Thursday – 4 September 2008

Washington Redskins @ New York Giants

No picks made

Sunday – 7 September 2008

Detroit Lions @ Atlanta Falcons - (Eddie and Fred:  Lions)

Eddie: It’s hard to believe that the word interesting can describe this match-up but it does.  There are a lot of questions that can answered; Like can the passing game in Detroit survive without Martz?  Is Rudi-Johnson a good fit? Can Michael “The Burner” Turner be a productive number one back?  Is Matt Ryan ready?  Regardless of the score some good information will come from this game but I do like the Lions as they don’t have as many pieces missing like the Falcons do.

Fred: Team with starting Rookie QB = Loss.  Lions win easily.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens – (Eddie and Fred:  Bengals)

Eddie: The Ravens team in its entirety is in dissary.  Rookie QB.  Injured RB.  Deflated secondary.  With that said, it’s not like the Bengals have their ducks in line.  If I have to hear “Ocho Cinco” one more time I’m going to become a hockey fan.    I think the Bengals have too many weapons to lose this one.

Fred: I repeat…team with starting Rookie QB = Loss.  Bengals win easily.

Seattle Seahawks @ Buffalo Bills – (Eddie: Seahawks, Fred: Bills)

Eddie: Something keeps telling me I need to pick the Bills.  Going with Seattle is like sanding against the grain but I’m going to do it anyways.  This isn’t the Seattle offense we are used to seeing and I think this is going to be a defensive game and for that reason alone I’m going with the hawks. 

Fred: I know it’s only preseason, but the Bills 1st offense/defense looked pretty good.  The Seahawks looked severely out-of-rhythm with both their running and passing game in preseason.  It will be a close one, and since the Bills are at home, lets go with the Bills.

St Louis Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles – (Eddie and Fred: Eagles)

Eddie: Two key points that will lead to an Eagles victory:  Westbrook and the Eagles defense.  I’m glad to see SJax sign but what a horrible match-up to start with.  They don’t call him Action Jackson for nothing so expect to see some nice runs but a Ram victory is out of the question.

Fred: It doesn’t matter that the Eagles WRs are banged up.  With McNabb, Westbrook, and the Eagles offensive system, they’re guaranteed to take care of things offensively.  The Rams should also be able to put some points on the board, but not as many as Philly.  The home team takes the lead early on and never gives it up. 

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans – (Eddie and Fred: Jaguars)

Eddie: Fragile Freddie and MJD aka “the human bowling ball” should keep this game under control.  Garrad should manage the game effectively as the Jags contain Vince Young.  I’m looking forward to seeing Chris Johnson so this game won’t be a total waste.

Fred: One of the worst looking teams in preseason was Tennessee.  There’s no way they’re able to do a “180″ and be competitive in Week 1.  In a low scoring affair, the Jags own the Titans.

Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers – (Eddie and Fred: Steelers)

Eddie: I’m not completely sold on Pittsburgh’s offense but I’ve already paid for and took home their defense.  If the Texans had half of a running game I might be inclined to pick them but lack of a back keeps them down this week. 

Fred: The Texans run game is a gigantic question mark, and their secondary is looking like it will be one of the worst again in the NFL this year.  The Steelers have neither of those problems and are just flat out a much better team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints - (Eddie: Buccaneers, Fred: Saints)

Eddie: I understand if you raised an eye brow once you read I picked the Bucs.  I know I know…  Brees, Bush, M.C., Shockey…  but I really like the Tampa defense this year and their offense is solid as well.  Antonio Bryant for the Bucs will surprise a few early in the season and Garcia will show why his team didn’t need Favre.

Fred: This should be a close game.  The Bucs did not impress me at all in preseason.  Their offense was out-of-sync, and the O-Line seemed to be much weaker than last year.  At home in the dome, the Saints passing offense will generate more points/yards than the Bucs entire offense.

Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots – (Both: Patriots)

Eddie: We play to win the game.  Too bad you’ll lose in New England there good ole Herm.  Attention Wal-mart shoppers “Larry Johnson” your offensive line is waiting for you on the field.  Please come to the front.  Attention Wal-mart shoppers please keep on the look-out for a missing running back.

Fred: Hahaha…it’s not a question of who’s going to win, but how much the Pats are going to destroy the pathetic Chiefs.  The ONLY way the Chiefs have a chance is if Brady’s injury is more serious than what we’re hearing, and someone goes after Welker’s ribs to knock him out of the game.

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins – (Eddie and Fred: Jets)

Eddie: One year ago both of these teams would have probably paid advertisers and fans to show up.  This year and this match up might be one of the most watched.  We can thank Favre for that.  Like the Atlanta and Detroit game there are some questions that will be answered for these two teams.  Because the air is warmer in Florida will Pennington’s ball float in the air long enough to break the 20 yard completion mark?  Is Ricky back to being Ricky?  Can the Jets’ WRs hold on to Brett’s fire passes?  How effective will the Dolphins’ defense now that they are Taylor-less.

Fred: This should be a fun game.  It’s a tough one to pick too.  Ricky Williams should run all over the Jets defense and Favre should throw all over the Dolphins defense.  Will Chad Pennington get his revenge in Week 1?  I’m going to say “No”.  The Favre magic brings Jets a Week 1 victory.

Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns – (Eddie and Fred: Cowboys)

Eddie: We know what Romo and T.O. can do but we don’t know how Marion “The Barbarian” Barber will do as the featured back.   The Cowboys are a locomotive and the Browns are a car on the tracks.  Who do you think wins that?

Fred: Cowboys are looking like the best team in the NFL.  They don’t appear to have any weaknesses.  Some of the Browns starters on offense are dinged up…including Lewis who may not play.  For the Browns to have a chance to beat the Cowboys, they need to all be healty.  Cowboys easily win this one.

Carolina Panthers @ San Diego Chargers – (Eddie and Fred: Chargers)

Eddie: The Panthers defense seemed much improved but their offense lacks consistency.  Delhomme is either on or off and there is no certainty how DeAngelo Williams and Stewart will work out.  Steve Smith is out but Julius Peppers is looking to show why he deserved that big pay day contract.  Gates isn’t 100% and the WR core – Chambers and Jackson – isn’t something to write home about but we all know who’s team this is…  L.T…  L.T…  L.T….

Fred: The Panthers looked like a top 5 team in preseason.  If they had Steve Smith for this game, I’d still pick the Chargers with the Panthers covering the 9 point spread.  But without the center of their offense, the Panthers have no chance.

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers – (Eddie and Fred: 49ers) => UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK!

Eddie: I don’t even know who J.T. O’Sullivan is and I’m not even sure if that’s even how you spell his name but somehow I managed to drink, and enjoy, the 49er off season kool-aid.  Yay me.  Martz, once again, has a premiere back in Frank Gore, so he’ll be the center-piece of this magical offense.  I’m glad to see Warner as the Cardinal’s starting QB because he’s the better player.  You have to be concerned of the Dynamic Duo (Fitzgerald and Boldin) but the running backs have some work to do.

Fred: This game should come down to the final drive.  With Mike Martz, O’Sullivan (a QB who actually knows the offensive style prior to joining the Niners), Bryant Johnson, Isaac Bruce, and another year of experience for Vernon “clik-clak” Davis, the Niners offense has drastically improved.  A healthy Kurt Warner instantly makes the Cardinals a potent offense.  On defense for the Niners, Manny Lawson is back from injury and they added Justin Smith (DE) to pressure opposing QBs.  Because of a better defense, and home field advantage, Niners will win this close battle.  The only upset pick for me this week.

Chicago Bears @ Indianapolis Colts – (Eddie and Fred: Colts)

Eddie: Once again the defense will carry this offense anemic Bears team.  The problem is this week they are going up against a team who is top notch on both sides of the ball.  The Colts will be too much for the Bears and we’ll see Harrison healthy and back to his old self.

Fred: Kyle Orton handing the ball off to Forte and passing to Brandon Lloyd?  Forte should become a good RB, but in Week 1 (compared to the Colts offense), that offense is not going to get it done.  Peyton’s back and he lights it up.  Easy Colts W.

Monday – 8 September 2008

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers - (Eddie and Fred: Packers)

Eddie: The Vikings have a powerful defense and a wall of an offensive line.  The problem is so does Green Bay.  Besides Adrian Peterson of the Vikings I believe Green Bay offers more on the offensive side of the ball.  Home team gets the nod. 

Fred: Serving a 4 game suspension, the Vikings will be without Bryant McKennie (LT).  He’s a huge loss for the O-Line.  Enough to where I believe Tavaris will be under too much pressure…enough so the passing offense never catches good enough rhythm.  Both teams have stellar defenses, but the Packers have the better offense.  GB wins at home in a close one.

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders – (Eddie: Raiders, Fred: Broncos)

Eddie: I’ll be referring to the Raiders run attack this year as Kerberos.  Fargas, McFadden and Bush.  What an effective trio this will be.  If the Raiders were smart they will lean heavily on Kerberos because Russell hasn’t shown much as of yet.  Cutler will be without his favorite target so like Oakland Denver will have to rely on the running game.  I like the home team on this one as well.

Fred: This one really is a coin toss for me.  Both teams have glaring weaknesses and strengths.  Broncos won’t have Marshall, Raiders may not have Walker.  Both run defenses are suspect so I believe the Oakland three headed RB monster and Denver’s Young/Hall combo should have a great game.  I got the gut feeling that even without Marshall, Culter will put up very good numbers.  Denver barely wins this one.