Pigskin Prognostication, Week 2

See that picture above of Sylvester Croom looking at the scoreboard and wondering if it was true that MSU really only scored two points in the game? That was supposed to be me. I asked my wife this evening if she would take a picture of me to put in this post, and she said she would. Then came the Mississppi State/Auburn game. A more frustrating game I cannot remember watching. State's defense played phenomonally well, but their offense...ooh, buddy. State (either Croom, State's o-coordinator, or quarterback Wesley Carroll) were too scared to move the ball past ten yards through the air. Not that they didn't--that they were too frightened to do so. Except once--and that came in State's last offensive play--when Carroll threw an interception. State's receiver was either too weak (spiritually) to fight for the ball, or he was shocked that Carroll actually threw one more than five yards past the line of scrimmage. Either way, the game was over. And my wife and I started fussing at each other...because we didn't have the MSU offense--who'd already worked us into a tither--to fuss at anymore. She called me a bad word and refused to take my picture. That's why Doom's picture is above.

Now that I've got that off my chest....

Panthers 17, Bears 13 - Both teams come off surprising and convincing wins, but the Chicago defense played against a injury-depleted Indinapolis offensive line, whereas Carolina played won against a well-stocked Chargers' team. In a close matchup, I think the Panthers are more battle-tested.

Titans 20, Bengals 10 - Since Vince Young is out, the Titans might just score more than the twenty I'm allotting them here. But they won't--Kerry Collins is starting for Tennessee. Still, the Titans run game and ferocious defense will more than make up for it, and Cincinnatti stinks.

Packers 27, Lions 10 - Against a patchwork Falcons team, the Lions stunk it up seriously, yet still managed to score double-digits. If Charles Woodson wasn't hurt, then Green Bay's D would keep them without a touchdown this week.

Jaguars 17, Bills 14 - The game I'm the most unsure of this week. Jacskonville's offense didn't show up last week, and Buffalo's did--and so did their defense--and so did their special teams. But that was against Seattle. Jacksonville's tougher, and I think they rebound.

Chiefs 17, Raiders 9 - Last week, the Raiders did not look like a professional football organization. It's not just that they got beat; it's the unorganized, poorly played, and poorly coached fundamentals they lacked. I think the Oakland gets better this week, but I think the Chiefs do, too--and the Chiefs are already better, anyway.

Colts 23, Vikings 13 - If Colts' center Jeff Saturday plays, then the Colts should handle the Vikings pretty well, as Peyton's now had a full two-weeks worth of practice (and one game) under his belt this season. If Indianapolis' O-Line is still minus three starters, then my predicted score could easily flip-flop the other way.

Giants 31, Rams 6 - The Giants were solid defensively and offensively last week (especially the run); St. Louis looked undermanned and overwhelmed. They'll look like it again tomorrow.

Redskins 20, Saints 17 - Tomorrow New Orleans will be without two wide receivers (including their go-to guy Colston) and three starting defenders; Washington gets Shawn Springs back at corner. Need I say more? Probably.

49ers 13, Seahawks 10 - Seattle lost another starting receiver last week (their best remaining, too), and the other starting receivers haven't recovered yet. Poor Mike Holmgrem.

Buccaneers 19, Falcons 17 - The Bucs D will be too much for the young Falcons--I think. This one could go the other way just as easily.

Cardinals 14, Dolphins 10 - I don't think the Fins can stop Fitzgerald and Boldin, and they don't have the weapons to counter, either.

Broncos 28, Chargers 20 - The Chargers looked vulnerable last week, and this week they loose Merriman (for the year) and their best offensive lineman. The Broncos--well, they played the Raiders, so it was difficult to discern how good they really were...except for Cutler, who displayed a powerful (and more importantly) accurate arm all night long.

Patriots 17, Jets 10 - I think, that even with Brady out for the year, that Belicheck will have his squad so well-prepared defensively that Joe Willie Namath could quarterback the Jets this week, and the Pats would still win.

Steelers 38, Browns 16 - Last week, the Steelers looked like the best team in football in all aspects of its game. The Browns looked mediocre. They'll look worse tomorrow.

Cowboys 21, Eagles 20 -Toss-up...almost. The Eagles lost Reggie Brown for a week, and the Cowboys lost Terrence Newman. Pac-Man Jones backs up Newman, but I don't know who backs up Brown. Not a good sign for the Eagles. McNabb'll keep 'em close, though.