I didn't have a great start to the season. I think I jinxed myself, as I allowed family members to convince me to play an online weekly NFL picks competition. Every time I do that, I pick worse than normal. There are some games this week that seem rife for upset. Before we get into the picks, though, let's review the results from the first week of the NFL season:
Top Ten
1. Seattle Seahawks (1-0) : The Seahawks started their title defense with a smashmouth performance against the Packers
2. Tennessee Titans (1-0) : While their place in the Top Ten may not last, the Titans shocked the Chiefs and pulled off the biggest upset (at least by margin of victory) of the week
3. Miami Dolphins (1-0) : The Patriots were never really in this game, and the Dolphins started the season by knocking down their division rival
4. Detroit Lions (1-0) : Two early scores put the Giants in trouble, and they put it away in the third quarter
5. Minnesota Vikings (1-0) : Cordarelle Patterson is listed as a wide receiver, but he ran for more yards than Adrian Petersen in a huge win for the Vikings
6. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) : Despite spotting the Jags 17 points from three turnovers, the Eagles then controlled the game to win 34-17
7. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) : The 49ers caused four first half turnovers and had their game decided early in the second quarter
8. Houston Texans (1-0) : Washington's offense was non-existent against the stifling Texans defense
9. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) : Cincy took advantage of a crippled Ravens squad to score a strong divisional win
10. Denver Broncos (1-0) : The offense sputtered in the second half, but they scored enough to hold back the Colts. They need to work on their defense and running game, though.
Division rankings
1 (tie). NFC West : Impressive weekend for all but St Louis
1 (tie). NFC North : Strong victories for Detroit and Minnesota. Chicago lost in overtime in a game they should have won because they stopped tackling late in the fourth. Green Bay struggled, but they were playing the Super Bowl champs
3. AFC East : Three teams won, and none of them were the consensus easy division winner
4. AFC South : Tennessee and Houston started strongly, while the Colts nearly staged a great comeback
5. NFC South : New Orleans and Atlanta played an exciting overtime game. Carolina was strong
6. AFC North : All games were divisional ones, so we'll have to see how this division fares against the rest of the league
7. AFC West : Nobody was outstanding
8. NFC East : Philly was the only winner, and they looked ugly in the first quarter.
Week 2 picks
Thursday night: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens: How the Ravens react to the news blitz surrounding Ray Rice may define the outcome of this game. They were already ready to play this game without him, but his suspension has now shown a bright light on the organization. Most of the Ravens have handled interviews well so far, but how much of a distraction will this be? They'll play inspired, wanting to show that the team is more than the former home of a fiance-beater, but I think they'll come up a bit short. STEELERS, 17-16
Sunday early games:
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants: Where, oh where, has the Giants offense come? To the West Coast, obviously. Unfortunately, they play in the East Coast. CARDS, 20-14
Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals: This game could really go either way. Matt Ryan really moved the Falcons, and staged a great comeback against the Saints. However, the Saints defense has some holes. Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense looked good, but that was against a Ravens team dealing with some personnel losses. So who will triumph? The Falcons always get a boost at home, so being on the road might just slow them enough for Cincy to win. BENGALS, 24-23
Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans: Do I think Jake Locker will have as good a week as last week? Perhaps not. However, the Cowboys have shown that they can and will turn the ball over, and the Titans will be able to capitalize on that. TITANS, 20-13
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers didn't seem to lose anything with Cam Newton out from injury. However, now they have to keep pace with the Megatron offense of Detroit. That seems to be a more difficult task without their fiery leader. LIONS, 27-20
Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Redskins: Chad Henne had an excellent game, but he was helped by early Eagles turnovers. They couldn't do anything when the Eagles got their feet under themselves. Washington is concerned about RGIII's poor performance, but if they hold onto the ball, they should win. REDSKINS, 13-10
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills: Both teams had surprising results last week. A win here by Miami would put them two games up in the division. Knowshon Moreno had a tremendous day rushing, and led the Fins attack. The Bills seem vulnerable to a good running game, as Matt Forte had a good day, too. Everything would seem to give Miami an advantage, EXCEPT... Did you see that Bills passing game? Their new acquisitions have really boosted that side of their game. If the Dolphins offense depends on the running game, the Bills can counter even better (and faster) with a strong passing game. BILLS, 30-27
New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings: I think the Patriots will bounce back from last week's loss, but it will take a couple of things: the offense has to improve, and they need to stiffen their rush defense. The Vikings have Petersen and Patterson, who can churn up yards if the Pats don't stop them. The offense gains because we don't really know how effective the Vikings defense is. The Rams were playing without Sam Bradford, and now play without backup Shaun Hill, who was injured against the Vikings. The Vikings defense hasn't been tested, and the Pats will test them. PATS, 24-13
New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns: Brian Hoyer had an excellent game, but he can't keep up with Drew Brees. SAINTS, 34-20
Sunday late games:
Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders The Texans have lost rookie Jadeveon Clowney to injury, but they won't need him against the anemic Raiders offense. TEXANS, 17-13
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: Kansas City collapsed last week. Playing the Broncos is not a great way to recoup. The Chiefs defense was lean, so Denver should accumulate a big halftime lead. Even if they falter in the fourth again, KC won't come back. BRONCOS, 34-17
New York Jets at Green Bay Packers: The Jets defense is not nearly as tough as the Seahawks, so the Pack will roll better this week. PACKERS, 31-13
Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers: San Diego blew a lead, while the Seahawks completed dominated a talented Packers team. Of all games, this one is the least in doubt. SEAHAWKS, 31-13
St Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Bucs: The Rams may have no offense this game, so the Bucs have a great chance to rule. BUCS, 13-6
Sunday night: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers: Neither team was stellar in Week One. The 49ers won, but it wasn't pretty. The Bears SHOULD have won, but the defense forgot how to play late in the fourth. If they do that again, they can't win at all. I don't think they will win anyway, as the 49ers defense will make things difficult for the Bears. The 49ers will also force at least two turnovers from error-prone Chicago. 49ERS, 27-17
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts: Two strong offenses go at each other. What's the difference? Perhaps the Colts defense. Although crippled with the loss of Robert Mathis, the Colts defense still has better talent than the Eagles. Given that, I give the edge to Indy. COLTS, 34-31
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