Week 3 in the NFL

The start to my 2008 season has been the same as the St. Louis Rams: piss poor. To date, here's where I stand:

Win-Loss: 18-13 through 2 weeks (7-8 last week)
Points: 160 out of a possible 256 (61 out of 120 last week)
Percentage of points: 62.5% through 2 weeks (50.8% last week)

Like I said, if this was a course, I'd be failing.

Hopefully week 3 treats me better!



Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans, 1 PM

Houston's game against Baltimore last week was washed out by Hurricane Ike, So, the Texans had a de facto bye week. It's impossible to say how the natural disaster is going to effect them for this match-up. Some players will certainly look forward to the welcomed distraction of a game, while others might be burned out from a long week. The Titans have had their own drama this season, with the ongoing Vince Young saga. Kerry Collins will be their starter until the team stumbles, and for the next few weeks anyway, as Young is still hurt. I think the Titans are the better team, but I just have a crazy, illogical hunch that the Texans will win.

Prediction: Houston (4)

Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings, 1 PM

The Panthers look like a different team with QB Jake Delhomme healthy again. "The Cardiac Cats" have had consecutive comeback wins to open the season, and they have the explosive Steve Smith returning from a two-game suspension. The Vikings are off to a disappointing 0-2 start, and made the switch from Tavaris Jackson to Gus Frerotte at QB. I know Jackson wasn't lighting up the scoreboard, but is Frerotte really the answer? He has a career record of 37-44-1 as a starter, and is 37 years old. He probably won't make too many mistakes at least. I think this is a game where the Minnesota defense will take matters into their own hands, and maybe even get a defensive touchdown out of it. At least Frerotte will have Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor in the backfield. I just can't see the Vikings starting out 0-3.

Prediction: Minnesota (3)

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 1 PM

The Dolphins have picked up right where they left off in 2007, and now have just 1 win in their last 21 games, dating back to the end of the 2006 season. Miami's running back tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have disappointed, and the team ranks 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game. The Patriots aren't going to make life any easier on Miami. New England is better in every facet of the game, and they gained some more confident in Matt Cassel with a solid outing against the Jets in week 2. This one should be a romp, even if Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter is planning on it being the team's first win of the year.

Prediction: New England (16)

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants, 1 PM

The Bengals look pathetic on both sides of the ball, as they're averaging 105.5 passing yards per game, dead last in the NFL. On defense, Cincinnati has only registered a single sack in their first two games, good for sole possession of the lowest total in the league. Yep, the Bengals are back to their 1991-2002 form. The Giants are 2-0, and have enjoyed two cakewalks to start the year. This game shouldn't be that tough either.

Prediction: New York (14)

Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons, 1 PM

The Chiefs are starting their 3rd different quarterback in as many weeks. That should tell you all you need to know about the state of their franchise. Tyler Thigpen is nothing special, and neither is Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle. Larry Johnson doesn't look great, and has only 96 yards on the season. Kansas City has struggled to move the ball on the ground, but their opponents haven't, as the Chiefs are giving up a whopping 213 yards per contest. A running game would be Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan's best friend. Michael Turner will look to return to his week 1 form, and the Chiefs are the defense to do it against. The Falcons are still rebuilding, but they're further along than the Chiefs.

Prediction: Atlanta (13)

Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills, 1 PM

The Raiders may not be competitors this season, but at least fans will get to watch Darren McFadden run. He'll have to carry the load, as QB Jamarcus Russell and the passing game ranks 31st in all of football. The Bills have struck a great balance on offense, with QB Trent Edwards making smart decisions, and Marshawn Lynch pounding the football. The defense looks stout as well, and I can see the Bills dominating this game.

Prediction: Buffalo (11)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears, 1 PM

Tampa enjoyed some home cooking in beating the Falcons last week. They're still not good enough to keep up with the rest of the teams in the conference though. The Bears should be 2-0, but they fumbled away the game in Carolina last weekend. The Bears have a better running game and defense, and I can see them winning a tight, low-scoring game at home.

Prediction: Chicago (8)

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins, 1 PM

The Cardinals have started the 2008 season with wins over the lame 49ers and Dolphins. Kurt Warner has continued his revival in the dessert, and has 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Washington looked like they figured out how to run Jim Zorn's offense last week, and they had a much-needed win. Clinton Portis is running well for the 'skins, and Arizona may be vulnerable to a sustained running attack. This could be the week Jason Taylor breaks out, giving the defense the ability to make Warner uncomfortable.

Prediction: Washington (7)

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 PM

The story line for the 2008 Lions is similar to the 2007 one: they can pass on offense, they can't run, and Jon Kitna gets sacked a lot. But unlike 2007 when they started 6-2, Detroit has been humiliated to start the season. The 49ers pulled off the upset of Week 2 with their win in Seattle. J.T. O'Sullivan made some big-time throws, and did enough to keep his team in the game. I can't see the Lions winning this game.

Prediction: San Francisco (5)

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 PM

St. Louis stayed with the Giants for a while last week, but the defending Super Bowl champs ended up beating the Rams by a wide margin. The Rams don't have nearly enough talent on either side of the ball, and they're supposed to be 0-2. The Seahawks weren't supposed to be joining St. Louis in the NFC West basement. Seattle's receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, which forced the team to trade for Keary Colbert and sign Koren Robinson. The key to this game is pressuring the quarterback. Well, the Rams offensive line has allowed 10 sacks, the 2nd highest total in the league. The Seahawks defense have 9 sacks, the most in football. And there's no way Seattle loses back-to-back games at home.

Prediction: Seattle (15)


New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos, 4:05 PM

The Saints let a golden opportunity to get to 2-0 slip away last week. This game could be a great offensive showcase for quarterbacks Drew Brees and Jay Cutler. The Saints and Broncos both rank in the bottom 5 in the NFL in passing defense. Denver has more talent on defense, they're playing well right now, AND they have the homefield advantage.

Prediction: Denver (10)

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 4:15 PM

The Browns were everyone's sexy pick for a playoff spot. But was their 10-6 record last year merely a mirage? Of their 10 wins, only 1 came against a playoff team (the Seahawks). Of their 6 losses, 3 were against playoff teams. So, they were 1-3 against playoff teams, and 9-3 against everyone else. Cleveland's offense is a mess right now. The running game ranks as one of the worst in the league, and star receiver Braylon Edwards has already had an alarming number of dropped passes. They can ill-afford to fall to 0-3 if they still want to make the playoffs. The Ravens were supposed to play in Houston last weekend, so they ended up having the week off. Baltimore is going to look to pound the ball right at Cleveland, and limit the number of throws for rookie QB Joe Flacco. Baltimore wins by at least 6 points.

Prediction: Baltimore (9)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 4:15 PM

Traditionally a battle of playoff teams, this battle between the Jags and Colts has turned into a clash of the walking wounded. The Jaguars offensive line is banged up, and it's shown, as running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor have not got going yet. The Colts are without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Bob Sanders, so if those two do get going, the Colts will be without their impact defender. Jacksonville always get recognized as a team that is capable of slowing down the Colts offense. However, they never seem to do enough to win, especially in Indianapolis. The Colts weathered a tough challenge from the Vikings last week, and I see them doing it again this week.

Prediction: Indianapolis (6)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:15 PM

The Steelers are probably the best team in the AFC right now, and maybe even the entire NFL. There don't seem to be any glaring weaknesses on either side of the ball. The Eagles nearly pulled off the upset in Dallas on Monday Night Football, but they just ran out of time. The only way I can see Philadelphia beating Pittsburgh is if Donovan McNabb throws for big yardage and his receivers make some big plays down field. The secondary may be the vulnerable point for the Steelers. Otherwise, I like Pittsburgh to win a tight game.

Prediction: Pittsburgh (2)

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 PM

The Cowboys have the most star-studded offense in the NFL. It's a good thing too, because their defense is giving up points in bunches. Aaron Rodgers has done a great job of making cheeseheads forget about Brett Favre. Quick segue: In the 2005 Draft, 3 QB's were taken in the first round. Alex Smith went 1st overall to the 49ers, and has been a colossal bust. Rodgers went 24th overall to the Packers, and is finally a starter. Jason Campbell went to the Redskins with the very next pick, and has been inconsistent. I think it's a safe bet that the 49ers (and maybe Washington) would take Rodgers if they had the chance over their respective quarterbacks. This will be the first test for Rodgers against a bona fide Super Bowl contender. He came on in relief last year against the Cowboys, and performed admirably. I think Rodgers will play well, but he won't put enough points on the board.

Prediction: Dallas (1)

New York Jets at San Diego Chargers, 8:30 PM on Monday Night Football

A lot of people were ready to anoint the Jets as the new kings of the AFC East before they played the Patriots last week. New England had other ideas though, and shut down the Jets offense while playing conservatively themselves. Even if they don't take the division, the Jets are still in line for a playoff spot. The Chargers are another 0-2 team looking to avoid falling into the dreaded 0-3 hole. San Diego is too talented of a team to be in that position, though their two defeats were crushing and in the final seconds. With the return of LaDainian Tomlinson, I can see the Chargers controlling this game from start to finish.

Prediction: San Diego (12)