WEEK 2 NFL PREDICTIONS 2011-2012
Tanner Kish (7) vs. Jon Alba (12)
1 point for correct prediction.
2 points for correct “Upset of the Week”
5 points for correct pick and score prediction
-1 point for missing “Lock of the Week”
-1 respect point for being named Jon
Tanner: So the big man on campus took week one over me with ease. My trash talking failed to phase him, as he would simply reply with something about big, soft sticks (a recurring theme in his everyday life). Albie suffered the same fate early last season, I had him by a large amount of points in the early goings of the season but a few lucky picks and correct score predictions later, he was able to bring the competition down to the wire. I would go on to win, however, by the skin of my teeth.
And by the way, it WAS Pac-10 when both Harbaugh and Carroll were coaching in college.
Jon: Haha you said Albie.
Tanner: BUFFALO BILLS 27, OAKLAND RAIDERS 24
I won’t jump on the wagon yet…Buffalo started 4-0 back in 2008 and finished 7-9. Last Sunday, though…they looked like a real football team. They have confidence and confidence can be dangerous even with a moderate amount of talent. By the end of the season, Buffalo will have one of the AFC’s top defenses. I’ve got a thriller in Orchard Park capped off by a Rian Lindell game winner late in the game.
Jon: OAKLAND RAIDERS 27, BUFFALO BILLS 21
It’s a game that the Bills should win, considering they’re at home and have the weather and crowd to their advantage. Overall, their offense is probably a little more dynamic too. But I see too much potential in McFadden/Bush for Oakland not to find success. Even without Jacoby Ford, who is injured, they will still find ways to distribute the ball. Just one of those gut picks that could come back to bite me.
Tanner: GREEN BAY PACKERS 31, CAROLINA PANTHERS 10
Cam Newton CAN be a star. 422 yards in the first week might be a tad inflated due to the lack of chemistry we saw across the league in defense in week one, and Arizona’s defense is just plain awful, but it’s still damn impressive. If there’s ever such thing as a “morale victory”, Carolina had one last week. They’ve got to be happy to see Steve Smith back to form, too. No way they take this one against the champs, though. Green Bay is a different class of football team, and losing Jon Beason, the leader of that defense, won’t help them against Aaron Rodgers and company.
JON: GREEN BAY PACKERS 30, CAROLINA PANTHERS 16
The only reason I see the Panthers scoring 16 this week is because I want to believe what Newton did is legitimate. I want too. I don’t know if I can though. Green Bay is simply too much for them to handle. That simple. And no Beason means big trouble for Carolina.
Tanner: DETROIT LIONS 27, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 10
Kansas City is in trouble. 0-4 in pre-season, and a loss in week one worse than any they’ve had at home in over three decades. They need to get on the same page, quick.
The Lions are ready to makes moves this season. Going to Tampa and getting a rare road win in week one sets the tone for a season of change in Detroit….good change.
Jon: DETROIT Lion 23, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 13
It sure is exciting, isn’t it? Detroit looked great in their opening win against Tampa, and they definitely have the potential to pack one of the more frightening defensive units we’ve seen in a long time. I like their odds against a troubled Kansas City squad who looked lost against Buffalo. Get the rest of the offense going in Detroit, and the NFC North just got very interesting.
Tanner: CLEVELAND BROWNS 14, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 10
Can’t say I was impressed by the Browns in their week one loss. They have a better team than Cincinnati and lacked defensive continuity. Dick Jauron needs to get his boys on the same page. They weren’t even out of the huddle when they gave up that 41-yard score to rookie wide-out A.J. Green.
Either Indy is really that bad without #18…or they refuse to give a damn without him.
Jon: CLEVELAND BROWNS 17, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 13
There was almost nothing to like about what Cleveland brought to the table against Cincy, and that trend should continue.
What shouldn’t continue is Peyton Hillis. He’ll pick it back up, and I think that happens against Indy. Not to mention, Indy looked like a Pop Warner squad against Houston. Cleveland wins.
Tanner: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 23, MINNESOTA VIKINGS 18
Blount will need more than 5 carries for the Bucs offense to be successful. McNabb will need more than 39 passing yards for the Vikings not to get kicked out of Minnesota. Tampa in a kicker battle.
Jon: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 24, MINNESOTA VIKINGS 17
Not a whole lot to say here. Hopefully just a hiccup for the Bucs, who really need to win this one to stay competitive in the NFC South. The Vikings will look to get both the rushing and passing attack going, but do they have enough faith in McNabb?
Tanner: CHICAGO BEARS 28, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 24
Big problem in the Big Easy- the rushing attack. Mark Ingram has the talent to be the feature back, but he can’t do it alone. Pierre Thomas can make a great #2 back…but he’s always banged up. In 2009, the Saints won the Super Bowl because their offense was a double-threat. Brees is outstanding…but, hey, he threw for over 5,000 yards the season before and they didn’t even come close to making the playoffs. Bears in a tight one.
Jon: NEW ORLEANS 20, CHICAGO BEARS 14
Still won’t by into the hype behind the Bears. Perhaps that’s a personal bias? That Cutler guy…
Ultimately, I think the better offense prevails in this one, even if it is a low-scorer. I still like what New Orleans brings to the table on all cylinders, therefore, they grab the victory. Get that rushing game going, though.
Tanner: NEW YORK JETS 26, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 17
I hope nobody credits anyone but Tony Romo for that Jets week one victory. In their final three drives, including the game winning drive…they had a total of one yard of offense. Mark Sanchez isn’t what I’d call clutch. Or good. Jets take it over the ultra-one-dimensional Jags.
JON: NEW YORK JETS 27, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 23
Roberto Humidor will do what he needs to do ultimately when all is said and done. Did the Jets get lucky against Dallas? Maybe a little. But they fought until the end, and you cannot take that away from a Super Bowl contender.
Also, Jacksonville is banged up, and without true contributors.
Tanner: PITTSBURGH STEELERS 38, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 7
Lock Of The Week
Where was Troy Polomalu in that week one blowout loss to Baltimore? Saw a lot more of Ed Reed in that game…
And where were the Seahawks? Did they play last Sunday?
JON: PITTSBURGH STEELERS 28, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 17
Lock Of The Week
So apparently the Seahawks are a football team?
Honestly, don’t buy too much into the loss to Baltimore. Pittsburgh was in the Super Bowl last season, and will not repeat last week’s let-down.
Tanner: BALTIMORE RAVENS 23, TENNESSEE TITANS 17
A hidden AFC rivalry of sorts…expect some pushing and shoving in this one. Ravens defense forced 7 turnovers in week one. The Patriots turned the ball over 7 times all last year. Okay, yeah, I’m just burning on the Steelers again. Ravens in a close one, a defensive score could be the ultimate difference.
JON: Baltimore Ravens 20, TENNESSEE TITANS 17
There has to be more offense in this Titans squad. Right?
Baltimore looked fantastic last week, and I think they’ll take this one again (though will face trouble against a dominant Chris Johnson). Ultimately though, Baltimore takes it.
Tanner: WASHINGTON REDSKINS 28, ARIZONA CARDINALS 17
No way do the Cards travel 3,000 miles to the East coast and win. Washington had some luck in week one- the Giants were soft in the back end of their defense, allowing their lackluster receiving corps to make some big plays.
Jon: ARIZONA CARDINALS 27, WASHINGTON REDSKINS 24
I’ll say it. I believe in Kevin Kolb. The new Arizona QB sported a 130.0 QB rating, and that’s nothing to shake at.
Washington looked strong against New York, but that is only due to them not really making any mistakes against a beat-up Giants team. I like Arizona in a close one.
Tanner: DALLAS COWBOYS 25, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 14
I see the Cowboys capitalizing against the weak opponent on the road. You might think the trip to the West hurts their chances…but in my opinion, the bigger the crowd, the worse Tony Romo plays.
Jon: DALLAS COWBOYS 20, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 17
Upset Of The Week
Man do I love technicalities.
Don’t see Dallas losing this one. They’re pissed-off, and Romo is fired-up. Too much criticism for them to drop this one. Must get the job done.
By the way, how about that Alex Smith?
Tanner: CINCINNATI BENGALS 24, DENVER BRONCOS 17 (Upset of the Week)
Will the Cats be good this season? No. But they may not be the worst team, like some people may have expected. Cedric Benson still has maybe another 1,000 yard season left in him, which could get them another 3-4 wins. Denver fans will soon be calling for Tim Tebow, if they aren’t already. You never want a QB carousel. It’s a mess. Bengals by a stripe.
Jon: DENVER BRONCOS 16, CINCINNATI BENGALS 13
If Cincy wins, I’ll give them a little credit. Still believe they lucked out week one.
As for Denver, they looked okay against Oakland, and will look to sneak away with a victory in this one.
Tanner: HOUSTON TEXANS 24, MIAMI DOLPHINS 20
Miami’s offense did show up last Monday Night. Unless Houston’s defense is truly improved, they could post up some numbers here, too. But the Texans are the better team, they’ll find a way to win on the road.
Jon: HOUSTON TEXANS 27, MIAMI DOLPHINS 20
Miami does pack a decent offense, but their woes come with their defense. Houston looks like a really promising squad, and I really like what they bring to the table. Good defense, fantastic offense.
Tanner: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 38, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 14
Little surprised with the blowout prediction? On paper, it’s a much closer match-up, but I have a feeling that the Patriots will be on an absolute tear this fall.
Jon: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 31, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 20
Truth is, New England does have some questions on defense.
Fact is, they don’t on offense. They take this one.
How about that Chargers special teams?
Tanner: ATLANTA FALCONS 27, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 23
Matt Ryan has only lost twice in his career at home. Great match-up with huge implications- both teams try to set the standard in the NFC, and Micheal Vick tries to dethrone the team that he nearly destroyed. Give me his replacement in a thriller.
Jon: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 28, ATLANTA FALCONS 27
Atlanta needs to win this one. I don’t think they will though. Matt Ryan was extremely disappointing in his outing against Chicago, and Philly was…not.
Philly moves to 2-0 and faces New York next week. Atlanta is left contemplating their fate.
Tanner: NEW YORK GIANTS 24, ST. LOUIS RAMS 13
The Rams have a better roster and better playoff chances than the Giants. So why am I picking the Giants? It’s prime-time, the Rams are banged up, and the Giants NEED this victory. They’ll get in and get out 1-1.
Jon: NEW YORK GIANTS 24, ST. LOUIS RAMS 16
New York brought in the experienced Brandon Stokely to help out a desperate receiving corps, and I believe he will. Get Nicks healthy, get the rest of the defense healthy, and the Giants will win. They need it more than St. Louis does.
Tanner: Good luck, Jon. Hope your dorm burns down.
Jon: Isn’t Gio in this too?
