Gridiron Blitz: Week Two NFL Preview

Time to preview week two of the NFL season

Music to listen to: Cygnus Vismund Cysnus by The Mars Volta

The first week of the NFL season is always tough to read because you don’t know how teams will react to playing in a regular season contest and not the preseason.

You saw teams like Kansas City, Tampa and Seattle, all of which will be fortunate to win eight games this season, arguably play their best games of the season in week one. Than you have squads that are trying to surpass expectations like Houston and Green Bay lay messages to the rest of the league that they want to be the best teams in their respective conferences. Finally you have teams like Indianapolis and San Diego who were underwhelming but will contend for at least their division titles.

I forgot one more group which consists only of the Jets and there is no label you can put on that debacle

I came out with a prediction record of 8-6-2 after week one and I’ll take that.

The second-toughest week to predict in any NFL season is week two because you don’t know how teams will handle success or adversity. You have teams like Houston being praised all week about finally beating Indy and now it has to turn around and travel to a frisky Washington team. How will the Texans handle success?

Then there are teams like Dallas who have been critiqued all week and now host a potentially decent Chicago squad. How will the Cowboys handle adversity?

On to my week two predictions (home team in CAPS):

Kansas City (+2) CLEVELAND: Interesting game to start the week. The Chiefs were able to ride its great home field advantage, defense and superior special teams play to upset the Chargers last week. Cleveland was competitive at Tampa but lost the contest and starting quarterback Jake Delhomme may not be available. I think Kansas City finds a way to get another win on the road.

Buffalo (+13) GREEN BAY: The Packers will win the game but that spread is very strong for a team that lost its starting running back for the season.

Baltimore (-2.5) CINCINNATI: I see a late field goal by the Ravens to cover the game. One thing that people are forgetting to discuss about Baltimore is that it didn’t look great against the Jets. Everyone is rightfully getting on New York for its weak performance but if the Ravens really want to make the Super Bowl, the offense is going to have to improve.

TENNESSEE (-5) Pittsburgh: When Chris Johnson said that he was going to rush for 2,500 yards this season, I thought he was unwise. He’s not going to get to that mark but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets to at least 1,800 yards. The thing that impressed me most about the Titans’ victory over Oakland was Vince Young. If he can play like that for the entire season, the rest of the AFC South should be very concerned.

DETROIT (+6) Philadelphia: I know that Matt Stafford is out for the Lions but you’re giving me six points and Michael Vick on the road, I have to take the home team. Along those lines, can we please calm down the Vick talk as him being the savior of the Eagles. He had some nice moments against Green Bay but that is all. When Kevin Kolb is healthy, the Eagles would be fools to not start him again. You can’t judge Kolb on one bad half of football.

DALLAS (-7.5) Chicago: This game has 24-14 written all over it for the home team.

CAROLINA (-3.5) Tampa: When you have two below-average teams getting together in a division game, you take the home team.

ATLANTA (-6.5) Arizona: I think the Falcons get some more offense at home and have been itching to get back on the field after the tough overtime loss at Pittsburgh. You also have the Cardinals feeling good about winning its first division game traveling across the country in the early game on Sunday. That’s a bad recipe for Arizona.

MINNESOTA (-5.5) Miami: The Vikings will have ten days to stew over dropping their opener to New Orleans. I think they take out the aggression on the Dolphins.

OAKLAND (-3.5) St. Louis: Both teams didn’t look good last week but I’m not willing to take a rookie quarterback in his first road game, even if its at Oakland. Also, the Rams may want to find a way to get the ball to Stephen Jackson more often. Sam Bradford throwing the ball 50+ times in a contest isn’t the answer.

DENVER (-3.5) Seattle: The Broncos should win this contest but much respect to the Seahawks showing some life last week and dominating the 49ers. Pete Carroll may actually have a decent tenure in Seattle after all.

WASHINGTON (+3.5) Houston: If Houston is truly ready to make another major step as a franchise, this has to be a victory. The Texans are the better team on paper and are facing a team that may be on an emotional letdown after beating the Cowboys last week. If Houston returns to its old ways, this will be an upset with the Redskins getting an interception late to stop the Texans final drive or a late field goal by Washington for the win. Based on my pick, you can see what direction I’m leaning towards.

SAN DIEGO (-7) Jacksonville: I think that this has 35-14 for the home team. The Chargers are coming home after a disappointing loss to Kansas City and facing a Jaguars team that has to travel across the country and come down from a big victory over the Broncos at home.

New England (-3) NY JETS: The Jets are in trouble. Their defense can hold off New England’s potent offense but the offense is going to struggle in a major way against the Patriots.

INDIANAPOLIS (-5) New York Giants: Colts at home in a nationally televised Sunday night contest. Take the home team.

SAN FRANCISCO (+5.5) New Orleans: I think the Saints can and probably will win this but the 49ers are good enough at home to keep this contest interesting.

What are your thoughts?

Last Week: 8-6-2

Season: 8-6-2