Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

Frustrated after not expressing my concerns about Notre Dame on Friday night (and watching them come true on Saturday), I feel the need to write my expectations for Sunday's slate of NFL games. Week 1 was and thus my Week 2 predictions will be headlined by the strong defense displayed last Sunday by a handful of teams. Off the top of my head, my two surefire games are the Oakland at Baltimore game and San Diego traveling to Tennessee. The Chargers and Ravens both pitched shutouts last week and I could see one of these defenses repeating the feat this week. Oakland's offense looked atrocious on Monday night and the only reason the Titans scored last week was due to Jet turnovers deep inside their own territory. In the Battle of Ohio, even with my own team favored to lose big, I can't help but think the Browns will play the Bengals tough. I wouldn't expect the Bengals to cover the spread this week. I will shoot you straight and tell you to stay away from that game because I don't ever pick Browns games because I can't shed my own bias. The Chiefs look they are in trouble on the road in Denver, especially with Damon Huard at quarterback. Plummer should play better this week against a mediocre Cheifs defense. Look for good things from Denver's Bells, Mike and Tatem that is. The more intriguing games of the week include: the Giants traveling to Philadelphia to face a reinvigorated Donovan McNabb, Dallas hosting the Redskins tonight, and Arizona facing Seattle in the defending champion's home opener. A win against the Texans last week has not sold me on this Eagles team. As Michael Westbrook goes, so goes the Eagles offense. He is banged up already; I go with the Giants in a real tight game. The Redskins look real mediocre this year. With Clinton Portis doubtful, I see the Cowboys winning a game critical to both teams after Week 1 losses. I don't know why I am doing it but I like the Cardinals over the Seahawks. Hold on, what am I saying, I take the Seahawks. They are at home against a team that has yet to prove itself. But I really like the Cardinals this year. Their offense could become the second coming of the Colts. Call me crazy, but when the offensive line gives Kurt Warner time to throw, he shows his remarkable accuracy, especially on the long throws. These are my thoughts on Week 2, written down and commited to the blogging world so that if this happens, I can toot my horn all week...