Last week’s picks: 11-5
Season total: 21-11
No time for a long introduction this week, so let’s just dive in with the picks:
Lions at Vikings
The Lions have done well the first two weeks, and have proven that they will have to be taken seriously, at least until they get a real test against a higher class of opponent. The Vikings are not that test. In their first two games, they have shown an inability to finish games, blowing leads twice. Donovan McNabb has not played well. Percy Harvin can’t get on the field for some reason. Winner: Lions
Broncos at Titans
The Broncos were lucky to barely win at home last week against Cincinnati, and continue to be plagued by injuries to important personnel. If I had not seen the game, I might have been tempted to say that the Titans beat Baltimore last week only because the Ravens suffered a letdown after their emotional victory against Pittsburgh. Yes, the Ravens did not play a good game. However, Tennessee did not merely beat Baltimore. The game was not close. The Titans dominated. It’s entirely possible that Matt Hasselbeck has never played with a receiver as young and talented as Kenny Britt, and they are quickly developing a rapport. The offensive line kept Hasselbeck clean against the Ravens. Tennessee’s defence also looked very good. The Titans should win easily. Winner: Titans
49ers at Bengals
San Francisco, as advertised, is not very good. They blew a 10-point lead to the Cowboys last week, due in part to some questionable coaching decisions. As for Cincinnati, they seem to be good enough to hang around long enough to make teams sweat. Andy Dalton has played well, and the defence has been stiff so far, though admittedly against mediocre competition. The Bengals should be able to handle the 49ers in this one. Winner: Bengals
Texans at Saints
This has the potential to be a really high-scoring affair. It will be the first real test for the re-vamped Houston defence. And what a test it will be. The Texans will learn what it is like to face an extremely efficient offence, led by a poised and deadly-accurate QB, and they will be better for the experience. They will lose, however. The Saints offence is just too much for the Texans right now. Winner: Saints
Giants at Eagles
The Giants looked better last week than they did in their season-opener, but they were playing the not-ready-for-prime-time Rams. The Eagles are a major step-up in competition, one the Giants won’t be able to handle. Philadelphia is coming off a tough road loss to Atlanta, and will bring its A-game to this contest. Eli Manning gets picked-off at least twice in this one. Winner: Eagles
Dolphins at Browns
Miami finally leaves its home-field disadvantage behind and heads out on the road. They look like a real mess. They’re desperate for a win, though, so look for them to jump out to an early lead against the underachieving Browns. Peyton Hillis has apparently been battling an illness this week, and was listed as “Questionable” in the injury report. I’ve seen “Contagion;” he may not survive until game day. Winner: Dolphins
Jaguars at Panthers
Playing QB in the NFL is supposed to hard, right? Cam Newton is scary-good already. He has a lot to learn, but he makes up for a lot with his natural physical abilities, maturity, and patience. He played extremely well again last week, giving Green Bay fans a scare, before crafty veteran Charles Woodson finally gave the rookie a proper welcome to the league with two INTs. Meanwhile, the Jags’ QB situation is, predictably, a mess. Carolina gets its first win this week. Winner: Panthers
Patriots at Bills
This should be a high-octane battle between two potent offences, Buffalo led by Ryan Fitzpatrick’s big, juicy, Harvard-educated brain, versus the lovely and talented Tom Brady-led Pats. Both teams have shown that they have no difficulty scoring points. Look for the Pats to win, in a shootout. Winner: Patriots
Ravens at Rams
Look for Baltimore to bounce back after a sub-par performance last week. The Rams continue to have depth issues due to injuries. I can’t see St. Louis being able to score much in this one. Ravens win big. Winner: Ravens
Chiefs at Chargers
Matt Cassel: watch out for your ACL! In the previous three weeks, Kansas City has lost three important starters for the season, each with a torn ACL: TE Tony Moeaki, S Eric Berry, and last week, RB Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs are, quite possibly, the worst team in the NFL. The Chargers have their shortcomings, but they should have no difficulty scoring in this one. Winner: Chargers
Jets at Raiders
The Jets have won, but haven’t been impressive. I see real problems with New York’s offence. The Raiders have been good so far, and have shown a willingness to throw the ball downfield. The Raiders will be in tough against New York’s defence, but if they can keep the score close, Darren McFadden will win it for Oakland in the 4th quarter. Winner: Raiders
Falcons at Buccaneers
This has the makings of a classic trap game for Atlanta. After winning a huge game against visiting Philadelphia (and the returning Michael Vick), it would not be surprising to see a let-down this week similar to what Baltimore experienced last week. It won’t happen, though. The Falcons already have a loss. That, coupled with facing a division rival, will be enough to motivate them. Atlanta won’t fade at the end like Minnesota did last week against the Bucs. Winner: Falcons
Packers at Bears
These teams play extremely tough against each other. The Bears are coming off a difficult loss, and will be looking to bounce back. Green Bay will be looking to get off to a better start than they did last week, when they had to come back to beat Carolina. What this comes down to is that the Packers are simply the better team. Winner: Packers
Cardinals at Seahawks
The Seahawks have the best home-field advantage in the NFL. Unfortunately, that is offset by the fact that they are one of, if not the, worst teams in the NFL. Normally, I would expect Arizona to wilt under the pressure of the crowd noise this week, but they were very competitive last week on the east coast, which is a good sign that they are coming together as a team. I see Kolb and Fitzgerald having a big day against Seattle’s defence. Winner: Cardinals
Steelers at Colts
There are still some question marks surrounding the Steelers. After looking quite overmatched in week 1 against Baltimore, they came back strong in week 2, but against Seattle. Pittsburgh will win this game, but will not silence the critics. Indianapolis could not finish last week, and lost at home to Cleveland. They can expect no mercy from the visiting Steelers. Winner: Steelers
Monday Night
‘skins at Cowboys
Washington squeaked out a victory at home last week against Arizona, while the Cowboys came back from 10 down in the 4th quarter to beat the 49ers in San Francisco. If Tony Romo plays, the Cowboys must find a way to protect him and his injured ribs, and the running game must step up. DeMarcus Ware makes life miserable for Rex Grossman, and Dallas pulls out the victory. Winner: Cowboys
Season total: 21-11
No time for a long introduction this week, so let’s just dive in with the picks:
Lions at Vikings
The Lions have done well the first two weeks, and have proven that they will have to be taken seriously, at least until they get a real test against a higher class of opponent. The Vikings are not that test. In their first two games, they have shown an inability to finish games, blowing leads twice. Donovan McNabb has not played well. Percy Harvin can’t get on the field for some reason. Winner: Lions
Broncos at Titans
The Broncos were lucky to barely win at home last week against Cincinnati, and continue to be plagued by injuries to important personnel. If I had not seen the game, I might have been tempted to say that the Titans beat Baltimore last week only because the Ravens suffered a letdown after their emotional victory against Pittsburgh. Yes, the Ravens did not play a good game. However, Tennessee did not merely beat Baltimore. The game was not close. The Titans dominated. It’s entirely possible that Matt Hasselbeck has never played with a receiver as young and talented as Kenny Britt, and they are quickly developing a rapport. The offensive line kept Hasselbeck clean against the Ravens. Tennessee’s defence also looked very good. The Titans should win easily. Winner: Titans
49ers at Bengals
San Francisco, as advertised, is not very good. They blew a 10-point lead to the Cowboys last week, due in part to some questionable coaching decisions. As for Cincinnati, they seem to be good enough to hang around long enough to make teams sweat. Andy Dalton has played well, and the defence has been stiff so far, though admittedly against mediocre competition. The Bengals should be able to handle the 49ers in this one. Winner: Bengals
Texans at Saints
This has the potential to be a really high-scoring affair. It will be the first real test for the re-vamped Houston defence. And what a test it will be. The Texans will learn what it is like to face an extremely efficient offence, led by a poised and deadly-accurate QB, and they will be better for the experience. They will lose, however. The Saints offence is just too much for the Texans right now. Winner: Saints
Giants at Eagles
The Giants looked better last week than they did in their season-opener, but they were playing the not-ready-for-prime-time Rams. The Eagles are a major step-up in competition, one the Giants won’t be able to handle. Philadelphia is coming off a tough road loss to Atlanta, and will bring its A-game to this contest. Eli Manning gets picked-off at least twice in this one. Winner: Eagles
Dolphins at Browns
Miami finally leaves its home-field disadvantage behind and heads out on the road. They look like a real mess. They’re desperate for a win, though, so look for them to jump out to an early lead against the underachieving Browns. Peyton Hillis has apparently been battling an illness this week, and was listed as “Questionable” in the injury report. I’ve seen “Contagion;” he may not survive until game day. Winner: Dolphins
Jaguars at Panthers
Playing QB in the NFL is supposed to hard, right? Cam Newton is scary-good already. He has a lot to learn, but he makes up for a lot with his natural physical abilities, maturity, and patience. He played extremely well again last week, giving Green Bay fans a scare, before crafty veteran Charles Woodson finally gave the rookie a proper welcome to the league with two INTs. Meanwhile, the Jags’ QB situation is, predictably, a mess. Carolina gets its first win this week. Winner: Panthers
Patriots at Bills
This should be a high-octane battle between two potent offences, Buffalo led by Ryan Fitzpatrick’s big, juicy, Harvard-educated brain, versus the lovely and talented Tom Brady-led Pats. Both teams have shown that they have no difficulty scoring points. Look for the Pats to win, in a shootout. Winner: Patriots
Ravens at Rams
Look for Baltimore to bounce back after a sub-par performance last week. The Rams continue to have depth issues due to injuries. I can’t see St. Louis being able to score much in this one. Ravens win big. Winner: Ravens
Chiefs at Chargers
Matt Cassel: watch out for your ACL! In the previous three weeks, Kansas City has lost three important starters for the season, each with a torn ACL: TE Tony Moeaki, S Eric Berry, and last week, RB Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs are, quite possibly, the worst team in the NFL. The Chargers have their shortcomings, but they should have no difficulty scoring in this one. Winner: Chargers
Jets at Raiders
The Jets have won, but haven’t been impressive. I see real problems with New York’s offence. The Raiders have been good so far, and have shown a willingness to throw the ball downfield. The Raiders will be in tough against New York’s defence, but if they can keep the score close, Darren McFadden will win it for Oakland in the 4th quarter. Winner: Raiders
Falcons at Buccaneers
This has the makings of a classic trap game for Atlanta. After winning a huge game against visiting Philadelphia (and the returning Michael Vick), it would not be surprising to see a let-down this week similar to what Baltimore experienced last week. It won’t happen, though. The Falcons already have a loss. That, coupled with facing a division rival, will be enough to motivate them. Atlanta won’t fade at the end like Minnesota did last week against the Bucs. Winner: Falcons
Packers at Bears
These teams play extremely tough against each other. The Bears are coming off a difficult loss, and will be looking to bounce back. Green Bay will be looking to get off to a better start than they did last week, when they had to come back to beat Carolina. What this comes down to is that the Packers are simply the better team. Winner: Packers
Cardinals at Seahawks
The Seahawks have the best home-field advantage in the NFL. Unfortunately, that is offset by the fact that they are one of, if not the, worst teams in the NFL. Normally, I would expect Arizona to wilt under the pressure of the crowd noise this week, but they were very competitive last week on the east coast, which is a good sign that they are coming together as a team. I see Kolb and Fitzgerald having a big day against Seattle’s defence. Winner: Cardinals
Steelers at Colts
There are still some question marks surrounding the Steelers. After looking quite overmatched in week 1 against Baltimore, they came back strong in week 2, but against Seattle. Pittsburgh will win this game, but will not silence the critics. Indianapolis could not finish last week, and lost at home to Cleveland. They can expect no mercy from the visiting Steelers. Winner: Steelers
Monday Night
‘skins at Cowboys
Washington squeaked out a victory at home last week against Arizona, while the Cowboys came back from 10 down in the 4th quarter to beat the 49ers in San Francisco. If Tony Romo plays, the Cowboys must find a way to protect him and his injured ribs, and the running game must step up. DeMarcus Ware makes life miserable for Rex Grossman, and Dallas pulls out the victory. Winner: Cowboys
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