32-15. Those are my picks so far this year. Let's see if we can't get this working a little better. I don't think I can win money in Vegas with these types of numbers. We'll see what's happening this week.
Cleveland @ Cincinnati - Two 0-3 teams who both were supposed to be a lot better than what thy have shown us thus far. The Browns are in the midst of a possible QB change, although at last check, Derek Anderson will start this week. The Bengals are hurting, although they showed some signs of life last weekend against a good team, the Giants. This is like picking the Alien vs the Predator, both are bad, so why pick one?
Winner - Bengals
Minnesota @ Tennessee - The Titans have proved that all they need is someone upright in the QB position and they can still win games. The Titans actually have the top two guys on the INT list for the season so far. The Vikings are stout on D and again, I'm not a Frerotte fan. I think this goes horribly wrong for the Vikings if they get behind. I'm hoping they don't get behind.
Winner - Vikings
Denver @ Kansas City - This for all intensive purposes should be a blow out of monumental proportions, but that's why they play the games. The Chiefs are talking about starting a 3rd different QB this week, not good when this is game 4 of the season. Denver looks to continue their run to 4-0.
Winner - Broncos
San Francisco @ New Orleans - Well, this should be a shootout. New Orleans can't stop anyone and the 49ers are bringing in a balanced team with J.T. O'Sullivan playing well. The Saints are losing Shockey and
Jamar Nesbit for this week at a minimum. This is my 'riding the wave' pick for the week.
Winner - 49ers
Arizona @ New York Jets - Two similar teams. Two old as dirt starting QBs. Two decent running backs. Two decent defenses, when they come to play. This will come down to which O line protects their QB. Favre is hobbled with a sprained ankle and Warner is looking real good. Can Favre continue where he picked up last week (no, not with a loss, but being more comfortable with his receivers) or are the Cardinals clicking at the right time?
Winner - Cardinals
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay - Battle of the Bays. The Bucs come off a come from behind win at Chicago and a QB that might not have an arm this week after 67 pass attempts. The Packers come off a tough loss at home against a very good Dallas team. This is Aaron Rodgers' chance to bounce back against a good team. Tampa is playing at home and hey if Griese's arm is dead, they got 4 other QBs to throw in the game.
Winner - Bucs
Atlanta @ Carolina - Two 2-1 teams and this is oddly a statement game. The Panthers need to show that last week was an anomaly. They have their starting receivers back and a punishing ground game. The Panthers D will definitely not allow Michael Turner to get 200 yards or anything close.
Winner - Panthers
Houston @ Jacksonville - Talk about what a win will do for you. The Jags looked like a team that found it's groove. I expect them to pound the ball again and get back to the way they were playing last year when no one wanted to see them. Garrard should have a good game too.
Winner - Jaguars
San Diego @ Oakland - Normally this is a good game, if not for anything but the Black Hole. Well, as my brother-in-law told me, black implies the absence of light. The Black Hole has a lot of light coming through it. The Raiders are terrible and were it not for a sorry Chiefs team, they would probably be looking for their first win. Monte Kiffin is holding on to his job and trying to keep his chin up. Stay strong Kiffin.
Winner - Chargers
Buffalo @ St. Louis - Does St. Louis have a football team? Trent Green is going to start? Even Marshall Faulk
was concerned about Green's health starting behind this O line. Why isn't the coach? The Bills, even with the loss of Roscoe Parrish, should dominate this game. Someone please have an ambulance ready for Trent Green. For real.
Winner - Bills
Washington @ Dallas - This ought to be good. The Redskins are coming to Dallas to play their final game in the Texas Stadium. The Redskins are 2-1 and the Cowboys look like they are world beaters after taking the Packers down a notch last week. TO had 2 catches for 17 yards. I expect that stat to be increased substantially. Felix Jones will get more carries this week too, although nothing does any Cowboys fan justice like giving Barber the rock often.
Winner - Cowboys
Philadelphia @ Chicago - Another good one. McNabb comes home to Chicago with the Bears needing a win to stop the bleeding. The Bears couldn't sack Griese last week and he dropped back 67 times. McNabb and the Eagles just find a way to win even with Westbrook hobbled (ankle), LJ Smith hobbled (back), and McNabb himself with a sore chest. The Bears need to run the ball, fire their offensive coordinator, and pray that all of the Eagles linemen just fall down, allowing a bee line to McNabb. Why couldn't the Bears find a
way to trade Urlacher for McNabb this summer?
Winner - Eagles
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh - The Steelers are without Willie Parker, Casey Hampton, and Brett Keisel. Big Ben, Troy Polamalu, DeShea Townsend, LaMarr Woodley, and Donovan Woods are banged up. The Ravens are winning games like they used to, run the ball and don't let their QB screw it up. McGahee has a swollen eye after tangling with some of the Browns in a pile last week, so hopefully he'll be able to see the white jerseys hitting him on Monday night. Rashard Mendenhall gets his first start against a good Ravens D. Welcome to the NFL Rashard - Signed Ray Lewis.
Winner - Ravens
Cleveland @ Cincinnati - Two 0-3 teams who both were supposed to be a lot better than what thy have shown us thus far. The Browns are in the midst of a possible QB change, although at last check, Derek Anderson will start this week. The Bengals are hurting, although they showed some signs of life last weekend against a good team, the Giants. This is like picking the Alien vs the Predator, both are bad, so why pick one? Winner - Bengals
Minnesota @ Tennessee - The Titans have proved that all they need is someone upright in the QB position and they can still win games. The Titans actually have the top two guys on the INT list for the season so far. The Vikings are stout on D and again, I'm not a Frerotte fan. I think this goes horribly wrong for the Vikings if they get behind. I'm hoping they don't get behind. Winner - Vikings
Denver @ Kansas City - This for all intensive purposes should be a blow out of monumental proportions, but that's why they play the games. The Chiefs are talking about starting a 3rd different QB this week, not good when this is game 4 of the season. Denver looks to continue their run to 4-0. Winner - Broncos
San Francisco @ New Orleans - Well, this should be a shootout. New Orleans can't stop anyone and the 49ers are bringing in a balanced team with J.T. O'Sullivan playing well. The Saints are losing Shockey and Jamar Nesbit for this week at a minimum. This is my 'riding the wave' pick for the week. Winner - 49ers
Arizona @ New York Jets - Two similar teams. Two old as dirt starting QBs. Two decent running backs. Two decent defenses, when they come to play. This will come down to which O line protects their QB. Favre is hobbled with a sprained ankle and Warner is looking real good. Can Favre continue where he picked up last week (no, not with a loss, but being more comfortable with his receivers) or are the Cardinals clicking at the right time? Winner - Cardinals
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay - Battle of the Bays. The Bucs come off a come from behind win at Chicago and a QB that might not have an arm this week after 67 pass attempts. The Packers come off a tough loss at home against a very good Dallas team. This is Aaron Rodgers' chance to bounce back against a good team. Tampa is playing at home and hey if Griese's arm is dead, they got 4 other QBs to throw in the game. Winner - Bucs
Atlanta @ Carolina - Two 2-1 teams and this is oddly a statement game. The Panthers need to show that last week was an anomaly. They have their starting receivers back and a punishing ground game. The Panthers D will definitely not allow Michael Turner to get 200 yards or anything close. Winner - Panthers
Houston @ Jacksonville - Talk about what a win will do for you. The Jags looked like a team that found it's groove. I expect them to pound the ball again and get back to the way they were playing last year when no one wanted to see them. Garrard should have a good game too. Winner - Jaguars
San Diego @ Oakland - Normally this is a good game, if not for anything but the Black Hole. Well, as my brother-in-law told me, black implies the absence of light. The Black Hole has a lot of light coming through it. The Raiders are terrible and were it not for a sorry Chiefs team, they would probably be looking for their first win. Monte Kiffin is holding on to his job and trying to keep his chin up. Stay strong Kiffin. Winner - Chargers
Buffalo @ St. Louis - Does St. Louis have a football team? Trent Green is going to start? Even Marshall Faulk was concerned about Green's health starting behind this O line. Why isn't the coach? The Bills, even with the loss of Roscoe Parrish, should dominate this game. Someone please have an ambulance ready for Trent Green. For real. Winner - Bills
Washington @ Dallas - This ought to be good. The Redskins are coming to Dallas to play their final game in the Texas Stadium. The Redskins are 2-1 and the Cowboys look like they are world beaters after taking the Packers down a notch last week. TO had 2 catches for 17 yards. I expect that stat to be increased substantially. Felix Jones will get more carries this week too, although nothing does any Cowboys fan justice like giving Barber the rock often. Winner - Cowboys
Philadelphia @ Chicago - Another good one. McNabb comes home to Chicago with the Bears needing a win to stop the bleeding. The Bears couldn't sack Griese last week and he dropped back 67 times. McNabb and the Eagles just find a way to win even with Westbrook hobbled (ankle), LJ Smith hobbled (back), and McNabb himself with a sore chest. The Bears need to run the ball, fire their offensive coordinator, and pray that all of the Eagles linemen just fall down, allowing a bee line to McNabb. Why couldn't the Bears find a way to trade Urlacher for McNabb this summer? Winner - Eagles
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh - The Steelers are without Willie Parker, Casey Hampton, and Brett Keisel. Big Ben, Troy Polamalu, DeShea Townsend, LaMarr Woodley, and Donovan Woods are banged up. The Ravens are winning games like they used to, run the ball and don't let their QB screw it up. McGahee has a swollen eye after tangling with some of the Browns in a pile last week, so hopefully he'll be able to see the white jerseys hitting him on Monday night. Rashard Mendenhall gets his first start against a good Ravens D. Welcome to the NFL Rashard - Signed Ray Lewis. Winner - Ravens
Green Bay @ Detroit - Aaron Rodgers is his name. Well, I don't know what to say. I gave this team zero chance to repeat their performance last year, but it looks like they are on the way back to the playoffs and thisclose to the Super Bowl. 328 yards and 3 TDs. That's Farve-esque. Inquisitive Mind 1 -1 for the week.
New York Giants @ St. Louis - Let's pencil in the Giants and the Packers for the NFC title game. This was a rout, a but whuppin, whatever you want to call it. Had this been Madden game in any college dorm room, this would have been the mercy rule. Someone please make sure that Bulger is alive. He can't get hit like this and make it through the year. Manning tosses 3 TDs and all is well in Gotham. Inquisitive Mind 3 - 1 for the week.
Indianapolis @ Minnesota - Well Peyton looked rusty again, but that Colts D decided that they weren't going to get manhandled this game. They played the old bend but don't break by letting Adrian Peterson get his 160 yards (albeit on 29 carries) and finally Peyton put on his cape and came to save the day on a last second field goal. Well, Vinatieri hit the field goal, but Manning put them in position. The Colts should be back on track and may get Jeff Saturday back soon. Inquisitive Mind 4 -1 for the week.
Washington @ New Orleans - Thank God for Santana Moss (I should have played him this week aarrrgh) and Jason Campbell finally showing us he's something other than tall. This was a miniature slugfest, but the Redskins came out on top. Reggie Bush did get a 55 yard punt return for a TD, but a consistent diet of Portis finally help pay off (21 carries for 96 yards and 2 TDs). Inquisitive Mind 5 - 1 for the week.
Chicago @ Carolina - This is groundhog day for the Panthers. They came back and won at the end in week 1 against the Chargers and they do it again against the Bears. The Bears played well in the first half and limited the Panthers, but they must have stayed in the locker room. That 2nd half will haunt the Bears for weeks to come. Add the injury to Devin Hester (he heard a pop in his rib) and it's a bad week in Chicago. Inquisitive Mind 6 - 1 for the week.
Buffalo @ Jacksonville - The Bills attacked David Garrard and limited the Jaguars running game and they still had to hold on at the end of this one to win. Buffalo is quietly 2 and 0 in the AFC East and they may be for real. Here's wishing the Jaguars some health over the rest of the season. Inquisitive Mind 7 - 1 for the week.
San Francisco @ Seattle - I was wrong about one thing, Julius Jones finally showed up. O'Sullivan better get some help from his line, because he can't take the hits and the 8 sacks. He passed for 321, which was surprising with him spending a lot of time on the grass. Seattle was supposed to win the NFC West this year,...they may have some people in the Bay Area who disagree. Inquisitive Mind 8 - 1 for the week.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay - Griese played a decent game for the soon to be traded Jeff Garcia (he was almost traded back to San Fran). The ground game for the Bucs controlled this game as Dunn and Graham got 10+ carries each and each scored a TD. Michael Turner how do you back up a 220 yard game? 42 yards. That's still 130 yards a game average. Nothing to cry about. Inquisitive Mind 9 - 1 for the week.
New England @ New York Jets - Aarrgh!!!! This was the game,...Brett this was the time to make it happen. The Jets, as Denny Green would say, let the Patriots off the hook. I'm sorry I can't get on the Patriots bandwagon and Matt Cassel doesn't impress. The Pats are 2-0 and that's pretty much all that matters. Their defense played a helluva game. Can they do that for 14 more games? Inquisitive Mind 9 - 2 for the week.
Miami @ Arizona - All I have to say is Kurt Warner threw for 361 yards and 3 TDs and it's not the early 2000s. This should have been worse. Even Leinart got to play and it wasn't because of an injury. Inquisitive Mind 10 - 2 for the week.
San Diego @ Denver - Questionable calls aside, the Broncos wanted this more. The Chargers just aren't putting it all together. I'm not sure what it is. They have all of the talent but it's not working. Don't know if it's the coach, the injured stars, mojo, karma, or just bad luck. Can we just burn all of the uniforms and just start over. Maybe even just go back to the powder blues. Cutler played well and hooked up with crazy Eddie (Royal) for the game winner. Denver's on a roll and the Chargers look like the season is over. Inquisitive Mind 11 - 2 for the week.
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland - Terrible and ugly game by both sides. No continuity and the Steelers escaped with a win. Big Ben is hurt, something to watch in the up coming weeks. That shoulder isn't going to miraculously get better. Cleveland better stop reading their newspaper clippings, soon. Inquisitive Mind 12 - 2 for the week.