NFL week 5 Quick Picks!

Ah, busy week, what is one to do?  Well, first, one is to show how boastful one doesn't necessarily have to be after being more accurate on predictions then the Swami.   Best Bets continue to get better at best, as Trizz went 9-5 last week in some kind of ridiculous reversal of fortune.  Finally my vast knowledge of everything football became so evident.  Blake is busy partying and dating less than mediocre looking women, so here I am, alone again.   Last week I was the only one who told you that the Mcnabb and the 'Skins would get revenge on the Eagles (Thank you Vick's karma) and that the Steelers would no longer remain undefeated by the end of the day...so what I'm saying is that you should see what the future beholds, be it for fantasy sake or your wishes to see teams you like succeed by reading my quick picks for week 5...  So without further adue...

Jacksonville @ Buffalo

Popular perception is that this is a battle between two of the worst teams in the NFL.  Not quite true, the Jaguars proved how good they can be against an unsuspecting Colts team last week, they are average to the maximum as they look to go 8-8 again this year.  Of course, Buffalo has to win some time... Jags win 27-17 over the Bills as Buffalo waits for it's snowfield advantage.  Buffalo is favored for no particular reason which makes this a BEST BET

New York Giants @ Houston

Oh yeah, that's right, I also tried to tell you people that I wasn't just being a fan, and it wasn't about how good the Giants are, and that the Bears were going to lose last week, badly.  It happened.  Unfortunately for the Giants they have to face a good AFC team now (the real conference) and although the Giants could beat the Cowboys on any weekend, who just beat the Texans 2 weeks ago...  The Texans have so much momentum and their versatility on offense can help to negate that Giants pass rush.  If this is a low-scoring game, than Eli tends to do great in the 2-minute drill and the Giants will have a chance to pull it out.  However, I'm foreseeing a high-flying high-scoring, mostly passing affair and although the quarterbacks are similiarly talented, the rest of the Texans offense is better.  Arian Foster will be the best running back on the field, Andre Johnson the best receiver and Owen Daniels the best tight end.  Houston Texans 34 New York Giants 27

Kansas City @ Indianapolis

Everyone else will pick the Colts and with good reason.  The chiefs are explosive, great on the ground (the Colts biggest weakness on defense) and their coaching staff is clearly getting the most out of the talent they posess.  The thing is that no one believes that Peyton Manning will let his team drop below .500 and let a less talented Chiefs team continue to go undefeated.  I don't just want to be different, I told you from the beginning that the Colts weren't going to win as many games as they usually do and that they would be a wild card team at best... so even though Peyton wills his team to victory often, I don't think he has enough talent around him any longer, even his offensive line has been struggling.  Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles are about to rip it up... This is not to say that the Chiefs are the best team in football, only that this is going to be one hell of a weird year in the NFL... The Chiefs humiliate the Colts by a total of 23-20 because SOMEONE has to go 4-0 this year.          

Tampa Bay @ Cincinnati

The Bengals lost to the Browns last week, a team previously beaten by the Bucs.  In the crazy NFL world of cycles and circles, the Bengals need to bounce back and they will.  The Bengals offense has been so much worse than expected (thanks to Carson Palmer) and the Bucs defense has been solid for the most part.  Who cares!  Bengals win 20-10 over Bucs. 

Denver @ Baltimore

The Broncos looked impressive last week, in this new-found passing league, and league of parody, the Broncos can win against other less than to above average teams on any given week.  Kyle Orton is a consistent quarterback and he looks even better when you look at how bad his receiving corps is.  the Ravens have had one of the best defenses all season and now they're finally starting to score.  Flacco matured 18 years with his last second touchdown pass to Housh to beat the previously unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers.  I didn't pick the Ravens to go to the playoffs because I thought their defense had dropped off a bit and I had no idea how good Anquan Boldin was (he certainly got lost behind Fitzgerald in Arizona), nor do I think Flacco is very good.  I still don't know if I would make them the favorite, or an elite team, but I do know that the Broncos can't compete.  Ravens make it look hard, but win easily 30-24.  How did the Broncos score that much?  Two words...Brady Quinn.

St. Louis @ Detroit

As with everyone picking the Colts to win this week, I don't know anyone who is not picking the Lions to take this game.  Everyone thinks the Rams are in the worst division (which they are) and that they are not only lucky to be 2-2, but that they are awful, playing way over their ability level.  Sam Bradford can't be that good, a team in the NFC west can't go 3-2 and the Rams can't win without their best player in Stephen Jackson.  On top of all that, the Lions (especially on offense) have looked fantastic in finding every way possible to lose.  They have not lost a step behind their back up QB, Shaun Hill (whom the Rams known from his time on the 49ers) and their defense actually has a pass rush.  Because the Lions don't deserve to be 0-4 and the Rams are a surprising 2-2, EVERYONE is going to pick the Lions with their logic, and their hearts (after they got screwed in week one, IT WAS A CATCH!).  Each game is different and the Rams match up beautifully.  The Rams get no respect as the Lions are actually favored, PFFT.  St. Louis Rams defeat the Detroit Lions 22-13.   The Lions are cursed.  Even if they win it won't be by more than....ONE.   BEST BET.

Atlanta @ Cleveland

I hate the Falcons for no good reason, I think Matt Ryan is even less talented than Flacco, but possibly more overrated.  I can talk about how their offense is tired and old each and every week, and how their defense is weak and unable to stop teams in clutch situations.  Or I could just say that the Browns aren't good enough to beat a Falcons team that is on a roll, seeing as how the Browns don't have one thing going for them on offense.  I wanted to pick the Jags to upset the Colts last week and I will always regret not going with my instinct and/or gut on that one, but I think picking the Browns would have more to do with my heart and/or soul situation, not to mention it'd be dumb.  Once again, the Falcons will be picked by all, but this time, they're all most likely right.  Falcons win easily 34-17.  SO easily in fact that I have no choice but to stamp my approval on this one. BEST BET.   Although I've wasted my best bets so early on that I may pick an EXTRA BEST BET.   Only time, and scrolling down, will tell.

Chicago @ Carolina

There are some really great games today at 1pm mixed in with all the silly, non-competetive ones.  Last week, almost every game went down to the wire, which means blow-outs are becoming increasingly more unlikely.  The Panthers actually out-played the Saints last week in their 4th consecutive loss, and after how bad the Bears played against the Giants...  the win-less Panthers are favored by 3 points over the previously undefeated Chicago Bears!  Nonsense?  Perhaps if the Bears had Cutler at quarterback, as bad as he looked last week, back up Todd Collin can not throw the ball more than 15 yards down the field.  the Panthers defense is good, the Bears defense is great.  The real question is which offense will be more inept... Hmm... The Bears were a fraud all along, they'll be lucky to go 9-7 and fight for a postseason spot.  However, when Cutler comes back, their offense will look incredible every so often.  His head is still back in the Meadowlands somewhere though and Jimmy Clausen looks like he might actually be able to play a little.  I hope no one is forced to watch one snap of this awful game...  Panthers 16   Bears  9 ,  'Nuff said.

Green Bay @ Washington

Another fantastic game on fox, with no Pats or Jets game on, I encourage everyone to disregard CBS for today.  The Chiefs and Colts are the only game of any interest.  Meanwhile, the Packers offense hasn't looked as great as it should be in recent weeks, barely over-coming the Lions offense last week, and committing an absurd amount of penalties against the Bears the week before.  Apparently, losing a quality running back in Ryan Grant has had more of an impact than anyone could've expected, but that's not even the worst part for the Packers.  Their highly rated and touted defense featuring one of the best cornerbacks in Charles Woodson, the best outside linebacker in Clay Matthews, and a decent defensive line has been run over as of late.  They haven't been getting enough pressure on the cornerback and their bump n run coverage has been less effective than usual.  On the other side of the ball, the Redskins look awful when they win (as with last week) and up and down during a loss (as with against the Texans), they are clearly suffering from psychopsychziophootballphrenia.  I still think the NFC East is the best, if not the only good division in a bad NFC, and that the 'Skins can still play very good defense.  The Pack is favored by less than 3 because this game could go any and either way.  Mcnabb, Portis and the rest of the Redskins got up to play last week in honor of Mcnabb facing his former team, they put all of their emotion and efforts into that game, and Clinton Portis is out for this one.  The Packers will stop the run and Mcnabb's 2 touchdown passes will not be enough, nor will his mediocre mobility.  The Packers are just far too talented and due to live up to their potential and so here goes nothing...  The Packers DESTROY the Redskins by the score:  33-20.  I think the Giants, Eagles, Redskins and Cowboys will all finish 8-8 to 10-6, but this week doesn't bode well for that.

New Orleans @ Arizona

I have told you that the Cardinals are worse than the worst teams in the NFL in terms of talent all along, but that they do have one of the best head coaches.  For Ken Whisenhunt to have won a game with this team at this point is unbelievable to me, considering that without Kurt Warner, their offense has looked pathetic.  They rid themselves of their first round pick Matt Leinart (USC quarterbacks suck, I.E. Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez in the future) and journeyman Derek Anderson has already worn out his welcome.  Breaking News Ken, you can't win with undrafted rookie quarterback Max Hall, nor with any other QB, you have NO talent whatsoever other than Fitzgerald.  Even Fitzgerald is proving to be overrated seeing how unsuccessful he's been when Kurt Warner has not been his quarterback.  The Saints barely beat two 0-4 teams in the Niners and Panthers...they have seemingly lost their magic.  And as bad as this seems for me, considering I really don't want the Falcons to win the division, the Saints have found the perfect remedy... another poor excuse for a team, in fact the worst NFL franchise in history, the Arizona Cardinals.  As usual, the Saints may make this closer than it should be, but they're only favored by 6 1/2.  The New Orleans Saints embarass the Cardinals 42-21.  BEST BET.  AGAIN.

San Diego @ Oakland

Gosh and Gee Wilikers.  The Chargers are a great example of how much parody exists throughout the league, one week they look unstoppable, the next week they are losing to an average or even bad team. (Yes, like the Chiefs)  One thing to keep in mind is that the Chargers have created a formula, win big at home, lose close away.  Also, the Raiders have been competeing hard all season, losing close games to very good teams (like last week against the Texans).  Gradkowski looks like he knows how to put at least 20 + points on the board and give his team a chance to win, and the Raiders defense isn't half bad.  Forget about how good the Raiders have looked at times, or how bad the Chargers have been on the road, the Chargers need to win this division game.  Although I thought the Colts needed to win under similiar circumstances last week and they lost, the Raiders could not stop an old lady from crossing the street, nor could they catch a cold.  Puns are fun.  Chargers 32  -- Raiders 23.

Tennessee @ Dallas

The Titans are dirty rascals according to Bronco's head coach Josh Mcdaniels.  Jeff Fisher responds by saying his team is merely being aggressive and playing hard until the whistle blows.  Vince Young continues to try to give away his starting job, Chris Johnson is not getting the 2,500 yards he wished for, but the Titans defense has kept them in every game thus far.  None of that matters, when the Cowboys are playing well they can beat anybody, unfortunately for them, they are obviously their own worst enemy.  In a war of penalties and a lack of discipline, this game could get ugly.  However one simple fact remains... The Cowboys have championship aspirations and they need to win this one a lot more than the Titans do...or do they?   The Texans are looking to go 4-1 and the Colts are still waiting in the wings, ready to pounce.  If the Cowboys witness their division foes lose in the earlier games, they may not feel as much pressure.  Ah, well...nevermind, that stuff doesnt matter either.  All that I know is that the AFC is better than the NFC but the Cowboys can play like an AFC team when they run the football with their 3 great half-backs, and the rest of the defense takes on the attitude of its dominant player, Demarcus Ware.  I can't see the Cowboys losing this one at home, while the Titans early struggles and inconsistency continues.  the Dallas Cowboys will win 20-19, Wade Phillips will look goofy, and the cheerleaders will be 20% hotter as compared to an ugly game.

Philadelphia @ San Francisco

Another week 5 NFL match-up, another good game between decent teams, another time where I must scream for you to go against the grain.  Everyone assumes that the Eagles can't win without Vick, and that the 49ers are just too good to go 0-4.  As well as the fact that their division is so bad, the division leading Rams at 2-2, are going to finish up at .500 at best, so the 49ers are not out of it.  However, No one is talking about how bad the 49ers defense has been against average offenses, how mediocre their star running back, Frank Gore has been, OR how they have to stick with Alex Smith at quarterback because their other quarterbacks are even worse.  Sometimes 0-4 can be a fluke, like with the Lions who have played well, but the Niners have been terrible.  Mike Singletary is proving that his style does not work without talent backing it up.  I thought the Niners couldn't go 0-3 or 0-4 and they did, I even picked them to win the division and haven't given up on that yet.  At 0-5, they still could turn their season around at some point...  but more importantly than the fact the 49ers have simply not played well is that the Eagles have been much better than expected.  They may only be 2-2 but they almost came back against the Packers, and they should've beaten the Redskins for all intents and purposes last week.  Their defense has brought pressure and looked extremely solid in coverage (People forget they still have Trent Cole and Asante Samuel).  But the reason everyone is picking the 49ers other than the fact that no one can see them going 0-5 or anyone else winning the NFC west...is because Michael Vick is out for the next few weeks.  Michael Vick is magic and he has been the MVP over the first 3 1/2 weeks of the season, I agree.  However, I know there has got to be a reason Andy Reid traded Mcnabb and wanted Kevin Kolb to be his starter.  Kolb deserved to win last week, and he played well under pressure as the game went on, he also had 2 300 yard passing games in his only 2 starts last year.  Kevin Kolb will come up HUGE, BIG TIME, RIDICULOUS.  Kevin Kolb will throw 3 touchdown passes to those amazing offensive weapons the Eagles have on offense like Lesean Mccoy, Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson.  Eagles take it, 34-24 over the 49ers as the underdog.  EXTRA EXTRA BEST BET!

Minnesota @ New York Jets

It's official, Bill Bellichick bought into his own hype, wanting to get rid of a problem before it became a big one, wanting to not deal with continuing contract negotiations through the season, believing his offense is a machine and Moss was nothing but a cog...(maybe he's right) but the Vikings just stole one of the best receivers in the game for a third round pick that might turn out to be a bust. (More of a chance than not.)  Favre was desperate for a big-time target with great hands that could open up the offense.  Not only will Percy Harvin benefit from being the number 2 guy again, but Adrian Peterson will not see nearly as much 8 in the box type of defenses.  I don't hate the Jets, and I must admit that they have looked real good recently, especially against the Patriots, but I still haven't drunk the cool-aid or bought into the excessive amount of hype.  All of a sudden it's as if the Ravens and Jets are definitively the two best teams in the NFL (when obviously the Steelers with Ben are) when this is already proving to be one of the most unpredictable NFL seasons ever.  The Vikings are not about to go 1-3 and give the Packers and/or Bears a chance to move up further in the standings, they'd rather gain some ground.  The Jets defense is still great, but the Vikings defense has not been given enough credit thus far.  It's the Vikings offense that has struggled, but I think Randy Moss's mere presence and arrival will be good enough to prodive a jolt, and some points in his first game.  It'll be close though, that's for certain.  The Jets offense has looked too good recently, LT is still old, Sanchez is still inexperienced, and their left guard position is about to get crushed by two giant guys named Williams.   Minnesota Vikings 17 - New York Jets 10.

Good luck football fanatics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patriots TRADE Randy Moss to Brett Favre's Vikings!! Favre Still Old!!

From Jay Glazer of  http://www.foxsports.com/ :

The Minnesota Vikings are attempting to pull off their biggest blockbuster since acquiring Brett Favre.

FOXSports.com has learned that the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots have been in serious trade talks and are very close to a deal that would send All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss back to the team that drafted him.

However, Patriots sources say the deal is contigent upon Moss working out a contract with the Vikings. All sides are still trying to hammer out the contract.

In a 41-point outburst Monday night over the Dolphins, Moss caught zero passes, and he has made his displeasure known with his contract status in New England.

Moss, 33, was a first-round pick of the Vikings in 1998 and shined for several years before being shipped to Oakland in 2005. The four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection was traded from the Raiders to the Patriots on Day 1 of the 2007 NFL draft in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the ’07 draft.

In his first three seasons in New England, Moss caught 250 passes for 3,765 yards and 47 touchdowns. In 2010, he has nine catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vikings have been searching for a star-caliber receiver and were unable to pick up Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

Trizz's response:

This is the most incredibly ridiculously insanely monster trade in the middle of an NFL season that I have ever seen.  Randy Moss's numbers had been declining over the last few years with the Pats, and he was unhappy to be playing out the season on the last year of his contract.  Randy has only been targeted by Tom Brady 4 times in the last 2 games, and he missed his one oppurtunity for a touchdown pass in Monday's game against the Dolphins on a fake spike play.   I think the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick have seen a lack of effort both in practice and on the field as of late from Randy Moss, and thus Belichick called Moss into his office for a meeting.  Bill yelled, Moss cried, or something to that affect...and now he's gone.  Tom Brady had to have ok'ed this deal, so now I guess it's up to him to prove to everyone that isn't me that he is still one of, if not the best quarterbacks in the NFL.  Wes Welker was a nobody when he came to the Pats, Belichick and Brady made him who he is, now with guys like 7th rounder Julian Edelman and journeyman receiver Brandon Tate, when Brady puts up very good numbers again, and the Patriots make the playoffs again, perhaps the players and coach will get more respect and gratitude.  Bill Belichick has looked happier, more emotional (and more upset at times) than during any other season because in affect, he is the offensive and defensive co-ordinater for this team.  He has such a close relationship in teaching so many of these players and he didn't want a disgruntled ego-maniac/diva in the locker room.  It'll be interesting to see what the Patriots do without a real deep threat, unless they decide to use Tate differently... They may just continue with the offensive strategy they've been going with, versatility, Brady using his accuracy to various receivers, and the tight ends becoming much more of a giant part of the equation.  Meanwhile Brett Favre has been begging and pleading for a big-time receiver since Sydney Rice was injured and Percy Harvin struggled with his own issues.  The Vikings will be 15% better, once again they are destined for the post-season, but bringing in an old Randy Moss does not magically make Brett Favre younger.  Obviously the Vikings think they're a Super Bowl team and that's why they're going to negotiate a longer term contract with Moss upon his arrival with his former team.  BOLD PREDICTION :   Michael Vick (who is a free agent at the end of this season) joins the Minnesota Vikings after Favre retires, and the Vikings remain a viable contender now with 3 top level receivers in Randy Moss, Sydney Rice and Percy Harvin.  Crazy.  Sorry, Matt.

P.P.S & BTW...  WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I MEAN...WHAT!!!!!!!!!!   AT THE VERY LEAST YOU GET A SECOND ROUND PICK!!!!!!....    YOU COULD HAVE POSSIBLY GOTTEN A FIRST ROUND PICK, THE VIKINGS WERE SO DESPERATE!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOIN!!!!!  I GUESS IT'S BECAUSE NOW THE VIKINGS HAVE TO PAY HIM MONEY!!!!  NEW ENGLAND SHOULD CLOSE ALL BRIDGES!!!!!   AARON HERNANDEZ WILL TEAR IT UP NOW!!!!!!

Week 3 recap: Where's Blake?: Your Picks coming soon: Procrastinated Picks for Week 4!

NFL week 3 -  Blake / 9-7    Troy / 8-8   Blake wins again.  Unfortunately, in finally figuring this league out, coming back and  coming on strong, Blake is out of commision this week.  I didn't even feel like doing this, Too much rain causing depression in succession all around me!    We'll still tally up our picks against the odds, the spreads, the Danny Sheridans in total by the end of the year, I still have an above .500 prediction record at an INSANELY...insane... 26-22.   I was 7-9 in terms of betting...so in actuality, I was 100% less wrong than last week by one push, however if we include Blake we were just as miserable.   Anyway, none of that matters when we are all proven more brilliant than sane by the end of this season.    I spent the end of this week trying to figure out a way to set up a blank template formatted with teams and odds, in which YOU guys (figuratively) put in your own scores.  As soon as I figure out how to be a wiz tech, or find one, which better be by next weekend, we will see how many of YOU guys and mostly gals are smarter at guessing than me.  Sounds fun.  Can't wait to be even MORE humiliated more often. 

Here's how you can bet until I figure out what I'm doing:  You would obviously copy and paste the schedule to a message you send to me in a comment below, on facebook, or in e-mail, tgl4093@yahoo.com    Write in your scores and next week we'll have the odds and such... or more likely we'll have an amazingly complicated new system that works better.  This week if it's too late and you just want to tell me that I'm wrong, and out-pick me on the 4pm and later games...feel free.  :)    I look forward to not going 8-8 this week, but as long as I never have a losing week...I will avoid mocking!  Love you All!  Once we get enough people who want to tear our picks to shreds and want credit for being smart in their own right, the best predicter of each week will be given some sort of ridiculously amazingly fantastically fun recognition.  And I will owe them 50 cents...per week in which they win!   That's right, take me for 5 dollars by the end of the season, lets DO THIS!!!!

Sun. Oct. 03

Jets at Bills, 1:00 PM

Seahawks at Rams, 1:00 PM

Panthers at Saints, 1:00 PM

Lions at Packers, 1:00 PM

Bengals at Browns, 1:00 PM

Ravens at Steelers, 1:00 PM

Broncos at Titans, 1:00 PM

49ers at Falcons, 1:00 PM

Colts at Jaguars, 4:05 PM

Texans at Raiders, 4:05 PM

Redskins at Eagles, 4:15 PM

Cardinals at Chargers, 4:15 PM

Bears at Giants, 8:20 PM

Mon. Oct. 04

Patriots at Dolphins, 8:30 PM

Byes: DAL, KC, MIN, TB

BEST BET = The three games Troy guarantees to be right about 70% of the time in terms of both the winner and vs. the spread.  Guaranteed.  Record thus far. 6-3.

New York Jets @ Buffalo

I was going to open this week by making the boldest and perhaps silliest pick of all time, or all week!   And that is this...The Jets offense is not as good as the Dolphins or Patriots defense made it out to be, and the Bills have already proven to much less inept with quarterback Ryan FitzPatrick (from Harvard).  Not to mention the Bills play defense play tough at home and also against division foes.  I learned my lesson from mocking the Bills last week.   However, the Jets are a good team and the Bills are not.  The Jets have decided to live up to a small portion of their pre-season hype and it's only going to continue.  I think the Jets offense will be less than mediocre, but their defense will rip a young Buffalo O-line to pieces.    Take the Jets, not the bet.  Jets win by 4.  17-13. 

Seattle @ St. Louis 

After rooting and hoping and wishing and imagining better performances by an awful 49ers team, it's time to come back down to earth and back to reality.  This game matters, and unlike you'd expect, not just to these two teams and cites.  Whoever wins this game gains control of first place in a terrible NFC west.  I am in shock over how well the Seahawks have performed but I loved their pick up of Leon Washington, who toasted the Chargers special teams last weekend, and the draft pick, Earl Thomas from Texas...who had the game ending interception.  Pete Carroll does appear to be a good, enthusiastic, actually genuine NFL coach.  The Rams beat the Redskins last week, but no one knows what that means for either team.  If I'm picking the 'Skins to beat Philly, than I must think the Rams are decent.  I want to pick those Rams and I'd expect the division leader to be 2-2 after this week but...   The Seattle Seahawks decimate the St. Louis rams by a total final points score of 23-14.  Make of it what you will.

Carolina @ New Orleans

I have nothing against New Orleans, in fact, I'd like to visit there someday, I just don't like how important the team itself thinks that it is.  But if it makes the city feel good about itself for a few hours or a few days than I am in favor.  People in Carolina expect to go to the game and see their team lose, it's about Clausen getting better at this point.  The Panthers O-line has gotten worse and teams load up the box with 9 defenders in an effort to make sure the Panthers are Unable to run the ball.  Steve Smith is the only one who can catch but even that becomes difficult with a safety on him at all times.  The Saints win easily.  Too easily.  Being favored by 13 points is AN INSULT to the Saints.  the Saints will win 44-17.  BEST BET.  I've decided I want to get 75% of these right, so here's the perfect week.

Detroit @ Green Bay

Detroit's offense is better than you think, Jahvid Best is so explosive that a backup QB like Shaun Hill can come in and do well.  They can rush the passer, but Aaron Rodgers is so mobile and so smart in the pocket.  The Lions offense isn't going to do much against Clay Matthews or Charles Woodson so forget my earlier complimentation.   Green Bay is favored by 14.  The Packers are great but it's risky to think the Lions are that bad.  30-10.  Packers over Lions.  Oops, guess not.

Cincinnatti @ Cleveland

Another game this week that almost everyone who picks games (and even those who do not) can agree upon.  I thought the Browns might get off to the type of start that the chiefs actually got off to, the city was somewhat hopeful after the way the team finished last season (and with Holmgren's arrival).  They barely lost to the Bucs, then went on to barely lose to the Chiefs.  Almost beating two bad teams still means that they've lost 2 games they could've and perhaps should've won.  I would love to be able to pick the Browns straight up, I like their defense a little, but how exactly do the Browns plan on scoring?  I feel like that was deja vu, and the Bengals will continue to rack up wins in a less than impressive fashion against less than impressive teams  the Cincinnatti Bengals defeat the Cleveland Browns 23-10.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Here's the best game of the week possibly, while I'm stuck watching the Jets beat up on the poor Bills and the poor New York fans who live so far up north that they should re-establish themselves as part of New Hampshire.  I thought the Steelers were due for a letdown and a loss last week against a bad Bucs team but then Charlie Batch became the next Tommy Maddux... or something.   Batch's long TD passes took a lot of lucky routes, and lucky bounces.  Mendenhall will not be rushing for the yards he would normally and the Steelers are not going 16-0...  If they're already this good on defense, when Ben comes back they may look unstoppable in a few games.  So they have to lose this one, it makes no sense for them not to.  Especially when facing a soaped up Ray Lewis, and a stout Ravens defense.  Flacco finally realized that Boldin was on his team last week and even though Boldin was the #1 target and shredding the D, he kept making reception.  If housh and Derrick Mason ever show up, the Ravens might put up some points. Not to say that they'll put alot of points up on this defense.  Ravens 20 - Steelers 13.  WAIT!  Since when is Pittsburgh favored?  Screw that.  Pick the Ravens regardless of Ray Rice's foot.  BEST BET!

Denver @ Tennessee

The Broncos are careful and cautious.  Tim Tebow is going to be the king of pine for the rest of the season.  Their defensive secondary is good but they lack a pass rush or a linebacker that can tackle.  The Broncos are so boring on offense, with no big time playmakers.  The Titans are good, the Giants blew last week's game with turnovers but the Titans caused those turnovers.    The Tennessee Titans Take This Tamed Tebow-less Team Triumphantly.  The Titans over the Broncos 24-17 and Vince Young showing Tebow how to be a mobile QB in the NFL.

San Francisco @ Atlanta

Well.  Since I've had some faith in the 49ers, not to be good, but to at least be the best of their weak division.  I like the coach alot, Patrick Willis is a monster, Frank Gore used to be a Superstar running back and Alex Smith is 50% less awful.  Let's fire the Offensive Coordinater and try harder.  The Falcons fought hard last week to take first place and now here's where I look good in my opinion of both of these teams.  The San Francisco Niners will clip the Falcon's wings (a pun that every sports expert predicting games has to use at least twice per season considering how many team names feature a type of bird.)  Meanwhile, 27-23.  Deja Vu all over again.

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

The Colts will win.  Sometimes even when your gut tells you that the Jaguars can somehow find a way to win this game, you know deep down, that Peyton Manning is the best regular season quarterback of all time, and he needs to win a division game on the road.  The Colts do what they do in beating the Jags, 29-20.

 

Houston @ Oakland 

The Texans are still great, I did not hop on this bandwagon at the beginning of the year only to hop off when a very talented, scared, and angry Cowboys team took it to them.  One game means nothing, the Texans looked bad on offense and defense, and Andre Johnson's ankle was funky.  The Cowboys needed to win and the Texans put in so much heart, determination and effort in coming back against a good Redskins defense the week before, that it was inevitable for the more popular Texas team to do what they had to do.  The Raiders aren't the worst team ever with Jason Campbell, but they're not even a 7-9 team with Gradkowski... I'm not sure who that insults...  Houston Texans 38-23.  for some reason.

Washington at Philadelphia

Andy Reid knows all of Donovan Mcnabb's secrets, Mcnabb mentored and saved Michael Vick's life and/or career, Mcnabb was never appreciated by Philly fans the way Vick is already being appreciated.  So many storylines, so much excitement, so much to think about and chew on.    I love the way Vick has performed and if he continues to perform at this level, the Eagles are going to the playoffs.  However, unlike most analysts, I don't think he'll start running the ball too often again, I think he'll start throwing the ball too hard again, and to the wrong team...again.  The Redskins defense is still good, no matter how bad they've looked recently, and the Eagles defense still isn't. (Giving up 32 points to the Lions, and letting the Texans come back from a 17 point deficit in the second half)  But if for no other reason than that I've decided karma exists and Mcnabb deserves a bit of revenge.  The Washington Redskins will rise above the relevance of this game in both the standings and in judgement of these two great quarterbacks.  The problem is that I would not have called Vick a great quarterback before last week.  The 'Skins win 16-13 over the Eagles.  BEST BET.
 

Arizona @ San diego

The Chargers are the most inconsistent team in the history of teams that revile in inconsistency, inconsistently.  They were upset that Vincent Jackson and Marcus Mcneil continue to not get the money or the reasonable trade they deserve.  Phillip Rivers is sick of not knowing where to go with the ball when Gates is covered.  The special teams has been pathetic, and the linebacking corps feature Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman seems to get worse every year for some reason.  Their secondary is great, Antoine Cason in particular, and forget Ryan Matthews running ability, turn him into LT.  Rivers is a top 5 QB in the league on any given sunday and with all that said, the only thing that really needed to be said was this.  The Cardinals are still one of the worst teams in the league.   San Diego Chargers 28 -  Arizona Cardinals 14

Chicago @ New York Giants

Wow, Have you seen Jay Cutler chuckin' that football lately?  That dude can play, last year's interception ratio must've been an abberation.  And all those years when he had all that potential, that amazing receiver Brandon Marshall, a solid running game and a good defense....all those seasons of losing were somehow not his fault.  All those years of under-performing, all those interceptions each and every season don't matter.  He's the next Brett Favre, he's a gun-slinger, it's just how he rolls.  Now I know I'm going to be considered a homer, a loser, a fanatic and a moron by picking the G-men to take this game tonight...and I accept that criticism.  But for everyone to think the Giants are done after two bad performances against two good teams...well, its time for the blue guys to prove you wrong.  If the Bears win, I may in fact decide that the Giants really aren't any good, but I will STILL not believe in the Bears.  Adding Julius Peppers to that defense covers up their weak secondary, an aging group of linebackers, a risk-taking Quarterback and a running back who is better as a receiver.  Beyond the fact that although Cutler has been great and has withstood so much pressure the last few weeks, that offensive line is a real problem.  It's this simple, the Giants can pass rush, the Bears can't stop a pass rush.  And the Giants can throw the ball, if the receivers could handle Eli's hard throws, Eli would have only one interception (that left-handed play was brilliant, it just didn't work).  The passing yards have been there, but with less mistakes in terms of turnovers and penalties, and against an inferior team in the NFC...New York Giants 24-14 over the Chicago Bears.  And no kicks in the direction of Devin Hester.

New England @ Miami

This is the best, toughest, smartest, strongest, sexiest game of the week!  I have struggled to decide what I want to decide about this game all week long.  The Pats offense is great but is it as great as their defense is bad?  I don't know, but I don't think Henne and Marshall have that chemistry quite yet.  Tom Brady has been bad in Miami but that was when the Dolphins had a superb defense, now they merely have a very good defense.  I want to pick the Dolphins because they shouldn't be underdogs, and too many experts are all of a sudden dismissing them and picking the Patriots.  However, I'm the one who thought this Pats offense would look so much better, Welker needs to hurry up and heal, Tate needs to hold onto the ball, and Brady needs to stop thinking so much and just go out and do what he does.  I don't think this game means the Dolphins will be out of it.  But I was so high on the Dolphins, I think they're a wild card team, and that loss to the Jets, which I picked could ruin all that....  Anyway, what's going on, what am I talkin about, where am I?     The New England Patriots will defeat the Miami dolphins, Final Score : 27-20

Here's expecting a 12-4 win/loss record, hoping for a 10-6 record, disregarding the eventual, inevitable 8-8 results.  At least that would mean consistency.  Go ahead, tell me how wrong I am now, let's verbally fight over irrelevant statistics and such.   Let's all hope this upcoming week is full of way more fun and sun than this one, and pray that winter doesn't come to soon!  Have a great sunday everyone, good luck in your fantasy leagues!!!!!!

  - Troy Lightner (Trizz)

Trizz's Picks : NFL Week Three. 100% Guaranteed to be less wrong than last week!

Before we get to the serious business of myself channeling my great uncle's ability to time travel and pick NFL games correctly (but not give the exact score in order to hide said time travel), I want to point out that Boise State is about to win a college football game, I predict.  Fans in love with the color blue, people who hate small schools making too much noise in the BCS, and good teams that only plan on having one loss by the conclusion of this season will take note.  If college football was played mostly during the middle of a boring work week, I believe more people outside of the college experience would care, America loves any kind of football with its violence and agression.  Thus MLB takes a backseat until the playoffs, where a monday night football game would still trounce the World Series in ratings.  More importantly Skip Bayless once stated that rappers Nelly and Lil' Wayne are better (musically) than Eminem or Jay-Z.  Although most mainstream rap isn't very good compared to the underground artists in general, and Jay-Z is extremely overrated (his flow is lame), I believe that to be a good example of Skip's level of ridiculousness.  If he stopped bashing Lebron or Tiger and just stayed focused on the things he actually knows about (and has evidence backing his opinions) than he would be a voice America could trust so much more than the rest of ESPN and the mainstream media.  P.S.  Rob Parker did not dispute the awesomeness of Nelly (he's a black sports reporter from New York).  P.P.S.  I'm willing to bet Limp Bizkit is Skip's favorite band.

There's no need to fear, UnderDog is here...was the statement made last week by an NFL so full of parody.  Week two called for a sophmore slump in brilliance seeing as how many inferior teams won.  I do blame myself for betting against the Colts and the Chargers, there are only a few teams that have been good every year for the last 5 years and those are two of them.  I regret it, but alas, we all live, then we learn, my picks this week are destined for greatness...  I will have a better record than most of the mainstream media by season's end and time has come to get back on track.  The fact that I agreed with almost all of my friends picks, Blake seems completely sensible to me, and the fact that the Bills at the Pats game will be universally counted in the win column of every sports writer's prediction win/loss record...  It all means that Blake will go 12-4 and I will go 13-3.  Let's begin.

BEST BET = The three games Troy guarantees to be right about 66% of the time in terms of both the winner and vs. the spread.  Guaranteed.  Record thus far. 4-2.

Cincinnati at Carolina

It is actually difficult to NOT find a humiliating picture of Jimmy Clausen.

Go ahead, google it.

To the other writers on this site who told coach John Fox to start Jimmy Clausen...I shake my head.  I shake my head in an up and down motion, than side to side, not in agreement or discontent, but rather because no sports fan has ever cared less about any team's quarterback situation.  Blake is right, the Panthers will not be good, I'm willing to suggest that they might be the third worst team in the league, perhaps they'll make their way to second if Clausen is as good as I think he is.  If the Bills weren't so insanely, disgustingly terrible, the Panthers would be an even bigger joke.  Their pass rushing is mediocre, their secondary is no good, but their offense is so much worse than everyone expected it to be before the season started.  Matt Moore looked good at the end of last season, and half of the expert scouts don't think Clausen can play in the NFL.  I blame the Quarterbacks coach for Moore's poor decision-making so far, but it doesn't matter either way.  Sam Bradford IS more NFL ready than Jimmy will be next year, without Donnie Avery, Sam has nobody to throw to and we have yet to discuss how bad he's been.  I do disagree with any resemblence of a close game here, Caron Palmer doesn't get too many chances to make T.O. and Ochocinco happy, so he'll take this one.  Cincinnati rocks the Panthers, 33-10.  BEST BET. (the spread is 3 points, you can't lose)

San Francisco at Kansas City

In spite of 49ers haters out there, and equally in spite of the media's high expectations, the niners played very well last week.  If you saw Alex Smith run the 2 minute offense at the end of the game, you would've become a believer in the niners 6-year veteran QB, if only for a moment.  Then of course Brees did what he does, somehow, someway gets his offense back down the field against a strong defensive effort by San Fran.  Too bad Patrick Willis can't play cornerback, safety and defensive end or the 49ers defense would look more like that of the Steelers.  I picked the Chiefs to lose last week, I was a week early, this one better be a laugher, or Singletary may never laugh again.  The 49ers would've won last week if they weren't so young and inexperienced (and unable to hold onto the football).  Why Blake is barely picking the 49ers to beat the spread is beyond me, NFL games are not always close, this one will not be.   San Francisco 31-16 over the overrated Chiefs. 

Buffalo at New England

The Patriots haven't lost to the Bills in New England since the Red Sox broke the curse, Jim Kelly was Buffalo's quarterback, or (in a pop culture reference) since Lindsay Lohan was sweet and innocent.  (since Tom Brady last cut his hair, Zing.   Speaking of which, when asked about his new look, Brady simply told reporters to ask his model girlfriend).  Why do I have time and space to not actually comment on this game?... because the Buffalo Bills couldn't beat a division III school.  C.J. Spiller is explosive, I hope he scores a TD for my fantasy team. (He's one of the Bills running backs).  The Bills seem to switch from Trent Edwards to Ryan Fitzpatrick every season, as it never makes them any better, and soon they'll be re-signing a guy named J.P. Losman.  I love the Pats offense to have a bigger year than anyone expects, I love their defense to be more average than poor on their quest to best the Jets, but this game always has a low scoring feel to it.  So in a crazy move, we all know the Pats will win...but they are favored by 14 points...and I will...say that they...win by.... New England 24  Buffalo 7.  Guess they will beat the spread, BTW Blizzard, Fred Taylor is their running back, he's great at Blitz pick-up and he will have a 100-yard game this year. (One of the three games that he is actually healthy)

Tennessee at NY Giants

Here we are with one of the first intriguing match ups of the weekend.  I could not possibly disagree with Blake so often whilst still picking the same teams and odds.  These two teams will absolutely finish the season at .500 or better, though the Giants will have a better chance to make the postseason in a weak conference (i.e. Vikings, Cowboys).  Last time these two teams squared off back in 2006, Vince Young led an astounding 4th quarter comeback after the Titans had trailed 17-0 for a majority of the game.  Vince Young also won the National Championship in college football with a less talented Texas team, with more late-game heroics.  The Tennessee Titans went 10-6, making the postseason, the last time Young was their full-time starter for the entire season (15 starts) in 2007.  Last year Vince Young was named the starter after the Titans had an 0-6 start, leading the team to a 7-2 record in it's last 9 games.  He's certainly had some emotional troubles, maturity issues along with bad judgement but Vince Young might be a good quarterback (he's certainly gotten better each year) and he's proven how clutch he can be.  Jeff Fisher has never liked, never respected, never believed in, and never wanted Vince to be his starting quarterback.  For Fisher to bench Young after Vince performed poorly against the best defense in the NFL in the first half, knowing how great Vince Young has been at the end of games (and how sensitive Vince has been), in favor of an old man like Kerry Collins was one of the stupidest coaching moves I've ever seen.  Kerry Collins wasn't even that good in his prime, while Vince is a winner.  Jeff Fisher has always been overrated, but now it seems he's gotten to the point where he feels like he can do whatever the hell he wants without consequence, I'd like to think it's complacency more than it is idiocy.  I might have actually picked the Titans in a mild upset, and I still think Vince will finally grow up and come back strong.  The Titans secondary is good too, but this pick is not about them.  The Titans defense has lost a good Haynesworth and Vonden Bosch in recent years, they still have no talented receivers and Chris Johnson is already looking more like a 1,500 yard back than a 2,500 yard one with defenses not only worries about him running, but also the quarterback taking off.  To the Giants, They're better than however awful they looked last week against possibly the best team in football (particularly at home), Their running backs and O-line aren't completely useless, Eli is still the most overlooked top 10 QB in the NFL, Steve Smith is due for a big game, The pass rush is still strong, and they have big-time big play-makers at the safety positions.  I'm not over-hyping them, they're still above-average to good at best, and the AFC is still a much stronger conference.  Blake unknowingly ( I think) and unconventionally picked this game to be a push.  Unless the Giants win by 3 points exactly, he's not getting credit, however I won't count it as a loss because he almost can't win.  Unless he's actually a genius and/or knows the future...   New York wins 27-20 against the titillating Titans.  New York is favored by 3.

Cleveland at Baltimore

Little did the Browns know that they would be even worse without these guys.

Another game this week that almost everyone who picks games (and even those who do not) can agree upon.  I thought the Browns might get off to the type of start that the chiefs actually got off to, the city was somewhat hopeful after the way the team finished last season (and with Holmgren's arrival).  They barely lost to the Bucs, then went on to barely lose to the Chiefs.  Almost beating two bad teams still means that they've lost 2 games they could've won.  I would love to be able to pick the Browns straight up, I like their defense a little, but how exactly do the Browns plan on scoring?  However, I will pick the Browns to beat the hell out of a huge spread (10 1/2).  Even though the Ravens offense looks to get back on track, they'll have to wait at least one more week...  the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Cleveland Browns 16-10.

Dallas at Houston

The Houston Texans inspiration to win at home

WRITE IT DOWN... NOW.  THE HOUSTON TEXANS WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL IF MATT SCHAUB STAYS HEALTHY!  I predicted the Cowboys would win the NFC East and earn the #2 seed in the NFC on there way to losing in the divisional round of the playoffs.  However, now that the 'Boys have ruined the reputation of their entire division (still a good - tough division, I say) they have to play one of the best up and coming teams in football.  After finally conquering the mountain, the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans pulled off the most remarkable comeback last week against a very good Redskins defense.  The Texans out-offensed Peyton's Colts and then went on to once again show that their defense steps up when it needs to, and their offense can put up points fast.  Brian Cushing is the AFC's lesser version of Clay Matthews, and he returns in a few weeks from suspension (for performance enhancing drug use) which will inevitably make the Texans defense and their team much more formidable.  The Cowboys need to win, but they've never been able to handle pressure when facing opponents who are equally or nearly as talented.  If the Cowboys do find a way to win though, then my playoff predictions start looking a little better, because the Texans will still be leading their division as well (as I said they would).  Unfortunately for Dallas, Demarcus Ware is amazing but he also seems to be the only guy on defense who comes to play every week.  Romo is still a good quarterback (even if you don't think so) and if the Cowboys can start running the football anywhere near the way they did last season, they have a legitimate chance to win this game.  They're going to lose though, not entirely because they'll choke, but because the Houston Texans are a better team.  The Houston Texans will take out their state rival, the Dallas Cowboys.  30-24.

 

Detroit at Minnesota

Detroit is better than their 0-2 record might suggest, unfortunately for the unemployment-ridden city, so are the Minnesota Vikings.  Favre can't find a receiver and has remembered that he often likes to complete passes to guys not wearing purple.  The Lions have pass rushers, but they'll need run stoppers as Adrian Peterson chalks up 150, and there's a Toby Gerhart sighting.  As much as I hate to constantly agree with the favorites and the experts, I'm not going to ever disagree out of spite for the media.  The Lions offense has looked pretty good, Matthew Stafford will come back down to earth though this weekend.  The Vikings need to win and the Lions don't know how to win.  The Vikings are 10 1/2 point favorites.  The Vikings will win 23-12, narrowly beating the spread and assisting me in defeating Blake's record against the spread.  So there.

Atlanta at New Orleans

I am as down on the Atlanta Falcons as it has been said that I am.  I am a firm believer that the Arizona Cardinals are one of the least talented teams in football and so I picked the Falcons to run up the score last week (correctly, I might add).  However, as little respect as I have for the NFC in general, and as much as my blood boils of hatred for the Saints (only because I didn't think they deserved to win the Super Bowl).  The Falcons are the most inconsistent team with ability I've ever seen, year in and year out.  Their defense doesn't do well in the face of adversity, Michael Turner is still too tired from two seasons ago (when he carried the ball more times than anyone else, by far), Ton-Gon continues to get older, and Roddy White can't catch every pass.  Matt Ryan is better than Flacco, for your information, but that is not much of an accomplishment.  They are above average quarterbacks, but at least the Ravens have a superb defense.  Ryan should have his moments but the Saints win by creating turnovers and finding different ways to succeed on offense.  Another game that will lack excitement regarding a competetive game.  New Orleans Saints will clip the Falcon's wings (a pun that every sports expert predicting games has to use at least twice per season considering how many team names feature a type of bird.)  Meanwhile, 34-21.

Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay

I think the Bucs offense is awful, they're 2-0 after facing two bad teams, and I also believe them to be one of the 10 least talented teams in the NFL.  I mean think about it, can you really think of 10 other teams that you know are worse?  I have little faith in the Bucs, and the Steelers defense is incredible.  And yes, forget about the hair, Troy Polamalu is the biggest difference making individual player in football, bar none.  Ed Reed and Ray Lewis have gotten older, but have also always had great players around them (ask the DE with the unpronounceable name Haloti Ngata, or Terrell Suggs).  A few years ago the debate was which player,  Bob Sanders or Polamalu, was more important to their team's defense, and which one is the best defensive player in football?  The debate was cancelled, the questions answered, the proof found in the pudding...Troy is the greatest (possibly the greatest safety ever).  Not to mention the Steelers linebackers are far and away the best defensive group in the NFL, they have FOUR top tier linebackers. FOUR, remarkable!  So it's impossible to believe that I'm picking the Bucs... but I am.  No one expected the Steelers to start the season 2-0, some fans were praying for a 1-3 start without Rothliesberger.  Most experts did not have the Steelers going to the playoffs (props to Peter King, though YOU sir, are wrong about them heading to the Super Bowl).  Anyway, my point being, everything is good in the Steel city, everyone is ecstatic about the team's play.  Pittsburgh will not be taking the 2-0 NFC Buccaneers seriously, and Charlie Batch will finally look like the 4th string quarterback / Coach's assistant that he really is.  One thing I do know about Tampa Bay, their defense is always pretty good, and it's off to another solid start.  The Bucs won't allow many points, and Josh Freeman has just as good a chance of scoring on the Steelers defense as any other average quarterback does.  The Steelers will be content to go 3-1 or 2-2 without Big Ben, their offense will finally cost them by turning the ball over, and the Bucs will squeak out a victory.  Tampa Bay's defense defeats Pittsburgh's defense 13-9 in an almost unwatchable game.

Philadelphia at Jacksonville

  If you believe in karma, Vick will be sent to hell and torn apart by dogs for eternity.  I hate Peta.

I am a Jacksonville fan in a way.  Everyone in the mainstream media sports world seems to presume that they will be a 7-9 at best, and / or  6-10 team if they live up to potential.  Unfortunately for large cat haters (Lions and Panthers look to be terrible, thankfully), they have been an 8-8 team every time YOU think they're going to really fail miserably like they're supposed to, seeing as how they have no fans (Much like the Tampa Bay Rays).  They may be inconsistent at best, but they're still a playoff contender in spite of their average quarterback situation every year.  It's understandable why they chose Garrard over Leftwich, because they knew that they'd have to win in spite of their QB anyway.  However, I'd like to personally take the time to thank my fellow blogger because the Eagles will undoubtedly win this one.  The Jaguars have been, and always will be better than you think they are even without very many fans or believers.  Although I think of the Eagles as a 9-7 team if everything goes as planned in the NFC, I am forced to think playing in Jacksonville might help the Eagles.  In that regard, as much as I like the Jaguars to get back to an 8-8 record, and as much as I like the Eagles to not be talented enough to be more than a 9-7 team, the Eagles are definitely going to win this game.  Michael Vick has already looked better than at any other time in his professional career, keeping his eyes upfield while flying around the field behind the line of scrimmage.  Kolb could still be pretty good someday, but in the NFL, you play the quarterback who gives you the best chance to win RIGHT now.   Why would Andy Reid just concede a playoff spot to allow Kolb to mature and gain experience?  My own respect for the Jags and the Eagles defense's lack of an identity since the death of their hall of fame coach do nothing to change my mind, and though the Eagles are merely favored by 3...  Eagles will win 24-18... beating the odds... and Mo-Jo.

Washington at St. Louis

Unfortunately for the credibility of this site, Blake Broussard often doesn't listen to his head nor make an "educated" guess, instead choosing to pick a team just to be different.  What I've learned after my first two weeks of slight brilliance, but being far too wrong on these picks than I'd like to be is that there are times to go with your gut, and then there are predictions of games in which logic must prevail.  Blake gets to one of these 4 pm games and realizes he's picked too many favorites, and throws an off-the-wall curveball at us all.  It hasn't hurt him too badly as of yet, but this time he's in trouble.  Thankfully his absurdity has given me one game in which I know I will win, and he will lose.  This week I'm finally feeling it, the gut instinct that produces the knowledge in which I'll use to be occasionally right all sunday long.  The Rams are only going to win a certain amount of games in all, and to pick them to win against a more talented Redskins team (a 'Skins team that some picked to be over .500 or to make the playoffs) (like myself) that could and perhaps should be 2-0 would be blasphemy.  The Redskins defense is in the top 10 once again and now they finally have a veteran quarterback who knows how to manage games until there's a need to take risks.  For Commisioner Goodell to not put in place some type of policy dis-allowing timeouts milli-seconds before a field goal attempt is pathetic.  The Redskins may, I emphasize may, not be talented, resilient, or have had enough time to create enough team chemistry to make the postseason this year, but even if they don't, the Rams are the king of awful and no one has any reason to believe otherwise since the Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk era ended so many years ago.  As previously mentioned, without Avery the Rams have one of the worst receiving corps.  Top draft picks like Chris Long and Adam Carriker have been pretty bad.  James Lauranitis being a solid MLB doesn't mean that I can name one other good player on their defense.  While Washington finally has the quarterback that they tried to make a less talented Jason Campbell become, an incredible defense, and the mental toughness to beat a Rams team in need of some superstars.    The Washington Redskins will rise above the awareness they're in the boring town of St. Louis (Shout out to Nelly)... the Skins beat the Rams 38-13.  BEST BET!  I always get one of these wrong! Hooray!

Oakland at Arizona

Although I was almost as big on Jason Campbell's arrival as the QB of the Raiders as most of those morons at ESPN who thought the Raiders were postseason bound, I still did not think that an average quarterback would make the Raiders win too many more games.  I was merely happy that Al Davis finally came to his senses and moved on from the Jamarcus Russell debacle.  Granted I thought that the Raiders might actually win 5 games for the first time in quite awhile, but all the 8-8 or potential postseason bologna that everyone was talkin' nearly made me sick (as sick as turkey bologna).  I didn't truly take into account the fact that once again Jason Campbell was trying to learn a new offense, after having a new offensive coordinator every year for 4 years beforehand.  No matter how many great running backs the Raiders may have (do they have any?), their O-line is so weak...  Darren Mcfadden is just waiting to have a breakout season, perhaps.  Their defense never seems to get better than their superstar cornerback and a decent linebacker.  Think about some of the Raiders first round picks recently like Darius Heyward Bey, Darren Mcfadden, Jamarcus Russell, or anyone else already forgotten because of inability.  Bruce Gradkowski doesn't nearly have the arm, the height, or the great receiver that his counterpart does, but I have faith that he can manage the clock and score at will against a bad defense.  The only reason I know that the Raiders are going to win this game, is because the Cardinals are the 6th worst team in the NFL.  Derek Anderson has a great arm and one of the best receivers in the league, but physical ability does not dictate desicion making.  The Cardinals lines are not good enough and I've already stated how many of their talented players they've lost heading into this season.  I honestly believe that Ken Whisenhunt is a fantastic coach, and of course he needed to accept the first head coaching job he was offered (look at Jason Garrett of the Cowboys who turned down oppurtunities and will now never be a head coach) but he should've probably given it one more year. (I know you think that's crazy because he made it to the Super Bowl...but the man has no ring, and now he's stuck with a team that won't be very good for years to come).  For him to lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl on the back of Kurt Warner was impressive in itself but I have to believe he's in the process of completely re-building the oganization from the ground up, in spite of terrible ownership.   Speaking of terrible ownership, Oakland wins 17-13 and the fact that the Cardinals are favored disgusts reasonable fans, experts, and all of those who thought the Raiders were going to be much improved.

San Diego at Seattle

What an easy pick for even the most stupidest of the dumb prognosticators.   The Chargers must be angry at their owner, particularly Phillip Rivers, because A.J. Smith has not only refused to give left tackle Marcus Mcneil or wide receiver Vincent Jackson a fair contract, but now he's decided not to trade Jackson to the Vikings (who needed him in the worst way) out of spite, despite some reasonable offers.  After a few fools listening to Colin Cowherd decided the Seahawks are the beast of the NFC west after their week one upset over the favored 49ers, that's when I first came to terms with the fact that even sports experts or analysts can  completely overreact after a singular football game.  To proclaim the Seahawks anything but mediocre to bad... it was just irrational and shocking.  Think people!  The NFC east is still good even if the Cowboys aren't as good as we all thought, the Dolphins aren't going to score 30 points and the Chargers will still manage to win the worst division in football (if not for the NFC west).  I told myself and anyone who would listen that San Fran was still going to win the division, and it had nothing to do with how good they might wind up becoming, but because the rest of the teams won't win more than 7 games.  I still have a bit of faith in the 49ers as you can tell from my pick this week (though they have yet to win), but my hatred for the 'hawks began long before this season.  Hasselback is always an above average quarterback, but not being AS good as Carson Palmer or Jay Cutler can put things in perspective.  Leon Washington might be of value next season, I can't name a receiver on that team, Lofa Totapu is the only MLB to get worse after a great rookie season.  I didn't think the Chargers would even beat the Jaguars last week, but the Jaguars got 7-9 and random upsets on lock, that being on them.  While the Chargers win another division title with another mediocre regular season record for a playoff team.  Ryan Matthews is going to do something, the lines have always been good and the defense makes plays.  San Diego 24-10 over the Seattle Seahawks.  And one vote for Pete Carroll going back to a different college football team before becoming successful again.

Indianapolis at Denver

There has been some speculation that this is Tim Tebow's girlfriend. 

I speculate that he would not know what to do with...that...or...

Reason #43 Tim Tebow and the Jonas Brothers are not actually virgins

Here's what happened last week...the Colts unbelievable awesomeness took Sunday Night Football over, as they showed the world how incredible they still are.  Don't completely discount the Giants for the rest of the season just because Indy has more talent in their figurative pinky finger than most of the rest of the league.  Robert Mathis continues to prove that he makes Freeney even better by being nearly as good occupying and pass rushing from the other side of the line.  Bullitt can actually fulfill Bob Sander's general role on the field, and Gary Brackett is pretty damn good in his own right (as the middle linebacker).  For them to have any type of decent defense to compliment the unstoppable offense is almost, entirely unfair.  The one thing I noticed last week (before I could no longer stand to watch such a lopsided affair) is that the Colts defense is fast and great in pursuit.  To have the pass rushers they do with a linebacking core and secondary so quick to the ball, they will continue to have a better defense than their talent would suggest.  There's no reason to discuss the offense, if they're able to start running the ball a little more like they used to, mixing up their offensive gameplan, they will be even more perfect than usual.    The Broncos offensive line is not good enough that they can just plug random running backs in to get 1,200 yards this season, unlike other seasons.  I like Josh Mcdaniels, I like his style, I like his smarts...  And as much as I sort of like Tim Tebow's future as an NFL quarterback, to pick him that soon was a bit looney.  They could've used a play-maker at one of the Skills positions but Mcdaniels has some kind of crazy 10 year plan for success,  I'm sure.  Knowshon Moreno is pretty good, he's injured, but more unexpectantly is that Champ Bailey, the oldest good cornerback in the league, will also be out for this game...  the Colts were going to be way too good anyway...  Indianapolis Colts decimate the Denver Broncos 34-19 !!  BEST BET : the Colts should win by at least a touchdown.

NY Jets at Miami

Not only do I disagree, but I most certainly do not concur with anyone on this game.  That's right Marcellus Wiley, the Dolphins will not win in a high-scoring affair.  I planned to pick the Pats all along last week, the Dolphins this week, I wished upon the Jets for them to go 0-4 against their good division opponents, and not only did I not buy into the hype, but I created the anti-hype.  However, the New York Jets look like they have such a terrific defense that they barely even need the best cornerback in football, Darelle Revis.  Rex Ryan may talk a big game in general but he certainly knows how to coach and call a smart & strong defensive unit.  He was a big part of the Ravens success for many years, and the Jets might have even more talent than the Ravens of the past ever did (collectively, not defensively).  Big compliment time.  On the other hand, I'm ridiculous and the Dolphins defense is pretty damn good in its own right (as we all saw against the Vikings).  As much as I was willing and waiting and salivating to pick the Dolphins in this game all week, I've done a complete U-turn.  I think it might either be because it seems as though everyone is now picking the Dolphins to win this one or because the Jets seriously impressed me last week against a Patriots team that looked worse than it is (especially on offense).  The Dolphins are the logical pick based on how solid they've been, but the Jets offense has more potential to put up points than the Henne to Marshall connection that does not yet exist.   The Jets outlast the Dolphins, out-play, out-....beat, the Dolphins, the outcome becoming 20-10.  Jets over Dolphins.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Clay Matthew's hair. (Troy Polamalu's secret is out. Hair = Greatness)

 Yet another matchup that has me torn. The Green Bay Packers are hands down the better team, sure, but the most storied rivalry in NFL history can always go either way.  It's true that Cutler has looked great under the genius of Mike Martz, and it's even MORE true that the Bears are 2-0 (as are the Pack).  This game has too much hype, though in terms of momentum (as with my blog writing partner) I totally wanted to go with the Bears.  My gutty instincts screamed at me that the Bears were going to win this one all along, but the Packers are one of the only teams in the NFC that I feel is definitely assured of a postseason spot, while I'm not sure if the Bears have gotten any better since last year.  The Bears don't have one receiver who can catch, Matt Forte is a running back who doesn't run (like the Giant's Ahmad Bradshaw), and I can't name one guy on the O-line who is even as good as the aging Olin Kruetz.  Not only has the Bears defense lost quickness over the last few seasons, but with Urlacher's downgrade in talent due to age or injury...  Mr. Blizzard is a huge Packers fan, and white people love to see great white athletes (because we wish that was us), but Clay Matthews is not as good as he'll have you believe.  6 sacks in 2 games is a terrific feat, but accomplishments are only as good as your latest performance.  Cutler will not decide to throw a lot of INTs as you'd expect against a play-making defense, and the defense will pretend it's young or talented again.  Quick side note, the USC Trojans have always had fantastic collegian players.  However guys like Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez, Reggie Bush and Lendale White have not been been as good or had much success in the NFL.  I can't even name one of their defensive players to recently make it to the NFL, other than Taylor Mays who fell far in the draft.  What I'm saying is the fact that Clay Matthews, a WHITE outside linebacker, playing for a school that does not have players who translate well to the Pros, has become the best linebacker in football is surprising to say the least.  Green Bay is favored by 3 in another good match up.  Screw that.  The Bears defeat logic, talent, reason and Clay Matthews ( who will only get one sack) by defeating the Pack in a Classic.  20-17.

Have a great Sunday watching the NFL sports fanatics!  I am stuck with the Patriots - Bills game on CBS at 1pm due to my poor decision to live in New England.  I will be missing my favorite team play a great game against a good team, so the local radio sportscast will be my companion.  Big networks that have 2 different channels in the same area should use that power responsibly, by showing 2 different NFL games.  It is now time to figure out what awful running backs I will have to start on my fantasy teams today...  Take care and don't bet against me unless you're going to be right.  For those of you who read the first draft of this article, with me being as tired as 4 am made me...I apologize.  PEACE!
  - Troy Lightner (Trizz)