This game will be ugly. Miami is going to be steaming after a disappointing 0-2 start and they get the awful Tennessee Titans. Culpepper finally has a good game in a Dolphins uniform throwing for about 4 or 5 touchdowns against a terrible Titans defense. Dolphins 41, Titans 3
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
The winner of this game will be the front runner for the AFC South title, especially if Jacksonville wins which I think they will. Jacksonville will shut down Indianapolis' already weak running game, forcing Peyton Manning to throw on nearly every down, but he's facing a defense that will be able to handle that. The Jaguars offense will score on the Colts defense as well. The Jags show that this is their division now. Jaguars 27, Colts 7
Washington @ Houston
This is similar to the Titans/Dolphins game. Redskins win in a rout. Redskins 35, Texans 10
Green Bay @ Detroit
Now Roy Williams, this is the kind of game you should be guaranteeing. As bad as the Lions are, Green Bay is worse. The Lions win ugly. Lions 21, Packers 7
NY Jets @ Buffalo
The way Buffalo has been playing these first two weeks, they shouldn't have much of a problem with the lowely Jets. Buffalo wins big. Bills 24, Jets 10
Carolina @ Tampa Bay
This is a huge game. Two playoff teams from last season, both 0-2, meaning the loser of this game will drop to 0-3. For many years, Carolina dominated this series until last year when a loss to Tampa Bay at home gave the Bucs the division title. The Panthers offense is non existant and they face a really good Bucs defense. The Bucs offense isn't much better either, but they're at home so Ill give the Bucs the victory here. Buccaneers 10, Panthers 6
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
This is where Cincinnati lets America know that they're for real. Pittsburgh is not a good football team and the Bengals will expose them. Cincy gets revenge for that first round playoff loss last year. Bengals 29, Steelers 3
Chicago @ Minnesota
Another huge game between two division rivals that will be competing for a playoff spot this year. Although the Vikings are at home and have looked awfully impressive in their first two games, I give the nod to the Bears here. Their offense appears to be worthy of their defense finally and the Vikings aren't ready to take them on for the division just yet, should be a close one though. Bears 20, Vikings 16
Baltimore @ Cleveland
This is a yawner. The Ravens will inevitably let the Browns hang around for 3 quarters and give them hope and then in the fourth they will turn it into the blowout that it is supposed to be. Ravens 34, Browns 13
NY Giants @ Seattle
The Giants have had this game marked on their calendar since losing to the Seahawks last year. New York made a believer out of me last week and this week they will inflict more pain upon the Seahawks. Giants 28, Seahawks 10
Philadelphia @ San Francisco
The Eagles are going to be steaming after blowing that lead to New York last week. Philly blows the Niners away again this season just like they did last season. Philadelphia drops 49 on the 49ers. Eagles 49, 49ers 3
St. Louis @ Arizona
This game comes down to who wants to avoid a losing record most. At this point in the season, Ill go with the Rams. St. Louis inexplicably lost to the 49ers last week, I think in part because they were looking ahead to this game while Arizona's offense was shut down in Seattle. I think the Rams will force Kurt Warner into making mistakes and St. Louis claims a victory in the desert. Rams 27, Cardinals 17
Denver @ New England
Like I said earlier, this game will be a flat out beating on the Broncos at the hands of the New England Patriots. Belichick will have his troops fired up as always and Jake Plummer will make mistake after mistake. Pats get revenge for playoff loss last season. Patriots 35, Broncos 7
Atlanta @ New Orleans
I know this game is the first one in New Orleans since Katrina and just about everyone will be rooting for the Saints but I just dont see it happening. New Orleans has still never beaten Michael Vick and the Falcons are just the far superior team. On top of all that, this game is for first place in the NFC South. It goes to overtime, where the Falcons claim a win. Falcons 27, Saints 24 (OT)
The Steelers and Colts have one thing in common, both teams used to have potent running games before losing their star runningbacks. Without the running games, I consider both teams quite average the Bengals and Jags both make huge statements this week by dominating the team that has had their number in recent years on the road.
I wouldn't call Jerome Bettis the star running back the Steelers had last year. He was a team leader, and was an instant touchdown in the red zone, but Willie Parker did most of the work.
That's what the perception of him was but I think he must have meant more than that. Look at what the Steelers are doing running the football without him now.
Im going to change one of my picks. I thought about it and the Panthers are a much better team than Tampa and they'll want it more. Panthers 20, Buccaneers 7
Carolina is not going to win the NFC South. Tampa won't be a problem but I think the Falcons and Saints are both going to finish above them. For me, it looks like the Saints are the best team in that division.
I don't think the Saints will make the playoffs. They're just not that good. They beat up on two very bad teams, and had strong emotion on their side against Atlanta. I picked them to beat the Falcons -- and now I have them getting blown out at Carolina. Things will go back to normal soon.
Guess we'll see on Sunday. This Saint team isn't like the team last year that won in Carolina in an emotional game and then was blown out the next week. They have a home base, they're a regular NFL team again and they won't be totally drained from it. Their momentum carries through to this week.
It's not like the Saints are the only team to be flat.
Last year, a week after playing for Wellington Mara, the Giants were outplayed in San Francisco. A crucial Alex Smith INT at the end of the first half put the game out of reach for the 49ers, but it was very close.
This year, Northwestern lost to a 1-AA squad after playing for Randy Walker.
I don't care who you are, it's so hard to play with extreme intensity two weeks in a row. Saints are going down big.
New Orleans was competitive this week but their last second comeback fell flat on the onside attempt. I still think the Saints are going to win the NFC South.
