AC's bottom line: NFL predictions, Week 2
AC's bottom line: NFL predictions, Week 2
Posted by: Anthony Carroll
realfootball365.com
As unpredictable as Week 1 of the NFL regular season can be, I managed to kick off the 2007 campaign strongly, predicting 10 of 15 games correctly.
This time around, Week 2 features several more close-to-call games, making my job more difficult, but your Sunday more exciting.
Resembling last week's format, each game's outcome is trimmed down to one main factor -- one bottom line -- explaining how the matchup is ultimately predicted.
After the bottom line is the final prediction, along with a projected final score.
• Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Vince Young, Chris Brown and LenDale White can run, run and then run again, but they won't overcome Indy's inescapable passing attack. Peyton & Co. extend winning streak, 34-17.
• Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
Whether it be an injured Eli Manning or a healthy Jared Lorenzen, New York's week-long QB quandary will likely cost the team a Week 2 loss. Green Bay steals one on the road, 21-13.
• Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
In a matchup of the Browns' Derrick Anderson against the Bengals' Carson Palmer, this one's seemingly a no-brainer. Better-quarterbacked Bengals win, 23-9.
• Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers
Both teams are coming off Week 1 wins, but the Panthers' upset over St. Louis is more telling than Houston's over the Chiefs. Momentum carries Panthers to a 24-13 victory over the Texans.
• New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints appeared last week as if they had lost some magic, but with quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Cadillac Williams both banged up, New Orleans should be able to rebound. Saints march back strong, 28-17.
• Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
Buffalo's defensive secondary is now made up of Terrence McGee, Ashton Youboty, Donte Whitner and Jim Leonhard; really, it doesn't get much worse than that. Steelers continue to have success through the air in a 27-13 win.
• Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars
Until Joey Harrington stops quarterbacking the Atlanta Falcons, I'm picking any team that plays them. Jags get back to even, win 19-10.
• San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
San Francisco showed no signs of offensive life last Monday, and St. Louis' offense will be hungry to rebound from a disappointing Week 1. Rams outscore division rival 49ers, 24-20.
• Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Minnesota relies much too heavily on its defense to not only make stands but put points on the board. Lions' high-powered offense outscores Viking 'D', 27-16.
• Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Shaun Alexander's 3.9 yards per carry and 105 yards rushing last week is a good sign for the Seahawks' offense. Seattle sneaks away with second win of the season, 24-23.
• Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins
I said it last week and was right, so why not say it again: Miami's main problem is its inconsistent role players, namely Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers. Sporadic Dolphins lose again, this time to Dallas, 31-10.
• Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
It may be too early to crown the Chiefs the NFL's worst ball club, but they're well on their way. Bears almost blank the Chiefs, 23-3.
• New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Kellen Clemens' NFL debut should be ugly against the stingy Ravens defense. Baltimore wins home opener easily, 24-10.
• Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
Oakland finally got some offense going against the Lions last week, but it's hard to side with a team that has lost 17 of its last 18 divisional meetings. Broncos win in a low-scoring one, 14-13.
• San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots
It hasn't been announced yet, but Bill Belichick has personally shot footage dating back to LaDainian Tomlinson's pre-school graduation. Don't hate me, but I like the Cheaters, er, Patriots in this one, 27-17.
Monday night:
• Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
There's a national microscope on quarterback Donovan McNabb, and Monday night is the perfect to time to show nonbelievers his career is far from over. McNabb and the Eagles step up, win 20-14.
Posted by: Anthony Carroll
realfootball365.com
As unpredictable as Week 1 of the NFL regular season can be, I managed to kick off the 2007 campaign strongly, predicting 10 of 15 games correctly.
This time around, Week 2 features several more close-to-call games, making my job more difficult, but your Sunday more exciting.
Resembling last week's format, each game's outcome is trimmed down to one main factor -- one bottom line -- explaining how the matchup is ultimately predicted.
After the bottom line is the final prediction, along with a projected final score.
• Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Vince Young, Chris Brown and LenDale White can run, run and then run again, but they won't overcome Indy's inescapable passing attack. Peyton & Co. extend winning streak, 34-17.
• Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
Whether it be an injured Eli Manning or a healthy Jared Lorenzen, New York's week-long QB quandary will likely cost the team a Week 2 loss. Green Bay steals one on the road, 21-13.
• Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
In a matchup of the Browns' Derrick Anderson against the Bengals' Carson Palmer, this one's seemingly a no-brainer. Better-quarterbacked Bengals win, 23-9.
• Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers
Both teams are coming off Week 1 wins, but the Panthers' upset over St. Louis is more telling than Houston's over the Chiefs. Momentum carries Panthers to a 24-13 victory over the Texans.
• New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints appeared last week as if they had lost some magic, but with quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Cadillac Williams both banged up, New Orleans should be able to rebound. Saints march back strong, 28-17.
• Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
Buffalo's defensive secondary is now made up of Terrence McGee, Ashton Youboty, Donte Whitner and Jim Leonhard; really, it doesn't get much worse than that. Steelers continue to have success through the air in a 27-13 win.
• Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars
Until Joey Harrington stops quarterbacking the Atlanta Falcons, I'm picking any team that plays them. Jags get back to even, win 19-10.
• San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
San Francisco showed no signs of offensive life last Monday, and St. Louis' offense will be hungry to rebound from a disappointing Week 1. Rams outscore division rival 49ers, 24-20.
• Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Minnesota relies much too heavily on its defense to not only make stands but put points on the board. Lions' high-powered offense outscores Viking 'D', 27-16.
• Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Shaun Alexander's 3.9 yards per carry and 105 yards rushing last week is a good sign for the Seahawks' offense. Seattle sneaks away with second win of the season, 24-23.
• Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins
I said it last week and was right, so why not say it again: Miami's main problem is its inconsistent role players, namely Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers. Sporadic Dolphins lose again, this time to Dallas, 31-10.
• Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
It may be too early to crown the Chiefs the NFL's worst ball club, but they're well on their way. Bears almost blank the Chiefs, 23-3.
• New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Kellen Clemens' NFL debut should be ugly against the stingy Ravens defense. Baltimore wins home opener easily, 24-10.
• Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
Oakland finally got some offense going against the Lions last week, but it's hard to side with a team that has lost 17 of its last 18 divisional meetings. Broncos win in a low-scoring one, 14-13.
• San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots
It hasn't been announced yet, but Bill Belichick has personally shot footage dating back to LaDainian Tomlinson's pre-school graduation. Don't hate me, but I like the Cheaters, er, Patriots in this one, 27-17.
Monday night:
• Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
There's a national microscope on quarterback Donovan McNabb, and Monday night is the perfect to time to show nonbelievers his career is far from over. McNabb and the Eagles step up, win 20-14.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:29 AM
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