With Hurricane Isaebl bearing down on Washington DC, I am getting my picks
in early this week, in case the power is out for a while. Of course,
after last week's dismal performance, maybe a little shake-up is just what
I needed. I was an abysmal 5-11 last week, bringing me to a pathetic
16-16 for the season. The Upset Special went to 1-1 as absolutely nothing
went right for me this week.
Anyhow, here's hoping these picks aren't just as all wet....
Jacksonville at INDIANAPOLIS - I saw few signs of life in Jacksonville last
week against the Bills. Without Jimmy Smith they are utterly nondynamic
in the passing game, and combied a complete inability to generate a pass
rush with a swiss cheese secondary. Yes, Virginia that's a recipe for
disaster in the NFL. Pick: COLTS
Kansas City at HOUSTON - If San Diego loses this week, just remember that I
always said that Kansas City was going to the Super Bowl. Pick: CHIEFS
Minnesota at DETROIT - If the Vikings win this, they will have a 3-0 record
within the division, including two road division wins. Green Bay, you are
hearby put on notice. Pick: VIKINGS
New Orleans at TENNESSEE - I have to admit, I have almost no idea about
this game. Will the Saints look like the inept crew that got hammered in
Seattle? Will the Titans look like the same team that got blow out in
Indy? I say that Tennessee recovers from the blowout at home.... I
think. Pick: TITANS
New York Jets at NEW ENGLAND - The Patriots are in the home opener, after
two tough games on the road. Revenge will also be on their minds after
New York came into Foxboro, upended the Patriots, and then snuck off with
the division title one week later. The Jets, meanwhile, are in a total
tailspin - but they have a habit of turning things around once things get
the darkest. Even better a Jets win combined with a Bills win gives my
Bills total control of the division with a two-game lead on all comers.
Unfortunately, I just don't see it.... Pick: PATRIOTS
Pittsburgh at CINCINNATI - I liked the Bengals to improve this year, but
getting Pittsburgh after a tough loss is a nasty assignment. Pittsburgh
should be looking to rebound this week... Pick: STEELERS
Tampa Bay at ATLANTA - After losing twice to the Bucs badly this year, this
game is taking on Super Bowl-like qualities for the Falcons. I also don't
know that the Bucs can take advantage of Atlanta's weakness at the Safety
position, especially with Joe Jurevicious out. Pick: FALCONS
Green Bay at ARIZONA -Time to break out all the classic futility jokes
about the Cardinals. Pick: PACKERS
New York at WASHINGTON - Both teams have serious O-Line issues, so it
could be a big day for the sackmeisters on each side... which should be
advantage Giants, and I think that the Giants are the better team, but the
Redskins will be riding high after the big win in Tampa, and the Giants
have to be in a funk after pulling the comeback against Dallas on Monday
night, and then letting it just slip away. Pick: REDSKINS
St. Louis at SEATTLE - The Seahawks have yet to be tested, while the Rams
have played two tight ones. I think that there is something to be said
for coming into a game fresh after having a laugher the week before, so
I'll give the nod to... Pick: SEAHAWKS
Baltimore at SAN DIEGO - The Chargers are still inexorably.... ah forget
it.... I think that despite Jamal Lewis rushing for all those yards last
week, the Ravens still darn near lost because Kyle Boller is still a very
green rookie. Facing a hungry Chargers team at home searching for their
first win is not going to be easy for him. Pick: CHARGERS
Cleveland at SAN FRANCISCO - The Browns were supposed to be a playoff team
this year, but are now staring 0-3 in the face. The 49ers blew a big one
against the arch-rival Rams last week, and should take care of business at
home, but the Browns will be desperate... still.... Pick: 49ERS
Buffalo at MIAMI - The Bills are for real and are facing the hated FIsh in
a huge divisional game. Sorry, but I gotta take the homer pick.... Pick:
BILLS
Oakland at DENVER - Denver may be 2-0, awith both wins coming on the road,
leaving them in great shape to get 7 home wins, for a 9-7 record minimum.
But with one of those wins being over Cincinnati, only the win in San Diego
impresses me. O.k., so the Raiders let the Bengals hang around last week
and lost in Tennessee - but how quickly we forget that the Raiders have
always had Denver's number over the last few years. Pick: RAIDERS UPSET
SPECIAL
_______________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world,
it is God's gift to humanity." - George W. Bush 1/29/03
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