NFL Week 4 Game by Game Predictions

Jeff Fisher and the Rams have plenty of reason to worry about the 49ers

San Francisco @ St. Louis Rams

The 49ers sure do not look like the team that took the field two weeks ago against Green Bay. And with the losses of Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis on defense, you should expect the Rams to attack the 49ers in the intermediate passing game. You should expect San Francisco to attack St. Louis defense in every way on Thursday and get back to business, because the Rams have looked abysmal on that side of the ball up to his point. The 49ers potent run game should ultimately dominate the time of possession and give them a big road win. Niners by 2

Chicago Bear @ Detroit Lions

Reggie Bush not playing in this game is going to kill the Lions. Not only that, but Nate Burleson just broke his arm in a car accident. Chicago can never seem to shut down Calvin Johnson and they usually don't have to for victories against Detroit. I like Joique Bell and what he brings to the table, but the Bears defense is still beastly on it's worst day. The Lions D-line looks good but they will give up 100 rushing yards because of their average secondary. Brandon Marshall goes for 2 TDs and the Bears win by 3

Jake Locker is playing at a very high level

New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans

Tennessee is really in for ta dogfight against the Jets "tough as nails" defense. Rex Ryan has his team sitting at 2-1 and aims to outplay New York's opponents by playing physical. Tennessee may have more weapons than the Jets coming into this home contest but that doesn't mean anything. The key to this game is Jake Locker not turning the ball over. If he plays well, then the Titans have a chance to show the NFL how good they can really be. With that said, Geno Smith needs to show me that he can win on the road in the NFL. Until then I can't pick the Jets away from Metlife Stadium. Titans by 3

Arizona Cardinals @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Tampa Bay is setting itself up for a mid-season explosion that the NFL hasn't seen in quite some time. Their head coach, starting QB and General Manager should all be gone by Week 10 if the Bucs don't get things going very soon. Arizona on the other the hand looks promising even though they have a 1-2 record. They bring in a talented offense that was shut down by New Orleans last week but still has plenty of play-making ability. In fact, I expect the Cardinals to outscore Tampa on the road and win the turnover margin battle. Arizona by 1

Julio Jones needs Roddy White for the Falcons to be dangerous

New England Patriots @ Atlanta Falcons

Tom Brady has to be happier every day that he wakes up, because that means he is one day closer to getting Rob Gronkowski back in his offense. He is managing to keep the Patriots afloat as he is more than the team leader that others personify him as. Regardless of how much talent the Falcons possess in Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez...I still have to go with Brady against Atlanta's awful defense. Patriots by 3

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

In what "should" be a tough division game, the Browns will looks to stun the world again this week by beating the Cincinnati Bengals. AJ Green has had a monstrous season to date and I expect that trend to continue Sunday against Joe Haden. Cincinnati should win this game on paper but Brian Hoyer and Jordan Cameron give Cleveland a legitimate chance. When Willis McGahee gets it going the Browns could be a "trap game" team for any opponent going forward. Still, I'm calling the Bengals by 1

Wesley Woodyard is holding down the Broncos D

Philadelphia Eagles @ Denver Broncos

Philadelphia's defensive woes will certainly continue as they have to hit the road and take on Peyton Manning. The future Hall of Fame QB has been the NFL's MVP by a long shot through 3 games and will continue his dominance Sunday. On a side note, Michael Vick might not make it past the 3rd quarter against Denver's physical defense. I still love what Chip Kelly brings to the table from an offensive perspective but this is the game that he has to keep Vick in the pocket. Denver by 9

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Last week I predicted that the Seahawks would beat Jacksonville by 17 in Seattle. However, I was wrong. The difference in the outcome was actually 28. Until Justin Blackmon returns and MJD gets haelthy, I refuse to write about the abysmal Jaguars. Colts by 7

I can't imagine how disappointed AP is right now

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Minnesota Vikings (London)

In the battle of two 0-3 teams that no one saw coming, the Steelers will look to get rid of this blemish once and for all. They still possess a better QB and defense than Minnesota, and will put a ton of pressure on Christian Ponder. Look for the Steelers to force 3 turnovers and get their first victory of the 2013 season. Pittsburgh by 4

Miami Dolphins @ New Orleans Saints

Miami is 3-0? WOW. The Saints are 3-0? Not a surprise with Sean Payton returning to the sidelines. The Dolphins have a stout defense but apparently so does New Orleans this year. With the absence of Cameron Wake there is more pressure on rookie Dion Jordan to perform at a high level. My guess is that he will be contained against Drew Brees' pass protection and that the Saints will win a close one in the Superdome. New Orleans by 3

Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders

Every game it seems that RGIII is getting better and the Redskins defense is getting worse.  In fact, the Skins D is ranked 31st in the NFL against BOTH rushing and passing. Awful. I expect RGIII to have another nice game and hopefully lead Washington to victory, but it will be tough in the black hole. The Raiders are 1st in the NFL in rushing offense and that should control the entire game. Whether Terrelle Pryor plays or not won't make a difference in this one. Raiders by 3

Justin Houstin will look to harass Eli Manning

New York Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs

What in the world has happened to the Giants? They lack a running game, steady pass protection and a the prominent pass rush that they are known to possess. I know they looked like the worst team in the NFL on Sunday, but they still have explosive play-makers on the offensive side of the ball. Kansas City's D-line is nowhere close to Carolina's so Eli Manning should get more time in the pocket. This game should be closer than people expect and Alex Smith can actually mess this one up for the Chiefs. Who am I kidding...Kansas City by 1


Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans

If Houston wants to become a Super Bowl winning franchise, they better dig deep on this day against the Seahawks. In what is possibly the best match-up of the weekend, Houston hosts Russell Wilson and the best team in the NFL. I think the Texans will get to Russell Wilson a couple of times but he has yet to show that pressure forces him into making bad decisions. Houston may have the more prominent players on the field but they will certainly be tested, if not beat by the Texans on this day. The key to Houston winning will be the health of Andre Johnson. We have seen that Nuke Hopkins can be a threat on the NFL level but Houston will need two playmaking receivers along with Owen Daniels against the best secondary in the league. Houston wins a nail-biter by 1


Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is on the fringe of going off the deep end if they don't start getting some healthy players back on both sides of the ball. Baltimore is getting hot at the right time and looks to steam-roll Buffalo and their rookie QB. EJ Manuel has looked good this season but shows no signs of becoming a top-notch QB before the season ends. The Ravens will force a couple of turnovers and get back on track at 3-1. No Ray Rice. No Problem. Baltimore by 3

Philip Rivers can lead the Chargers to another victory against NFC East competition

Dallas Cowboys @ San Diego Chargers

DeMarco Murray ran the ball very well in his last contest against the Rams and looks to do so against San Diego's lackluster run D. However, Dallas doesn't exactly bolster a great defense themselves. And not having Anthony Spears for the rest of the year doesn't help their cause, either. Tony Romo and Dez Bryant should be the difference makers in this game but for some reason Philip Rivers is playing out of his mind. It's a tough call, but I'm going with the Chargers by 1

Who Believed the Chiefs Would Win Last Night?

Andy Reid is still a good coach in the NFL

  
   After last night's loss, people are wondering is the Philadelphia Eagles are still the real deal or were they a one game wonder...Well, I have to tell you that coaching in the NFL is a learning process just like playing the game. You can talk about it all you want, but until the experience is there you will not see the proper results. Just look at Pete Carroll. The Seahawks were not a very good football team when he took over as the head coach, and they did not have immediate success, either. It was a premiere rushing attack that got Carroll off the hot seat in Seattle, because he already had the defensive schemes in place. And now here is Chip Kelly...who has offensive schemes that will give NFL coaches nightmares for as long as he coaches in this league. Does he have a good enough defense this year to make the playoffs? No. I still see the Eagles on the fringe of an 8-8 season, but they must first prove that they can bounce back after back to back losses, while solving their turnover problem.

   Ahhh...Andy Reid. It seems like it was just yesterday when people were screaming "Fire Andy Reid Now" at the top of their lungs. And now those same individuals cannot believe that Reid has the Kansas City Chiefs sitting at 3-0 in the same division as Peyton Manning. This is what Reid was brought here for. He wanted to get a turnover-free QB, Alex Smith, and be with a team that had a solid defense. Because in all actuality, Reid got to choose which job he wanted to take based off what circumstances HE felt would be a great fit. Well, he found an incredible fit with the Chiefs and vice-verse. Philly lacked a physical defense that could stop opponents over the past two years, while also having QBs who had issues turning the ball over. You think Andy Reid is on cloud 9 after beating his old team and watching the same problems he had with them last year?! You bet! Chip Kelly, it's going to be a re-building process for you in the off-season after perfecting things on the offensive side of the ball this year. I can promise you there will be no magical season for the Eagles where they score 50 points a game and go to the playoffs. Chip, the NFL welcomes your genius tactics on offense but...you have officially experienced a rude awakening. Good luck

Two Reasons Why the Jets Will Upset the Patriots Tonight

If Julian Edelman is your #1 WR against Rex Ryan, good luck

      Tonight the Jets visit the Patriots in Foxborough as they take on Tom Brady and Bill Belichik. The general consensus is to believe that New England will stop out the Jets but I have reason to believe otherwise. Beginning with the absence of Danny Amendola and Shane Vereen, Tom Brady will struggle to get in a rhythm with his receivers in this contest. Rex Ryan ALWAYS has a great defense so look for Antonio Cromartie to lock down Julian Edelman and force Brady to go elsewhere. His options? Kimbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson...not good enough. I expect Brady to make accurate throws to his young receivers but there is no way they outplay New York's secondary.

     Another reason I don't believe that the Pats will win is because they don't have a stout enough defense to keep Geno Smith contained for 60 minutes. The rookie made his first start last week and will only get better over the course of the season. I know the Bills are a bit more talented on offense than people give the credit for, but that doesn't excuse New England's defense almost ruining the game. They might cause a turnover or two tonight, but they won't match the physicality of the Jets tonight. Look for Geno Smith to get his first win against Tom Brady tonight in a very close game.

NFL Week 3 Game by Game Predictions

San Diego Chargers @ Tennessee Titans

After beating the Steelers in Week 1, people now look at the Titans as a formidable foe. I personally think it was more of Pittsburgh offense being deficient because of Todd Haley, but regardless the Titans still got the W. Philip Rivers looked like a shell of his old self in Week 1, guiding the Chargers to a 21-7 lead before blowing it in the 4th quarter. Yet Rivers went on the road in Philadelphia and earned NFL Offensive player of the week honors...which Philip are we getting here? If the Titans are at home, I think they have the ability to pull this one off because of their new-found "defense." I didn't predict this at the beginning of the season, but the Titans should be 2-1 after their first 3 games. Tennessee by 1

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

Rookie QB vs Rookie QB. EJ Manuel vs. Geno Smith. Buffalo clearly doesn't have as good a defense as the Jets do, but they do have more weapons on offense. It will be interesting to see if CJ Spiller can make any big plays against New York because they won't come very often against a Rex Ryan coached defense. Buffalo could pull this one off, but I'm going to go with the Jets because they are playing at home. I think the Jets will force a couple of turnovers and pull this one off. New York by 3

Brent Grimes has something to prove against Atlanta, his old team

Atlanta Falcons @ Miami Dolphins

Not having Roddy White at 100% will certainly hurt them playing against a good defense like Miami's. Julio Jones, Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez should have solid games but will it be enough on the road in Miami? The Falcons' defense still looks average so can the Dolphins take advantage of this weakness? Keyword: MIGHT. My guess is that Matt Ryan manages a better game than Ryan Tannehill and the Falcons pull off a hard fought victory on the road. Atlanta by 2

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints

This will be the highest scoring affair of the day, with Carson Palmer and the Cardinals taking on Drew Brees' high octane passing attack. Palmer has more legitimate receivers but they don't have the running game to control the clock like Saints do. Plus, the Saints' RBs have more versatility in the passing game and Arizona's backs. This will be the key to the game as I expect Darren Sproles to run wild on Arizona's D. Saints by 3

Chicago Bears @ Pittsburgh Steelers 

Hopefully by this game the Steelers offense will have gotten their stuff together, because they don't stand a chance in hell if not. Jay Cutler is the type of QB that Pittsburgh dreams about playing at home because of their ability to shut down the running game. This will force Cutler to go to the air, where he is prone to make multiple mistakes against Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. The Steelers' D forces 3 turnovers and Pittsburgh wins by 5


Detroit Lions @ Washington Redskins

Ndamokung Suh will look to NOT hurt RGIII after his latest fine

Reggie Bush, Reggie Bush. I wrote about his injury concerns all off-season, only to be proven correct after only ONE game. RGIII will still be looking to return to rookie of the year status instead of experiencing a sophomore slump.  His problem: the Lions have shored up their run defense and pass rush with a dominate D-Line. This will force Griffin to make plays outside of the pocket with his feet and really test that ACL. And if you don't think Ndamokung Suh can't wait to get his hands on RGIII, you have another thing coming. If the Lions have less than turnovers, they win by 3. If they have 2 or more, I expect the Skins to win by 3.

Green Bay Packers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Poor Bengals. They had to play Chicago on the road and they will have host the Steelers in Week 2. I think they will be 1-1 after these games, but they still have to host the best QB in the league when Aaron Rodgers comes to town. I know Andy Dalton is at home and this could be a setup game for the Packers, but I would be a fool to pick Dalton over Rodgers. I foolishly picked the Packers over the 49ers in Week...so what. I'm won't be wrong this time. Packers by 4

Kansas City Chiefs @ Philadelphia Eagles

Andy Reid comes back to the city where that fired him just a season ago! To face Chip Kelly and the new high-octane Eagles spread attack? Eagles fans beware. The Chiefs have a very good defense and if you don't watch out then they could injure a couple of your offensive players this game. Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Eric Berry, Justin Houston and Brandon Flowers present some huge match-up problems when they are matched up one on one with offensive players. Just ask the Jaguars, who were held to 2 points in their home debut against the Chiefs. Even Dallas, who bolsters a good group of offensive players, was held to 16 points last week against Kansas City's incredible defense. Yet and still, I like Philly's new offensive scheme will score a few more points than Andy Reid's Chiefs. Eagles by 2

Indianapolis Colts @ San Francisco 49ers

Boy, the NFL sure doesn't have any shortages of story lines week-in, week-out. This Sunday Jim Harbaugh gets to play against the QB who ran his pro-style offense at Stanford. Is Luck better than Kaepernick? Probably not...just ask the Oakland Raiders who had Kaepernick ranked as the #1 QB prospect of the 2011 draft, ahead of Cam Newton. Colin looks like a great QB in the making and should lead his team to victory against the Colts poor defense. Andrew Luck will have a tough day against the 49ers D but he won't look too bad. I look for Indianapolis to make this a game for the first 3 periods, with San Fran pulling away in the 4th quarter. 49ers by 6

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Seattle Seahawks

This is the easiest game to write about because Jacksonville doesn't stand a chance against Seattle and the 12th man. Seattle by 17

Cleveland Browns @ Minnesota Vikings

Cleveland gets their #1 receiver back from suspension in Week 3

I had to completely erase my first analysis of this game after learning that Brandon Weeden isn't starting and Trent Richardson just got traded to the Colts. I wanted to say that Josh Gordon coming back was huge for Cleveland, but without both of their 2012 first round picks Gordon won't make a difference on the game's final outcome. Minnesota by 3

St. Louis Rams @ Dallas Cowboys

If Tony Romo thought he saw a pash rush in Week 1 against the Giants, he should be very worried about the St. Louis Rams coming to town. The Rams tied for the lead league in sacks least year and have picked up right where they left off. Dallas has more talent at the receiver position with Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Miles Austin but Tony Romo will be pressured all day. I see Romo making one too many mistakes, while I also see Bradford making his share of mistakes against a Tampa 2 defense. The Rams also face the problem of HAVING to create big plays on the road or they will be in for a world of hurt. If St. Louis doesn't go into the 4th quarter with a lead, the Cowboys will take care of business. But if Dallas is forced to come from behind against the Rams strong D-Line I'm betting on St. Louis. My guess is that Dallas gets back on track with a victory at home. Cowboys by 3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New England Patriots

Don't forget something about the Bucs: They still has a stout run defense and last year Tampa Bay actually finished 1st in the league in that category. Fortunately for the Patriots, they have Tom Brady...who happens to be an excellent passer in the NFL. Brady should pass for 2-3 TDs and will most certainly out-duel opponent QB Josh Freeman. Look for Belichick to draw up a good defensive plan against Freeman and the Bucs, forcing Doug Martin to carry the team on his back. That's not good enough on the road in Foxboro. Patriots by 4

Terrelle Suggs and the Ravens need to make their mark against Houston

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens

While it seems like a stretch right now, this may be Ed Reed's first return to NFL action since the Super Bowl. Reed is still a dominant player when stepping on the field and looks to return against the team that helped make him a Hall of Fame player. We saw what a smart QB could do the Ravens in Week 1, but you can't expect Matt Schaub to have the same success that Peyton Manning did. I do expect the Texans to keep this game close and the contest should come down to a turnovers game. Both of these teams have a physical style of play but also have offensive players who can create huge gains. And while everyone wants the defending champion Ravens to succeed this year, I see Houston as a team that is just like Baltimore was last year. One that experienced bumps in the road on the way to a Super Bowl. Baltimore by 3

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

Terrelle Pryor will have his hands full against a defense that will look to get after him early and often. Pryor has shown that he is ready for the big times, but is he ready to play Peyton Manning twice a year? Probably not. But one this is for sure: This kind of competition is only going to make Pryor better in the future. As a matter of fact, because he isn't a pure pocket passer I think he will give Denver's defense hades with the absence of Von Miller. The Raiders will keep things interesting but they won't beat Peyton Manning on the road. No way, no how. Broncos by 10

New York Giants @ Carolina Panthers

Carolina boasts an incredible front 7 but their back 4 will get torched all game long. I see Cam Newton having an OK game but he has yet to look like a QB that can take a team to the Super Bowl in my eyes. He doesn't look like an Eli Manning, who has shown the ability to lead his team to victory in home games AND on the road. The Giants receivers will have a huge day and Carolina will be scratching their heads after an 0-3 start. New York by 4

  


 

FOOTBALL TODAY!!!

Peyton Manning is still the "Sheriff"

           Ladies and gentlemen it is almost time for NFL Sunday Kickoff! We have had the first game of the season as the Peyton Manning and the Broncos dismantled Baltimore Thursday night. Manning tied an NFL record by passing for 7 touchdowns in one game, and I think everyone who watched the game knows he could have tossed 9 by the time the 2nd half rolled around. For the defending Super Bowl champions, Thursday night was miserable to say the least. I picked them to win by 4 point on the road because of the Broncos missing Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. Man was I ever wrong...but, whatever. It was a fun game to watch either way!

     On a random note, my roommate asked me if he should start Denver's D/ST in fantasy football before the game started and I told him absolutely not. Not having their best CB or two best pass rushers would certainly reduce the amount of fantasy football points for Denver's D, right? WRONG! He even said that Wesley Woodyard was a very good player and that the Broncos D wasn't bad without Von Miller. DRC and Tony Carter held it down out on the outside, while Woodyard and Nate Irving (oh, Nate - he's the LB who "fumbled" a pick 6 at the 2 yard line out of excitement) handled the middle. And although the game was close the entire 1st half, I don't think anyone foresaw the dominance of Denver on both sides of the ball during the 2nd half.

Tim Tebow, just change positions already

     Before the dominance of Peyton Manning last Thursday I predicted the Broncos would go 10-6. I have to change that prediction to 12-4 after seeing them dominate Baltimore. I have a tremendous amount of respect for John Elway and the Broncos organization for having a complete team around Peyton Manning. As a Florida Gator fan, I probably shouldn't say this but...thank God Denver let go of Tim Tebow!

     So before I go on even more about how good the Broncos look, I'll go ahead and give you my top 5 games going on today and Monday:

1. Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
2. Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers
3. Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins
4. Cincinnati Bengals @ Chicago Bears
5. New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Here are the most intriguing storylines of Week 1 heading into Sunday:

• How will RGIII look in his debut after ACL surgery?
• Will Cam Newton make the game competitive against the Seahawks at home or will Seattle and Russell Wilson blow them out?
• There's a reason Terrelle Pryor got the nod as the starter in Oakland. It's because they were on Left Tackle #3, and Matt Flynn simply doesn't have enough running ability to get away from the rush. Unfortunately for Pryor, the Raiders are now on Left Tackle #4. UH OH!
• How many fantasy football points will be put up in the Minnesota vs. Detroit game?! It should be the MOST between this game and the Falcons/Saints match-up
• Can Darrelle Revis get even with his old team on opening day? Revis, like RGII, is coming back from ACL surgery and has a lot to prove after being traded to the Bucs
• The Browns don't have their top receiver, Josh Gordon, for two weeks. That means that the world will see a HEALTHY dose of Trent Richardson. The problem for Cleveland: Miami's defense is solid. This will be a good game because a 100% Richardson will give any NFL defense hell
• How will Alex Smith look against the Jaguars, a team the Chiefs are supposed to beat. And how will MJD look coming off a season-ending foot injury
• Will Philadelphia's up-tempo offense be anything like we have already seen in the NFL?
• Can Jake Locker break out and beat the Steelers in Week 1?! Probably not, but it should be a closer game than people think

NFL Week 2 Game by Game Predictions

Calvin Johnson will have a big day in Arizona but will it be enough?

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals

This game should be very interesting from start to finish. If Detroit's D-Line can get pressure on Carson Palmer, it the Lions will have their way with the Cards. If not, the Cardinals will be in a shootout with Detroit and might steal a win away in their own stadium. The Lions secondary has yet to be proven so no pressure will allow Andre Roberts, Michael Floyd and superstar Larry Fitzgerald to make plays down field. Detroit doesn't play well on the road and Arizona should be coming off a Week 1 loss to St. Louis. It's a bold pick, but the Cardinals win by 3

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

With no Josh Gordon and for one more week and only a running game, you can forget about the Browns beating the defending Super Bowl champs. The trio of Greg Little, Travis Benjamin and Jordan Cameron  simply doesn't sound the least bit threatening to Baltimore's coaching staff. Ray Rice has a good game and so does Torrey Smith. Trent Richardson might score two touchdowns but the Ravens still win by 7

Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs

DeMarco Murray is instrumental to the Cowboy's success

It is very tough to predict the Cowboys season without knowing if DeMarco Murray will be healthy going into the next game. Fortunately for the Cowboys, they still bring plenty of talent on the field and should win this game on paper. However, the Chiefs bolster a stout defense and a quarterback that is known to be turnover-free. Dallas could be caught up in a trap game if they aren't careful on this day, I will say that much. If Jamaal Charles is healthy then I expect the Chiefs to pull off a 3 point upset at home. If not, the Cowboys win by 4

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seawhawks

Can Colin Kaepernick do what no other QB did last year and win a road game in Seattle?  Tom Brady lost by 1 and Aaron Rodgers lost(cough) by 2. My point is, you have to be an elite QB to bring your team into Seattle and leave with a victory against the Hawks tough D and 12th man. Russell Wilson is outplaying my expectations and staying healthy despite being only 5'10". And if he plays consistent like he has been thus far, it will be a long day for the 49ers defense. Seahawks by 3

St. Louis Rams @ Atlanta Falcons

Stephen only has to wait until Week 2 to play the team that let him walk in free agency. As a result, it will be Atlanta who has the better running game in this contest. By controlling the game on the ground the Dirty Birds should win the Time of Possession competition. The Falcons still have an iffy defense so the Rams might actually keep pace with them until the 4th quarter. Everyone can expect a big day from Tavon Austin and Sam Bradford but Atlanta wins by 3 in a close one

Denver Broncos @ New York Giants

There isn't a CB on Denver's roster who can cover Hakeem Nicks

Per NFL.com this is the "Best Game of Week 2" and everyone should see why. Now that Peyton is healthy again the Manning Bowl can be resumed, except this time he is with the Broncos instead of the Colts. Without Von Miller rushing the passer for Denver's defense, expect to see Eli get more time in the pocket to throw TD passes. This game should be full of fireworks as both teams have explosive offenses and have big-time play-makers. In a high scoring affair, I expect the Giants to play better defense in the Broncos and come away with a home victory. Giants by 3

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Before I saw the Jets beat the Bucs, I predicted the Pats beating New York by 14 in Week 2. But now that Danny Amendola is already living up to his inury prone reputation, and Geno Smith has shown composure I have to close that gap. It's hard to determine how the loss of Shane Vereen and Danny Amendola are going to positively affect the Patriots offense against defensive mastermind Rex Ryan. I'm going with the upset in Week 2. Jets by 1

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Oakland Raiders

MJD needs to get on track against Oakland if he couldn't do it against Kansas City. And now that Blaine Gabbert isn't playing, the Jags actually stand a chance. Terrelle Pryor has the opportunity to shine against a lackluster defense and I fully expect him to. Since this will be the first home game for the silver and black, I expect Darren McFadden to be impressive and the defense to create a couple of turnovers. Good special teams play from the Raiders should lead to a victory over the Jags on this day. Oakland by 3

Look for Clay Matthews to harass RGIII

Washington Redskins @ Green Bay Packers

With all of the hype surrounding RGIII during the off-season, I bet Aaron Rodgers can't wait to make his mark as the NFL's top signal caller in Week 2. The Redskins should be able to run the ball effectively, but so should the Packers now that DE Jarvis Jenkins is out until Week 5 for the Washington. RGIII and the Redskins make this game interesting but I don't see them pulling off an upset at Lambeau Field. Packers by 4

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Why in the heck is Darren Sharper picking the Bengals to represent the AFC in next year's Super Bowl? Although I believe they are a very good team, I don't believe they have the QB or RB play to get that far in the playoffs. Despite my criticism, the Bengals most certainly match-up with the Steelers very well in all phases of the game. Pittsburgh needs to prove that they are the team to beat in the AFC North during Week 2 or they can kiss their divisional credibility goodbye. I'm picking the Bengals to win by 1

Carolina Panthers @ Buffalo Bills

Cam Newton should have a big day because Buffalo has decent pass coverage, ranking 10th in the NFL last season. This means that he will be able to create plays out of the pocket with his legs and make plenty of long first down runs. And it will be those very plays out of the pocket that create big passing plays downfield, because linebackers don't know whether Newton will run or throw...hence, the reason he earned 2011 Rookie of the Year Honors. Buffalo has a pretty balanced attack of their own and won't have a problem scoring with the Panthers. I expect this game to be the highest scoring affair of the week, with Buffalo edging the Panthers by 3 at home

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears

In Week 1, we will see if Christian Ponder has developed into a competitive QB as he now has enough weapons on the outside. Adrian Peterson will rush for 100 yards but will the Vikings get the same production from Greg Jennings or another WR? I doubt it...Bears by 5

Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck is beginning to look like the 2nd coming of....himself. I don't remember seeing the play of a tough, gritty QB like that of Luck ever in an NFL uniform. Now, the Dolphins have a solid defense and will make this a competitive game. If Miami can cause a couple of turnovers look for the Dolphins to upset the Colts. However, if Indianapolis only turns it over once(which is what I expect), then the Colts will win by 3.

Can Philip Rivers keep San Diego in the game at Philly?

San Diego Chargers @ Philadelphia Eagles

San Diego will have a real problem on their hands unless someone on their roster can run the ball consistently in this road game. Philadelphia will look to tire out San Diego's lackluster defense and outscore them with a fast-tempo attack. Will Vincent Brown step up and become Rivers' go-to option? Who on the Chargers roster will create big plays? You KNOW the Eagles will create big plays on the outside and in the screen game, so how will San Diego keep up with them? They won't. Eagles by 10 at home

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

This game should get out of hand in a hurry. The Titans do not match-up well with their division foe on both sides of the ball, and they should get exposed in Houston. JJ Watt and Brian Cushing will have a monster games for the Texan's D while Nuke Hopkins might have a coming out party for the offense. The Titans have been getting torched by Andre Johnson for years and will double team him until Hopkins lights them up. And all of this will get set up by the running game with Arian Foster...it just isn't fair. It really isn't. Houston by 10


New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drew Brees is the best QB in this divisional match-up but it might not mean a thing in this game. Because of the Saints' ability to stretch the field, Tampa Bay has to control the clock and run the ball with Doug Martin. Adding, Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson have yet to be stopped by New Orleans' secondary (well, who HASN'T looked good against the Saints' DBs) so look for Josh Freeman to throw for around 250-300 yards. The Saints should have a good day offensively but it won't be enough against the Bucs. Tampa Bay by 3

The NFL Regular Season Starts Tonight!

     It's almost time to watch some REAL football ladies and gentleman. Tonight, the Baltimore Ravens will be visiting the Denver Broncos in a highly anticipated re-match of last year's AFC Championship Game. Unfortunately for the Ravens, they do not get to play at home even though they are reigning Super Bowl Champions. Should it matter? Not really....As a matter of fact, I think the Ravens beat the Broncos by 4 on the road next week. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed may be gone, but Baltimore's defense is still elite as long as Terrell Suggs is on the field with Elvis Dumervil and Haloti Ngata. Peyton Manning is an MVP candidate again this year, but his defense is nowhere as good as Baltimore's. Losing Dumervil to the Ravens and not having Von Miller for 6 games should prove to be very costly. 28-24 Baltimore

Observations from the Pre-season

AFC West

Don't sleep on Eric Decker just because Wes Welker came to Denver

• As I stated in my previous article, Oakland is going to have a horrific year no matter who the starting QB is. If they win 4 games it will be nothing short of a miracle
•  It looks like the Chiefs defense will carry them again this season
• San Diego's 1st team offense doesn't look bad. Every other aspect about the Chargers looks terrible. Mostly, DEPTH
• After looking at Denver's schedule, I believe they will go 10-6. They might go 11-5 but I just don't see them beating the Patiots, Texans, Cowboys(in Dallas), Giants(in NY), Ravens, or the Chiefs(they play KC twice, obviously as a division foe). Those SHOULD be their 6 losses

AFC North

• Don't write off the Steelers until you see them play with Health Miller. Pittsburgh will be a very dangerous team this season, especially after Week 8
• The Bengals are tough as nails on defense. But on offense, they are still just "good." Will Andy Dalton step up and force his critics to shut-up?
• NFL offensive linemen are about to blast Barkevious Mingo. If he doesn't gain weight next off-season, he will be a wasted 1st round pick. You can quote me on that
• Baltimore has great coaching. I have to back off on my previous prediction of how their season would go. The Ravens should make the playoffs this year if Ray Rice, Joe Flacco and Torrey Smith stay healthy. I love how Aaron Mellette is coming on as a small school receiver drafted in the 7th round out of Elon

AFC South

Ahmad Bradshaw instantly improves the Colts rushing attack

• Andrew Luck is going to have a huge year. He should make the Pro Bowl if the Colts make it back to the post-season
• Jacksonville still remains an intriguing team. No one will know how good the Jags are as a whole until Week 5 when Justin Blackmon returns
• The Texans are a really good team but we will see just how tough they really are this year. They have a brutal non-conference schedule that includes Seattle, San Francisco, Seattle, New England, Denver, Balimore and AT Kansas City. Once you factor in that they have to play the Colts twice, you have to realize that is one heck of a schedule. I know Houston might seem a lock to go to the AFC Championship this year, but the best record they could realistically finish with is 11-5. 
• The Titans first two games are on the road in Pittsburgh and Houston. If Tennessee can escape these games with a 1-1 record I will give them the respect they deserve

AFC East

• New England will face Jeff Tuel in Week 1 and Geno Smith in Week 2. ....small giggle...BBAAAAHHHHHAAAHAHAAAHHAA. I couldn't hold it in anymore...There are some things you "think", and some things that you "know". I KNOW the Pats will go 2-0
• The Bills better hope CJ Spiller rushes for 300 yards every game until EJ Manuel gets healthy. Losing Stephon Gilmore for 6-8 weeks doesn't help, either
• NY needs to give Geno Smith a break. He is a rookie and everyone knew he wasn't in the mold of an RGIII or Andrew Luck from last year. Smith will have his ups and downs but at least give him time to develop
• The Miami Dolphins have yet to show me or the world why they should be considered a threat offensively. Hopefully some chemistry will form during the regular season without Dustin Keller

NFC West

• The Rams look to surprise everyone in the NFL by finishing 2nd in their division. With their defense and an upgraded offense, that just might happen. Look for the Rams to atleast tie for 2nd in the West
• San Francisco has more options at receiver than you think. When Mario Manningham and Crabtree come back, Kaepernick will be extremely dangerous
• Arizona is well respected by analysts across the league, but I'm not buying their win/loss record being better than 7-9. Yes, they have a ton of talent...but who cares
• The Seahawks have the best defense in the league and they showed that they have the most depth as well. On offense, defense and special teams. This might be the best team in the NFL honestly. I haven't seen anything that proves otherwise

The return of a healthy Fred Davis is key for the Redskins

NFC East

• The Dallas Cowboys have a lot to prove on defense this year. Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware have to stay healthy in addition to the secondary needing to step up
• RGIII is finally cleared to play. Can he have an Adrian Peterson-like comeback? History doesn't say so, but I would like to see him succeed while healthy. He should post good stats against the Eagles and Packers in the first two games of the season
• Speaking of the Eagles, what should we expect from Mike Vick while he's healthy? 2 passing TD's and 1 rushing TD? I'd have to say so with Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense installed in Philly. And now that LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson are back at 100%, Philly becomes a VERY dangerous team entering the season
• New York can't afford for Andre Brown to be gone for long. I like David Wilson as a RB but he is not ready for goal line action in the NFL yet, even entering his 2nd year

NFC North

• The Minnesota Vikings still need Christian Ponder to step up and be more accurate. They won't make the playoffs this year with lackluster QB play
• Green Bay is primed for a huge season after looking at their running backs for 4 games. Aaron Rodgers is going to be the division's, and maybe the NFL's MVP once again
• Detroit's D-Line better shut down Minnesota in the first game if they want to win. The Lions got after the passer in the pre-season but need to convert that to the regular season for success
• Chicago didn't show us anything in the pre-season. They still need to keep the o-line healthy and jake cutler can't make "Jay Cutler" throws into double/triple coverage

NFC South

• Carolina will begin the season as an under-rated team even after a strong pre-season. The Panthers need to show up against the elite Seattle Seahawks for 4 quarters if they want to change that perception
• The Saints kept 5 RBs again...surprise? Hardly. Watch for Kenny Stills and Nick Toon this season as well. And although Drew Brees will be great, it still looks like the Saints have the worst defense in the league
• Atlanta can't just expect to win a division that hasn't seen the same team win two years in a row, EVER. Look for Matt Ryan to put up huge stats this year
• Tampa Bay now has a 100% healthy Darrelle Revis. I don't care what kind of injury he is coming off...he will still dominate the first game up the season against Rex Ryan's rookie led offense