CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
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Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins (-3)
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Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants (-13.5)
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Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (-5)
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Cardinals +3
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Bengals +13.5
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Titans -5
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2008 Record: 6-0 (100.0%)
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Are the Arizona Cardinals for real? Through
week 2 of the NFL season, they rank second
behind the New York (football) Giants in the
EDSFootball.com Domination Index. Kurt
Warner, the leader in 2007 2nd-half passing
TDs, has picked up where he left off. So far in
2008, he's thrown for 558 yards, 4 TDs and
most importantly no INTs. Anquan Boldin may
want out of Arizona and into Miami, but he
and Larry Fitzgerald combine as one of the
league's best 1-2 WR combos. Jason
Campbell had a huge week against the Saints
last week, but I'm not sold. Although the
Cardinals have gone 2-0 for the first time
since 1991, I expect them to start 3-0 for the
first time since...umm, I'm guessing before
1991.
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Well, if the Cardinals are #2 in the Domination
Index and I picked them over the 'Skins, I
must be picking the Giants, who are #1 in the
Domination Index, right? Wrong. The Giants
are going for their first 3-0 start since 2000
and I think they will get it. However, I think
this game is a little closer than the spread
indicates. The Giants often play down to their
competition and struggle a little bit (for some
unknown reason) at home vs on the road.
The Bengals offense (8.5 ppg) is off to a
horrible start as is Carson Palmer (49% comp.,
228 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs). Although it's more
of a hunch than supported by evidence, I
expect Carson Palmer to have a bounce-back
game (250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT). I can see a
27-17 win by the Giants and the Bengals
covering the spread.
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I wanted to avoid this game as I looked
through the spreads this week and considered
the Bills/Bucs as a possible 3rd pick. To me,
everything points to a big win by the Titans.
However, I can see the Texans, who have a lot
on their minds post-Hurricane Ike, rallying,
uniting and playing inspired football. Since I
used my "hunch" pick with the Bengals, I'm
going to stick to the facts on this one and
ignore the possibility of the Texans rising up.
The Titans have won the last 6 in this matchup
and are 5-1 ATS in those games. The Titans,
who grind it out, are averaging 96.5 rushing
ypg more than they are giving up. The Titans
will control the clock and line of scrimmage.
The Titans start 3-0.
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Sean
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Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-12.5)
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Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons (-6)
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Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-2)
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Patriots -12.5
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Chiefs +6
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Ravens -2
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2008 Record: 4-2 (66.7%)
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New England is still the best team in the AFC
East. New England used Randy Moss as a
decoy they said last week. I dont expect him
to be a decoy this week. Darelle Revis is a
nasty corner, and it makes sense not to throw
his way. Miami does not have a corner like
Revis. I think Matt Cassel will have a huge
game, and the Patriots defense is still a great
unit. The Patriots will have this line covered by
midway through the 2nd qtr. Miami will have a
hard time on offense. Expect a blow out, plus
Joey Porter had to open his mouth. Cassel
throws 4 tds in this one.
New England 38 Miami 10
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I am not 100% on Matt Ryan, and I am also
not 100% on Kansas City being a pushover
every week. Get your upset radar ready. Ryan
looked like a rookie last week, and I expect
him to have trouble this week as well. Kansas
City will stack the line against Turner &
Norwood and make Ryan beat them, and right
now Ryan is not good enough to win a game
by himself. I understand Kansas City's run
defense is almost last in the league, I think
they come to play this week. This is just one
of those weird ones. Did anyone expect
Oakland to crush KC last week? I didnt. I like
Tyler Thigpen starting for KC this week. I am
not predicting the big upset, but i can see it
happening.
Atlanta 24 Kansas City 20
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Get ready Brady Quinn, i think Derek Anderson
will be replaced at QB by week 5. Cleveland
just lost DE Robaire Smith for the year, and
frankly were very overrated at the start of the
year. Jamal Lewis is ancient, Braylon Edwards
has dropped so many passes this season. For
Baltimore, Joe Flacco has looked nice. I think
Baltimore will control the ball with the ground
attack, play good defense and special teams
and squeak out a win. Baltimore is my division
pick for the AFC North this season, and this is
just another stepping stone for them. This
may be one of the last years Baltimore can
make a run with Ray Lewis, Chris McAllister, Ed
Reed & the old vets. They are still a very solid
defense. I expect a big fantasy day from
Baltimore, a defensive TD, 3 int, 4-5 sacks..
Baltimore 23 Cleveland 17
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Jamie
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Dallas Cowboys (-3) at Green Bay Packers
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New York Jets at San Diego Chargers (-9)
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Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons (-6)
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Cowboys -3
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Jets +9
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Falcons -6
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2008 Record: 4-2 (66.7%)
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Ok 1st off I am a Dallas fan and have yet to
pick them yet so we might as well in the 1st
game I like them in. And here is why. Did
anyone see the ending of the GB/DET game
last week? I did and let's say it was a lot
closer than people might think. If it weren't for
Kitna being well Kitna, DET might have won
this game and they easily would have covered.
I think Rodgers comes back to earth a little in
this game and makes some mistakes that let
the 'Boys cover while Romo won't this week. It
will most likely be an exciting close game but
Dallas wins 24-20.
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I like the Jets to cover in this one. 9 points
right now just seems too much for the banged
up Chargers to be giving anyone. Especially a
team like the Jets who are still a lot better on
both sides of the ball this year than last
regardless of last week. I also think Norv
might have been too busy whining about a
early whistle and the replay machine not
working to get ready for this Monday nighter.
Need more? A little stat the NY Jets are 5-1 SU
in their last 6 games when playing on the road
against San Diego.
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I actually see this as a possible blowout. Who
is starting this week for KC @ Qb? Thigpen?
not sure at this time if that is an upgrade or
not @ the QB posistion over the weak ones
that were there. The KC offense has looked
miserable everywhere. LJ has been
complaining which I understand when a 3rd-rd
rookie with fumbling problems in camp is
getting talk of a timeshare. But let's face it LJ.
It looks like you're out of gas. The Falcons will
run heavily with the burner Turner and Ryan
will not see a D like he did last week in TB.
Take the Falcons and do the Dirty Bird while
you watch it.
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Dan
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Houston Oilers at Tennessee Titans (-5)
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
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Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)
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Titans -5
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Eagles -3
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Panthers +3.5
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2008 Record: 4-2 (66.7%)
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First off well wishes to all of our readers in the
Houston effort, we certainly hope all is well
and that the Texans taking the field on
Sunday will give a little bit of enjoyment in
such a trying time. Right now the Titans are
firing on all cylinders, well even though the
starting QB needs a little time off to feel
important again. All signs to the victors of this
contest can be found in the numbers.
Tennessee is 2-0 vs the spread, they have
won the last 6 games vs Houston, and are
10-2 lifetime as well. Chris Johnson sure has
been a key addition to the run game,
averaging a startling 5.9 yards per carry, and
the Titans boast the 2nd-ranked defense in
the league to boot. Look for Collins to
manage the game, and to keep the chains
moving when necessary. Houston will evolve,
but it is going to take a few weeks to shake of
the after-effects. But look for a strong effort
by Andre Johnson to keep things interesting.
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After one of the more thrilling Monday night
games in recent years, the Eagles find
themselves right back to battle with one of the
AFC's elite teams. The Eagles were one
mistake away from finishing Dallas on the
road last week, and Pittsburgh just maintained
vs Cleveland. Westbrook always creates
headaches for any opposing defense, and this
Sunday should be no different, add a healthy
Donovan McNabb to the mix, and a guy who
can stretch the field in DeSean Jackson gives
Philly an explosive offense. The Eagles
defense has played well, and did a good job in
keeping the Dallas running attack in check. I
look for Pittsburgh to have trouble in the air,
as questions abound about Quarterback Ben
Rothlisberger's shoulder. Look for the Eagles
to extend their streak to 3-0 vs the spread, as
they have also beaten Pittsburgh in 2 of their
last 3 tries.
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There has been a lot of talk this week of an
Adrian Peterson explosion, and I have to say
that the numbers do favor him getting his
century total for this week. However, the
question marks that came about in preseason,
still haunt the Vikings after the first two
games. They cannot pass the ball, and they
cannot stop the pass. The resurgence of Jake
Delhomme has brought the Panthers back to
being relevant in the NFC again, and even
worse news for a Minnesota secondary that was
torched by Green Bay last week, Steve Smith is
back. Putting Gus Frerotte in for a horrendous
Tarvaris Jackson is an early grasp for the
Vikings to right the ship, but remember this is
the guy that injured himself in a game by
headbutting a wall. Probably the second most
stupid injury in the history of the NFL, Bill
Gramatica wins for the extra point hammy pull.
Do you really want Gus to be the guy that
separates you from an 0-3 start? The Vikings
are 0-2 vs the spread, and will look to pound
the ball with Peterson while having Frerotte
simply manage the game, but Delhomme will
exploit the terrible Minnesota secondary and
pull out another late win.
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Brendan
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New York Jets at San Diego Chargers (-9)
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Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (-5)
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Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-12.5)
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Jets +9
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Titans -5
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Dolphins +12.5
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2008 Record: 3-3 (50.0%)
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I'm going to stick with the motto for this pick:
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it". As I mentioned
last week San Diego is off to another slow
start that is beginning to remind you of last
year. I think San Diego is still getting lines
based on how they should be playing but not
how they are actually playing. Tomlinson sat
out of practice due to a turf toe injury this
week and may be limited come Monday. The
Jets are 5-1 in their past 6 ATS vs the
Chargers so take the points and the Jets in
what should be a relatively close game.
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I think Vince Young getting hurt could actually
be a blessing in disguise for the Titans.
Collins can make all the throws and they now
have 2 good young backs in White and
Johnson, one that can pound the ball and pick
up the tough yardage and the other who can
make a game breaking play any time he
touches the ball. The Texans have had to
deal with much more than football in the past
week and may have their minds elsewhere
than on the game come Sunday. I don't see
the Texans being able to put up too many
points on a very talented defense led by
All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth. The Titans
are 5-1 in their past 6 ATS vs the Texans so
lay the points and take Tennessee.
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I'm going out on a limb on this one because
for the first and hopefully last time this year I
like the Dolphins to cover this week. I do
agree that they are one of the worst teams in
the league if not the worst but for some
reason no matter how bad they are they
always seem to play New England tough. I
think now that they have gotten to see actual
game footage from a regular season Matt
Cassel start they can put together a game
plan against him and perhaps give him some
trouble. Cassel didn't have to make too many
tough throws last week and kept the offense
moving along with short quick passes but had
trouble moving the ball downfield and getting
into the endzone. I also think Bill Parcells
may be attending some film sessions this
week and helping the coaching staff disect
what Belichick likes to do. The Patriots are 1-9
in their last 10 ATS when favored by double
digits. Take Miami and the points.
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