NFL Pick 'em: Week Two

Tyreek Hill

I started off slow in week one, predicting only nine games right. With a surprise tie, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprise win and a terrible showing by the Detroit Lions, I can validate myself, right?

I also started off the week 0-1 thanks to a 34-23 smacking by the Cincinnati Bengals on the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night (yup, had the Ravens winning that one). Not the best start to my season, but I’m still getting warmed up and ready for the long haul. The season is a race not a sprint. I’ll cash out this week.

            Last week’s record: 9-6-1

            Overall record: 9-6-1

Carolina at Atlanta

Atlanta enters this matchup as the better team. Still, I think Cam Newton is the better quarterback. Both teams face multiple injuries and Newton’s ability to move the ball should worry the Falcons. Plus, the Panthers aren’t all that bad on defense.

Pick: Carolina

Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo

You know, I don’t think the Bills will have as bad of an outing as they had in week one in this matchup. Still, the Chargers have more talent, a better defense and the better quarterback. I picture the Chargers giving the Bills a hard time at the front line.

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota at Green Bay

My pick for this game rests more in an injured Aaron Rodgers than the Vikings’ ability to defeat the Packers on the road. If Rodgers plays hurt in this game, and even more so if he doesn’t play at all, then the team has to rely on its running backs. I can’t picture the Packers defeating the Vikings with their ground game.

Pick: Minnesota

If only this came in purple

Houston at Tennessee

This game might end up as the closest affair when it comes to the scoreboard. Two mobile quarterbacks face-off against one-another. Marcus Mariota seems like he is fading, Deshaun Watson seems poised to perform better than he did last week. I expect Watson do get the job done late in the game because of that.

Pick: Houston

Cleveland at New Orleans

The Browns are better than they were one year ago. Even after getting better and tying the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one (still not a win), I think the Saints will dominate this game. The Saints had a bad week and they should fix that for their matchup on Sunday.

Pick: New Orleans

Miami at New York Jets

I am going to take the Jets in this game, not because of their 48-17 win over the Detroit Lions in week one however. Realistically, these two teams are pretty much the same. If this game featured the Dolphins as the home team, I would have taken them.

Pick: New York Jets

Kansas City at Pittsburgh

I picked the Chiefs in week one because of their ability to win in week one. This matchup could end up a shootout because of the two team’s play styles. I couldn’t decide on this game without going back-and-forth, so I’m picking the Chiefs because they tend to start their season off with some kind of winning streak.

Pick: Kansas City

This man prevails again

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s win over the New Orleans Saints in week one. Then again, Fitzpatrick also threw six interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2016.

Pick: Philadelphia

Indianapolis at Washington

We witnessed the rebirth of Adrian Peterson last week as he rushed for 96 yards and one touchdown in week one. The Colts were the seventh worst team against the run in 2017. Joe Mixon found a way to run against this defense in week one. To go along with Washington’s new toy at quarterback, the Redskins should take this home game.

Pick: Washington

Arizona at Los Angeles Rams

The Cardinals will play better in week two. Last week was the aberration to their team’s skill. Still, the Cardinals have their struggle while the Rams might end up as the best team in the NFC this season.

Pick: Los Angeles Rams

Detroit at San Francisco

Matt Patricia did not look good in his head coaching debut, losing to the Jets, 48-17. This game comes down to Matthew Stafford vs Jimmy Garoppolo. I think this game will surprise people on how close it ends up, but I like the home team to win.

Pick: San Francisco

Oakland at Denver

Case Keenum looked good in week one, throwing for 329 yards and three touchdowns despite throwing for three interceptions. Expect the Raiders to run the ball, but against Von Miller, I don’t like those odds for the Raiders. Too bad Jon Gruden might start his season off 0-2.

Pick: Denver

New England at Jacksonville

Everybody loves the Jaguars in this game. I understand why, the Patriots don’t do well against running backs like Leonard Fournette. This team, in 2017, held a 20-10 lead during the AFC championship over the Patriots. People want to hate the Patriots in this one, but I expect Bill Belichick to find a way to get it done on Sunday.

Pick: New England

New York Giants at Dallas

I picked the Giants to defeat Jacksonville in week one. I came close, but no cigar. Really wish I got that one. But anyway, I like the Saquan Barkley vs. Ezekiel Elliot narrative. The Giants like to pressure the front line, so Dak Prescott might throw a little more than usual. I’m taking the Cowboys in this one because I think they have a little more confidence. They should find a way in this one.

Pick: Dallas

Seattle at Chicago

The Bears gave Green Bay a scare in week one, plus they also have a solid mix of potentially potent players. They have Khalil Mack now, which has people drooling. Mitch Trubinsky looked decent and they have a couple good running backs. But is this team really going to take down Russell Wilson and company?

Pick: Seattle

NFL Wildcard Predictions + Super Bowl predictions

     One of the best times of the year is coming up this weekend as the NFL Playoffs begin. Great for so many reasons, it strikes sports fans as one of the best times in sports because it is football all weekend long. With games (of great importance) happening twice a day all weekend, nothing excites fans more.
     I now present to you my picks for this weekend's games, but first I would like to prime you with my super bowl predictions. I have been saying this for a while now, and I believe the Super Bowl will showcase the Indianapolis Colts vs the Seattle Seahawks. The Colts look like that team that nobody thinks of that makes it all the way. Luck is a great QB and with solid defensive play, I believe this team will be the one who comes out on top. For the Seahawks, playing at home the entire way will clinch them the spot. Seattle is the best home team and that's not changing now. So you heard it hear first, the Colts are going to the Super Bowl. But if I'm wrong, I will probably look like a fool. On to the Wild Card predictions...

Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts (Sat., 4:25)
Wouldn't it be ironic if I pick the Chiefs here? hahahahahaha..........not happening. The Colts are going to take this game at home. Luck is going to carry the team throughout this game. He will end up with 250 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, looking like an established QB. On the down, losing 5 out of their last 7, The Chiefs offense will put up a good fight as well, led by running back Jamaal Charles. However, their down slide will continue and Charles won't be able to carry the team to victory. Colts win 23-20.

New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles (Sat., 8:10)
This game can go so many ways. The Eagles have looked good at times under Chip Kelly's new offense and other times they have looked flat. If New Orleans were playing at home, they would be a lock for the win. But they have struggled away this year and outside the division (5-1 in division/ 6-4 outside). I think Drew Brees' postseason experience will give them the advantage in this game and the win. Saints win 34-28.

San Diego Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals (Sun., 1:05)
The Bengals have been perfect at home, scoring 30+ points in their last 5 home games. However their track record under the regime of Dalton have not performed well in the playoffs. They have lost badly to the Texans in the past two years with Dalton looking pretty flat. However, this year they are not playing the Texans and are at home. It won't look pretty, but Dalton gets the job done this year. Bengals win 17-13.

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers (Sun., 4:40)
The 49ers come into this game with a 6 game winning streak, with wins against the Seahawks and Cardinals. They have looked pretty good in all 6 games on defense, which will help them. But one of my philosophies is that a good offense wins games during the playoffs. The Packers have one of the best offensives when everybody is healthy. We saw that last week with Rodgers rallying a late win for the Packers, racking up 300 yards and 2 TDs. I believe the offense continue into this week and the Packers take an upsetting win from the 49ers, beating them in the 4th quarter. Packers win 38-35.

Predicting the Patriots offseason moves

As all Patriots fans know, their offense has been less than stellar this year. Full of new players and many rookies, the offense has looked flat and awful at times. Upgrading the offense should be a big concern for the Pats during the offseason, and it is never too early to create a free agent wish list. Thus, I have created a list of the offensive players that I believe the Patriots need and should sign in order to bolster their offense. Although it is still very early and no guarantees on resigning’s and such, one can still dream right?

Player #1:

RB Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

                This guy is a great running back. He’s big and can push through players like nobody’s business. When he has started in Minnesota due to injuries from Peterson, he has looked great. With a less than average performance from starter Steven Ridley and Vereen looking more like a receiver, a running back should be of some concern for the Patriots. Gerhart isn’t made to play every down, but he can, which makes him a good fit for the Patriots. Featuring a backfield of Ridley, Blount (assuming he resigns), and Gerhart could make the Pat’s running game a threat. I can picture now, Ridley running on first or second downs, Gerhart coming in to get the 3^rd & 3 yardage, and Blount at the goal line.

Player #2:

WR Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles

                Disregarding all the drama Cooper has created this year, this guy can play. At 6’3”, Cooper stands as a big target for Brady and during a few games this season (most notably during Week 9 where Cooper had 140 yards and 3 touchdowns), Cooper has looked phenomenal. This guy can run some cross patterns and get some mid-yardage under the Patriots passing game across from Danny Amendola.

Player #3

TE Fred Davis, Washington Redskins

                Facing injuries and suspension the last several years, Davis’ road has been harsh. But he can still play. Coming in at 6’4” and 240 lbs., Davis would become another big target for Brady. With Gronkowski suffering a major ACL injury and Hernandez gone for good, the Patriots are in need of Tight Ends. I believe this guy could be a force in the passing game and blocking. Davis would be a key piece to the Patriots offense.

I believe that these three players would bulk up a declining New England offense. They’re all big, tough guys that Brady could use around him. We’ll see what happens this offseason, and make sure to leave any comments regarding your choices or any disagreements with these players.