The first week of the 2008 NFL season showed all the drama that makes the game so alluring. First, the big story had to be Tom Brady sustaining a season ending knee-injury. Two teams that need to prove themselves sure did: Chicago and Carolina. The Brett Favre shakeup up looked good all around. The Aaron Rodgers Era was a convincing success in Green Bay. Brett Favre handled the honors powerfully for the Jets, and while the Dolphins did not win, Chad Pennington sure made Miami look like a more stable team. Add to that what happened with Baltimore and Atlanta, rookie QB's and coaches leading their teams to victory. Bring on week two!!
xxTennessee @ Cincinnati (-1.5) pick: Cincinnati
Despite Vince Young’s injury, Tennessee did beat a strong Jacksonville team that post season mumblings had as possibly poised to step over the Colts this year. Cincinnati looked like crap against Baltimore. Still, Cincy has a slight, very slight edge.
Buffalo @ Jacksonville (-6) pick: Jacksonville
Jacksonville should find its footing in week two at home. This will help reveal how good Buffalo is. Jacksonville needs to overcome its poor performance week one.
Oakland @ Kansas City (-4) pick: Kansas City
These are two weak teams, but Oakland is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the NFL.
Indianapolis (-2) Minnesota; pick: Indianapolis
This will be a tough game but Indy should be just good enough to beat the Vikings.
Chicago @ Carolina (-3) pick: Carolina
Both teams delighted skeptics in week one. Chicago looked like the team that deserved a a trip to the Super Bowl two years ago whacking the Colts. Carolina looked masterful against a heavily favored San Diego team. This game will help define both teams. Carolina gets the home field boost to victory.
Green Bay (-3) @ Detroit: pick: Green Bay
The Aaron Rodgers Era goes on the road to Detroit where they will make scrap iron of Motown.
NY Giants @ (-8.5) St. Louis: pick: NY Giants
No contest. This is the Giants all the way.
New Orleans @ Washington (pick’em) pick: New Orleans
This is the kind of game New Orleans must and should win. Washington is still trying to find itself. Too bad for them, it’s now the regular season.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay (-8.5) pick: Tampa Bay
How energized will Atlanta be after its first week surprise over Detroit, probably not near enough to beat Tampa Bay.
San Francisco @ Seattle (-7.5) pick: Seattle
The days of Steve Young, Joe Montana, and Jerry Rice are looking more and more like ancient history. Seattle wins, no problem.
New England @ NY Jets (-2.5) pick: NY Jets
When the schedule was first printed, this game would have looked like an early season tune up for the killer Patriots. How that scenario has changed. First, New York is beefed up from last year. Then they found a real top gun QB in Brett Favre. Now Tom Brady is done for the season. Bill Belichick and crew can probably sustain such a loss better than most teams. No one’s going to talk about the Pat’s going undefeated this year for sure.
San Diego (-2) @ Denver: pick: Denver
This game will help define the Western Division race in the AFC. It was inevitable top defender, Shawne Merriman, would have to give up this season. For his long-term prospects, better now than later. This scales back the Chargers’ strong defense as few defenders this side of Ray Lewis command a defense the way Merriman can. Jay Cutler is coming on strong with Denver. This is a tough pick, but Denver should have enough to win.
Miami @ Arizona (-7) pick: Arizona
Miami will make progress in baby steps. Can they march far enough to travel to Phoenix, Arizona and win, probably not. Will Arizona ever get out of rebuilding mode. That Kurt Warner not Matt Leinhart is starting at least to begin the season makes fans wonder. The Cards are good enough to win, but they still are the Cardinals.
Baltimore @ Houston (-4.5) pick: Baltimore
In the Billick era, this was the kind of game that the Ravens might not have been able to get up for playing. That won’t be so this year. Their defense was strong last week and if they can play good ball control on offense, they’ll win this one with ease. (Said by a Baltimore “homer.”)
xDespite Vince Young’s injury, Tennessee did beat a strong Jacksonville team that post season mumblings had as possibly poised to step over the Colts this year. Cincinnati looked like crap against Baltimore. Still, Cincy has a slight, very slight edge.
Buffalo @ Jacksonville (-6) pick: Jacksonville
Jacksonville should find its footing in week two at home. This will help reveal how good Buffalo is. Jacksonville needs to overcome its poor performance week one.
Oakland @ Kansas City (-4) pick: Kansas City
These are two weak teams, but Oakland is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the NFL.
Indianapolis (-2) Minnesota; pick: Indianapolis
This will be a tough game but Indy should be just good enough to beat the Vikings.
Chicago @ Carolina (-3) pick: Carolina
Both teams delighted skeptics in week one. Chicago looked like the team that deserved a a trip to the Super Bowl two years ago whacking the Colts. Carolina looked masterful against a heavily favored San Diego team. This game will help define both teams. Carolina gets the home field boost to victory.
Green Bay (-3) @ Detroit: pick: Green Bay
The Aaron Rodgers Era goes on the road to Detroit where they will make scrap iron of Motown.
NY Giants @ (-8.5) St. Louis: pick: NY Giants
No contest. This is the Giants all the way.
New Orleans @ Washington (pick’em) pick: New Orleans
This is the kind of game New Orleans must and should win. Washington is still trying to find itself. Too bad for them, it’s now the regular season.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay (-8.5) pick: Tampa Bay
How energized will Atlanta be after its first week surprise over Detroit, probably not near enough to beat Tampa Bay.
San Francisco @ Seattle (-7.5) pick: Seattle
The days of Steve Young, Joe Montana, and Jerry Rice are looking more and more like ancient history. Seattle wins, no problem.
New England @ NY Jets (-2.5) pick: NY Jets
When the schedule was first printed, this game would have looked like an early season tune up for the killer Patriots. How that scenario has changed. First, New York is beefed up from last year. Then they found a real top gun QB in Brett Favre. Now Tom Brady is done for the season. Bill Belichick and crew can probably sustain such a loss better than most teams. No one’s going to talk about the Pat’s going undefeated this year for sure.
San Diego (-2) @ Denver: pick: Denver
This game will help define the Western Division race in the AFC. It was inevitable top defender, Shawne Merriman, would have to give up this season. For his long-term prospects, better now than later. This scales back the Chargers’ strong defense as few defenders this side of Ray Lewis command a defense the way Merriman can. Jay Cutler is coming on strong with Denver. This is a tough pick, but Denver should have enough to win.
Miami @ Arizona (-7) pick: Arizona
Miami will make progress in baby steps. Can they march far enough to travel to Phoenix, Arizona and win, probably not. Will Arizona ever get out of rebuilding mode. That Kurt Warner not Matt Leinhart is starting at least to begin the season makes fans wonder. The Cards are good enough to win, but they still are the Cardinals.
Baltimore @ Houston (-4.5) pick: Baltimore
In the Billick era, this was the kind of game that the Ravens might not have been able to get up for playing. That won’t be so this year. Their defense was strong last week and if they can play good ball control on offense, they’ll win this one with ease. (Said by a Baltimore “homer.”)
Hurricane Ike might be a factor as this killer storm crosses the golf looking to take aim on Texas. Let's hope the game starts on time in Houston.
Pittsburgh (-6) @ Cleveland: pick: Pittsburgh
If Cleveland’s so good, they need to prove it and win this game. If the results are anything like their clubbing by Dallas, they will have a long way to go to escape the crowded middle of the pack.
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-7) pick: Philadelphia
Oh this is a good one and a Monday night game for the whole world to see as well. The Philadelphia Eagles are one nasty team as long as they’re healthy, and knock on wood and chomp the cheese steak, the Eagles are pretty healthy right now. Dallas is starting to become that “America’s team” thing again, God forbid. The ‘Boys will have their hands full. The Eagles will pull the upset on the road. Jessica Simpson had best stay away.
Pittsburgh (-6) @ Cleveland: pick: Pittsburgh
If Cleveland’s so good, they need to prove it and win this game. If the results are anything like their clubbing by Dallas, they will have a long way to go to escape the crowded middle of the pack.
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-7) pick: Philadelphia
Oh this is a good one and a Monday night game for the whole world to see as well. The Philadelphia Eagles are one nasty team as long as they’re healthy, and knock on wood and chomp the cheese steak, the Eagles are pretty healthy right now. Dallas is starting to become that “America’s team” thing again, God forbid. The ‘Boys will have their hands full. The Eagles will pull the upset on the road. Jessica Simpson had best stay away.
Make your picks. Any shockers this week?
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