NFL 2013: Week 2 Predictions
If there is one thing I have learned watching football for the past 20 years it is this...it's unpredictable.
Take Week 1 in the NFL, for example. Who would have thought we would have seen four, count'em, four safeties in the first week? One of them happened on the opening kickoff! "C'mon Man!"
Who would have thought the Giants and Redskins would have turned the ball over a combined nine times and still have a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter?
Who thought the Buccaneers had the Jets beat before a bonehead play by Tampa Bay set up a game winning field goal for Rex Ryan's mediocre squad?
That's what makes the NFL so great though, you never know what might happen next.
I continue to be stunned and amazed at what transpires every week in the NFL and I've realized that I'm not any better at predicting what will happen each week than the next guy. I'm bound to be right sooner rather than later, so here are my predictions for Week 2.
Week 2 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
NEW ENGLAND over NY Jets: Tom Brady is low on weapons and it showed Thursday night. A very sloppy game from both teams, but Geno Smith can't throw three interceptions and expect to win. Going to be a long season for the Jets and the Patriots need some help at receiver before next week's game.
ATLANTA over St. Louis: No way the Falcons start the season 0-2 with all the talent they have on that roster. Rams will put up a fight though.
BUFFALO over Carolina: Bills played quite well last week against the Patriots while the Panthers, especially offensively, were anything but impressive. I like rookie QB E.J. Manuel to get his first win on Sunday.
CHICAGO over Minnesota: Until Vikings QB Christian Ponder cuts down on the turnovers and improves his accuracy; I will have a hard time picking Minnesota. Teams will continue to stack the box to stop RB Adrian Peterson and the Bears forced three turnovers last week against the Bengals and they might force just as many, if not more against the Vikings.
GREEN BAY over Washington: The Redskins were anything but impressive Monday night against the Eagles and it won't be any easier this Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers did a good job stopping the 49ers running game last week, unfortunately, they did give up 404-yards through the air. Bottom line, Aaron Rodgers is just too good for the Packers to start 0-2.
INDIANAPOLIS over Miami: This game may not mean much now, but I expect both of these teams to be in contention come playoff time. This could potentially be the game that keeps the Colts or Dolphins out of the playoffs and with the Colts being at home, I'll take Andrew Luck and Indianapolis.
KANSAS CITY over Dallas: Dallas forced six turnovers last week against the Giants and still only won by five. If the Chiefs are as improved as everyone says they are then this is a game they should win.
PHILADELPHIA over San Diego: The Chargers blew a late lead again Monday night and I can't say I'm surprised. Doesn't look like much has changed out in San Diego. As for the Eagles, after the debut if his high speed offense in Washington, Chip Kelly had this to say. "I felt like it was slow," Kelly said. "I'm not joking ... We left the ball on the ground too much. We didn't get the ball to the officials. We could have sped things up ... between plays. That's something we need to work on." I didn't think they could go faster, guess I was wrong. Oregon was fun to watch the last couple years and with all the athletes the Eagles have, they may be worth watching every Sunday. Good luck San Diego.
BALTIMORE over Cleveland: Much like Atlanta and Green Bay, I would be stunned if Baltimore starts the season 0-2.
HOUSTON over Tennessee: Houston will win this game although I guarantee this game will get off to a better start for Tennessee than last week because, the chances of Titans return man Darius Reynaud receiving the opening kickoff and taking a knee in the end zone after having already crossed the goal line that resulted in season opening safety, are pretty slim. "C'mon Man!"
New Orleans over TAMPA BAY: There is a story going around that Tampa Bay head coach, Greg Schiano, fixed the captain votes turned in by the players, which resulted in QB Josh Freeman not being named a captain after having been one for the past four seasons. Schiano defined the report, but if that is indeed true, then he has lost his team already and it's only Week 2. Schiano hasn't had much success as a coach so far in the NFL and he doesn't have a very good reputation either with his philosophy on kneel downs. To hire Schiano in the first place was a head scratcher, because, let's face it, the jump from Rutgers to the NFL isn't a small one. At this rate, I would be surprised if Schiano is back next season as head coach of the Buccaneers. Saints by at least a touchdown on Sunday.
ARIZONA over Detroit: The Lions may have won last week, but they are a very sloppy team and a very undisciplined one. Detroit turned the ball over twice and they committed 11 penalties for 88-yards, including one against DT Ndamukong Suh after he made a low block at the knees of Vikings center John Sullivan on an interception. Suh was fined $100K for the play -- no surprise given his history with "dirty" plays. Arizona on the other hand, played pretty well last week and I think having Carson Palmer at quarterback makes WR Larry Fitzgerald that much more dangerous. I like the Cardinals at home aka "The Big Toaster."
OAKLAND over Jacksonville: Pryor played better than expected last week and with the Jaguars going to their second quarterback already in Chad Henne, I like the Raiders at home. The loser of this one will, however, gets a head start in the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes.
Denver over NY GIANTS: The Manning Bowl. It's Peyton vs. Eli Sunday afternoon from East Rutherford, NJ, and with the way Peyton played in the opener -- throwing seven touchdown passes -- how can you not take the older Manning in this one? If the Giants can hold onto the football, this one will be close, but I'll take the Broncos.
SEATTLE over San Francisco: Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers looked pretty good last Sunday against the Packers, but the Seahawks are really tough to beat at home and with their fans going for the world decibel record, all I have to say is good luck San Francisco.
BENGALS over Steelers: Ahh, the Bengals. It was another typical loss for the Bengals last week in Chicago. Costly turnovers and penalties once again doomed the Bengals and now they face the arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Steelers looked terrible last week and lost three players, including center Maurkice Pouncey to season-ending injuries. Cincinnati needs this one and if Marvin Lewis' team can cut down on the turnovers and dumb penalties they'll win. Pittsburgh always plays the Bengals tough, but if Cincinnati is as good as everyone thinks they are then they don't lose their home opener on national television to start the season 0-2. Bengals 24, Steelers 17.
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 10-6
Overall: 11-6
Take Week 1 in the NFL, for example. Who would have thought we would have seen four, count'em, four safeties in the first week? One of them happened on the opening kickoff! "C'mon Man!"
Who would have thought the Giants and Redskins would have turned the ball over a combined nine times and still have a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter?
Who thought the Buccaneers had the Jets beat before a bonehead play by Tampa Bay set up a game winning field goal for Rex Ryan's mediocre squad?
That's what makes the NFL so great though, you never know what might happen next.
I continue to be stunned and amazed at what transpires every week in the NFL and I've realized that I'm not any better at predicting what will happen each week than the next guy. I'm bound to be right sooner rather than later, so here are my predictions for Week 2.
Week 2 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
NEW ENGLAND over NY Jets: Tom Brady is low on weapons and it showed Thursday night. A very sloppy game from both teams, but Geno Smith can't throw three interceptions and expect to win. Going to be a long season for the Jets and the Patriots need some help at receiver before next week's game.
ATLANTA over St. Louis: No way the Falcons start the season 0-2 with all the talent they have on that roster. Rams will put up a fight though.
BUFFALO over Carolina: Bills played quite well last week against the Patriots while the Panthers, especially offensively, were anything but impressive. I like rookie QB E.J. Manuel to get his first win on Sunday.
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| The first run of the season for reigning MVP Adrian Peterson went 78-yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) |
CHICAGO over Minnesota: Until Vikings QB Christian Ponder cuts down on the turnovers and improves his accuracy; I will have a hard time picking Minnesota. Teams will continue to stack the box to stop RB Adrian Peterson and the Bears forced three turnovers last week against the Bengals and they might force just as many, if not more against the Vikings.
GREEN BAY over Washington: The Redskins were anything but impressive Monday night against the Eagles and it won't be any easier this Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers did a good job stopping the 49ers running game last week, unfortunately, they did give up 404-yards through the air. Bottom line, Aaron Rodgers is just too good for the Packers to start 0-2.
INDIANAPOLIS over Miami: This game may not mean much now, but I expect both of these teams to be in contention come playoff time. This could potentially be the game that keeps the Colts or Dolphins out of the playoffs and with the Colts being at home, I'll take Andrew Luck and Indianapolis.
KANSAS CITY over Dallas: Dallas forced six turnovers last week against the Giants and still only won by five. If the Chiefs are as improved as everyone says they are then this is a game they should win.
PHILADELPHIA over San Diego: The Chargers blew a late lead again Monday night and I can't say I'm surprised. Doesn't look like much has changed out in San Diego. As for the Eagles, after the debut if his high speed offense in Washington, Chip Kelly had this to say. "I felt like it was slow," Kelly said. "I'm not joking ... We left the ball on the ground too much. We didn't get the ball to the officials. We could have sped things up ... between plays. That's something we need to work on." I didn't think they could go faster, guess I was wrong. Oregon was fun to watch the last couple years and with all the athletes the Eagles have, they may be worth watching every Sunday. Good luck San Diego.
BALTIMORE over Cleveland: Much like Atlanta and Green Bay, I would be stunned if Baltimore starts the season 0-2.
HOUSTON over Tennessee: Houston will win this game although I guarantee this game will get off to a better start for Tennessee than last week because, the chances of Titans return man Darius Reynaud receiving the opening kickoff and taking a knee in the end zone after having already crossed the goal line that resulted in season opening safety, are pretty slim. "C'mon Man!"
New Orleans over TAMPA BAY: There is a story going around that Tampa Bay head coach, Greg Schiano, fixed the captain votes turned in by the players, which resulted in QB Josh Freeman not being named a captain after having been one for the past four seasons. Schiano defined the report, but if that is indeed true, then he has lost his team already and it's only Week 2. Schiano hasn't had much success as a coach so far in the NFL and he doesn't have a very good reputation either with his philosophy on kneel downs. To hire Schiano in the first place was a head scratcher, because, let's face it, the jump from Rutgers to the NFL isn't a small one. At this rate, I would be surprised if Schiano is back next season as head coach of the Buccaneers. Saints by at least a touchdown on Sunday.
ARIZONA over Detroit: The Lions may have won last week, but they are a very sloppy team and a very undisciplined one. Detroit turned the ball over twice and they committed 11 penalties for 88-yards, including one against DT Ndamukong Suh after he made a low block at the knees of Vikings center John Sullivan on an interception. Suh was fined $100K for the play -- no surprise given his history with "dirty" plays. Arizona on the other hand, played pretty well last week and I think having Carson Palmer at quarterback makes WR Larry Fitzgerald that much more dangerous. I like the Cardinals at home aka "The Big Toaster."
OAKLAND over Jacksonville: Pryor played better than expected last week and with the Jaguars going to their second quarterback already in Chad Henne, I like the Raiders at home. The loser of this one will, however, gets a head start in the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes.
Denver over NY GIANTS: The Manning Bowl. It's Peyton vs. Eli Sunday afternoon from East Rutherford, NJ, and with the way Peyton played in the opener -- throwing seven touchdown passes -- how can you not take the older Manning in this one? If the Giants can hold onto the football, this one will be close, but I'll take the Broncos.
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| CenturyLink Field and the 12th man are going to be rockin' Sunday night. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) |
SEATTLE over San Francisco: Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers looked pretty good last Sunday against the Packers, but the Seahawks are really tough to beat at home and with their fans going for the world decibel record, all I have to say is good luck San Francisco.
BENGALS over Steelers: Ahh, the Bengals. It was another typical loss for the Bengals last week in Chicago. Costly turnovers and penalties once again doomed the Bengals and now they face the arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Steelers looked terrible last week and lost three players, including center Maurkice Pouncey to season-ending injuries. Cincinnati needs this one and if Marvin Lewis' team can cut down on the turnovers and dumb penalties they'll win. Pittsburgh always plays the Bengals tough, but if Cincinnati is as good as everyone thinks they are then they don't lose their home opener on national television to start the season 0-2. Bengals 24, Steelers 17.
Last Week: 10-6
Overall: 11-6
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