Coming into tonight, I was behind 0-1 by misplacing my faith in the Carolina offense. How did I do going into Monday Night Football? Let's get started.
Atlanta -3 Tampa Bay
My Call:
Matt Ryan has put in the work but we certainly can't under estimate Winston and company. But, gun to my head, I will go against the local expert and go with a (semi healthy) Julio and the Falcons at home, but it will be close.
Results: Atl 24 TB 31
:smack:
I mean, what can you say. Winston is out to prove that he is something special and he is off to a good start with 4 touchdowns and 281 yards. He simply had a field day against the Atlanta defense who couldn’t find an answer.
0-2
Baltimore -3.5 Buffalo
My Call:
You hit the nail on the head and I was really impressed with Baltimore's defense more than anything else. Their backfield is kind of a mess (what is the story with Forsett? I guess he is hanging around?). Anyway, Baltimore will take this one home on the back of their secondary and special teams.
Results: Bal13 Buff 7
:first:
Tyrod Taylor might be reconsidering his career options after he got leveled multiple times in this game. The Baltimore offense was nothing to write home about but it was enough to get me on the board.
1-2
Houston -4.5 Chicago
My Call:
Oh wow, Cutler is still around? Color me surprised, but then again, what other options do they have? My heart really goes out to Alshon Jeffery who has the potential to be incredible... too bad his supporting cast doesn't help out. You would think this would be pretty clear cut, but if we are going with the line at 4.5, it complicates things. Sure. The Bears can move the ball as well as a retiree playing volleyball, but at the same time... Houston? Dang I don't know.
Brock has some help in the form of Miller & Hopkins but is that enough? I think so but only because the Bears defense has more holes than a piece of swiss cheese. Texans
Results: Hous 23 Chi 14
:first:
J.J. Watt and the boys took it to Cutler and the Bears offense after the break. This is what we expected, right? I have no love loss for Cutler and his offensive legions don’t do much to help out his cause. Mmm swiss cheese… back to even!
2-2
Cincinnati -3 At NY Jets
My call:
The Jets have a great look offense... if you ignore their QB, Town. With folks like Brandon Marshall and Forte, Fitzy has some weapons. The problem is Fitzpatrick has not given me a reason to believe. Dalton looked great and his offense is always deadly. Bengals by 6 or more.
Results: Cin 23 NYJ 22
:smack:
Had the right pick, but the line caught me. The real story is the NY Jets and the whopping
SEVEN sacks on Cinn QB Andy Dalton. The offensive line is going to have to do more to protect their meal ticket as they move forward next week to face off against the Steelers. As for me:
2-3
Philadelphia -6.5 Cleveland
My call:
Johnny Football went back to college, here is hoping the Browns took a few lessons of their own. But I doubt it. The line is in favor of the Eagles by a landslide 6.5 and I think they can over come that fairly easily. Eagles soar by 7+.
Results: Phil 29 Cle 10
:first:
RG3 got hurt, who is really surprised? This kid needs to eat a slice of humble pie before he ends his own career by partaking in stupid stunts. In any case, he couldn’t get much going before hand so this was just icing on his “Welcome to Cleveland” cake.
3-3
Green Bay -4.5 At Jacksonville
My call:
Not a chance, even with -4.5 going to the Aaron and the boys, they are too dynamic and, frankly, too good to let the opening game turn into an embarrassment. Packers
Results: GB 27 Jax 23
:smack:
The line got me
again and this one surprised me. There were rumors that the chemistry between Rodgers and his offense was a bit off, but I didn’t buy it and it bit me this time. He had a rough start and couldn’t make the connections he needed to to run away with it. The GB defense didn’t help as much as I was hoping, either.
3-4
Minnesota -2.5 At Tennessee
My call:
Screw it, I will take the vikings here for the sake of argument. They just need to keep it close and their defense is still good enough. Vikings by 3.
Results: Minn 25 Tenn 16
:first:
I don’t care enough about this game to comment. But it does put the Vikings in my good graces moving forward to give me a desperately needed point.
4-4
Kansas City -7.5 San Diego
My call:
I have said it once and I will say it again. Put Rivers with any other offense and he could be a star. Unfortunately, he has to work with what he has which is next to nothing. He is a great pick up in fantasy, by the way. You can usually expect 250 and a TD or two. Unfortunately, Maclin and friends have something else to say about that. KC wins this game... but by how much? I give them 10, Chiefs
Results: KC 33 SD 27
:smack:
I just… I guess I should have know better. The KC defense couldn’t get to Rivers and he had some time to work. Alex Smith was able to bring them back but it wasn’t quite good enough given the 7.5 they were spotting the Chargers.
4-5
New Orleans -1.5 Oakland
My call:
Now hold on a minute there professor, are we looking at the same depth chart? Brees, Snead, Cook, Fleener and Ingram? Fine, it is your funeral. I think N.O. can run away with this, but they could be their own worst enemy. Saints
Results: NO 34 Oak 35
:smack:
Is this is a joke? Oakland scored HOW MANY points?! My heart goes out to Drew Brees and his offense. He threw
423 with
four touchdowns to go with it and it still wasn’t enough. What can you do? If your defense doesn’t pull their end of the bargain it is going to be a long year. I am feeling it already.
4-6
Seattle -9.5 Miami
My call:
We are in agreement here. Miami lost Miller which limits their run game a bit more and their passing offense just isn't good enough against the Seattle defense. Wilson has targets to choose from and my only question is will he begin to use Jimmy Graham? Hawks
Results: Sea 12 Mia 10
:smack:
COME ON. What the heck happened here? Wilson took a shot and got hurt coupled with the Miami defense limiting the run made for a catastrophe. The Seahawks pulled it off but not by enough. Depending on the severity of Wilson’s injury will tell the story moving forward. Until then… sigh…
4-7
Giants -3.5 At Dallas
My call:
This is an easy one with the line at 3.5. The Cowboys offense is a question mark... well, a bigger question mark than before. I will be tuning into this one just to see what they can pull off. My guess is not much while Eli pulls them apart. Giants
Results: NYG 20 Dal 19
:smack:
Eli Manning is a joke and I was an absolute fool to think anything else. The Cowboys played like absolute crap and they kept it close enough to make me continue my perpetual hate for all things Eli. Rashad Jennings carried them and just barely.
4-8
Indianapolis -5.5 Detroit
My call:
Andrew Luck is looking great and as long as Hilton can stay healthy, I look for them to tag team this year into the playoffs. The supporting cast isn't too bad, either! But here is the problem... what about their defense? I think this will be a shoot out but your colts pull it out. Indy
Results: Ind 28 Det 34
:smack:
I am really frustrated and it is only the first week. This was basically a shootout that I got on the wrong end of. Can’t blame “Luck” on this one, as much as I would like to.
4-9
Arizona -5.5 New England
My call:
I don't know, this will be interesting for sure. It will really highlight the Patriots reliance on Brady if they flouder here. I say that because they have some exceptional offensive tools at their disposal. Further, Palmer gets confused for what teams he plays for. He had how many turnovers?! Nevertheless, without Brady under center, the Patriots will struggle. Cardinals
Results: Ari 21 NE 23
:smack:
From the opening drive I realized I was in trouble. Garoppolo had incredible chemistry with Edelman and the Cardinals’ zone defense was not up to snuff. Palmer started to come alive late but, let’s face it, it was too little too late for this line. Between Blount, Edelman, and Garoppolo, I am impressed with how the Pats handled themselves with a bruised/MIA offense. Meanwhile Arizona's kicking unit is looking for a rock to hide under.
4-10
Closing Remarks
The line got me more than I would like to admit and it was usually pretty close. There were also quite a few surprises. New England keeping it close, Colts losing the shootout and Miami putting a leash on Seattle to name a few. Going into Monday, there really isn't much to be excited about in regards to this weeks pick 'em. I could go off the sheet for an abysmal 6-10. I am already thinking about next week. :smack:
