Writer: Marcus Carr
If you took my advice last week, I apologize. On a good note, I survived my two picks in the survival pool and I’m sure most of you did as well.
Over the next 19 weeks, we will encounter the six months out of the year we wait for. Some call it the best time of their life, others like to call it the NFL football season. Also for the next 19 weeks, I will be providing you with picks to every matchup of the year. If you want to win your survival pool this year, you will take this advice every week. If you want to lose first round, you might also take this advice. Onto the picks for the weekend.
Thursday, September 14th
Houston Texans Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium
I was completely wrong about both of these teams last week but Houston has found it’s quarterback in DeShaun Watson, who lead the Texans to a touchdown on his first drive. He will be expected to start against the Bengals. The Bengals got shutout by the Ravens last weekend and will be looking to bounce back after a short week. With the Texans still looking to figure themselves out, the Bengals take this one at home.
Sunday, September 17th
Cleveland Browns Vs. Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium
The Ravens showed up huge last week, and well the Browns are the Browns. Cleveland might have something in Kizer but the Ravens defense will overwhelm the Browns offense this week. Ravens win this one in a cake walk, most likely a shutout back to back weeks.
Buffalo Bills Vs. Carolina Panthers
Bank Of America Stadium
The Panthers cake walked the 49ers in week one, using their most recent draft pick Christian McCaffrey in a variety of ways. Cam Newton threw two touchdowns in their victory, but Tyrod Taylor threw two touchdowns of his own in the victory over the Jets. The Panthers will take this one at home in a close one, the Bills do not have enough weapons to pull this one off.
Arizona Cardinals Vs. Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium
The Cardinals looked really bad last week but the Colts looked even worse. The Colts are in a bad situation; Mike and Mike broke news yesterday that there is speculation Andrew Luck could want out of Indy. The Cardinals will take this one easily on the road, there won’t be much resistance from a Colts defense who gave up 46 points to the Rams offense.
Tennessee Titans Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Everbank Field
The Jags looked like one of the best defenses in the league last week, Leonard Fournette looked like a veteran running back racking up 100 yards and a touchdown. The loss of Allen Robinson could ultimately affect Jacksonville’s offense. The Titans on the other hand dropped their first game to the Raiders who picked up right where they left off. This is going to be a good one, if Jacksonville can play defense as they did last week, they will win this one. Titans are the safe pick here though.
Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium
Who knew that Alex Smith was the greatest quarterback ever? Kareem Hunt had 40, yes check that 40 fantasy points last week against the Patriots. The Eagles lucked out against the Redskins, where the game felt like it was only punts and turnovers. Carson Wentz showed flashes of brilliance though. The Chiefs take this one at home, everybody hold their breath… Alex Smith could be 2-0 after the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes.
New England Patriots Vs. New Orleans Saints
Mercedes Benz Superdome
The Patriots were stunned last week, we heard talk of Brady not looking like himself, but when is there a year we don’t hear that? Here’s an interesting fact, the last three times the Patriots dropped their season opener they won the Super Bowl. The Saints looked awful, we saw Sam Bradford and the Vikings torch their defense. The Patriots will regroup and take this one on the road.
Minnesota Vikings Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field
The Vikings looked really good last week, Dalvin Cook showed out in front of Adrian Peterson. The Steelers struggled against the Browns last week; Le’Veon Bell had 10 carries for 32 yards, the holdout might have actually caught up to him. The Vikings will be playing a tougher defense and more lethal offense this week, look for the Steelers to get Bell more involved this week. Steelers win at home by 10.
Chicago Bears Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium
We did not get to see the Bucs in action last week after the game was rescheduled, but the Bears nearly stunned the Atlanta Falcons. The game came down to a final play in the final seconds, the Bears won’t repeat this success though. Mike Evans will be too much for the Bears defense, look for the Bucs to take this one by a landslide.
New York Jets Vs. Oakland Raiders
Oakland Coliseum
Marshawn Lynch has been rejuvenated, Derek Carr picked up where he left off, and all of a sudden it looks like the Raiders could be Super Bowl contenders again. The Jets looked, well like the Jets. The Raiders will run and pass all over this Jets defense look for this one to be a blowout.
Miami Dolphins Vs. Los Angeles Chargers
StubHub Center
The Chargers were the Chargers on Monday Night Football, it was almost as bad as the commentary team. The Chargers were down 17 going into the 4th quarter, lead a serge and came within a field goal, then icing the kicker finally worked. Younghoe Koo’s field goal was blocked as time expired, if we are being honest I just wanted to say his name in this recap. The Dolphins game got rescheduled because of weather conditions, this could be a surprisingly good offense this year. The Chargers aren’t good late in games but they squeeze this one out and Antonio Gates breaks Tony Gonzalez’ touchdown record.
Dallas Cowboys Vs. Denver Broncos
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
The Broncos held on for dear life last week, the quarterback situation still isn’t ideal in Denver. The Cowboys should only get better from here, with Zeke likely not to serve his suspension this year the Cowboys could be in prime position to compete for a Super Bowl this year. One of the best offenses against one of the best defenses, but the Broncos weakness is the run game where the Cowboys thrive. Look for Zeke to have a big day, Cowboys move to 2-0.
San Francisco 49ers Vs. Seattle Seahawks
CenturyLink Field
This should be the game you pick for your survival pool, the Seahawks should cakewalk the 49ers. There isn’t much that is great about the 49ers offense and Seattle is still one of the best defenses. The Seahawks win big this week at home.
Green Bay Packers Vs. Atlanta Falcons
Mercedes Benz Stadium
If the Falcons didn’t play last week this would have been an interesting matchup, but the Falcons nearly lost to the Chicago Bears who are without a receiving corps. Aaron Rodgers is still the best quarterback in the NFL, regardless of what Alex Smith did last week. The Falcons could hang around for most of the game but the Packers will advance to 2-0.
Monday September 18th
Detroit Lions Vs. New York Giants
MetLife Stadium
There is life in Detroit, Matt Stafford and company pulled one out against the Cardinals putting up 35 points on the Arizona defense. The Giants looked like a mess without Odell Beckham Jr. and he still might not be able to fix their problems. It was also reported he had a dance battle with Russell Westbrook while having the sprained ankle, too bad there is no video of the action. The Detroit Lions sneak by the Giants.
Be sure to check back next week for week three picks, hopefully I will lead you to victory in your survival pools.
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