Lets get to it.
Week 2 record: 6-8
Overall record: 14-14
St. Louis @ Chicago: The Rams looked good last week. The Bears looked really, really bad. Jay Cutler was harassed by the Packers defense all night and threw his usual temper tantrum on the sidelines en route to a pitiful performance. For the Rams, QB Sam Bradford has been impressive so far this year, posting a QB rating of 112.4 through two games and showing command in Jeff Fisher's offense. However, with all that being said, I think Cutler and the Bears bounce back this week at home, but it's close.
Cincinnati @ Washington: This will be a good test for RGIII and the up and coming Washington Redskins, as the rookie sensation makes his home debut against the Bengals. The Skins could easily be 2-0 if not for a certain WR losing his cool in last weeks loss in St. Louis, however, they still come home 1-1 and pose one of the leagues premiere offenses through the first two weeks. On the other side of the field, Andy Dalton and the Bengals come in sporting a 1-1 record as well, with their first win coming last week against Cleveland. However, I've been unimpressed so far with Cincinnati, and have been highly impressed with the Washington Redskins, and based on that I'll take RGIII to out duel Dalton in his home opener.
Detroit @ Tennessee: How bad have the Titans looked so far this season? Better question, how beyond awful has Chris Johnson looked? I expected Tennessee to be competitive this season, and on top of that I expected a bounce back year from Johnson, but so far neither of those have come even close to happening. The Lions are coming off a week two loss in San Francisco and have so far looked very inconsistent this season; In-fact, if not for a Matthew Stafford led comeback in week one they could easily be 0-2 right now. That being said, I stupidly picked Tennessee last week in an upset, and will not make that mistake again. Give me the Lions.
Kansas City @ New Orleans: Has there even been more of a must win game this early in the season then this one for the 0-2 Saints? Drew Brees hasn't looked quite like himself through the first two weeks, and it's had a direct impact on the Saints offense, which has been a model of inconsistency. For the Chiefs, back to back weeks of poor play -blowout losses to Atlanta and Buffalo- have them in a similar situation. In a game that could be titled the desperation game of the week, I'll take the Saints in a season saving win at home.
San Francisco @ Minnesota: The 49ers have looked elite, especially defensively, through the first two weeks of this young season. They went into Green Bay and had their way with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, and then followed that up with a win last Sunday Night in their home opener against Detroit. The Vikings could be 2-0 right now if not for an Adam Vinatieri field goal last week, and have so far benefited from a light schedule (Jaguars and Colts). However, that comes to an end this week, and so to will Minnesota's .500 record. Give me the Niners.
Buffalo @ Cleveland: The Browns, and more importantly Brandon Weeden, looked much better a week ago then they did in their season opening loss to the Eagles, and seem to be a respectable team for the time being. The Bills had a big bounce back win last week against the Chiefs after their season opening debacle in New York, and seem to have found a gem in RB C.J. Spiller, who leads the league in rushing yards. If the Browns have any chance in winning this game containing Spiller will be a must, and I, for one, don't see that happening. I'll take the Bills.
Tampa Bay @ Dallas: Another season, and once again, Tony Romo and the Boys are so far inconsistent. What a surprise. After their opening night triumph over the Giants, Dallas laid an egg last week in Seattle, losing 27-7 to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. For Tampa Bay, controversy has surrounded coach Greg Schiano this week following last weeks dicey ending in New York, and it will be interesting to see how his team responds. I expect this to be a closely contested game, and while I could see the Bucs pulling it out, I'll take the Cowboys.
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis: Coming off a week two route at the hands of the Houston Texans, the Jaguars head to the Lucas Oil Dome to face the chosen one himself, Andrew Luck. Speaking of Luck, the rookie is coming off his first career victory last week against the Vikings, and looked impressive, especially in leading the offense down the field on the final drive to put them into field goal range. This should be a competitive game from both sides of the football, and even though Blaine Gabbert's "buttocks" is in-fact ok, I'll take the Colts.
Atlanta @ San Diego: The Falcons have looked unstoppable through the first two weeks of the season, and have their offense and defense clicking like never before. The Chargers have also looked impressive through the first two weeks, although they have not played nearly the talent Atlanta has, and should have a better idea of where they are as a team after this game. While both teams are strong on the offensive side of the football, I think the defenses will be the deciding factor in this one, and going on that I'll take the Falcons on the road.
Philadelphia @ Arizona: When do we start to take this Cardinal team seriously? Yes, they are coming off an upset win in New England, and do pose a 2-0 record, but I, for one, am not quite sold yet. This game will truly make me a believer, as they welcome in the 2-0 Eagles, who are also coming off an impressive week two win against the Ravens. Michael Vick's decision making improved last week, although it still has me scratching my head at times, but that Eagle defense looks much improved this season. Based on that, and the speed of the offense, I'll take Andy Reid's Eagles in this one.
Pittsburgh @ Oakland: The Raiders were outplayed and outclassed last week in Miami, while the Steelers handedly defeated the New York Jets. Big Ben will pose problems for this Raider defense, and Carson Palmer will struggle against an always good Steeler defense, and going on those two assumptions, I'll take the Steelers in a relatively easy win.
Houston @ Denver: Watching Peyton Manning last week was brutal. The future hall-of-famer struggled in the first quarter in Atlanta and never fully recovered as the Broncos dropped the Monday Night contest. Houston, on the other hand, has cruised through the first two weeks of the season, and has benefited from a relatively easy schedule. However, that will change this week, especially being on the road. Peyton has always had great success against the Texans, but this isn't the same team he faced for years in Indianapolis, and he could very well struggle in this one with that defense. However, in my experience, Peyton Manning doesn't get fooled twice in a row, and on that I'll take the Broncos.
New England @ Baltimore: The Ravens have looked good in the first two weeks, despite their loss last weekend, while the Pats have looked widely inconsistent, both on offense and defense. Tom Brady has struggled, and that doesn't figure to improve against a defense like Baltimore's (although something tells me it will), while the Pats receiver situation has gotten so bare that they called upon Deion Branch yet again to help them out. For the Ravens, Joe Flacco has looked like a QB ready to make that leap to the next level, and has that offense clicking on all cylinders. However, while I do think Flacco and RB Ray Rice will give that Patriots defense problems throughout the night, something tells me that the Pats will come out on top in this one.
Green Bay @ Seattle: You've got to hand it to Russell Wilson, the kid is a gamer, all 5'11 of him. The Seahawks are coming off a convincing 27-7 win last week against the Cowboys, and seem to be rallying behind their rookie QB. For the Packers, they haven't quite put it all together yet, have they? Offensively, Aaron Rodgers hasn't quite seemed like himself yet, and now has his tight end's agent calling him out on his leadership. Defensively for Seattle, they can beat anybody, and will need a near perfect game on Monday night to take down the Packers. While I think there's a chance of that happening, especially given the look of the Green Bay offense through the first two weeks, I still just don't think that Seattle offense can keep up. Give me the Packers.
Remember to check in tomorrow morning for all the pre-game news and analysis for the Fins/Jets showdown in Miami, and of course, I'll offer up my prediction. Unfortunately, there will be no live blog tomorrow afternoon, but don't forget to tune in after the game for all the postgame coverage!
Until tomorrow morning, as always, I bid you farewell.
No comments:
Post a Comment