With the Jets loss two nights ago, I'm now 9-8 on the young year (most teams don't win games when they throw three interceptions in the fourth quarter no matter how good their defense plays, just saying).
But on to the near future. There are fifteen more games to played this week. Here are my predictions and brief thoughts on them.
1. St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: The Falcons' first game in the Georgia Dome this year. Even though the Rams' defense is better overall than the Saints', I can't believe the Falcons' offense will be as lackadaisical at home than they were at the Super Dome (which is always a tough place to play). I'm going with the home field advantage.
Pick: Falcons
2. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: I would assume the Broncos loss will light a fire under the Ravens and they play better in their second game than they did in their first. The Browns have some good pieces, but I think taking on the Ravens in Baltimore will be a bit much for them.
Pick: Ravens
3. Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Panthers' defense is better than the Patriots' (I could say that about most teams, but the Panthers are really good) and I think that will be the deciding factor. The Bills' run game will likely be a non-factor again so E.J. Manuel will have to really step up his game if the Bills want to go 1-1. It's not impossible, but I think it's pretty improbable.
Pick: Panthers
4. Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: I checked up on how Christian Ponder has done against the Bears in four previous tries against them. The result: middling to out right bad. I expect that trend to continue even if the Bears are going to be concentrating mostly on Adrian Peterson all day.
Pick: Bears
5. Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: The Packers are in a bad mood after losing to the 49ers last week, which probably doesn't bode well for Washington. I wouldn't want to be Robert Griffin III tomorrow.
Pick: Packers
6. Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
Thoughts: The Titans reamed the Steelers, but the Texans are not the Steelers. This week's outcome will look very different for the former Oilers.
Pick: Texans
7. Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: This one might be an either/or kind of game, and in those instances I'll almost always go with the home team. This will probably be one of the more fun early games this week.
Pick: Colts
8. Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: I don't know if the Chiefs' performance last week was due entirely on how bad the Jaguars are (the Jaguars ARE really that bad), or if they are legitimately improved. This might be a pick 'em as well. Again, I'll go with the home team because if I've learned anything in the last five years, it's don't trust the Cowboys.
Pick: Chiefs
9. San Diego Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: The Chargers have a 1:00 PM Est Kickoff (10:00 AM Pac) against a team that's coming off an impressive win (or at the very least, an impressive first half). I don't like the Bolts' chances.
Pick: Eagles
10. Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: The Lions' D-line will likely have its way with the Cardinals' O-line. That's going to turn the game in the Lions favor, but this will likely be the most fun game in the late afternoon.
Pick: Lions
11. Denver Broncos at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Broncos are heading east which normally is bad news, but Peyton Manning has never broken a sweat against the Giants before and likely won't this time either. If my prediction holds true, this will be the first 0-2 start the Giants have gotten off to since 2007 (don't bring up the fact they won the Super Bowl that year, this isn't even the 2011 team).
Pick: Broncos
12. Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: If you're a Jaguars fan, I'm sorry.
Pick: Raiders
13. New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Saints are on the road which is usually death for them, but with the Bucs doing their best Jets impression lately, I think that will be the difference.
Pick: Saints
14. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Always go with Seattle at home.
Pick: Seahawks
15. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: The Steelers suck. It might be a little early to throw that out, but if you're a team coming off a bad loss, I don't know another team you'd like to go against more than the Steelers. Except maybe the Jaguars or Raiders, but they're both sharing a drink they call loneliness this week (but it's better than drinking alone).
Pick: Bengals
And that'll do it. Enjoy the games if you choose to watch them.
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