Week One is in the books, and it was an interesting week that gave us some real surprises. We will see what Week Two has in store.
Sunday, September 18:
1:00 – Oakland (0-2) at BUFFALO (1-1)
I don’t think Buffalo is better than the Raiders. But, then again, I don’t think they’re that much worse either. And, in Buffalo at 1:00, I like the Bills here, without too much hesitation.
1:00 – Kansas City (1-1) at DETROIT (1-1)
I really struggled with this one, actually. I do like the Chiefs some this year, and I’m not drinking the Lions Kool-Aid. But, this early in the season, the Lions will probably be fully healthy, and despite a Week One loss to Tampa, the fans of this team are so excited for this team, that I think they can propel their team to a win in the home opener. This one is tough, though
1:00 – BALTIMORE (1-1) at Tennessee (1-1)
The Ravens are smarting from a home loss to open the season against the Steelers, while the Titans picked up a bit of a hollow win at Jacksonville. I like the Ravens easily here, even on the road.
1:00 – Cleveland (1-1) at INDIANAPOLIS (1-1)
This game is a lot trickier to pick now that we know that Manning is probably out, but I think that after the initial shock of losing him (and maybe a BIG loss to Houston), the Colts have enough talent (and Collins is a decent enough QB) to rally the troops to beat the Browns at home. Though, this has become very interesting in Cleveland’s season all of a sudden…
1:00 – Chicago (1-1) at NEW ORLEANS (1-1)
As is the theme of the day, two more teams evening their records after two weeks. This one is easy. The Saints have 10 days to prepare for a Bears team that cannot possibly keep up with Brees & Co. on the carpet.
1:00 – Jacksonville (0-2) at N.Y. JETS (2-0)
The quarterback-less Jags on the road against a defense that eats alive even good QBs? Move along, nothing to discuss here.
1:00 – Seattle (0-2) at PITTSBURGH (2-0)
The quarterback-less Seahawks on the road against a defense that eats alive even good QBs? Move along, nothing to discuss here.
1:00 – Arizona (1-1) at WASHINGTON (2-0)
A sportsbook in Vegas put out lines on every NFL game every week back in August. For some reason, they installed the Redskins as a 7-point favorite in this game. While, I would rush to the window to put money on the Cardinals +7, I still kind of agree that the ‘Skins win this game. I, honestly, think that this defense is easily overlooked, and…wait for it…I think Rex Grossman takes too much flak. There, I said it.
1:00 – GREEN BAY (2-0) at Carolina (0-2)
Ten days for the Pack to prepare for the Fighting Cam Newtons? Easy road win for the defending champs.
1:00 – Tampa Bay (1-1) at MINNESOTA (1-1)
I think the Bucs, who, like most young teams, play much better at home than on the road, might be smelling themselves a little bit after beating an overhyped Lions team in Week One. And, the Vikings, who are probably coming off a shellacking in San Diego, are probably easy to overlook, particularly if the Bucs look ahead to hosting the Falcons next week. I cannot wait to take the money line on the Vikes as a home dog in this game. I think they win this game outright.
4:15 – DALLAS (1-1) at San Francisco (1-1)
The Cowboys are just a better team than the Niners, and I think they finally show it here on a cool September afternoon by the Bay.
4:15 – HOUSTON (2-0) at Miami (0-2)
This is going to sound funny as I keep giving them losses, but I actually think this Dolphins team is decent. But, on a short week, against a pumped-up Houston team, I think they probably drop this game. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans spit this one up like they have a tendency to do, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they honestly haven’t ever earned.
4:15 – Cincinnati (0-2) at DENVER (2-0)
Home against the Bengals is a nice elixir for a short work week, and I think that the Broncos should go to 2-0 here, despite that Vegas sportsbook installing them as a 1-point home dog here in this one. Maybe they forgot that Carson Palmer retired.
4:15 – San Diego (1-1) at NEW ENGLAND (2-0)
The Pats should watch out here, as they have a brutal matchup on a short week after a road game on Monday night, but they are such a professional team with such a great coach, that I have full confidence that they’ll be prepared. Then again, I’m sure that they would love to have this game at 1:00 in the middle of December instead of 4:15 on a balmy Massachusetts afternoon.
8:20 – Philadelphia (0-2) at ATLANTA (1-1)
If Week One goes the way I see it, one of the NFC favorites will be 0-2. And, unfortunately, I think it’s our Birds. I know it’s Michael Vick’s homecoming, but I kind of think that that might actually favor the Falcons in this one, with the emotion that the fans must feel towards him (not that anyone cares about pro sports in Atlanta), and with the excitement they probably feel about their own team right now. Throw in the fact that the Birds have the hated Giants next week, and I actually see them starting 0-2, I’m sorry to say.
Monday, September 19:
8:30 – St. Louis (1-1) at N.Y. GIANTS (1-1)
The G-Men, coming off a head-scratching loss to the ‘Skins, return home for their home opener on a Monday night against a St. Louis team that is much better at home than on the road. As down as I am on this Giants team this year, I think they take care of business against the Rams in prime time.
STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 2:
NFC EAST
2-0 Washington
1-1 Dallas
1-1 N.Y. Giants
0-2 Philadelphia
I’m not sure that anyone would have said all year that the NFC East would have Washington at the top and the Eagles at the bottom, but just looking at the schedule, I’d say that it’s certainly possible after two weeks.
NFC NORTH
2-0 Green Bay
1-1 Chicago
1-1 Detroit
1-1 Minnesota
The Pack starts 2-0, while the rest of the division splits their first two games. Nice wins for Minnesota and Detroit in Week Two, give this division a pretty solid start here to 2011.
NFC SOUTH
1-1 Atlanta
1-1 New Orleans
1-1 Tampa Bay
0-2 Carolina
The Panthers fall back to what will be a very comfortable 4th-place, while the other 3 teams all sit at 1-1. This is going to be a very good division, but it remains to be seen if there are enough wins out there for a wild card (or possibly two?).
NFC WEST
1-1 Arizona
1-1 San Francisco
1-1 St. Louis
0-2 Seattle
Okay, that’s more like it. After a 3-1 Week One, the NFC Worst goes 0-4 in Week 2.
AFC EAST
2-0 New England
2-0 N.Y. Jets
1-1 Buffalo
0-2 Miami
Get used to this picture – Jets and Pats on top, the other two chasing. Though Buffalo picked up a nice win to improve to 1-1. Also get used to this – the schedule-makers did Miami NO favors.
AFC NORTH
2-0 Pittsburgh
1-1 Baltimore
1-1 Cleveland
0-2 Cincinnati
The Steelers and Ravens take care of business. It should be noted here that I picked Indy to beat Cleveland. While I’m sticking by the pick, it’s not out of the question for the Browns to beat a Peyton-less Indy team and go to 2-0…just sayin’.
AFC SOUTH
2-0 Houston
1-1 Indianapolis
1-1 Tennessee
0-2 Jacksonville
Houston stays on top here – probably for good. The Colts get a Peyton-less win over the Browns. The Jags are miserable.
AFC WEST
2-0 Denver
1-1 Kansas City
1-1 San Diego
0-2 Oakland
Tough losses for KC, SD, and Oak, coupled with a nice win for the Broncos, leaves the Mile High team in first place by themselves out west.
