The Hail Mary - Week 2

Week 1 came and went with some expected results and some unbelievable results. Some people think they have it all figured out after Week 1, but the NFL is truly a week to week league, and I expect to see more shocking results this weekend. 

Sunday, September 16

Oakland (0-1) at Miami (1-0), Oakland favored by 2 1/2

Predictably, Ryan Tannehill was awful in his Dolphins debut and Miami carried over their poor play from the preseason to the regular season. Hopefully, Tannehill can show something against a pretty poor Oakland defense. The Raiders didn’t look much better against San Diego, as it becomes more and more obvious that Carson Palmer’s best years are well behind him. The Raiders have to hope that they get more out of Darren McFadden in the run game then they did in the opener. He had more catches than carries, and while it’s nice to have a running back that can catch, his main job is to gain yards on the ground.  I think this game will be ugly, and filled with field goals. 

Prediction: Oakland 15, Miami 12 



Minnesota (1-0) at Indianapolis (0-1), Minnesota favored by 1 1/2

Colts fans want to jump off a bridge after Andrew Luck struggled mightily in his first start and Peyton Manning was magnificent for the Broncos. Hopefully, before they jump they take a look at Manning’s numbers from his rookie year and realize that Luck has plenty of time to get better.  Some good news was that Donald Brown ran the ball pretty well, and if Luck can avoid turning the ball over, he might have a running game that can support him. For the Vikings, the story was Adrian Peterson, who scored two touchdowns in his return from his major knee injury. This could be a tough environment for Christian Ponder to play in, as the Colts fans will be jacked for their home opener. I expect Luck to play much better and earn his first NFL victory. 

Prediction: Indianapolis 21, Minnesota 20 



Baltimore (1-0) at Philadelphia (1-0), Philadelphia favored by 2 1/2

The calls for Nick Foles have started in Philadelphia after Mike Vick’s disastrous four interception game against the Browns. Vick has had a problem with staying healthy and avoiding turnovers for the last year. It won’t get any easier this weekend when he takes on the Ravens defense. He may also be without his second best wideout, Jeremy Maclin. For the Eagles to have a chance against the Ravens, Andy Reid is going to have to do something he doesn’t do often, commit to the run. He has one of the best running backs in the league in LeSean McCoy, he needs to start coaching like it. Joe Flacco was very impressive against Cincinnati and now everyone thinks he should be given boatloads of money from the Ravens. I’d like to see him play at an elite level for an entire season, and he will be tested by the Philly D. I didn’t like what I saw out of the Eagles last weekend, and I think while Vick will look better, he will have his problems against Baltimore. 

Prediction: Baltimore 24, Philadelphia 17 



Kansas City (0-1) at Buffalo (0-1), Buffalo favored by 3

The Bills new look defensive line did next to nothing in their blowout loss to the Jets. Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to look awful ever since getting his massive contract. If the Bills lose to the Chiefs here Bills fans tired of losing for 13 straight years will begin to massively freak out. The Bills also lost starting RB Fred Jackson for a month to an injury, but C.J. Spiller ran wild when he took over. The Chiefs have an overpaid quarterback of their own in Matt Cassel. The Chiefs defense looked surprisingly leaky in the opener, as it seems the last few years getting blown out at home in the opener is what the Chiefs do best.  One positive was the return of Jamaal Charles who ran well, until the Chiefs were getting blown out and had to abandon the run game. I don’t think the Bills are as terrible as they looked in Week 1, and I think that Mario Williams will get some pressure on Cassel, and help lead the Bills to a home win. 

Prediction: Buffalo 23, Kansas City 16 



Cleveland (0-1) at Cincinnati (0-1), Cincinnati favored by 7

Cleveland put up a fight against the Eagles but Brandon Weeden played like he was 17 instead of 29, throwing 4 interceptions and posting a quarterback rating of 5. How bad must Colt McCoy be that the Browns are willingly starting Weeden over him? Vegas wasn’t too impressed as they have the Bungles of all teams favored by a touchdown. They looked awful against Baltimore and looked like a typical Marvin Lewis team that can’t follow up a playoff year with any success the next season. However, they aren’t bad enough to lose to the Browns. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 17, Cleveland 14 



Arizona (1-0) at New England (1-0), New England favored by 13 1/2

Well my pick of Titans over Patriots ended up looking quite foolish. Sometimes there is a reason why everyone goes one way and you don’t go out on a limb. John Skelton was injured for Cardinals, so Kevin Kolb is back under center. He actually played pretty well in relief against Seattle, so maybe that will help his confidence, and carry him to a good performance against the Patriots. The Patriots defense looked rejuvenated with some of their newly drafted talent making an impact, such as Dont’a Hightower. Unless the Cardinals can find a way to get Larry Fitzgerald involved, they will have trouble keeping close  in this game. I am also surprised about how far Michael Floyd has started down on the depth chart. He looked NFL ready in college. 

Prediction: New England 35, Arizona 21 



Tampa Bay (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1), New York Giants favored by 7 1/2

The Buccaneers looked like a completely different team from 2011 in their win over the Panthers. Most different, was the play of the defense. I am still not sold on them being a majorly improved team, but I do think they will give the Giants trouble this weekend. The Giants continued their run of being a worthless regular season team, and I am sure they will somehow luck their way into the playoffs and then decide to care. 

Prediction: New York Giants 26, Tampa Bay 21 



New Orleans (0-1) at Carolina (0-1), New Orleans favored by 2 1/2

Both these teams had surprising losses in Week one. Neither team’s offense looked in sync either. The Saints did put up 30 points, but only 22 of that was by their offense, and Drew Brees completed less than 50% of his passes against the Redskins. It will be interesting to see if both Newton and Brees fare better this week going up against weak defenses. Perhaps the Saints are going to be adversely affected by having to be coached by the interim coach for the interim coach. I think the Saints will find their rhythm this week, stay ahead most of the game, and allow their running game’s presence to be felt. 

Prediction: New Orleans 33, Carolina 24 



Houston (1-0) at Jacksonville (0-1), Houston favored by 7 1/2

The Jags were a lot more competitive than I expected and should have won in Minnesota last weekend. Somehow they allowed the Vikings to get into field goal range and tie the game, despite their being just 21 seconds left when they got the ball. Blaine Gabbert played decent and looked better in the preseason too, so maybe he is improving. The Texans started slow against Miami before eventually pulling away. The Jaguars defense can keep them in any game, and I expect that to be enough to allow the Jags to not let Houston cover the 7 ½ point spread. 

Prediction: Houston 20, Jacksonville 13 



Dallas (1-0) at Seattle (0-1), Dallas favored by 3

Besides the 49ers and Redskins, the Cowboys were the most impressive team in Week 1. They started off slow, but turned it on late and handled the Giants on their celebration night. The most shocking development was the play of their number three receiver Kevin “Mom, more Ogletree please”. If he emerges like Miles Austin did a few years ago, the Cowboys already potent offense will turn into one of the leagues best. Bill Simmons ridiculous pick of Russell Wilson and the Seahawks for the Super Bowl, looked more absurd after Wilson struggled with Arizona. The Cowboys defense has looked much improved with their new corners and I expect them to give Wilson trouble on Sunday. Seattle is always a tough place to play though, so this win won’t be easy for the Cowboys. 

Prediction: Dallas 24, Seattle 23 



Washington (1-0) at St. Louis (0-1), Washington favored by 3

The Redskins shocked the world, their fans and hell maybe themselves as they defeated the Saints, putting up 40 points. The score made the game seem closer than it really was, as the Skins were in control for most of it. Robert Griffin III was outstanding and became the first rookie to ever win NFC Player of the Week honors in his first start. Now, they got from the underdog to the favorite as they host the Rams. Skins fans can attest that no matter how bad the Rams have been, they always give Washington trouble. The Rams played well at Detroit, especially the defense, and nearly came away with the upset. Hopefully, the Skins have stayed focused this week and not gotten too carried away over one win. This game will be close but to me the difference will be the Skins pass rush, as they will be in Bradford’s face all game. 

Prediction: Washington 28, St. Louis 21 

New York Jets (1-0) at Pittsburgh (0-1), Pittsburgh favored by 6

The Jets got some of their swagger back after destroying the Bills. The offense, which did nothing in the preseason, exploded for 48 points. We will probably get a more accurate state of the offense when they travel to Pittsburgh and take on the Steelers. The Steelers had all sorts of problems slowing down Peyton Manning, and the offense was inconsistent all night. I think we will have ourselves a good old defensive battle in this game, with Big Ben leading the Steelers down the field late for the game winning field goal. 

Prediction: Pittsburgh 19, New York Jets 16 

Tennessee (0-1) at San Diego (1-0), San Diego favored by 6 

The Chargers tried to Norv the game away against Oakland late but after Sebastian Janikowski had the worst onside kick in the history of football, they held on to the win. It was an ugly game, pretty much unwatchable but a win is a win. They now open up at home against the Titans who looked like the walking wounded after getting destroyed by New England. Jake Locker was injured but expects to start in this game. When the Chargers lose they usually beat themselves through turnovers and stupid penalties. I expect them to do enough of that to give the Titans hope, but still manage to get the victory. 

Prediction: San Diego 21, Tennessee 17  

Detroit (1-0) at San Francisco (1-0), San Francisco favored by 6 1/2 

It is the Handshake 2. Last season, the Niners handed the Lions their first loss of the season, but the result was overshadowed when Niners coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions coach Jim Schwartz got into a heated argument. Schwartz was bitter his team lost, and also bitter that Harbaugh gave him a manly handshake, as opposed to the dead fish handshakes Schwartz likes to give out. Both coaches have downplayed the incident leading up to Sunday’s game but you know that all eyes will be on the coaches’ pregame, and definitely for the postgame handshake. As for the game itself, the Niners are brimming with confidence after they handled the Packers with relative ease in Lambeau. The running game, specifically Frank Gore, looked tremendous. Alex Smith was poised and more than efficient, he was tremendous, and the defense picked right up where they left off from last season. The Lions looked less than impressive in defeating the Rams, especially Matthew Stafford, who finished with three picks. Lions WR Calvin Johnson has a sore foot so his effectiveness could be limited. The Lions don’t have much of a running game to begin with and multiply that with going up against the Niners ridiculously good run game and it is obvious Detroit will be one dimensional. Because of this, I think the Niners will roll to a relatively comfortable victory. 

Prediction: San Francisco 28, Detroit 13  

Monday, September 17

Denver (1-0) at Atlanta (1-0), Atlanta favored by 3 

It was amazing to watch Peyton Manning slice up the Steelers defense and play exactly like the guy we had seen all those years. You would think after not having any intense game action for a year he would be rusty, but that is why Manning is one of the greatest to ever play. He has his first road test as they travel to the Georgia Dome and take on the Falcons on Monday Night Football. Matt Ryan and the passing game were on point against Kansas City; it was the running game that left the Falcons with questions. Michael Turner looks old and slow, and it may not be long before Jacquizz Rodgers starts getting the bulk of the carries. I believed in Manning before  the season started and after watching him play last week, am more convinced than ever that the Broncos are on their way to an AFC West title. 

Prediction: Denver 27, Atlanta 24

Last Week Against the Spread: 7-9

Last Week Straight Up: 9-7