he wants to beat the Ravens. Four picks against the Browns (albeit that they’re an underrated defensive unit) can translate into double that total against the Ravens although I’m guessing the Eagles are going to have worked out those problems during the week and we should see less mistakes. Even then, the Ravens pose a serious threat on both sides of the ball as suddenly their offense is explosive enough to not have to piggyback on Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to contend. Eagles will keep it close but Ravens will triumph.

Ravens

Saints @ Panthers

Wrong time, wrong place for the Panthers. Sure they also want to get things back on track after a forgettable afternoon being stifled by a surprising Buccaneer defense that is trying to rebound from being one of last year’s most horrendous units. But now they run into a Saints squad that is coming off of a home opener that saw them give up 40 points to a rookie QB and get almost nothing from their running game. Cam will rebound from a soft start to his sophomore campaign but the Saints should win by more than the spread.

Saints

Bucs @ Giants

The Giants defense does not look good. At least their secondary doesn’t at any rate. The front seven can rush the passer with the best of them and that will be Josh Freeman’s main concern as he tries to find his new weapons quickly but it might not be enough unless they can establish the quick slot stuff the same way that Romo and the Cowboys did leading to Ogletree’s huge day. It’ll be an interesting test for the Bucs’ defense in terms of what they do with Eli. I’m banking on the Giants getting it done.

Giants

Cowboys @ Seahawks

Playing in Seattle against this defense is never easy and it isn’t as though the Cowboys will be seeing that same soft pass coverage that they torched last week. Luckily for them, their defense is going to be able to limit the Seahawks as long as they can contain Russell Wilson in the flats and not let him hurt them with his legs. Still I expect the Cowboys to start the season 2-0 after they eek out a tough road victory. Seahawks might cover.

Cowboys

Redskins @ Rams

The RG3 show continues. The Rams are surprisingly solid on defense but they go from trying to rush a pocket passer like Matt Stafford to chasing the most explosive QB we’ve seen since Vick. And he’s better than Vick in almost every aspect of the position. If Pierre Garcon is good to go, it’ll be a long day for St. Louis. And the toughest complimentary piece you could have given a guy like Griffin is a strong defense.

Redskins

Titans @ Chargers

The Chargers should be able to find the endzone more than once this week as the Titan defense, after hanging tough for a while against the Pats, eventually gave in and were pounded. Their only real saving grace is that the Chargers can’t run the ball worth a damn and will be one dimensional. Lucky for them, that one dimension is pretty good. Chargers should handily win their season opener by a couple scores.

Chargers

Jets @ Steelers

The Jets come back down to Earth this week against the Steelers who controlled the clock and the field for most of the game against the Broncos. Then again Denver only needed Peyton to do Peyton a couple times a game. If Sanchez does Sanchez a couple times Sunday, the Steelers should win by a couple scores as they bounce back and finish the job this time around. The Jets are going to find out that week 1 was a fluke and that offensive lack of chemistry in the preseason did have some value and that the Bills really just stunk it up.

Steelers

Lions @ Niners

As much as I’m feelin the Lions this year as dark horses to challenge for the NFC North in spite of incumbent Green Bay and trendy pick Chicago, they are going to visit what I think is the best team in the NFC and strong contender for the Super Bowl in San Francisco. Granted last year they went the distance and it was one of the best games of the year at a point where both teams were undefeated and rollin’ but the Niners have improved and I’m not sure if the Lions have shown any real maturation since last year in that they waited to really break through against the Rams in the later part of the fourth quarter… a strategy that will not work against San Fran who will already be up by multiple scores by that point.

Niners

Broncos @ Falcons

The Broncos looked pretty scary in week 1 in terms of efficiency. With very limited time they took it to one of the past decade’s premier defenses. The Broncos got it done with tough defense and what appears to be a rejuvenated Peyton Manning. The Falcons absolutely blew up a pretty decent Chiefs team and the score still didn’t even look as bad as it really was. The Falcons are going to have to finish their drives with points unlike the stall-happy Steelers from a week ago in order to win. The Broncos will need more from their running game and are going to have to control the clock more to beat a team of Atlanta’s quality in their house.

Falcons 

DIG IT