So...that Thursday night game was really close, huh? It kind of reminded me of the Super Bowl. Speaking of the Super Bowl, rematches in the following regular season just don't happen that often. In fact, this is the first time in 17 years that we're getting one. It's a little weird that it isn't the Sunday night game (and Steelers-Panthers is). Regardless, Broncos-Seahawks is obviously the game of the week.
Thursday Night: Atlanta (Win)
Chargers (1-1) at Bills (2-0): San Diego-How 'bout them first place Buffalo Bills?! I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts. Because I don't expect it to last much longer. Especially with the way San Diego played in knocking off Seattle last week. The Chargers are simply a better team than the Bills. Although, they are a West Coast team flying cross-country for a 1:00 game.
Titans (1-1) at Bengals (2-0): Cincinnati-I don't understand why some people are surprised Cincinnati is off to a 2-0 start. I think the Bengals are one of the best teams in the AFC, if not the entire NFL. Now they get to play a Titans team that they should be able to handle at home. Move Cincinnati to 3-0.
Ravens (1-1) at Browns (1-1): Baltimore-It's been a long time and a lot of negative publicity since the Baltimore Ravens last played, and I bet they're chomping at the bit to finally get back on the field. This was originally supposed to be the game when they got Ray Rice back, but it's now just another game since they've moved on from the former face of the franchise. Normally against Cleveland I wouldn't think that would matter, but the Browns have been surprising this year, almost winning in Pittsburgh then beating the Saints. I wouldn't be surprised to see another Cleveland victory here, but I'm going with the Ravens because of that extra rest.
Packers (1-1) at Lions (1-1): Green Bay-What happened to that Lions team that thoroughly dismantled the Giants on the opening Monday night? Because they just looked plain awful last week in Carolina. The Packers survived a scare against the Jets and possibly only won because of that Marty Mornhinweg timeout that should've have been. But they did. That's what good teams do. And the Packers are a good team.
Cowboys (1-1) at Rams (1-1): Dallas-I'm going to give the Tampa Bay Bucs credit for the Rams' win last week. Because, after Thursday night, it's pretty clear I think I could get 10 friends together and we might be able to score a touchdown on the Tampa Bay defense. Dallas will continue to do what it always does. Show up against bad teams, not show up against good teams. Against St. Louis, that should equal a Dallas win.
Raiders (0-2) at Patriots (1-1): New England-The Patriots were nice enough to spot the Vikings a touchdown last week...then outscored them 30-0 over the rest of the game. Now they get the Raiders in their home opener. Do I really need to say any more than that?
Vikings (1-1) at Saints (0-2): New Orleans-The fact that Minnesota was originally going to let Adrian Peterson suit up for this game still sickens me. But that's a discussion for another day. We saw last week how inept the Vikings offense is without him, which means this might be a long year in the Twin Cities. The Saints badly need a win, especially after being upset last week in Cleveland. They should get it here.
Texans (2-0) at Giants (0-2): Houston-I, for one, am not really surprised that Houston is 2-0. Granted, they've played the Redskins and the Raiders, but that record is more than simply playing two weak opponents. As much as it pains me to say it, the Texans might be playing a third straight weak opponent in the Giants. ESPN SportsNation had a poll asking if they should bench Eli Manning, and the majority of people said "Yes." Which is ridiculous. It's not Eli's fault the running backs can't hold on to the ball and the special teams can't tackle anybody!
Redskins (1-1) at Eagles (2-0): Philadelphia-Surprise, surprise, Robert Griffin III is hurt. Again. And out for at least a month. DeSean Jackson is hurt, too, but he's determined to play against the Eagles. Especially in Philadelphia, where he's probably not going to receive much brotherly love after going to Washington. Both these teams beat Jacksonville, but the Eagles also had that impressive comeback against a Colts team that's actually good on Monday night.
Colts (0-2) at Jaguars (0-2): Indianapolis-Speaking of the Colts and Jaguars, they'll break their tie for last place in the AFC South this week. Although, they're completely different 0-2s. The Colts' two opponents were fellow 2013 division winners who very well might be again. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have reverted to the Jaguars of old. They've been outscored 75-10 since taking that 17-0 lead in Philadelphia. And this week, they get to play inside their own empty stadium for the first time this season.
49ers (1-1) at Cardinals (2-0): San Francisco-An early showdown that could go a long way in determining who wins the NFC West. Especially because Arizona isn't going away. They proved that last week when they went to New York and beat the Giants. As for the 49ers, I really have no idea what happened last week. All I know is they collapsed on Sunday night and the Bears spoiled the opening of Levi's Stadium. This will be a very interesting one. I think the winner has to be considered the favorite to challenge Seattle in the division.
Chiefs (0-2) at Dolphins (1-1): Miami-For some reason, they felt the need to make this a second late game on CBS, preventing Broncos-Seahawks from being shown nationally. Which I'm sure the people in South Florida, Western Missouri and Kansas are oh so grateful for! Anyway, I'm going Dolphins simply because I think they're better than the Chiefs.
Broncos (2-0) at Seahawks (1-1): Seattle-I'm sure there are some people that are upset they don't both go into the rematch at 2-0, but I'm more upset it's taking place so early in the season. (And in honor of the announcers of the Seahawks-Chargers game repeatedly pointing out how many days it's been since Seattle's last loss, which included six months of not playing any games at all, I will now note that Denver's last loss came to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.) During the Chargers game, they kept saying how San Diego was exposing Seattle's defense. The Seattle defense is the primary reason they dominated the meeting in New York in February, but let's not forget the role the Seahawks offense played. The Broncos' defense is much better, and you know Peyton is eager to get redemption for one of his worst games as a pro. For those reasons, I think this one will be much closer than the Super Bowl blowout. However, the Seahawks don't lose at home, and the 12th Man is going to remind the Broncos who won that banner they'll be looking up at the whole game. I can't wait to watch it.
Steelers (1-1) at Panthers (2-0): Carolina-I'm not really sure what to make of the Steelers. They almost lost to Cleveland at home, then got whooped in Baltimore. The good news is they've had 10 days off to fix what went wrong against the Ravens. The bad news is they're going to Carolina to face the undefeated Panthers. Many experts thought Carolina would come back to the pack in the NFC South, and some still aren't that impressed. I am, though. They romped all over the Lions, and they're much better with Cam Newton than without. Keeping those two things in mind, I'll say Carolina.
Bears (1-1) at Jets (1-1): Chicago-The Monday night game pits two teams that we still don't really know how good they are. The Bears lost at home to Buffalo, which they shouldn't have, but had that crazy comeback win over a good 49ers team in Santa Clara. The Jets think they're better than they actually are (they beat the Raiders at home), but they did show me something in Green Bay. And you know they always get up for national TV appearances. Problem is, so do the Bears. The Jets are favored, but it would surprise absolutely no one if Chicago went into MetLife Stadium and came out with a win.
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 8-8
Season: 19-14
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