Sunday, September 24, 2006
Separation Sunday
In honor of the marketing gimmick the media created last Saturday when Notre Dame played Michigan, and a handful of other games that were mildly important, Separation Sunday, as opposed to Separation Saturday, has arrived. Week 3 in the NFL offers some intriguing and crucial early-season contests. From Cincinatti's visit to Pittsburgh to the Denver/New England game, this week has a boatload of importance. 0-2 teams are desperate for a win, knowing thanks to Len Pasquarelli, that only three teams since 1990 rebounded to make the playoffs after an 0-3 start. This week should certainly offer a glimpse at who the top teams are this season. So without further rambling, my haze is slowly wearing off this morning, I offer my picks for week 3. That Ryder Cup was a bust by the way. To all those receiving calls late in the evening last night, consider it a pleasant change of pace to your routine of sleeping at night.
Bengals at Steelers - Many people are excited about this matchup and ESPN has managed to overhype this game tremendously calling it the revenge match from last year's playoff game when the Steelers beat the Bengals in Cincinatti and knocked out franchise QB Carson Palmer with a gruesome knee injury. It is also the new trendy "big rivalry." I think this game belongs to the Bengals. The Bengals offer one of most dynamic offenses in the league, featuring equal doses of Rudi Johnson's legs and Palmer's arm. I think the Bengals win this game by ten points. The Steelers will try to recommit to Willie Parker and the running game this week after the fiasco in Jacksonville this past Monday night. However, I don't think the Steelers have enough big plays on either side of the ball to keep up with the Bengals.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - You know that the week's slate is tough to pick when you can't remember who you were taking earlier this week. I think I picked Indy because they are playing at home and I sometimes just assume Peyton Manning will find a way to put up enough points to win. However, after watching Jacksonville on MNF, I believe that this team is vastly improved from last season and could challenge for the conference crown. I think Jacksonville will be able to run the football with Fred Taylor against the Colts smallish front seven. Also, the tall Jaguar receiving corps creates huge mismatches against the diminutive Colts secondary. Jaguars find a way to win in a very entertaining game.
Giants at Seahawks - In Seattle, the Giants do battle with the Seahawks in what could be a shootout. Neither defense has been all that impressive this season, (yes, I am aware that statistically, the Seahawk have a good defense) but they have yet to face an offense as balanced as the Giants. Eli Manning's play thus far has been superb and the rally the Giants pulled last week in Philadelphia was a real momentum builder. I think I will take the Giants in this game because I like the ability of the Giants to beat a team on the ground and through the air. In a very close contest, a Jay Feely field goal wins it for the Giants. Note: Feely missed three potential game-winning field goals on this same field just about a year ago. Cause for concern? Probably but I have one hell of a headache.
Carolina at Tampa Bay - The only reason I am choosing this game to talk about is because they are both 0-2 and most pundits had these two teams going to the playoffs. I think this matchup will be quite a defensive struggle but I am taking Carolina because I think Tampa Bay's defense is not the dominating, game changing force it once was. People, I think you should really appreciate the fact that I am predicting some of the toughest games this week. Impressed? Didn't think so, just thought I would start laying the groundwork for my excuses on why my picks were so off this week.
Denver at New England - Starting quarterback for the Broncos, number 16 Jake Plummer... so New England it is. Denver could be in real trouble this season. This pick makes me nervous though because I am used to watching the Patriots and I haven't seen any of their games yet this year.
Baltimore at Cleveland - Are you kidding me? I never ever pick the Browns game because it only ends up hurting my record, but I see it. This is the week that Chuck Frye becomes Bernie Kosar. I promise. In seriousness, the reason I like the Browns in this game is because I think the Ravens offense is a disaster, despite the acquisition of Steve McNair. I see the Browns winning this game as they did last January on the final week of the season: a big play on special teams. I keep telling myself that there is in fact a rationale behind this pick. Yes, there is: I like the Browns...Browns, Browns, Browns.
Bengals at Steelers - Many people are excited about this matchup and ESPN has managed to overhype this game tremendously calling it the revenge match from last year's playoff game when the Steelers beat the Bengals in Cincinatti and knocked out franchise QB Carson Palmer with a gruesome knee injury. It is also the new trendy "big rivalry." I think this game belongs to the Bengals. The Bengals offer one of most dynamic offenses in the league, featuring equal doses of Rudi Johnson's legs and Palmer's arm. I think the Bengals win this game by ten points. The Steelers will try to recommit to Willie Parker and the running game this week after the fiasco in Jacksonville this past Monday night. However, I don't think the Steelers have enough big plays on either side of the ball to keep up with the Bengals.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - You know that the week's slate is tough to pick when you can't remember who you were taking earlier this week. I think I picked Indy because they are playing at home and I sometimes just assume Peyton Manning will find a way to put up enough points to win. However, after watching Jacksonville on MNF, I believe that this team is vastly improved from last season and could challenge for the conference crown. I think Jacksonville will be able to run the football with Fred Taylor against the Colts smallish front seven. Also, the tall Jaguar receiving corps creates huge mismatches against the diminutive Colts secondary. Jaguars find a way to win in a very entertaining game.
Giants at Seahawks - In Seattle, the Giants do battle with the Seahawks in what could be a shootout. Neither defense has been all that impressive this season, (yes, I am aware that statistically, the Seahawk have a good defense) but they have yet to face an offense as balanced as the Giants. Eli Manning's play thus far has been superb and the rally the Giants pulled last week in Philadelphia was a real momentum builder. I think I will take the Giants in this game because I like the ability of the Giants to beat a team on the ground and through the air. In a very close contest, a Jay Feely field goal wins it for the Giants. Note: Feely missed three potential game-winning field goals on this same field just about a year ago. Cause for concern? Probably but I have one hell of a headache.
Carolina at Tampa Bay - The only reason I am choosing this game to talk about is because they are both 0-2 and most pundits had these two teams going to the playoffs. I think this matchup will be quite a defensive struggle but I am taking Carolina because I think Tampa Bay's defense is not the dominating, game changing force it once was. People, I think you should really appreciate the fact that I am predicting some of the toughest games this week. Impressed? Didn't think so, just thought I would start laying the groundwork for my excuses on why my picks were so off this week.
Denver at New England - Starting quarterback for the Broncos, number 16 Jake Plummer... so New England it is. Denver could be in real trouble this season. This pick makes me nervous though because I am used to watching the Patriots and I haven't seen any of their games yet this year.
Baltimore at Cleveland - Are you kidding me? I never ever pick the Browns game because it only ends up hurting my record, but I see it. This is the week that Chuck Frye becomes Bernie Kosar. I promise. In seriousness, the reason I like the Browns in this game is because I think the Ravens offense is a disaster, despite the acquisition of Steve McNair. I see the Browns winning this game as they did last January on the final week of the season: a big play on special teams. I keep telling myself that there is in fact a rationale behind this pick. Yes, there is: I like the Browns...Browns, Browns, Browns.
# posted by Nate @ 11:47 AM 
