Post by Trent Matsunoshin on Sept 22, 2007 6:58:01 GMT 1
Oh yeaaahhh!! That time is upon us, NFL Week 3!! This past week had a little bit of everything, and offensive explosion, an ageless wonder, a Monday Night upset, and a case of highway robbery. In case you missed it... The Browns decided to switch their team name to Al Qaeda and proceed to blow up the Bengals D, while Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson did the same thing to less applause and chagrin -- because it was expected, what was not expected however, was the Bengals taking a Loss, and all they could show for it was a beer-stained #85 jersey. Brett Favre is seemingly back from the dead again as he and the Pack mopped the floor with the abomination that is the New York Football Giants, Favre has a solid 65% Pass Completion Rate going into this week. The Redskins are starting to look like the Redskins on paper: i.e.: one of the better teams of the NFC, meaning that the 'Skins could be bringing DC to hog heaven come January, they haven't sniffed that in some time. And the Raiders.....well....they got ROBBED...stripped naked by a bullshit timeout that Denver Coach Mike Shanahan decided to call just as the Raiders snapped the ball and K Sebastian Janikowski launched it into the Denver afternoon sky, and the refs gave Shanahan the call. Technically, it wasn't illegal, as coaches can call timeout, but that's as close to cheating as it can get without videotaping Jets' coaches. I'll be surprised if there aren't come modifications to that rule come the offseason.
On to Week 3:
Sunday:
Rams at Buccaneers: At the start of the season I probably would have said the Rams got this and got this one by a lot. But that isn't the case. The Rams Offensive Line issues have brought Bulger and Co.'s production numbers down and it doesn't look to change this week, as the Tampa 2 is starting to look like it did a few years ago. My pick: Bucs. The Rams can't stop the run....or the pass...so look for the Cadillac to be rolling in Tampa. As for the D, Tampa is well on their way to reestablishing themselves as one of the elite defenses in the NFL again and with holes gaping in the Rams O-Line, look for another unproductive day for the Rams fantasy studs.
Chargers at Packers: The Bolts are reeling and the Pack is riding high. San Diego drew the NFC Champs and a playoff rematch to start the season and, in all honesty, no one was expecting them to come out unscathed. The Bolts are angry after an embarrassing Sunday Night Loss to the Patriots, and understandably, look to rebound this week. My pick: Chargers. Yeah, the Pack is 2-0 and caught Philly slipping in Week 1 and caught a break last week. The Pack is solid, but even after last week's embarrassment, the Chargers are still a better team, and they figure to play like it this week.
Dolphins at Jets: Jets' QB Chad Pennington figures to be back this week from injury despite a solid performance from backup Kellen Clemons, and a hungry Jets' D looks to give QB Trent Green a second straight forgettable week in what figures to be another cellar-dwelling Miami team. My pick: Jets. They had a tough draw in the first two weeks facing New England and Baltimore, and while Miami sports a good D, having a non-existent offense spells doom.
Cardinals at Ravens: Cards' QB Matt Leinart looks like he's improving more and more, but progress will come to a grinding halt against a Top-3 Ravens' D and an offense that's getting QB Stave McNair back from injury. While it won't be a blowout, the Cardinals will be exposed this week. My pick: Ravens. They keep winning, and winning ugly. Look for the Baltimore D to stack the line against RB Edgerrin James and force Leinart to beat them, which isn't likely.
Colts at Texans: Houston cannn beat Indy.....Houston caaannnnnn beat Indy. I'm serious folks, it can happen. The Texans' D has gelled nicely and the offense is running smooth. Indy meanwhile had their gut checked last week against Tennessee, and, much like last season, they came through when it counted. My pick: Colts. I really hope this is on TV Sunday because I think it'll be a great game. The Texans will be without WR Andre Johnson, which could mean the difference between 3-0 and 2-1 come Monday morning.
Lions at Eagles: An already tough season for Philly as bad news just got worse, TE LJ Smith and S Brian Dawkins are both out this week and RB Brian Westbrook, who is playing this week, isn't at 100%. The Lions O finally gets a real test this week even with Dawkins and S Lito Sheppard out, and while the passing attack has been spectacular, the running game might be the difference here. My pick: Lions. If Detroit keeps QB Jon Kitna on his feet, he'll pick apart what's left of the Eagles secondary, but the Lions' D isn't good, so QB Donovan McNabb could have a big game.
Vikings at Chiefs: KC has no passing attack, which means a good Vikings D ganging up on RB Larry Johnson, who reportedly was asked to take 40 carries this week. The Vikings this week are apparently without starter QB Tarvaris Jackson (I know, who?) which means QB Kelly Holcomb will get the nod this week. My pick: Vikings. Even with Jackson out, RB Adrian Peterson looks to have a big game, plus their regular RB Chester Taylor back this week, who, last I checked, can still light it up.
Bills at Patriots: Man I feel bad for Buffalo, I mean, seriously, to start the season they get higher-tier Ds in Denver, Pittsburgh, and now New England, they just can't catch a break. The Pats' are firing on all cylinders and might seriously be next to go undefeated, which may be the unthinkable, but certainly achievable if they keep this making their opponents look like practice squad rejects. My pick: Patriots. You can't pick against a team playing this well.
49ers at Steelers: If the 49ers have proven anything so far, it's that they can pull out close games. This week they draw Blitzburg and the Steel Curtain as well as a suddenly dangerous Offense. The Niners can only hope this one stays close, as it might be the onnly way they pull this out. My pick: Steelers. The D is rollin' and workhorse RB Willie Parker (126 yds. rushing last week) has taken the offense on his shoulders. It's gonna be tough for the Niners to keep this one close.
Browns at Raiders: Hopefully, there will be no 50 point miracles and no kicker-freezing timeouts, just good old fashioned hard-nose smashmouth football. Bruising Power-Backs Jamal Lewis and LaMont Jordan should redefine the phrase 'rushing attack' this week as passing attacks are flashy but inconsistent for both teams. My pick: Raiders. It's a tough call, but the Raiders have the better D and should be able to contain Jamal Lewis. The Browns have a nonexistent D, which could mean a lot of paydirt for the silver and black.
Bengals at Seahawks: Cincy should be embarrassed after giving up 50 to the Browns. Seattle lost a game they should have won last week. If nothing else, both teams have some improving to do, we'll see who starts improving this week. My pick: Seahawks. Their at home, with an exposed and suspect D facing them, and if the Browns can score 5 TDs on Cincy, QB Matt Hasselbeck oughtta find open receivers regularly.
Jaguars at Broncos: The Jags are horrible, so the Broncos shouldn't have to perform last-second timeouts to freeze players this week. But then again, they pulled that tactic against the Raiders, who aren't supposed to be good. And they say New England is cheating... heh. My pick: Broncos. This really should be a cakewalk. key word in this: SHOULD. I can't say I'd be surprised if the Jags steal one here.
Giants at Redskins: As I said earlier, the Giants are an abomination. The Redskins are looking real solid and they might be the only ones challenging the Cowboys in the NFC East this year. My pick: Redskins. QB Jason Campbell, despite his inexperience, should be able to pick apart the Giants' secondary Sunday, look for big-time production from RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts to ease Campbell into the role.
Panthers at Falcons: Two words: Steve Smith. One more word: Unstoppable. Atlanta is reeling, and in desperation mode (they signed recently released QB Byron Leftwich earlier in the week). They are 0-2, no surprise, it's just that it's been so dismal that they might consider trying to bring QB Chris Chandler out of retirement in hopes of salvaging the season, or at least a couple of games. 0-16 is starting to look like an eventuality. My pick: Panthers. Despite their loss to Houston last week, Carolina looked really solid, just in time to catch a break and gear up for a stretch run with a W this week.
Cowboys at Bears: Sunday Night brings another great-on-paper match in what certainly could be a playoff preview. The Cowboys O is great, the D, especially against the pass, not so much. So this could be a game where Bears QB Rex Grossman breaks out -- or at the very least puts on a solid performance. My pick: Cowboys. They are playing solid, and Chicago's Offense is a question mark, so it's just a matter of Dallas wearing down the still great Bears' D.
Monday
Titans at Saints: Return to the Superdome for the home opener, but instead to 2-0, you're 0-2. If your the Saints, you need a spark. A big play, an inspirational speech, anything.... but maybe they have it. The spark could be now a renewed sense of urgency. The urgency needs to flow here as the Saints draw a team that could be a surprise contender in Vince Young and the Titans, who came off a tough loss to Indy last week. My pick: Saints. 2 games, two embarrassments. I can't see this trend continuing at home.
Quick picks:
Bucs
Chargers
Jets
Ravens
Colts
Lions
Vikings
Patriots
Steelers
Raiders
Seahawks
Broncos
Redskins
Panthers
Cowboys
Saints
On to Week 3:
Sunday:
Rams at Buccaneers: At the start of the season I probably would have said the Rams got this and got this one by a lot. But that isn't the case. The Rams Offensive Line issues have brought Bulger and Co.'s production numbers down and it doesn't look to change this week, as the Tampa 2 is starting to look like it did a few years ago. My pick: Bucs. The Rams can't stop the run....or the pass...so look for the Cadillac to be rolling in Tampa. As for the D, Tampa is well on their way to reestablishing themselves as one of the elite defenses in the NFL again and with holes gaping in the Rams O-Line, look for another unproductive day for the Rams fantasy studs.
Chargers at Packers: The Bolts are reeling and the Pack is riding high. San Diego drew the NFC Champs and a playoff rematch to start the season and, in all honesty, no one was expecting them to come out unscathed. The Bolts are angry after an embarrassing Sunday Night Loss to the Patriots, and understandably, look to rebound this week. My pick: Chargers. Yeah, the Pack is 2-0 and caught Philly slipping in Week 1 and caught a break last week. The Pack is solid, but even after last week's embarrassment, the Chargers are still a better team, and they figure to play like it this week.
Dolphins at Jets: Jets' QB Chad Pennington figures to be back this week from injury despite a solid performance from backup Kellen Clemons, and a hungry Jets' D looks to give QB Trent Green a second straight forgettable week in what figures to be another cellar-dwelling Miami team. My pick: Jets. They had a tough draw in the first two weeks facing New England and Baltimore, and while Miami sports a good D, having a non-existent offense spells doom.
Cardinals at Ravens: Cards' QB Matt Leinart looks like he's improving more and more, but progress will come to a grinding halt against a Top-3 Ravens' D and an offense that's getting QB Stave McNair back from injury. While it won't be a blowout, the Cardinals will be exposed this week. My pick: Ravens. They keep winning, and winning ugly. Look for the Baltimore D to stack the line against RB Edgerrin James and force Leinart to beat them, which isn't likely.
Colts at Texans: Houston cannn beat Indy.....Houston caaannnnnn beat Indy. I'm serious folks, it can happen. The Texans' D has gelled nicely and the offense is running smooth. Indy meanwhile had their gut checked last week against Tennessee, and, much like last season, they came through when it counted. My pick: Colts. I really hope this is on TV Sunday because I think it'll be a great game. The Texans will be without WR Andre Johnson, which could mean the difference between 3-0 and 2-1 come Monday morning.
Lions at Eagles: An already tough season for Philly as bad news just got worse, TE LJ Smith and S Brian Dawkins are both out this week and RB Brian Westbrook, who is playing this week, isn't at 100%. The Lions O finally gets a real test this week even with Dawkins and S Lito Sheppard out, and while the passing attack has been spectacular, the running game might be the difference here. My pick: Lions. If Detroit keeps QB Jon Kitna on his feet, he'll pick apart what's left of the Eagles secondary, but the Lions' D isn't good, so QB Donovan McNabb could have a big game.
Vikings at Chiefs: KC has no passing attack, which means a good Vikings D ganging up on RB Larry Johnson, who reportedly was asked to take 40 carries this week. The Vikings this week are apparently without starter QB Tarvaris Jackson (I know, who?) which means QB Kelly Holcomb will get the nod this week. My pick: Vikings. Even with Jackson out, RB Adrian Peterson looks to have a big game, plus their regular RB Chester Taylor back this week, who, last I checked, can still light it up.
Bills at Patriots: Man I feel bad for Buffalo, I mean, seriously, to start the season they get higher-tier Ds in Denver, Pittsburgh, and now New England, they just can't catch a break. The Pats' are firing on all cylinders and might seriously be next to go undefeated, which may be the unthinkable, but certainly achievable if they keep this making their opponents look like practice squad rejects. My pick: Patriots. You can't pick against a team playing this well.
49ers at Steelers: If the 49ers have proven anything so far, it's that they can pull out close games. This week they draw Blitzburg and the Steel Curtain as well as a suddenly dangerous Offense. The Niners can only hope this one stays close, as it might be the onnly way they pull this out. My pick: Steelers. The D is rollin' and workhorse RB Willie Parker (126 yds. rushing last week) has taken the offense on his shoulders. It's gonna be tough for the Niners to keep this one close.
Browns at Raiders: Hopefully, there will be no 50 point miracles and no kicker-freezing timeouts, just good old fashioned hard-nose smashmouth football. Bruising Power-Backs Jamal Lewis and LaMont Jordan should redefine the phrase 'rushing attack' this week as passing attacks are flashy but inconsistent for both teams. My pick: Raiders. It's a tough call, but the Raiders have the better D and should be able to contain Jamal Lewis. The Browns have a nonexistent D, which could mean a lot of paydirt for the silver and black.
Bengals at Seahawks: Cincy should be embarrassed after giving up 50 to the Browns. Seattle lost a game they should have won last week. If nothing else, both teams have some improving to do, we'll see who starts improving this week. My pick: Seahawks. Their at home, with an exposed and suspect D facing them, and if the Browns can score 5 TDs on Cincy, QB Matt Hasselbeck oughtta find open receivers regularly.
Jaguars at Broncos: The Jags are horrible, so the Broncos shouldn't have to perform last-second timeouts to freeze players this week. But then again, they pulled that tactic against the Raiders, who aren't supposed to be good. And they say New England is cheating... heh. My pick: Broncos. This really should be a cakewalk. key word in this: SHOULD. I can't say I'd be surprised if the Jags steal one here.
Giants at Redskins: As I said earlier, the Giants are an abomination. The Redskins are looking real solid and they might be the only ones challenging the Cowboys in the NFC East this year. My pick: Redskins. QB Jason Campbell, despite his inexperience, should be able to pick apart the Giants' secondary Sunday, look for big-time production from RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts to ease Campbell into the role.
Panthers at Falcons: Two words: Steve Smith. One more word: Unstoppable. Atlanta is reeling, and in desperation mode (they signed recently released QB Byron Leftwich earlier in the week). They are 0-2, no surprise, it's just that it's been so dismal that they might consider trying to bring QB Chris Chandler out of retirement in hopes of salvaging the season, or at least a couple of games. 0-16 is starting to look like an eventuality. My pick: Panthers. Despite their loss to Houston last week, Carolina looked really solid, just in time to catch a break and gear up for a stretch run with a W this week.
Cowboys at Bears: Sunday Night brings another great-on-paper match in what certainly could be a playoff preview. The Cowboys O is great, the D, especially against the pass, not so much. So this could be a game where Bears QB Rex Grossman breaks out -- or at the very least puts on a solid performance. My pick: Cowboys. They are playing solid, and Chicago's Offense is a question mark, so it's just a matter of Dallas wearing down the still great Bears' D.
Monday
Titans at Saints: Return to the Superdome for the home opener, but instead to 2-0, you're 0-2. If your the Saints, you need a spark. A big play, an inspirational speech, anything.... but maybe they have it. The spark could be now a renewed sense of urgency. The urgency needs to flow here as the Saints draw a team that could be a surprise contender in Vince Young and the Titans, who came off a tough loss to Indy last week. My pick: Saints. 2 games, two embarrassments. I can't see this trend continuing at home.
Quick picks:
Bucs
Chargers
Jets
Ravens
Colts
Lions
Vikings
Patriots
Steelers
Raiders
Seahawks
Broncos
Redskins
Panthers
Cowboys
Saints