RJ's NFL Picks, Week Two
Published September 13, 2007
I went 11-5 last week. For a comparison, check out the "experts" over at ESPN.
Here are my picks for the NFL's Week Two:
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
Indianapolis (1-0) @ Tennessee (1-0) - 1:00 PM [Sheridan's Line - Colts by 7]
Indy dismantled the Saints last week with a combination of predictably awesome offense and surprisingly stellar defense. This week they travel to Nashville to face the Titans. Tennessee also won last week, though in a much closer game. RB Chris Brown ran wild, gaining 175 yards on 19 carries against the Jaguars defense. However, QB Vince Young performed poorly. Indy's front seven needs to focus on containing Tennessee's running game, which would force Young into trying to win it by himself. The Colts should put a lot of points on the board, as usual.
RJ's Pick - Colts by 9
Green Bay (1-0) @ NY Giants (0-1) - 1:00 PM [Sheridan's Line - Pick ‘em]
The Packers beat the Eagles last week with a last-second field goal. But they were lucky to win, since their offense didn't score a single touchdown. The Giants lost a shootout in Dallas Sunday night. WR Plaxico Burress excelled with 144 receiving yards and three TDs in a losing effort. And as if getting beat by a division rival to start the season wasn't bad enough, the Giants also lost several players to injury, including QB Eli Manning who may not be able to play this week. But even without Eli Manning, the Giants have a better offense than the Packers. The Packers, however, appear to have the superior defense. This one could really go either way, so the home team is the safer bet.
RJ's Pick - Giants by 1
Cincinnati (1-0) @ Cleveland (0-1) - 1:00 PM [Sheridan's Line - Bengals by 6]
The Bengals beat division rival Baltimore on Monday night thanks to a solid performance by QB Carson Palmer and his two top receivers, Chad Johnson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh. DE Robert Geathers was outstanding with an INT, a sack, and a forced fumble. The Browns were crushed last week by Pittsburgh, in another matchup of AFC North rivals. Starting QB Charlie Frye was so obviously clueless that he was benched at the end of the first quarter. (He was then traded on Tuesday to the Seahawks for a sixth-round draft pick. Ouch!) Backup QB Derek Anderson came in to replace him, but didn't have much more success. There is some speculation that rookie QB Brady Quinn might start against Cincinnati. Regardless of who starts under center for the Browns, this intrastate showdown is not difficult to pick.
RJ Elliott is a graduate student studying Criminal Justice at the University Of Central Florida. His likes include nature, sports, and pierced blondes. He dislikes daytime television, left-wing dictators, and lead-tainted Chinese imports. He is ambivalent about Angelina Jolie.
- RJ's NFL Picks, Week Two
- Published: September 13, 2007
- Type: News
- Section: Sports
- Filed Under: Sports: Football (American)
- Part of a feature: NFL Picks
- Writer: RJ Elliott
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UPDATE:
Sheridan is now picking the Ravens by 10 over the New York Jets...
Its way to hard to pick the points lol.. how DO you do it? :)
anyways heh, umm i dunno lets see... oh ya week two.
INDIANAPOLIS: Tenn shocked me last week by defeating the jags.. actually i dunno if i was shocked.. just mildly surprised that the JAGS couldnt put up a single point in the second half!
GREEN BAY: Would'nt be surprised if GB's upset over the eagles will give them some needed momentum on a beat up NYG team.
CINCINNATI: Cleveland is back to the drawing board. (Doesnt mean CIN gets to take a nap though)
CAROLINA: The Last time these teams played each other was in 2003. Houston won that game 13 10. I want to take Houston, but Its hard not to take Carolina solely based on there performance last week against St Louis.(Lets hope it wasnt a fluke)
NEW ORLEANS: This is another hard game i think Tampa is going to surprise everyone but its hard to take them over there division rival NOS.
PITTSBURGH: turnovers would have to happen in order for buff to keep it tight.. just playin the odds.
JACKSONVILLE: Hopfully changing up the offensive game plan the jags are looking to devour the birds.
SF: ST. Louis has a good track record the last 6/7 i think but gore performed well last year.. and similar situation Orlando Pace was out still Steven Jackson had 100+ yrds.. tuff game would be great if SF could pull off..
DETROIT: Im rooting for Detroit..(Kitna and C. Johnson are on my fantasy team).. lol going to be a tough game flip a coin.
SEATTLE: If Arizona could win here.. wow. i figure some late points.. 17 13 final
DALLAS: Ya Miami looked good last week but i just cant see them scoring enough points.. good call if they can take this one.
BALTIMORE: Cant see jet's sneaking one by.. big plays might keep it close.
DENVER: Orange and Blue fans around the counrty will contemplate suicide if they lose this critical division match up. Why are Denver fans so hardcore?
SD: Solely based on the Patriots being distracted by the current events.
PHILADELPHIA: Washington deserved that game last week..but dnt think they can do it twice. especially when Philadelphia must win this game at home.
Damn forgot another game.. ahhemm.. CHICAGO
Indianapolis
Green Bay
Cincinnati
Carolina
New Orleans
Buffalo
Jacksonville
St. Louis
Minnesota
Seattle
Dallas
Chicago
New York Jets
Denver
New England
Washington
Sigh,
Indy, Green Bay (is the bay really green?), Cincinnata, Carolina, Nouveau Orleans, Pittsboorg (in honour of how my father pronounces it), Jacksonville, San Fran, Minnesota, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Baltimore, Denver (question: who came first? The state or John Denver, San Diego (Obvious-guy says: LT will have more than 25 yards), Phil-uh-duh-lphia.
Steelers and Bears.
- Elizabeth Edwards
Indianapolis (1-0) @ Tennessee (1-0)... Last week I said don't pick against Vince Young. This week I say don't pick against Indy.
Green Bay (1-0) @ NY Giants (0-1)... Green Bay looked horrid last week. NYG didn't. As much as I love to give the nod to defense, I just..can't..do it.
Cincinnati (1-0) @ Cleveland (0-1)...The sooner Quin gets in there for Cleveland, the better. Give the kid some experience because he is the future of the franchise. But regardless of who starts, Cincinnati is going to dominate.
Houston (1-0) @ Carolina (1-0)... It will be a tall order upsetting Carolina at home. I'd love to see it happen, but for the sake of the pick I give the nod to Carolina.
New Orleans (0-1) @ Tampa Bay (0-1)... Oh I don't know. I am not gunning for the Saints this year like I was last year. I kind of want to see Tampa fall. I don't have any kind of read on this game. Home field advantage? Ok. Tampa Bay.
Buffalo (0-1) @ Pittsburgh (1-0)... Pittsburgh. And it won't be even close.
Atlanta (0-1) @ Jacksonville (0-1)... Jacksonville. Will Atlanta even win one game this year? I hope not...
San Francisco (1-0) @ Saint Louis (0-1)... Last year San Fransisco was an Achilles Heel for me. I started off the year thinking they had the ability to upset anyone. After picking for them the first 2/3s of the season and mostly picking wrong, I shied away from the pick. So I dominantly picked against them. And wouldn't you know the sons of guns were winning? Ok. San Fransico... mostly because St. Louis looked rather pathetic last week.
Minnesota (1-0) @ Detroit (1-0)... When is the last time Detroit started off the season with a win? Much less a chance to go 2 for Oh? I can see this game going either way, and will pick Detroit, but am nervous that they aren't considered an underdog.
Seattle (1-0) @ Arizona (0-1)... Sea-to-the-attle.
Dallas (1-0) @ Miami (0-1)... I'm not thinking upset. Dallas all the way.
Kansas City (0-1) @ Chicago (0-1)... Eh. Chicago, under the assumption that Grossman won't be completely moronic two weeks in a row.
NY Jets (0-1) @ Baltimore (0-1)... Baltimore will win, though I'd love to see Jets upset.
Oakland (0-1) @ Denver (1-0)... Denver.
San Diego (1-0) @ New England (1-0)... New England. Because they gots the signs, yo.
Washington (1-0) @ Philadelphia (0-1)... Washington will win, though the Philly fans might not let them leave Philadelphia alive.
where are all the upset picks? there are at least 2 upsets a week? I am thinkin ( maybe stinkin thinkin!) arizona over seahawks- - anyone???? and I am totally takin chargers over pats-( who knows- brian might not be the only sign reader!!!!
Okokok.... so this is my first time bloging my picks on here... and I do it just for fun. SO don't expect any elaborate explanations.So here goes:
Colts
Giants
Bengals
Panthers
Saints
Steelers
Jags
Rams
Lions
Seahawks
Cowboys
Bears
Ravens
Broncos
New England PATRIOTS!!!
Redskins
Yeah, thats what I have...
Melissa, there is only room for one loser here and that's ME! So don't worry. Welcome.
Final Scores:
Houston 34, Carolina 21 - RJ 0-1 (Key stat: Carolina had zero sacks on Matt Schaub, who went 20 for 28 with 227 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs.)
Cleveland 51, Cincinnati 45 - RJ 0-2 (Key stat: Jamal Lewis had 215 yards rushing, and Derek Anderson had 328 yards passing with 5 TDs.)
Indianapolis 22, Tennessee 20 - RJ 1-2 (Key stat: Bob Sanders had 2.5 sacks and 11 tackles for the Colts.)
Tampa Bay 31, New Orleans 14 - RJ 1-3 (Key stat: Joey Galloway caught 4 passes for 135 yards and 2 TDs.)
Final Score:
San Fran 17, St. Louis 16 - RJ 2-3 (Key stat: The Rams lose despite outgaining the 49ers 392-186; Frank Gore rushes for 81 yards and 2 TDs.)
Final Scores:
Steelers 26, Bills 3 - RJ 3-3 (Key stat: Willie Parker runs for 126 yards and a TD; Steelers defense sacks J. P. Losman 4 times.)
Packers 35, Giants 13 - RJ 3-4 (Key stat: The ageless Brett Favre is 29 for 38 passing, with 286 yards and 3 TDs.)
Final Score:
Jaguars 13, Falcons 7 - RJ 4-4 (Key stat: Falcons manage only 82 yards rushing; Joey Harrington sacked 7 times.)
After eight games:
Theismann 5-3
Salisbury 4-4
Hoge 4-4
Jaworski 5-3
Schlereth 5-3
Allen 4-4
Mortensen 3-5
Golic 4-4
Accuscore 4-4
Final Scores:
Arizona 23, Seattle 20 - RJ 4-5 (Key stat: Edgerrin James rushed for 128 yards and a TD on 24 carries.)
Dallas 37, Dolphins 20 - RJ 4-6 (Key stat: Trent Green is picked off 4 times.)
Detroit 20, Vikings 17 (in OT) - RJ 5-6 (Key stat: Tarvaris Jackson was 17 of 33 for just 166 yards, zero TDs, and 4 INTs; his performance was so bad that he was benched in OT.)
Final Scores:
Denver 23, Oakland 20 (in OT) - RJ 6-6 (Key stat: Josh McCown had a rough day, going 8 of 16 passing for a measly 73 yards; he also threw 3 INTs and was sacked three times.)
Chicago 20, KC 10 - RJ 7-6 (Key stat: Kansas City rushed for only 70 yards, including just 55 yards on 16 attempts by Larry Johnson.)
Final Score:
Ravens 20, Jets 13 - RJ 8-6 (Key stat: Kyle Boller goes 23 for 35 passing, with 2 TDs and 0 INTs; in fact, the Ravens did not commit a single turnover.)
After 14 games:
Theismann 10-4
Salisbury 8-6
Hoge 8-6
Jaworski 10-4
Schlereth 10-4
Allen 7-7
Mortensen 7-7
Golic 8-6
Accuscore 9-5
Thank you in advance for not tabulating my picks this week.
Love,
--Suss
Oh, geez! I knew I forgot something.
Ahem:
ATTENTION***ATTENTION
MR. MATTHEW T. SUSSMAN IS 6-8 THROUGH 14 GAMES...LET ME REPEAT...MR. MATTHEW T. SUSSMAN IS CURRENTLY 6-8...
ehhh 10-5.. go 9ers..
Cleveland.. Houston.. Tampa.. Woah
Final Score:
Pats 38, SD 14 - RJ 9-6 (Key stat: Rosevelt Colvin had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 forced fumbles.)
11-4 so far.
Here's to hoping it becomes 11-5. (aka, go Philly!)
Who are we kidding? The road to the SB is through New England.
"Regardless of who starts under center for the Browns, this intrastate showdown is not difficult to pick..."
It's not???
Final Score:
Washington 20, Eagles 12 - RJ 9-7 (Key stat: Philly had zero turnovers and outgained Washington in total yardage, but still lost because the Redskins defense kept them out of the endzone all game.)
Week Two "expert" results:
Theismann 12-4
Salisbury 9-7
Hoge 9-7
Jaworski 11-4
Schlereth 11-5
Allen 8-8
Mortensen 8-8
Golic 8-8
Accuscore 10-6
BlogCritics elite pickers:
RJ - 9-7
Melissa (my buddy) - 10-6 (I got beat by a girl!!!)
DOM - 10-6
Suss - 8-8
Alessandro - 8-8
Theory - 12-4
"rjess30" - 1-1
Elizabeth Edwards(?) - 2-0
Key stat: Philly had zero turnovers...
key stat: i fell asleep with about 3 minutes to play in the second quarter.
did the game get any more interesting? all i can remember was a bunch of sloppy play.
Well, McNabb appeared to have about a 12% completion percentage, if you consider that interesting... :-/
i should have made a game out of it...when will mcnabb not throw behind a receiver?? ooh, exciting!
28-of-46, to be exact. (Over 60 percent. Which is very good.) But Christ, why is he throwing that much?
The team's just bad. They have no talent.
Westbrook has talent.
Meanwhile, McNabb has a QB rating of 68.8.
Name me one Eagles wide receiver. Just one ... see? You can't do it. The Eagles spend more money on cheerleader pompoms than WRs.
McNabb isn't helping his own cause, but he has a comparable QB rating with Alex Smith (69.1), and his 49ers are 2-0.
RJ: Your picks sucked against the spread, I think you only got 5 or 6 right.
Ty,
I am usually awful against the spread. Which is why that is not the focus of my columns...
For the record, according to my calculations I went 6-10 against the spread in Week Two.
While that is, obviously, not good, a point deserves to be made here:
Many sites that offer weekly NFL analysis and picks charge money for those picks, and even then they only give picks for five or six or seven cherry-picked games per week. I, on the other hand, offer my picks for free, and am obligated to pick every game, every week.
I do not encourage anyone to use my picks for betting purposes. You are free to do so if you like, but again, that is not the purpose of my columns.
Anyway, thank you for your feedback. I sincerely appreciate it, and I certainly don't hope you get hit by a truck tomorrow or anything.
Best,
RJ
Be careful Melissa, pretty soon he'll be referring to you as "one of my (his) girlfriends"...
^ I think Steve Martin had one of those in "The Lonely Guy."
In news "A MAN IDENTIFIED ONLY AS TY WAS SEEN MUMBLING ABOUT THE SPREAD AND 5-6 RIGHT AS HE WALKED ON THE HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE HE WAS HIT BY A TRUCK EYEWITNESS REPORTS STATE"
Keep up the insightful and informative work my friend and damn the others, lol.
Cheers
NS
Week Three picks are up!
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RJ's NFL Picks for Week Two are up!
Thanks for the quick publish, Suss. :-)