Well, unfortunately I forgot to post my NFL predictions for week 1 on the blog, although I did make predictions (and finished 8-8). So here goes nothing, picks along with a bit of discussion.
Pittsburgh at Tennessee: Pittsburgh, 13-10
I think that the Steelers' win in the first week was huge for them. Their defense played quite well, and they contained a great runner in Turner. The offense didn't do a lot, but Dixon didn't lose them the game, either. Sadly, I didn't get to see this one (yay for the Lions as the local team...), but I'm impressed. The Titans also looked good... of course, they played the Raiders. Chris Johnson will be a handful for the Steelers (and he's on my fantasy team, so I have mixed feelings), but I think the Steelers find a way to win another close, low-scoring game.
Miami at Minnesota: Minnesota, 17-10
Despite losing to New Orleans, Minnesota looked a lot better than I thought they would on Monday. The biggest problem seemed to be a lack of receivers; maybe that changes, maybe it doesn't. However, Peterson looked quite good, as did their defense. Miami, on the other hand, struggled with Buffalo... ouch. Their defense could keep it close, but Minnesota is too good on both sides of the ball, even if they're still struggling offensively - and they're at home.
Arizona at Atlanta: Atlanta, 28-6
Boy, Atlanta is going to be mad for this one. A lot of people had them as a contender coming into this year, and they got stifled by short-handed Pittsburgh. I expect their offense to click into gear, with a good balanced attack from Turner and Ryan. Arizona, meanwhile, barely beat St. Louis (actually, I had predicted the upset, too bad it didn't happen). Atlanta will have no trouble stopping an offense led by Derek Anderson, former Browns' QB and thrower of 3 completions vs. the Bills last year, one of them to the other team.
Baltimore at Cincinnati: Baltimore, 20-17
Divisional games are a whole other beast in the NFL, and perhaps none more so than the AFC North. True, Baltimore looked very impressive against the Jets, shutting them down completely. True, Cincinnati got blown away by the team-that-shall-not-be-named. But these teams know each other so well, anything can happen. I'm still taking the better team, though.
Kansas City at Cleveland: Kansas City: 21-13
The Chiefs won a crazy one against San Diego in week one, during monsoon-like conditions, despite gaining only half as many yards of offense. But, from what I saw of the game, I think KC has some potential this year. I can't say the same for the Browns, who are led by Jake "deer in the headlights" Delhomme. I think the Chiefs will be excited to build momentum, while the Browns will wonder how they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory again last week.
Chicago at Dallas: Dallas, 24-3
Yeah, Dallas looked pretty pathetic at times against Washington, especially giving the Redskins their only touchdown on a silver platter with a boneheaded play before halftime. But it was a divisional game, the offense moved the ball well, and the defense shut down Washington. If they can keep the penalties down, they should have no problems with the Bears. Chicago was the opposite, gaining tons of yards and stuffing Detroit, but they also had a circus of bloopers and with Stafford injured Detroit played (was?) dead. I smell a route.
Philadelphia at Detroit: Philadelphia, 17-3
Ouch. Both of these teams' starting QBs were injured in week one. While Vick is hardly much of a signal-caller, he's still better than Detroit's backup. Plus, the Eagles have a *decent* defense at least (it's hard to judge, since they had to play Green Bay in week one). I would be very surprised if Detroit had any chance at all to win this one.
Buffalo at Green Bay: Green Bay, 35-6
Let's move on quickly before the image of the carnage gets stuck in your head.
Tampa Bay at Carolina: Carolina, 20-10
Another divisional game. I find Tampa Bay to be such a bland, awful team with no interesting (ie: fantasy-quality) players that I inevitably underrate them. I'm not sure of the status of Carolina's QB, but they should be able to ride their thunder and lightning RBs (Stewart and Williams, respectively) to victory without too much trouble.
Seattle at Denver: Denver, 17-7
Seattle's demolition was the only true shock of week 1 for me. I really thought they were just going to be terrible this year, and the 49ers would win that division easily. Well, I think it was more that San Fran has a lot of issues to work out rather than Seattle being any good. Denver will be OK this year, although I doubt any better than mediocre. That's what you get for drafting Tim Teabow. Anyway, Seattle should get a reality check this week.
St. Louis at Oakland: Oakland, 10-7
Ewwwww. I suppose it's quite possible that one of these crappy teams will jump all over the other one here, but I'll split the difference and give the edge to the home team.
Houston at Washington: Houston, 27-13
Is this finally Houston's year to break through? I think so, and it's because they finally have a reliable running option with Foster, plus a decent defense. Washington can't count on Houston's offense to shoot itself in the foot with holding and false start penalties every other play like they did with Dallas. Maybe the 'Skins will show they're a playoff contender later this year, but not this week, I don't think.
Team-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named at NY Jets: TTSNBN, x-x
Suffice it to say, I was rather miserable to see TTSNBN do so well last week. Where's Bernard Pollard when we need him? I always pick TTSNBN to win, in the hopes of jinxing them (and also assuring myself at least a little happiness - either they win and at least I got the pick right, or they lose and I'm even happier). Boy, the Jets were disappointing last week, to say the least. Their offense looked worthy of the Lions or Rams last week.
Jacksonville at San Diego: San Diego, 21-17
I think this will be a pretty close game. San Diego should do better this week, being at home and presumably not being drenched to the bone. Jacksonville seems to depend completely on Maurice Jones-Drew; if he has a bad game, I don't think they have a chance. Still, the Chargers have a knack for starting out seasons slowly.
NY Giants at Indianapolis: Indianapolis, 31-24
Can either one of these teams stop the other? It should be a fun family sling-fest between Eli and Peyton. The Texans showed that the Colts' weakness is run defense, but NYG isn't good at running it anyway, so they'll have to throw it, which Eli has proven he can do. But he's much more mistake prone than his brother, and the Colts will be quite eager to get their week 1 loss out of the rearview mirror.
New Orleans at San Francisco: New Orleans, 27-10
Both teams are very talented, but there is a HUGE gap at QB here. Plus, the 49ers seem totally disorganized and not very cohesive, while the Saints are just the opposite.
2010 Picks Record: 8-8
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