It might be very early in the season, but the New England Patriots
have a very big game this weekend. Yes, Buffalo is lousy, and the Patriots
haven't lost to the Bills since 2003. But Buffalo tends to play them pretty well
even though they end up losing. The reason I think this is a big game is that it
might give us an idea on what kind of team New England is. I don't know if they
are the team that beat Cincinnati or the team that looked borderline pathetic in
the second half against the Jets.
Even though one game doesn't make a team or a season, we might have a
better idea of where the Patriots are after this weekend. If they beat Buffalo
by a few points, then it could be a long season. If they crush them, they will
have people talking about them again. That is why I think Sunday's game is very
important. Now on to the picks.
As always, home team in
CAPS.
NEW YORK GIANTS 3
Tennessee
Both teams are off to a decent start, but I think the
Giants are the better team. Brandon Jacobs is becoming an issue and wants to be
traded. May be not throwing his helmet would help his cause. I'll take the
Giants here.
Giants 30-17
NEW
ENGLAND 14 Buffalo
Before anybody starts to say that the
Patriots are going to stomp the Bills, let's not look any further than last
year's game. If Buffalo kneels down in the end zone, the Patriots likely lose.
And Buffalo wasn't any good then. The Patriots seem to play down to their
opponents, and this will be no exception. I think the points are too high here,
so I am going to take the Bills.
Patriots
31-20
BALTIMORE 10 1/2
Cleveland
The Ravens are one of the favorites in the AFC, but they
have already lost once. They won't here though. Look for the Ravens to beat up a
Browns team that simply isn't very good. The Ravens are home, and I don't see
any problems here. The Ravens need to get their offense squared away, and this
is the perfect game to do it.
Ravens
28-7
Pittsburgh 2 1/2 TAMPA
BAY
The Steelers are starting Charlie Batch at quarterback, and that
is never a good thing. I don't know if it will matter though. Yes, the Bucs are
2-0, but they really aren't that good. The Steelers aren't great, but they
should be able to beat Tampa here.
Steelers
23-16
Cincinnati 3
CAROLINA
The Panthers are going to start Jimmy Clausen at
quarterback, and Carolina really has nothing to lose. They are not a good team,
and the Bengals are playoff contenders. The Bengals could be a tough out as the
season progresses, and I don't see them losing to Carolina.
Bengals
30-14
NEW ORLEANS 4
Atlanta
Both teams are off to a pretty good start, and this should
be a real good game. I'm not sure if I am sold on Atlanta though. I am sold on
New Orleans, like most other people. They are possibly the best team in the NFC,
but Reggie Bush could be a big loss. I like the Saints here in this big NFC
South matchup.
Saints 33-26
San
Francisco 2 1/2 KANSAS CITY
Not sure why the 49ers are
favored here, as they have been a big disappointment so far. The Chiefs are off
to a great start, but we will see how long it lasts. They do have a lot of young
players who are starting to emerge. The 49ers can't be as bad as they have been
playing. I like the 49ers here. They have to break out
sometime.
49ers 24-21
MINNESOTA
10 1/2 Detroit
It's a good thing that the Vikings resigned
Brett Favre. He hasn't been playing well at all. The Lions haven't been that
good for a long time, but they do have some young talent and seem to be going in
the right direction. The Vikings though really need to get their act together.
The Lions could be a cure for their ills. The Vikings will likely win this game
fairly easily.
Vikings 35-17
Washington
3 1/2 ST. LOUIS
The Redskins aren't that bad, but I am not
sure they are a playoff contender. The Rams are one of the league's worst teams,
and they are struggling to score points. I usually don't like the Redskins on
the road, but I have no choice here.
Redskins
26-13
Philadelphia 3
JACKSONVILLE
Andy Reid can't decide who he wants to start at
quarterback, but as of right now it's Kevin Kolb. It could be Michael Vick come
Sunday. Either way, I don't see too many problems for the Eagles. The Jaguars
simply aren't that good. I am not even sure how many people will be in the
stands watching the game.
Eagles
27-16
Indianapolis 5 1/2
DENVER
Bob Sanders is out again for the Colts, this time
indefinitely. It is amazing how one person can get hurt so often. As usual
though, the Colts will win without him. I am not sure they win this game though.
It is an emotional game for the Broncos, who have to deal with the death of
another player. I'll take the Broncos at home here.
Broncos
31-28
San Diego 5 1/2
SEATTLE
The Chargers are tough to figure out. Everyone thought they
were going to be an elite team this year, but I don't see it. Even though
Seattle has won a game this year, they are mediocre at best. The Chargers are
pretty good even though they are inconsistent. I like them here even on the
road.
Chargers 30-20
MIAMI
2 New York Jets
This is another early season big game. I think
the Dolphins are in fact for real, but I think the Jets are too. This might
actually be a bigger game for the Jets, who really can't afford to go 1-2 after
all the hype. I think they will though. I think Miami is better than people
think. I like them here.
Dolphins
20-17
Green Bay 3
CHICAGO
The Packers are a favorite in the NFC, and for good reason.
They have talent on both sides of the ball. The Bears are ok, but they can't
seem to put it all together. This is a pretty big game this early in the season,
and I like the Packers to cover the three points.
Packers
29-23
GAME OF THE WEEK
HOUSTON 3 Dallas
I picked this game as Game
of the Week because the Texans are undefeated, and the Cowboys absolutely,
positively cannot start the season 0-3. Jerry Jones' head might explode all over
the new stadium if the Cowboys lose this week. Get ready for an explosion,
because I think the Texans are going to win this game.
Texans
28-24
STINKER OF THE WEEK
ARIZONA 4 Oakland
I had a couple of choices
this week, but I picked this one because neither team is very good. The
Cardinals have actually disappointed a bit, and the Raiders, well they still
have the Raiderettes. They can't win the game, but they make the Raiders a
little more enjoyable to watch. Take Arizona here if you
must.
Cardinals 26-17
Record For Week
One: 8-7-1 (11-5 without spread )
Record Through Week
Two: 8-7-1 (11-5 without spread )
Game of Week
Record: 1-0
Stinker of Week Record: 0-0-1
Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:
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