Points Will Flow as Teams Find Rhythm

I think there will be some high scoring games this week and wouldn't be surprised if about 6 teams go over the 30+ point mark.

Let's get to the games:

NE @ BUF (PK)

The Bills had a very good Week 1 and have one of the best defenses in football, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Pick erm with the Pats? I take the Pats.

Spread: NE
Straight Up: NE
Score: 21-17

HOU @ CAR (-3.5)

I think this game with be short on defense, so whoever can generate a better flow on the other end will win out. I like Houston to be the one to do so here. Take the points and the Texans for the win.

Spread: HOU
Straight Up: HOU
Score: 31-21

ARI @ CHI (+2)

I like the Bears getting points, I don't know why though. Maybe it is pity, maybe it's because I think Matt Forte is tired of losing and I see him willing Chicago to this victory.

Spread: CHI
Straight Up: CHI
Score: 23-20

SD @ CIN (-3)

The Bengals had a good Week 1 against a pretty bad Oakland team. San Diego is certainly a better opponent, but they travel East to face a fairly staunch Bengals defense. I expect this to be primarily an offensive showing, with the Bengals coming out on top. I like them to cover.

Spread: CIN
Straight Up: CIN
Score: 31-24

TEN @ CLE (+1)

I realize that the Titans played Tampa Bay last week, but really? Johnny football going to lead the Browns to the promised land? I doubt it. Taking Tennessee to cover and for the win.

Spread: TEN
Straight Up: TEN
Score: 24-17

DET @ MIN (-3)

I hope that Vikings can learn to block anyone with their offensive line, otherwise, Teddy Bridgewater won't have such a long career. Until they show me otherwise, I'll take Detroit with the points.

Spread: DET
Straight Up: DET
Score: 27-13

TB @ NO (-10)

Big spread even for the inept Tamp Bay defense. Until New Orleans blows someone out, I'll wait and take the points.

Spread: TB
Straight Up: NO
Score: 31-22

ATL @ NYG (-2.5)

I think this should actually be a good game. However, if last week is any indication, if it is close at the end, I like Atlanta. Taking the points.

Spread: ATL
Straight Up: ATL
Score: 30-27

SF @ PIT (-6.5)

Way too many points for a San Francisco team that ran all over the Vikings defense last week. Taking the points, but the Steelers for the win.

Spread: SF
Straight Up: PIT
Score: 20-17

STL @ WAS (+3)

The Rams beat the Seahawks in Week 1 and in return they only get to be 3 point favorites? I like them by a TD, at least.

Spread: STL
Straight Up: STL
Score: 24-17

MIA @ JAC (+6)

I don't think Miami is going to blow anyone out just yet. They're still working out the kinks on offense. I'll take the points.

Spread: JAC
Straight Up: MIA
Score: 23-20

BAL @ OAK (+6.5)

Whoever is playing QB for the Raiders, I still think it will be ugly. I'll take the Ravens defense for the win and their offense (although a bit inept) to cover.

Spread: BAL
Straight Up: BAL
Score: 17-10

DAL @ PHI (-4.5)

Everyone is talking about this game as if it is DeMarco Murray against the Cowboys. Judging by last week's game, Chip Kelly is more likely to platoon him with Mathews and Sproles. I like the Eagles to win, but the Cowboys to cover.

Spread: DAL
Straight Up: PHI
Score: 27-24

SEA @ GB (-3.5)

Ask the Seahawks if they are missing Cam Chancellor after this game. I like Green Bay to cover.

Spread: GB
Straight Up: GB
Score: 31-21

NYJ @ IND (-7)

The Colts are already banged up at WR and although it looks like Cromartie isn't going to play, I still think the defense can stop them. I like the Jets to cover here. I'm not sure they can win, but they'll keep it close.

Spread: NYJ
Straight Up: IND
Score: 23-20

Back to the Games (Week 2)

Thinking about football really does help pass the time. Before you know it, you forget about the brutal Monday night loss, only to be reminded that you are only a few days away from your team’s next crushing defeat. Not a great start to the season on the prediction front, but much like my Giants (I hope), I’m a closer.

WEEK 1 RESULTS

Spread: 7-9

Straight Up: 9-7

Let’s get right to the games:

PIT @ BAL (-3)

After the week they’ve had, the Ravens could really use a good win. I just don’t see it happening. Both Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisgerger through for about 350 yards and 1 TD last week, the former though doing it on 62 pass attempts.  Flacco’s arm, like a major league pitcher, cannot withstand this all season. I like the Steelers to continue the balanced attack (led by Le’Veon “can’t suspend me now” Bell) and pull out the victory against their conference rival. 

Spread: PIT

Straight Up: PIT

Score: 24-17

MIA @ BUF (-0.5)

After last week’s games, this may actually prove to be one of the better week 2 matchups. Buffalo comes off of a nice OT win on the road in Chicago and also learned that this week that they would be sold to a group led by the current Buffalo Sabres owner, rather than fall into the hands of Jon Bon Jovi’s group. Well Buffalo, you’re halfway there, but far from getting back to Super Bowl territory. Miami comes off of a fairly dominant performance at home, beating the Patriots by 13. I think the difference in this game comes down to the RB’s. Whichever team has more trouble stopping the run will lose out. I think the duo of Moreno & Miller (Miami’s M&Ms?) will be too much for the Bills defense. Dolphins start the season 2-0. 

Spread: MIA

Straight Up: MIA

Score: 30-24

DET @ CAR (-2.5)

The Panthers pulled out a surprising victory last week without Cam Newton. Regardless of whether Newton plays or not this week, the Panthers secondary will have their hands full with Calvin Johnson. Even if they choose to double cover him with a roaming safety, that will leave plenty of options for Mathew Stafford on his check downs (any choice of three huge TE’s, RB Reggie Bush as well as WR Golden Tate). The Lions Achilles heel, as mentioned last week, is their lack of discipline on defense.  I expect them to continue to take unnecessary penalties, which will certainly hurt them in close games during this season. I just expect their proficient offense to offset most of these mistakes. I like the Lions by a lot.

Spread: DET

Straight Up: DET

Score: 35-20

ATL @ CIN (-5.5)

Matt Ryan looked like he was playing the Madden version of himself last weekend, putting up console worthy stats. Although the Bengals might have a better defense than the Saints, if Ryan is in the zone again, watch out. Cincinnati will also need more out of their offense aside from A.J. Green. Look for them to try and get Giovani Bernard a bit more involved. Either way, if this becomes a shootout, I like the Falcons by a TD.

Spread: ATL

Straight Up: ATL

Score: 31-24

NO @ CLE (+6)

Both these teams lost last week at the last possible second on game ending FG’s. The Browns, for the record, has a nice comeback turn up just short, while the Saints let the game slip out of their hands against the Falcons. Cleveland really is getting no respect at home getting six points and until further notice probably won’t. I expect safety Donte Whitner (12 tackles last week), to be extremely busy as Drew Brees attempt to pick apart the Browns secondary. In the end, I think the Saints learn to not squander a lead; putting the points on early and often and putting the game out of reach for the comeback Browns.

Spread: NO

Straight Up: NO

Score: 38-17

NE @ MIN (+3)

The Patriots had a disappointing loss on the road in Miami. Meanwhile, the Vikings went on the road and beat up an already decimated Rams group, knocking out 8^th string QB Shaun Hill in the process. The Vikings looked good on offense and their defense is still waiting to play against a first string offense. I’m not yet confident that the Patriots are that team. Vikings, coming off a 28 point win, getting points at home? I’ll take it. It also is fun to think of the Patriots starting 0-2.

Spread: MIN

Straight Up: MIN

Score: 27-24

ARI @ NYG (-2)

I hate this game for so many reasons, the least of which means that I think the Giants will start the season with their 2^nd loss. If anyone has been reading for the last week or so (I hope you’re out there), you’ll know I love the Giants, but don’t have high hopes for them at all. If they play again like they did in Detroit, they may have the #1 draft pick locked up before week 10. The Cardinals, on the other hand, played well enough to win, particularly in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game. Carson Palmer looked reminiscent of a college QB, spreading the ball across multiple receivers and even scrambling for yardage on several plays. Until the Giants prove they can score at all, I like the odds of any team playing them. Cardinals by a FG.

Spread: ARI

Straight Up: ARI

Score: 13-10

DAL @ TEN (-3.5)

Jake Locker and the Titans went into KC and just dominated them in every facet of the game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys couldn’t have looked worse, unless they had gone up against the Giants. Tony Romo looked like his old self, making poor throws and incurring way too many turnovers. When you have a defense that can hold its own, sometimes you can survive, but when you have one of the worst professional defense’s I have ever seen, then you won’t win too many games. I like the Titans to dominate on offense, until the Cowboys prove they can stop anyone at all.  

Spread: TEN

Straight Up: TEN

Score: 27-17

JAC @ WAS (-6)

If I’m Gus Bradley, I am getting the mind erase thing from Men in Black, using it and telling them that they are about to start the second half up 17-0. The Jaguars hit the Eagles head on during the first half of last week’s game, only to see their lead, and ultimately, the game, disappear from their clenches. Good news for the Jags; they play a Washington team which struggled to score against a very good Texans defense. They need more out of every one of their offensive weapons, particularly RGIII, who as mentioned previously, I’m not sold on as being the future of their team. The Jags forced a lot of fumbles last week and Washington is susceptible to TO’s. I like the game to be close, with the Jags pulling out a win in the end, marking Coach Bradley’s first win for his new team.

Spread: JAC

Straight Up: JAC

Score: 24-21

Sundays Are For Couches

If you love football like I do, then your home couch or chair probably gets a lot of use on Sundays. I have always loved watching these games. As a kid, my dad and I would watch whatever game was on at 1 PM (usually the Giants or Jets), then put on the 4 PM game (usually taking a quick power nap during if we didn't care about the results. Now, even my wife Jen has created a Sunday tradition, which usually entails her cursing out the bulk of her fantasy teams. You gotta love Sundays.

Let's get right to the games:

CLE @ PIT (-6.5)

Quick question. What number will be higher this year? The number of offensive TD’s by the Browns or cars sold by Josh Gordon? In all seriousness, the highly talented WR has some issues going on and needs to be away from football (and probably Cleveland as a whole) for a while. The publicity stunt having him work at a local dealership is just that – jury is out on who it benefits, if anyone. As for the QB situation, coach Mike Pettine has come forward saying that while Brian Hoyer is the starter, expect to see Johnny Manziel see some action as well. Who cares who is throwing if they have no one to receive it?

Pittsburgh enters the game under a cloud (bad pun?) of uncertainty. It seems like every year we are discussing how offensively, Pittsburgh has drawn up new schemes to make them more of a downfield throwing team, as opposed to their traditional, smashmouth football. That never happens. WR Antonio Brown is a legitimate deep ball threat and I look forward to QB Ben Roethlisberger finding him several times this game (and most of the year) in the end zone. On defense, watch out for first round pick, LB Ryan Shazier who should be playing like a veteran by the third quarter.

I don’t have high hopes for the Browns, but am not sold on the Steelers ability to score just yet. I like PIT to win at home, but I’m taking the points.

Spread: CLE

Straight Up: PIT

Score: 17-13

MIN @ STL (-3.5)

I received a call from my agent earlier this week asking me if I wanted to try out for the open Rams QB position. I told him I would, but I really enjoy my menially paying job instead. You have to feel really bad for injured QB Sam Bradford and the Rams as a whole. Jeff Fisher’s team will look to journeyman Shaun Hill to lead the offense. I doubt he will be the starter by the end of the year. Hill will need a lot of help from particularly RB Zak Stacy. The Rams have a more than serviceable defense, which should help the game close.

Minnesota enters the season with some confidence, particularly on offense. Any team with RB Adrian Peterson (assuming he is fully healthy) has a chance to win a lot of games. QB Matt Cassel will start, while first round draft pick Teddy Bridgewater will watch and learn and most certainly be ready to play, when and if necessary. The Vikings also have a new potential breakout player in WR Cordarrelle Patterson. The Vikings defense certainly has some holes, but I’m just not sure if the Rams will be able to expose them.

I like MIN to cover on the road.

Spread: MIN

Straight Up: MIN

Score:  27-22

CAR @ TB (-1)

Lovie Smith has reason to be excited for his new team in Tampa. They went out and signed a familiar face in reliable QB Josh McCown. RB Doug Martin and several good WR’s including Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans, should be able to put points on the board. Their offensive line is suspect (better with the acquisition of Logan Matkins from the Patriots) and we all know this can have a crippling effect on offensive efficiency.

No Newton, no win

For Ron Rivera’s Panthers, this is a fairly simple game. Without a healthy Cam Newton, this is likely a loss. It sounds like Newton won’t play and if he does, will certainly not be 100%. Without Newton, the Panthers will really struggle. I think rookie WR Kelvin Benjamin will be good, eventually, but needs time to mature. Defensively it remains to be seen if their secondary is strong enough. Look for McCown to expose this during the game.

I like Lovie Smith’s debut to be a successful one in Tampa. A Newtonless Panthers team just doesn’t have enough to stick with the home Bucs.

Spread: TB

Straight up: TB

Score: 20-14

IND @ DEN (-7.5)

I expect Denver to average about 35 points a game this year. Even without WR Wes Welker (suspension, injuries, etc…) QB Peyton Manning has plenty of options, particularly with WR Demaryius Thomas as well as TE Julius Thomas. With an offense like this, who cares about their defense, which by the way, is quite good.

The Indianapolis Colts should have a fine year. They just won’t win today on the road in Denver. QB Andrew Luck has a solid group of offensive weapons. The main question is at RB where no one is certain if Trent Richardson can be a dominant force once again and if he can’t, then if often injured Ahmad Bradshaw can step it up and play like he did back with the Giants. Father time is often cruel to football players, particularly the running backs. I just don’t see it happening.

I like DEN at home in a shootout.

Spread: DEN

Straight Up: DEN

Score: 40-23