Sunday, September 21:
Detroit @ San Francisco (-4)
JT O'Sullivan prepares to face his former team in what should be the most exciting, thrilling, and high-flying battle for revenge fans will see all season. No, actually this is just a match up of two
bad teams in a game that no one should have to watch. O'Sullivan spurned the Lions in the off season, and now Detroit is left with Jon Kitna who admitted to giving up on a play last week. This comes one week after Kitna was seen in a heated shouting match with one of the assistant coaches on the sidelines. Kitna is a player who always seems to talk a good game, but it never translates into his teams actually winning. Mike Holmgren said it best a long time ago when Kitna first left the Seahawks. Holmgren said something to the effect that Kitna will always do just enough to lose the game for you. Meanwhile, the Lions have fallen behind 21-0 in two consecutive games, so they have that streak to keep up. On a side note, I would like to thank Jon Kitna for throwing two touchdowns to Calvin Johnson and two touchdowns to the Packers defense last week, both of whom are on my fantasy team. 49ers 30-21.Kansas City @ Atlanta (-5)
Wow, Another great week 3 game to watch. Actually this game comes down to a Chiefs team that might be the worst in all of football against a Falcons team that might actually have a decent season, especially at home. This game also features Tyler Thigpen making the start at
quarterback for Kansas City, and rookie Matt Ryan at the helm for Atlanta. O'Sullivan v. Kitna and Thigpen v. Ryan are two of the quarterbacking match ups to watch this week, don't you just love parity. I honestly have no idea who Tyler Thigpen is. I know Bobby Thigpen and Yancey Thigpen, but am clueless as to Tyler. For that reason alone, I am going with the Falcons. Oh, that and the fact that the Raiders rushed for over 250 yards against the Chiefs last week which is good news for Michael Turner fans. FALCONS 24-9.Oakland @ Buffalo (-9.5)
The Bills have looked like one of the best teams in the league through the first two games, beating the Seahawks and Jaguars, respectively. They will face a much easier test this week when the Raiders come to town. Oakland surprised many when they upset the Chiefs last week, but they will be without Justin Fargas this week, and Darren McFadden is questionable. McFadden was seen in a walking boot on Wednesday, due to turf toe from Sunday's game. If both of those running backs are out, Oakland will have to rely more on second year running back
Michael Bush who played in the fourth quarter last week and picked up 90 yards on 16 carries. This will also put more pressure on Jamarcus Russell who has yet to look even mediocre this season, and he will be in for another long day on the road in Buffalo. The Raiders defense might keep this close for awhile, but the Bills will make a few plays on defense and special teams that will blow this open in the second half. BILLS 34-13.Houston @ Tennessee (-5.5)
I was way down on the Titans to begin this season, and I thought they would be one of the '07 playoff teams that would take a nosedive in '08. Looks like I might have missed the boat on that one. The Titans defense looks like one of the stingiest in the league, and as long as Albert Haynesworth stays healthy, they will continue to hold teams below three scores. The Vince Young soap opera could actually be the blessing in disguise that Tennessee fans needed. With Young out, the Titans turn to Kerry Collins whose main job will be to turn and hand the ball to Chris Johnson and Lendale White, and not commit any costly turnovers. This was the same job description that Young had, but he had some serious issues with the latter part. Young threw 9
touchdowns and 17 picks in '07, and his questionable decision making this season resulted in him getting booed off the field in Nashville. The Texans come into town after an unexpected bye last week thanks to Hurricane Ike. Reliant Stadium may not be suitable for play until November, so the Texans better get used to life on the road. Rice University's football stadium has been rumored as being the venue in which Houston will play their home games until Reliant is functional again. Chances are that the extra week won't do the Texans any good when they are up against Haynesworth and that defense on Sunday. TITANS 23-16.Arizona @ Washington (-3)
Kurt Warner is playing like its 1999, as the Cardinals passing attack has been on track the first two weeks. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald might be the best receiving tandem in the NFL, and this might finally be the year that Arizona climbs its way to the top of the NFC West and into the playoffs. Washington rebounded from a disappointing week one showing by coming from behind to beat the Saints last week. Jason Campbell and Santana Moss hooked up for the go ahead touchdown, and the defense did just enough against a banged up New Orleans squad. Clinton Portis had bitched about the offense the week before, but he found the end zone twice last
week. Portis also got into a rather comical argument with Brian Mitchell on the John Thompson radio program (listen here)-http://www.espn980.com/Portis has spent his career as an outspoken, bizarre character, but there is no denying the effort he puts in on the field. He should have another good outing this week against a suspect Arizona defense. REDSKINS 20-14.
Miami (+13) @ New England
Matt Cassel looked similar to a young Tom Brady, and the Patriots looked an awful lot like the 2001 team that went on to win the first Super Bowl in team history. This is not to say that Cassel is anything like Brady, but if you remember back to 2001, Bill Belichick did not allow Brady to
throw the ball down the field at all that season. We saw much of the same last weekend, as Cassel hooked up with Wes Welker early and often on a collection of drags, slants, and quick outs. If LaMont Jordan can emerge into the type of power back Antowain Smith used to be, New England could go on to win the division by winning games with scores like 19-10, 17-13, and so on. This spread seems too high for a Pats team that will not be scoring a ton without Brady. Combine that with the fact that Belichick is likely to slow things down with a lot more running plays, and it is easy to see why I would take the points in this one. Also, the Pats are 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 games. Although Jerry Porter running his mouth could change everything, so look out. PATRIOTS 18-13.Tampa Bay @ Chicago (-3)
I am not really sure what to expect out of either of these teams, I know that I do not like Brian Griese on the road in any spot. The Bears have looked good in the first two weeks, despite losing
a tight one in Carolina last week. The Bucs won the division last year, but that was with Jeff Garcia at the helm. Garcia is still out, and it looks like this could be permanent, which I have already said would be a terrible move by Jon Gruden. Tampa will also be without receiver Joey Galloway this weekend, after he sprained his foot last week. This will put extra emphasis on Earnest Graham and the ground game. To me, this has all the signs of a potential blowout. I don't like Tampa Bay traveling north under any circumstances, and as I already made clear, I do not want any part of Griese on the road. The Bears defense could make Greise pay early, and look for their offense to keep it conservative with a heavy dose of Matt Forte. BEARS 28-17.Carolina (+3.5) @ Minnesota
This might be one of those games that look too good to be true. The Panthers are coming off of impressive back-to-back victories, and they will have their star receiver Steve Smith back for
this one. The Vikings, on the other hand, dropped to a disappointing 0-2 last week after they blew a late lead against the Colts. Head coach Brad Childress announced that Gus Frerotte will be starting at quarterback in place of Tavaris Jackson, and this could mean that the coaching staff will be willing to take more shots down the field which could pay huge dividends to Adrian Peterson and their running attack. Peterson, however, may not play after missing Thursday's practice with a sore hamstring. If Peterson cannot go, this game should be ugly, and even if he can go, I think the Panthers win here. The Vikings only shot is for Carolina to be riding too high after their fast start, and Minnesota rallies together to avoid falling to 0-3. Steve Smith won't allow this to happen, and the Panthers win a close one. PANTHERS 23-20.St. Louis @ Seattle (-10)
The Seahawks traded for Keary Colbert and signed Koren Robinson this week in an attempt to bolster their receiving corps that has been devastated by injury. The Rams might be the worst team in football, and their closest competition for that infamous crown comes from inside their own state, the Chiefs. You can add this game to the list of unwatchable games this weekend, unless maybe if you are a Rams or Seahawks fan. This game could go any number of ways, but I would take my chances with Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasselbeck at home. This could also be a big week for Julius Jones as he goes against a defense that has struggled against the run this season. SEAHAWKS 30-14.
New Orleans @ Denver (-6)
Finally, some good football worth watching. The Broncos have had the most explosive offense in the league the first two weeks, with Jay Cutler looking like a modern day John Elway. Brandon Marshall made a near-record breaking debut last week, grabbing 18 receptions which ties him
for second on the all time list for receptions in a game. Throw in Eddie Royal, and Denver has one of the most exciting group of play makers at their receiver positions. I have a new found respect for coach Mike Shanahan following last week's win. Shanahan showed balls of titanium when he decided to go for two with 30 seconds left and Denver down 38-37. Cutler was able to hook up with Royal, and the Broncos won the game 39-38. Shanahan's guts and instinct would have been grilled Monday morning had they not gotten it, but they did get it, and the Broncos find themselves at 2-0. The Saints are coming off of a disappointing loss at Washington in which they blew a late lead. New Orleans has not been a good road team under Sean Payton, and that will continue this week in a game that turns into a shootout early and often. BRONCOS 37-28.Pittsburgh (+3) @ Philadelphia
This game will be my upset of the week, as the Eagles struggle after dropping a close game to division rival Dallas Monday night. The Eagles offense has been hitting on all cylinders the first two weeks, but they have played two defenses that are struggling. Brian Westbrook continues to be the most under-appreciated player in the league. He can run, catch, and block as well as any back in the league. Andy Reid has also shown creativity in lining Westbrook up all over the field on offense. It is a scheme that Bob Bratkowski could learn from with Chris Perry. The Steelers
are coming off of a 10-6 win in Cleveland last Sunday night in a game that was severely affected by huge wind gusts. Willie Parker looks like the guy we saw a few years ago, and the Steeler defense is solid as usual. There is some speculation as to how injured Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder is as it was announced that he had a shoulder separation during last Sunday's game. Coach Mike Tomlin denied this, saying that Ben's shoulder is just sprained. Technically, a shoulder sprain is a mild separation, and Ben was able to play with the injury last week. He did not appear to suffer from it during the game, and if he remains healthy, the Steelers could be the front runners to win the AFC come January. STEELERS 24-23.Jacksonville (+6) @ Indianapolis
The Jaguars were the Super Bowl sleeper pick of many experts coming into this season, but they find themselves beaten up and 0-2 headed into week 3. The Colts had to rally late to defeat the Vikings 18-15 last week, and they will be without Bob Sanders for the next six weeks. This game is pivotal to the Jaguars as they will try to avoid an 0-3 hole that would be very difficult to climb
out of. Jacksonville has always played Indianapolis tough, and I expect this game to be no different. It should be low scoring as both offenses continue trying to find themselves. Peyton Manning seems as though he started to find a rhythm again late in Minnesota, and this could be the difference in this game. Anthony Gonzalez stepped up in the absence of Dallas Clark, coming up with 9 catches for 137 yards. This game will be tight throughout, but Manning and Gonzalez will hook up for a big gain late, setting up a game winning Adam Vinatieri field goal. COLTS 22-20.Cleveland (+2.5) @ Baltimore
The Browns have been one of the most disappointing teams so far this season, as their high flying offense has remained grounded. Braylon Edwards has not been able to catch a cold, and Derek
Anderson has looked like a quarterback who is waiting for something bad to happen. Combine all of this with a defense that cannot stop anyone, and it could be a long season for fans by the lake. Head coach Romeo Crennel has been doing his best Art Shell impersonation so far, and he will need to offer some guidance if the Browns are to turn this thing around. The Ravens did not play last week thanks to Hurricane Ike. Baltimore looked solid in their opening win against Cincinnati, but I am not sold on Joe Flacco just yet. This is another game that should be relatively low scoring, but I think the Browns will find a way to get off the mat and get their first win. Jamal Lewis will play a big role going against his former team, and Cleveland's defense will offer just enough resistance to get them the win. BROWNS 16-14.Dallas (-3) @ Green Bay
This very well could be a preview of the NFC Championship game. The Cowboys won a thriller
on Monday night 41-37 over division rival Philadelphia. Tony Romo has looked like the best quarterback in the league, and Marion Barber runs with the kind of aggression that puts fear into opposing defenses. The Cowboys defense has been shaky thus far, and they will be without safety Roy Williams who fractured his forearm last week. This could actually be a blessing in disguise, as Williams has struggled in pass coverage throughout his career. The Packers look even better this season than they did last season, and Aaron Rodgers provides the team with a more consistent force at the quarterback than Brett Favre. Ryan Grant has been hampered with a hamstring injury, and his numbers so far have reflected that. Green Bay has had to do most of their damage through the air this season, and Rodgers has been happy to oblige, going 42-60 for 506 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions through the first two games. These might just be my two favorite teams to watch, but I am going with Dallas in this one until I see their offense struggle.(P.S. Why the hell would you leave Carrie Underwood for Jessica Simpson. As Jerry Jones would say, That just ain't right!) COWBOYS 35-28.Monday, September 22
New York Jets @ San Diego (-9)
Brett Favre made me feel smart last week as his interception deep in his own territory helped to seal the Jets loss to the Patriots. Favre made several throws off of his back foot, and he was lucky that he did not have a few more turnovers. The Chargers are coming off of what might be the most devastating back-to-back losses in the history of the league. They lost to the Broncos
last week when Denver decided to go for two with 30 seconds left. This came after an apparent Jay Cutler fumble which San Diego recovered. Unfortunately for the Chargers, referee Ed Hochuli had ruled it an incomplete pass on the field, so the best he could do was move the spot of the ball. Denver retained possession, however, and they scored a touchdown two plays later. I think the Chargers find a way to put 60 minutes of football together to avoid going 0-3. I also do not think the Jets are as good as some people do, and the Chargers have the secondary that could take advantage of many of the Brett Favre prayers that are thrown up each week. CHARGERS 30-17.LAST WEEK (Overall): 10-5
LAST WEEK (ATS): 6-8-1
SEASON (Overall): 20-11
SEASON (ATS): 15-15-1
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