The Falcons scored a whopping three points in losing to the Vikings last week. And that's what happens when Joey Harrington is your QB. But this team's problems extend far beyond the quarterback position. They couldn't manage to gain 100 yards on the ground. Their defense couldn't stop the run, allowing over 100 yards to a rookie running back after Minnesota's starting RB left with an injury. Their defense recorded zero sacks, while their offensive line allowed six. It's gonna be a lo-o-o-ong season in Atlanta. The Jaguars managed to lose at home last week to the Titans. Their running game was anemic, and their defense gave up 282 rushing yards. Meanwhile, QB David Garrard was actually competent. Last Sunday must have been "opposite day" in Jacksonville. I think things will turn around (in all departments... ) this week.
RJ's Pick - Jacksonville by 13
San Francisco (1-0) @ Saint Louis (0-1) - 1:00 PM [Sheridan's Line - Rams by 3]
San Fran beat the Cardinals on Monday night. QB Alex Smith struggled, completing less than 50% of his passes, with zero TDs. RB Frank Gore scored a TD, but gained only 55 yards on the ground in 18 attempts, which is just barely over three yards per carry. The Rams lost at home to Carolina last week. Their battered offensive line suffered yet another blow when tackle Orlando Pace went down with a season-ending arm injury. (Guard Todd Steussie is also out for the year due to an injury suffered in the pre-season.) We already knew the Rams were basically a team without a defense, but now they don't have an offensive line either. That's going to make it much more difficult for QB Marc Bulger and RB Steven Jackson to put up big numbers. I'm going with the underdog here.
RJ's Pick - San Fran by 2
Minnesota (1-0) @ Detroit (1-0) - 4:05 PM [Sheridan's Line - Lions by 3½]
Minnesota completely dominated Atlanta last week, winning 24-3. RB Chester Taylor was injured in the first quarter of that game, and may not be able to play this week against the Lions. But it might not matter, if rookie RB Adrian Peterson continues to play like he did against the Falcons, where he rushed for 103 yards on 19 carries. The Vikings defense put up great numbers on Sunday, but they were playing against an awful offense. This week they face Detroit, whose offense looked terrific in a win against the Raiders in Week One. QB Jon Kitna completed 75% of his passes, and threw for nearly 300 yards and three TDs (although he did throw two INTs). New addition RB Tatum Bell rushed for almost 100 yards and a TD. Rookie WR Calvin Johnson has made an immediate impact by catching four passes for 70 yards and a TD in his NFL debut. If Detroit's offensive line can buy enough time for Kitna in the pocket, the Lions shouldn't have too much trouble finding the endzone.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - RJ
RJ's NFL Picks for Week Two are up!
Thanks for the quick publish, Suss. :-)
2 - RJ
UPDATE:
Sheridan is now picking the Ravens by 10 over the New York Jets...
3 - DOM @ HSU
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
Damn forgot another game.. ahhemm.. CHICAGO
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
Indianapolis
Green Bay
Cincinnati
Carolina
New Orleans
Buffalo
Jacksonville
St. Louis
Minnesota
Seattle
Dallas
Chicago
New York Jets
Denver
New England
Washington
6 - Alessandro
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
Steelers and Bears.
- Elizabeth Edwards
8 - The Theory
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
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
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
Melissa, there is only room for one loser here and that's ME! So don't worry. Welcome.
12 - RJ
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
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
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
Final Score:
Jaguars 13, Falcons 7 - RJ 4-4 (Key stat: Falcons manage only 82 yards rushing; Joey Harrington sacked 7 times.)
16 - RJ
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
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
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
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
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
Thank you in advance for not tabulating my picks this week.
Love,
--Suss
22 - RJ
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
ehhh 10-5.. go 9ers..
Cleveland.. Houston.. Tampa.. Woah
24 - RJ
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
11-4 so far.
Here's to hoping it becomes 11-5. (aka, go Philly!)