RJ's NFL Picks, Week Two

Part of: NFL Picks

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's Pick - Bengals by 10

Houston (1-0) @ Carolina (1-0) - 1:00 PM [Sheridan's Line - Panthers by 6½]

Houston smothered the Chiefs last week by a score of 20-3. WR Andre Johnson caught seven passes for 142 yards and a TD. QB Matt Schaub played fairly well, and was only sacked twice. DE Mario Williams was huge with two sacks and a fumble return for a TD. Carolina won on the road against the Rams in Week One. QB Jake Delhomme was solid with 3 TDs and no INTs. WR Steve Smith caught seven passes for 118 yards and a TD, and RB DeShaun Foster rushed for nearly 100 yards. But the Rams defense is among the worst in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers offense is anywhere as successful against the Texans.

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Article Author: RJ Elliott

RJ is a graduate student at the University of Central Florida. His passions in life are sports, politics, nature, and women who have piercings they never told their daddy about. He dislikes daytime television, left-wing dictators, and people who talk like Garrison Keillor. …

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  • 1 - RJ

    Sep 13, 2007 at 4:34 pm

    RJ's NFL Picks for Week Two are up!

    Thanks for the quick publish, Suss. :-)

  • 2 - RJ

    Sep 13, 2007 at 10:55 pm

    UPDATE:

    Sheridan is now picking the Ravens by 10 over the New York Jets...

  • 3 - DOM @ HSU

    Sep 14, 2007 at 1:27 am

    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.



  • 4 - DOM @ HSU

    Sep 14, 2007 at 1:30 am

    Damn forgot another game.. ahhemm.. CHICAGO

  • 5 - Matthew T. Sussman

    Sep 14, 2007 at 9:19 pm

    Indianapolis

    Green Bay

    Cincinnati

    Carolina

    New Orleans

    Buffalo

    Jacksonville

    St. Louis

    Minnesota

    Seattle

    Dallas

    Chicago

    New York Jets

    Denver

    New England

    Washington

  • 6 - Alessandro

    Sep 14, 2007 at 10:11 pm

    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.

  • 7 - REMF

    Sep 15, 2007 at 1:28 am

    Steelers and Bears.
    - Elizabeth Edwards

  • 8 - The Theory

    Sep 15, 2007 at 10:14 am

    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.

  • 9 - rjess30

    Sep 15, 2007 at 11:20 am

    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!!!!

  • 10 - Melissa

    Sep 15, 2007 at 3:29 pm

    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...

  • 11 - Alessandro

    Sep 15, 2007 at 4:53 pm

    Melissa, there is only room for one loser here and that's ME! So don't worry. Welcome.

  • 12 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 4:54 pm

    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.)

  • 13 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 4:57 pm

    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.)

  • 14 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 5:10 pm

    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.)

  • 15 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 5:12 pm

    Final Score:

    Jaguars 13, Falcons 7 - RJ 4-4 (Key stat: Falcons manage only 82 yards rushing; Joey Harrington sacked 7 times.)

  • 16 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 5:14 pm

    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

  • 17 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 8:51 pm

    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.)

  • 18 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    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.)

  • 19 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 9:02 pm

    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.)

  • 20 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 9:04 pm

    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

  • 21 - Matthew T. Sussman

    Sep 16, 2007 at 9:17 pm

    Thank you in advance for not tabulating my picks this week.

    Love,
    --Suss

  • 22 - RJ

    Sep 16, 2007 at 10:07 pm

    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...

  • 23 - DOM @ HSU

    Sep 17, 2007 at 12:24 am

    ehhh 10-5.. go 9ers..

    Cleveland.. Houston.. Tampa.. Woah

  • 24 - RJ

    Sep 17, 2007 at 12:52 am

    Final Score:

    Pats 38, SD 14 - RJ 9-6 (Key stat: Rosevelt Colvin had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 forced fumbles.)

  • 25 - The Theory

    Sep 17, 2007 at 2:02 pm

    11-4 so far.

    Here's to hoping it becomes 11-5. (aka, go Philly!)

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