Top Shelf Games: Talent-rich, highly competitive and aged in oak barrels... spiritually speaking
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (-3)
It doesn't get much better than this Lady Blitz Game of the Week. Two perennial AFC powerhouses who last met in a very memorable 2012 conference title game are now trying to recover from devastating Week 2 losses. Outstanding Arizona special teams aside from last week, I think the Cardinals also exposed some real concerns the Patriots have on their offensive line that the Ravens will be all too happy to exploit. If only Ray Lewis can find the motivation to get Baltimore all angry and vengeful for this one...
Houston Texans (-2) at Denver Broncos
Now that everyone is sweeping some of the Week 1 confetti under the rug from Peyton Manning's initially triumphant return, things are about to get interesting at this Week 3 bout in Denver. Credit the Falcons for creating some very unorthodox defensive schemes on Monday to keep Manning off-kilter that the Texans probably won't have at their disposal. Still, Houston is looking red hot on both sides of the ball lately and will find other ways to contain No. 18 this weekend for a key road win.
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
I really like this Thursday night matchup because it could go about 50 different ways. Neither the Giants nor the Panthers have shown consistent performance across two weeks and could play anywhere along the spectrum between explosive/unstoppable and bumbling/inept. I think it'll be a close one, but right now the Panthers look more poised to take control on offense and keep Eli Manning in check without Ahmad Bradshaw's assistance.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Arizona Cardinals
I admit I wouldn't have even put this one in the Well Drink bucket before this past weekend but after watching the Eagles cheat turnover fate and the Cardinals dominate on defense and special teams for two weeks, we could be in for a wild ride in Arizona. Then there's that whole Kolb-v.-Philly dynamic that will flood the pre-game reels. To make a long story short, this one is going to come down to who makes fewer mistakes, and I just can't see Kevin Kolb holding it together with the chip he has on his shoulder.
Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers (-3)
In Part 2 of the 2 - 0 faceoffs this weekend, the Falcons travel west after a short week to take on the Chargers. In theory this one could be close, but the Chargers still look like a paper tiger in the AFC West to me until they beat a top tier team. Atlanta's looking too hot to be within the Bolts' reach.
Well Drink Games: They may surprise you from time to time without all the high expectations
St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears (-7.5)
Say what you will (as I have) about Jay Cutler and the Bears last week, they will recover just find at home against the Rams this time around. Provided Brandon Marshall can limit the dropped passes and Jay Cutler can model Week 2 Alex Smith instead of Week 2 Peyton Manning, Chicago will bounce back emphatically.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (-8)
So media wallflower Jerry Jones now thinks kneel downs should be outlawed in the NFL? I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans that could produce between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys this weekend after the two minute warning. The Bucs are looking like a solid team in the making, but I think Dallas is going to be strongly motivated to put all of the talented pieces back together again for the home opener. It's hard to say how last week would have turned out if the 'Boys hadn't lost momentum so early with some very unfortunate mistakes.
Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins (-3)
I might have taken a chance on the emerging Redskins for this Sunday at one point, but season-ending injuries to Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker this week spell bad news for the Washington defense. Of course on the other hand, the Bengals gave up 27 to a young Browns offense in Week 2 that indicate this could be one heckuva shootout. All things considered, I think the Bengals have a little more experience and a lot less to overcome to eke out a win at FedEx this time.
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Seattle Seahawks
I have a funny feeling about this one. Even though the Packers were in control for the second half against the Bears last week, Aaron Rodgers & co. just haven't looked as sharp so far this season as most of us enthusiastically projected. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are showing signs of defensive dominance like their San Francisco brethren, and they are a force to be reckoned with in front of the home crowd. Seahawks by an aquiline nose since Hasselbeck isn't there to call the coin toss.
Neither the Lions nor the Titans have looked great by most comparisons so far this year, but at least the Lions seem to have found an interim solution for their run game with Kevin Smith whereas Chris Johnson is picking up right where he very inefficiently left off. Motown will soulfully stomp Music City into an early 0 - 3 hole.
House Punch Games: Most likely to be lop-sided, sloppy and/or otherwise painful to digest
Buffalo Bills (-3) at Cleveland Browns
Here's a Black Box of a game projection. The Bills seem to be a different team than they were in Week 1, but they were playing a Chiefs team that just hasn't looked sharp this year. The Browns on the other hand have looked more competitive than their record would indicate but they've benefited heavily from their opponents' mistakes. I'm going with the Bills this time under the assumption that they have the confidence to continue the momentum they built on both sides of the ball last week.
New York Jets (-2.5) at Miami Dolphins
I'm going to go ahead and assume last week was a fluke for the Dolphins and Jeff Ireland still deserves absolutely no credit for anything. Even if Revis Island is temporarily docked on the mainland, the Jets should have no trouble shutting down Ryan Tannehill Hard Knocks style.
San Francisco 49ers (-7) at Minnesota Vikings
I can't think of many teams that are further apart on the spectrum of contenders and pretenders than the 49ers and the Vikings, respectively. It's going to be an NFC bloodbath at the Metrodome on Sunday. Of course, what kind of karma is it that Randy Moss is suddenly good again?
Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints (-9)
Boy oh boy, talk about deflated expectations for these two teams so far in 2012. One of my buddies has already snagged seats in Row 15 at the Superdome for less than $100 for this Sunday's festivities. It might not be pretty, but this is just the kind of win the Saints need--and will secure--to regain some confidence in their abilities, especially on defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-3)
This one is obviously a little bit of a gamble, but the Jaguars have a vastly underrated defense unlike the Colts. Watching Andrew Luck's challenges against the Steelers (preseason) and Bears earlier this year suggest to me that this game is within reach for Jacksonville with enough will power and very, very few mistakes on offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) at Oakland Raiders
I can't imagine Carson Palmer's all too excited about facing the Steelers again since he parted ways with the AFC North. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, must be elated-- this should be no contest for the Steelers. Let the Terrelle Pryor countdown begin!
So How's My Pickin'?
Last Week's Record: 10 - 6
Season Record: 18 - 14
This is an awesome site! Good luck with your picks today. JB
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