The Sports Inquirer

Music to listen to: Fly Like an Eagle (live) by The Steve Miller Band

We’ve had a rough first two weeks of predicting NFL games here on the Sports Inquirer. Whether its been teams unable to hold leads (thanks Indy), backup quarterbacks having unexpected success (Derek Anderson winning a game for Carolina on the road) or the pathetic state of my favorite team, the New York Giants (I’ve taken them both weeks), I’ve had some crappy luck picking contests. Hopefully this week will begin the turnaround or you can go opposite of my picks, call your bookie and make some cash.

As always, home team in CAPS:

ATLANTA (-6.5) Tampa: Atlanta is a different team at home, especially on the offensive end. Matt Ryan tends to get better protection from his offensive line and that leads to increased production. The Falcons’ defense continues to struggle getting a pass rush but will do just enough to disrupt the inept Bucs offense.

Furthermore, I’m leaning towards not picking a road team on these Thursday night games until further evidence shows that one of them can emerge with a victory. Green Bay lost handily in the season opener to Seattle. Pittsburgh got run out of the stadium by Baltimore last Thursday. Playing an NFL game on a Sunday, traveling on the road on a Wednesday and playing on a Thursday is hard to do, borderline inhumane.

BUFFALO (-2.5) San Diego: Really good test for both teams which have the look of potential playoff teams. For Buffalo, it gets to face a solid San Diego squad with an above average quarterback in Philip Rivers. I like what I’ve seen from the Buffalo defense so far and should handle a Chargers’ offense who will once again be without the services of Ryan Matthews.

The Chargers need to earn this victory if they hope to compete for a division title or a crowded wild card race that we’ll see in the AFC by the end of the season. San Diego’s defense will have to deal with the ever-improving E.J. Manuel.

I’ve been one of Manuel’s harshest critics ever since his time at Florida State. If you temper your expectations of him, he can be a winning quarterback. He has mobility, a solid arm and doesn’t turn the ball over. That’s a workable skill set to have for your quarterback.

ST. LOUIS (+1) Dallas: Speaking of bookies from earlier in the post, do they even exist anymore?

Back in the olden days (1980’s) I was a member of the YMCA Greenpoint back in Brooklyn. I took the #61 bus back into Williamsburg and across the street from the bus stop was an OTB (Off Track Betting) spot. The place was dimly lit, always dirty and the shadiest looking characters would walk in and out of there.

It was also next to a corner store where I would get my candy and newspapers. I never ventured into the OTB spot but it was interesting seeing people walk in there to place bets on the horses putting their financial stakes in an animal.

I would also see bookies there ready to take money on other professional sports.

In 2014, you can place your bets online which provides convenience but I harken back to the times when you had to leave your house and physically put it on the line.

PHILADELPHIA (-6.5) Washington: I picked the Eagles to win the NFC East and the Redskins to miss the playoffs so I shouldn’t be surprised at the fortunes of these two teams so far. I still am.

During the preseason, I predicted a breakout season for Robert Griffin III until I saw the Monday Night Football contest against Cleveland a few weeks ago. He’s running around, not sliding properly, taking multiple shots during one play. I declared that Griffin wouldn’t make it through the season healthy. It’s something I didn’t want to come true but we should have all seen this reality.

The talking heads continually debate if Griffin should stay in the pocket or scramble. The bigger question has to be how he can protect himself once he runs.

Looking at his ankle injury against Jacksonville last week, Griffin’s awkward body control doomed him more than just leaving the pocket. He was throwing off of his back foot, gliding towards the sidelines with no balance. Other mobile quarterbacks such as Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Drew Brees and others make that throw smoother while getting out of bounds cleanly.

Its a fair statement to wonder if we’ve seen the last of Griffin being the clear-cut starter for the Redskins in the future. He’ll play again this season or the early portion of next for Washington but if Kirk Cousins performs well, we’ve seen stanger things.

Respect to Philadelphia for coming back from double-digits in the second half against Jacksonville and Indy. The Eagles may have the NFC East wrapped up by the first week of December.

Houston (-2.5) NEW YORK GIANTS: I thought Houston could be a darkhorse playoff team if everyone stayed healthy and Ryan Fitzpatrick could be competent at quarterback. Even with the injury to Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans have had a strong start to the season and should be 3-0 after beating the Giants.

New York has been poor in every aspect of the game. Eli Manning still turns the ball over too much, the offensive line is leaky, the rushing attack is non-existent. Defensively, no pass rush equals major problems. It may have been time to clean house after last season but it will be that time after this year.

Minnesota (+10.5) NEW ORLEANS: Similar to Ray Rice last week, I’ll keep my commentary on Adrian Peterson strictly on the field.

The Vikings were going to lose this game anyway with or without Peterson. However, this line seems a little too high even though its the Saints’ home opener and they are an offensive machine in the Superdome.

For some reason, I see this one being a single-digit affair with New Orleans still winning.

CINCINNATI (-7) Tennessee: This line seems right even if AJ Green misses the game for the Bengals.

CLEVELAND (1.5) Baltimore: I’ll take the home dog. Baltimore’s lack of a running game will cost them in this contest. I STILL don’t trust Joe Flacco throwing the ball 45 times on the road, even against the Browns. Cleveland has shown some spunk early this season.

Green Bay (+2) DETROIT: I’m not falling for it this year Detroit. The offense looks bright and shiny, the defense has a stout line. Playoffs for the Motor City, right? No. Aaron Rodgers goes north of 300 yards passing in a double-digit win for the Packers.

Indianapolis (-7) JACKSONVILLE: Loosen up your offense Indy!

Oakland (+14.5) NEW ENGLAND: Another inflated line where I’m going to take the dog to cover.

ARIZONA (+3) San Francisco: When do the Jim Harbaugh to Michigan rumors really get going? I’ll say that an unofficial meeting takes place between the two parties in late November.

SEATTLE (-5) Denver: We saw this in the Super Bowl and not much has changed.

MIAMI (4.5) Kansas City: Really hope the Royals make the MLB playoffs.

CAROLINA (-3.5) Pittsburgh: This will be Cam Newton’s breakout game on the national stage and the beginning of an MVP campaign.

CHICAGO (+3) New York Jets: Placing my pick on Geno Smith on Monday Night Football? I’ll pass.

Last week: 8-8-0

Season: 13-19-0