Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
First of all, take these all with a grain of salt.
Secondly, these are for educational purposes only.
Third - I think it is a major mistake to try and predict all games.
My ranking system is based on "Stars", which gauges how strongly I feel about each pick.
Anyhow, these will be brief as there are just four games to discuss this week.
Here we go:
*ONE STAR GAMES*
Carolina Panthers (-3.5) vs. Chicago Bears - (1 star)
I'm not fooled by the Bears' performance last week. Sure they beat the Colts, but Peyton was a shadow of himself and Addai got a boo-boo and took himself out (that should surprise no one). Yes the Bears defense was better than expected, but the Colts made them look better than they are. Carolina's 1-2 punch at RB with DeAngelo and Stewart will be much stronger, and Jake Delhomme is way underrated.
As for the Bears offense, Matt Forte is nowhere near Tomlinson, but then again who is? The Panthers' defense wasn't even as strong as they could have been as Julius Peppers didn't get on track last week in San Diego. Carolina gave up 3 TDs to Philip Rivers, which is an embarrassment to say the least, but Kyle Orton is a good antidote for any secondary.
Panthers by at least a TD.
Philadelphia Eagles (+7) at Dallas Cowboys - (1 star)
I really don't want to touch this game or pick it, as I am a long time Eagles fan and this game is HUGE, even for Week 2. But you can't dismiss this game with Philly getting a touchdown. Yes it is on the road. Yes the Cowboys crushed Cleveland. I also get that the Rams stink and the 38-3 drubbing shouldn't sway me. But this is Cowboys-Eagles, and the games are always close. I'm also banking that there's more love for Dallas right now than for Philly and that's influencing the line. That makes me believe that this game is more like a pick-em game on a neutral site, so the Cowboys should be favored but more like a field goal than a touchdown.
Both teams have a good shot to win this one, so give me the team getting 7 points.
**TWO STAR GAMES**
None. Sorry. Move along.
***THREE STAR GAMES***
Buffalo Bills (+5.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars - (3 stars)
Did I miss something? Jacksonville struggled greatly against the Titans - the TITANS. Tennessee did make the playoffs, but the Jags were in the postseason too and are a perennial 10+ win team. Jacksonville should have won that game and yet they didn't. That's telling right there. Fred Taylor and MJD couldn't get anything going and their offensive line is now a trainwreck. Oh, and Matt Jones is starting. Do I need to say more?
Buffalo is getting no respect for what they are putting together in upstate New York. A solid ground game with Marshawn Lynch, a good QB in Trent Edwards, and fantastic defensive and special teams units. I've seen this recipe before, and the Ravens won a Super Bowl with these ingredients. That's way too early to call, but the door is wide open in the AFC East and the Bills are hungry.
The game opened as a 7-point spread and is already heading to five. Follow the money. Give me Buffalo and the points in a big way, and I won't be surprised at all for them to win this one.
New Orleans Saints (Pick) at Washington Redskins - (3 stars)
See below.
of the Week - New Orleans at Washington. For more on this one, check out my new column, Hot Reads.
Remember, if you are playing these games, bet with your head and not over it.
Enjoy the games.
Secondly, these are for educational purposes only.
Third - I think it is a major mistake to try and predict all games.
My ranking system is based on "Stars", which gauges how strongly I feel about each pick.
Anyhow, these will be brief as there are just four games to discuss this week.
Here we go:
*ONE STAR GAMES*
Carolina Panthers (-3.5) vs. Chicago Bears - (1 star)
I'm not fooled by the Bears' performance last week. Sure they beat the Colts, but Peyton was a shadow of himself and Addai got a boo-boo and took himself out (that should surprise no one). Yes the Bears defense was better than expected, but the Colts made them look better than they are. Carolina's 1-2 punch at RB with DeAngelo and Stewart will be much stronger, and Jake Delhomme is way underrated.
As for the Bears offense, Matt Forte is nowhere near Tomlinson, but then again who is? The Panthers' defense wasn't even as strong as they could have been as Julius Peppers didn't get on track last week in San Diego. Carolina gave up 3 TDs to Philip Rivers, which is an embarrassment to say the least, but Kyle Orton is a good antidote for any secondary.
Panthers by at least a TD.
Philadelphia Eagles (+7) at Dallas Cowboys - (1 star)
I really don't want to touch this game or pick it, as I am a long time Eagles fan and this game is HUGE, even for Week 2. But you can't dismiss this game with Philly getting a touchdown. Yes it is on the road. Yes the Cowboys crushed Cleveland. I also get that the Rams stink and the 38-3 drubbing shouldn't sway me. But this is Cowboys-Eagles, and the games are always close. I'm also banking that there's more love for Dallas right now than for Philly and that's influencing the line. That makes me believe that this game is more like a pick-em game on a neutral site, so the Cowboys should be favored but more like a field goal than a touchdown.
Both teams have a good shot to win this one, so give me the team getting 7 points.
**TWO STAR GAMES**
None. Sorry. Move along.
***THREE STAR GAMES***
Buffalo Bills (+5.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars - (3 stars)
Did I miss something? Jacksonville struggled greatly against the Titans - the TITANS. Tennessee did make the playoffs, but the Jags were in the postseason too and are a perennial 10+ win team. Jacksonville should have won that game and yet they didn't. That's telling right there. Fred Taylor and MJD couldn't get anything going and their offensive line is now a trainwreck. Oh, and Matt Jones is starting. Do I need to say more?
Buffalo is getting no respect for what they are putting together in upstate New York. A solid ground game with Marshawn Lynch, a good QB in Trent Edwards, and fantastic defensive and special teams units. I've seen this recipe before, and the Ravens won a Super Bowl with these ingredients. That's way too early to call, but the door is wide open in the AFC East and the Bills are hungry.
The game opened as a 7-point spread and is already heading to five. Follow the money. Give me Buffalo and the points in a big way, and I won't be surprised at all for them to win this one.
New Orleans Saints (Pick) at Washington Redskins - (3 stars)
See below.
of the Week - New Orleans at Washington. For more on this one, check out my new column, Hot Reads.
Remember, if you are playing these games, bet with your head and not over it.
Enjoy the games.
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