Sunday – 14 September 2008

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Eddie: (Winner – Jaguars)

Buffalo sure did look tough but it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars going down 2 games.  I truly believe this is a make it or break it game for the Jags and for that reason I’m going with Jacksonville.

Fred: (Winner – Bills)

Without their starting 3 interior lineman, there’s no way the Jags will be able to run their offense to their liking.  On the flip side, Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters joins the Bills this week for the 1st time this season.  The Bills should be able to get over 20 points and the Jags won’t be able to.  Bills get the “W”.  UPSET PICK #1!

Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers

Eddie: (Winner – Bears)

I think last week’s Carolina win was more about San Diego’s loss.  Don’t get me wrong – the Panthers D looked stout but I don’t think they match up with the Bears

Fred: (Winner – Panthers)

There aren’t many home teams I’m picking this week so since this game is a coin toss, I’m going with the Panthers.  Their run game and defense are legit.  It looks like Delhomme is back too!  This game will be a close one.

Tennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals

Eddie: (Winner – Titans)

I think the Titans will be better offensively without Vince Young.  VY looked so uncomfortable in the pocket and looked extremely indecisive.  The once explosive Bengal offense will have nothing to offer the Titans D.

Fred: (Winner – Titans)

Bengals looked like absolute garbage.  They will get better, but not enough to beat the Titans this week.  Titans D should rattle the Bengals pathetic offensive line enough to disrupt the offense from putting up more points.

New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins

Eddie: (Winner – Redskins)

Last week the Skins looked horrible and out of sync but towards the end they showed some character.  They’ll need to win this game to keep pace in the division.

Fred: (Winner – Redskins)

Toughest pick of the week here!  Jason Campbell should do a 180 and a great game.  He was like Jim Zorn’s puppet last week, not deviating from the exact plan for each offensive play, and he looked like one of the worst QBs in the league.  He’s a good QB so he shouldn’t do that this week!  The Saints won’t have Colston, which means the Redskins won’t have to worry about double-teaming any of their receivers.  I’m expecting a high scoring affair here with the Redskins squeaking it out.

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Eddie: (Winner – Packers)

Here’s the thing about Detroit.  They will lose the games they are supposed to win and they’ll win the games they are supposed to lose.  So although I’m going with the Packers if the Lions win don’t say I didn’t tell you so.

Fred: (Winner – Packers)

With Ryan Grant at 100%, Green Bay is the 2nd best team in the NFC.  As everyone saw last week, Detroit’s defense isn’t just bad, it’s AWFUL!  How can you let a rookie QB, in his 1st ever NFL regular season game, do that to you.  Detroit’s pass offense is guaranteed 2 TDs every week, but Green Bay will get at least 4 against the hapless Lions.  

New York Giants @ St. Louis Rams

Eddie: (Winner – Giants)

Here we go again with the Rams.  They looked horrible last year and look horrible this year.  If the Giants play with the same aggression as last week they should easily win this game.

Fred: (Winner – Giants)

Ummm…I hope no one is reading this for advice on who’s going to win this game.  Even if Eli Manning throws 3 picks, the Giants will still win.

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs

Eddie: (Winner – Raiders)

Arrowhead isn’t what it once was and I think the Raiders regroup and take a close one from the Chiefs.

Fred: (Winner – Chiefs)

I cannot believe I’m going to pick the Chiefs.  I was hoping for much more from the Raiders last week.  Russell needs a few more games of experience to be effective, and that Raiders secondary got burnt by an undersized rookie WR.  At home, with Huard at QB, the entire KC offense scores enough points (but barely) to beat the Raiders.

Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings 

Eddie: (Winner – Colts)

Just like the Jags I can’t imagine the Colts going down to 0-2 to start the season.  Either way – one of these play-off bound teams will drop to 0-2 and it won’t be Peyton and Co.

Fred: (Winner – Colts)

Oh man, this is another tough one.  The Vikings offensive play-calling on pass plays was terrible in Week 1.  Seeing the Eagles passing offense shred the Rams…and without their two starting WRs, I’m beginning to believe Brad Childress does not know how to most effectively use his players in the passing game.  Colts, on both sides of the ball, are a top 10 team.  Even though it’s an away game, the Colts should win this one. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Eddie: (Winner – 49ers)

Seattle just looks deflated.  It seems their entire offense is on the injured report.  Week 2 of Martz in San Fran should start to blossom.

Fred: (Winner – 49ers)

I know we missed the upset call last week.  But hey, the Niners had five turnovers to Arizona’s zero…and they ONLY lost by 10 points!  J.T. O’Sullivan and Zak Keasey had opening day jitters.  With a depleted WR core, and no Maurice Morris, the Seahawks have no chance in scoring more than 14 points.  The Niners will easily get over 20 points and win this one.  UPSET PICK #2!

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eddie: (Winner – Buccaneers)

Don’t expect a repeat performance from Atlanta.  Tampa Bay is an entirely different team than the Lions so Matt Ryan and Turner will have some problems finding some rhythm.

Fred: (Winner – Buccaneers)

Now how about them Falcons last week?  No one saw that coming.  And we won’t see it this week.  Matt Ryan will get officially introduced to the NFL playing against the Bucs defense.  I still believe the Falcons run game will get theirs though.  At home, and now with Griese at QB, the Bucs take an early lead and hold onto it for the rest of the game.

Miami Dolphins @ Arizona Cardinals

Eddie: (Winner – Cardinals)

Okay so last week the Cards looked slightly impressive.  Miami looked like Miami.  The Dolphins running game is suspect so I don’t really have a grasp on what they can do.

Fred: (Winner – Cardinals)

Miami will win a few this year, but not one in Week 2.  The Warner-led Cardinals offense will put up some big numbers that the Miami offense can’t touch. 

New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Eddie: (Winner – Jets)

With an aging defense and a tormented offense the Patriots watch their season go down the drain.  The Jets are hungry and looking for the big V in front of their fans.

Fred: (Winner – Patriots)

The Patriots, on a 20 game regular season winning streak, are an underdog?  I know the Jets have Madden’s favorite player of all-time, but c’mon!  The mastermind Bill Belichick will know the exact buttons to press to win this one…even without Brady. UPSET PICK #3!

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos

Eddie: (Winner – Chargers)

You have to be careful picking a game when the Broncos are involved.  They’ll look like a supermodel one week and busted the next.  The problem is you don’t know which one will come from week to week.  LT may be injured but I just don’t see him missing this game especially after the disappointing loss last week.

Fred: (Winner – Broncos)

As of the time of this writing, Tomlinson and Cromartie are looking like they will not play in Week 2.  If that is the case, in Denver and with Brandon Marshall back, the Broncos will get this win.  UPSET PICK #4!

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

Eddie: (Winner – Steelers)

I’m hoping this is a shootout.  Nothing’s better than when these two teams get together.  If Fast Willie Parker runs like he did last week then the Cleveland Browns will lose big time.

Fred: (Winner – Steelers)

The Steelers are the best team in the AFC.  Willie Parker is back to his 2006 form and the “Steel Curtain” is up.  Derek Anderson has to show up for this game though, because if he doesn’t, the Brady Quinn countdown will begin.  Steelers definitely win, but by how much…I have no clue.

Monday – 15 September 2008

Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans (Game moved to Monday night because of Hurricane Ike)

Eddie: (Winner – Texans)

The Texans just ran into a brick wall last.  This Ravens team isn’t any better so you have to go with the home team.

Fred: (Winner – Texans)

I’m still in shock that two rookie QBs won their first game last week.  That hasn’t happened since 1971!  The Texans played the best team in the AFC last week and it showed.  They’ll get their act together this week and easily win this one.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys  

Eddie: (Winner – Dallas)

What a Monday night game.  Two powerhouses collide in what will be a big defensive battle.  Home team gets the nod.

Fred: (Winner – Dallas)

Even though I don’t have any fantasy players on either of these teams, I have to admit that I am really excited about this game.  Can McNabb shred the Dallas defense like he did the Rams last week?  I don’t see it happening.  The Cowboys are the best team in the NFC and they prove it under the lights Monday night.