Week 2 Preview and Predictions - By Kyle Balfour
Ahh, it feels great to have the NFL season back up and running once again. Regardless of scores, I am still grateful to have it. So with the first week out of the way (except for Tampa and Miami), let's look at how I think week 2 will pan out, starting tonight with...
Also a special congratulations to the Cincinnati Bengals for being the first Go For It On Fourth 'Betting Bastard' of the week. This accolade is given only to the team that either myself or Stuart chose to win a certain match each week, and then being the first to totally bottle it! Well done!
Texans vs Bengals - Texans
Ohh, Jesus, both these teams were pretty bad last week. Andy Dalton was absolutely terrible for the Bengals, and Tom Savage was no good either. Luckily the Texans had Deshaun Watson to throw into the game, and he was...all right? He scored at least...In any case, it's going to be a tough game for both of these teams. However, I see the Texans as a more complete unit defensively, and with no reliable offensive line to speak, Dalton will continue to disappoint.
Panthers vs Bills - Panthers
With Cam Newton just coming off shoulder surgery, mass aerial passes would never be the priority here, but it did give the running game a good chance to be proven, as well as a chance to try out their new toy draft pick in Christian McCaffrey. He was serviceable, and we'll see if this hype train continues against the Bills, which I think he will.
Buccaneers vs Bears - Buccaneers
It was both a shame and the a very Bears-like thing to happen when they couldn't score from a full drive at the goal line. You out-falconed the Falcons...and this week won't be any better. Having an impromptu extra week to get everything ready, the Bucs should be in with a good chance at not only winning, but contending for their division. A solid core all around, so they should prove the victor against Chicago.
Steelers vs Vikings - Steelers
A very tough game to pick. It's hard to say whether the Steelers were good or not since they were playing the Browns, but I can definitely say the Vikings played very well last week. This will be a true test to maintaining consistency for them. Sadly, though, I have to go with Steelers on this one, as they are the more consistent team.
Colts vs Cardinals - Colts
Ohh boy...uhh, Tomlin! Wanna quickly summarise last week? "Shite", "Absolutely inept and dreadful performance." ...Yeah, that should do it.
Let's face it, the Colts were astonishingly bad against the Rams. Scott Tolzien was unbelievably bad, he threw a pick on his first drive, for fuck's sake! If they can get newly acquired QB Jacoby Brissett up to scratch, they may be in with a shout against the Cardinals, who are themselves suffering in the QB department. Palmer recessed back into a pick machine, and RB David Johnson is out for a considerable portion of the season with injury (RIP Fantasy seasons all over the world).
Saints vs Patriots - Patriots
So the Saints were unsurprisingly pedestrian last week, and I see them doing the same against the Patriots now that the Pats have had their egos return to Earth from outer space after that reality check from the Chiefs. Look forward to Brandin Cooks absolutely smoking his old teams cornerbacks.
Ravens vs Browns - Ravens
An interesting match up. The Browns may be onto some semblance of competition after playing the Steelers. However, if the rumour mill is true and that the Ravens defence is on the upswing, The Ravens should able to win.
Chiefs vs Eagles - Chiefs
Huh, maybe the Chiefs won't be so bad this season. Both Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt had an incredible game against the Patriots (especially in the rookie Hunt's case), and the Eagles look to be competitive this season, though it's still early days. Still, I'll take the Chiefs to win this one.
Jaguars vs Titans - Titans
It's also hard to tell whether the Jags were good last week, or if the Texans just sucked. This match should prove to be a better measurement of success; and with that being said, I'm gonna go with the Titans. Man, this week's got some close match ups...
Raiders vs Jets - Raiders
Sadly, this ain't one of them. The Raiders are going to demolish the Jets.
Chargers vs Dolphins - Chargers
A disappointing end to Week 1 for the Chargers, mounting one hell of a 4th quarter comeback against the Broncos, only to lose it on a blocked field goal in the dying seconds. Still, this week should end in a victory for them, as they face the Dolphins. Whether or not the Dolphins succeed, lies ultimately with whether or not Jay Cutler cares.
Broncos vs Cowboys - Cowboys
There's some heavy irony here of a bronco (a wild horse) and a Cowboy (animal herder) facing each other. So much like the picture I just created, I see the Cowboys taking this one. Though the matchup of the Cowboys O-line and the Broncos D-line look to be a very good battle.
Seahawks vs 49ers - Seahawks
Ohh dear... This one's gonna hurt for the Niners. Their offence was completely sterile against the Panthers, and I think it'll look just as impotent here against the Seahawks. Hopefully the birds can also muster themselves a little after the setback against Green Bay.
Rams vs Redskins - Rams
The Rams looked like Superbowl contenders against the Colts (Sorry, Stuart!), and I don't think the Redskins will give them much of a challenge either. Either Kirk Cousins rallies the skins to win it, or Jared Goff will implode and cost the Rams a win.
Falcons vs Packers - Packers
Ahh, the NFC Conference Championship rematch. However, I think the outcome this time to go Green Bay's way. Unless Matt Ryan turns into Sub-Zero again and can solve Green Bays defence once more.
Giants vs Lions - Giants
Terrible performance offensively speaking for the Giants last week. Defence can't really do much to stop scores when the offence barely gets anywhere, and barely stays out on the field. As for the Lions, the 4th quarter comeback magic continues as it did beating the Cardinals last week. The Giants offence needs to go somewhere, so the defence can still have the energy to contain another possible case of 4th quarter witchcraft from Matt Stafford and the Lions.
There it is! Week 2 all wrapped up, and ready for tonight when the Texans take on the Bengals!
As always, thank you so much for reading, and see you next week!
Go Giants!
Ahh, it feels great to have the NFL season back up and running once again. Regardless of scores, I am still grateful to have it. So with the first week out of the way (except for Tampa and Miami), let's look at how I think week 2 will pan out, starting tonight with...
Also a special congratulations to the Cincinnati Bengals for being the first Go For It On Fourth 'Betting Bastard' of the week. This accolade is given only to the team that either myself or Stuart chose to win a certain match each week, and then being the first to totally bottle it! Well done!
Texans vs Bengals - Texans
Ohh, Jesus, both these teams were pretty bad last week. Andy Dalton was absolutely terrible for the Bengals, and Tom Savage was no good either. Luckily the Texans had Deshaun Watson to throw into the game, and he was...all right? He scored at least...In any case, it's going to be a tough game for both of these teams. However, I see the Texans as a more complete unit defensively, and with no reliable offensive line to speak, Dalton will continue to disappoint.
Panthers vs Bills - Panthers
With Cam Newton just coming off shoulder surgery, mass aerial passes would never be the priority here, but it did give the running game a good chance to be proven, as well as a chance to try out their new toy draft pick in Christian McCaffrey. He was serviceable, and we'll see if this hype train continues against the Bills, which I think he will.
Buccaneers vs Bears - Buccaneers
It was both a shame and the a very Bears-like thing to happen when they couldn't score from a full drive at the goal line. You out-falconed the Falcons...and this week won't be any better. Having an impromptu extra week to get everything ready, the Bucs should be in with a good chance at not only winning, but contending for their division. A solid core all around, so they should prove the victor against Chicago.
Steelers vs Vikings - Steelers
A very tough game to pick. It's hard to say whether the Steelers were good or not since they were playing the Browns, but I can definitely say the Vikings played very well last week. This will be a true test to maintaining consistency for them. Sadly, though, I have to go with Steelers on this one, as they are the more consistent team.
Colts vs Cardinals - Colts
Ohh boy...uhh, Tomlin! Wanna quickly summarise last week? "Shite", "Absolutely inept and dreadful performance." ...Yeah, that should do it.
Let's face it, the Colts were astonishingly bad against the Rams. Scott Tolzien was unbelievably bad, he threw a pick on his first drive, for fuck's sake! If they can get newly acquired QB Jacoby Brissett up to scratch, they may be in with a shout against the Cardinals, who are themselves suffering in the QB department. Palmer recessed back into a pick machine, and RB David Johnson is out for a considerable portion of the season with injury (RIP Fantasy seasons all over the world).
Saints vs Patriots - Patriots
So the Saints were unsurprisingly pedestrian last week, and I see them doing the same against the Patriots now that the Pats have had their egos return to Earth from outer space after that reality check from the Chiefs. Look forward to Brandin Cooks absolutely smoking his old teams cornerbacks.
Ravens vs Browns - Ravens
An interesting match up. The Browns may be onto some semblance of competition after playing the Steelers. However, if the rumour mill is true and that the Ravens defence is on the upswing, The Ravens should able to win.
Chiefs vs Eagles - Chiefs
Huh, maybe the Chiefs won't be so bad this season. Both Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt had an incredible game against the Patriots (especially in the rookie Hunt's case), and the Eagles look to be competitive this season, though it's still early days. Still, I'll take the Chiefs to win this one.
Jaguars vs Titans - Titans
It's also hard to tell whether the Jags were good last week, or if the Texans just sucked. This match should prove to be a better measurement of success; and with that being said, I'm gonna go with the Titans. Man, this week's got some close match ups...
Raiders vs Jets - Raiders
Sadly, this ain't one of them. The Raiders are going to demolish the Jets.
Chargers vs Dolphins - Chargers
A disappointing end to Week 1 for the Chargers, mounting one hell of a 4th quarter comeback against the Broncos, only to lose it on a blocked field goal in the dying seconds. Still, this week should end in a victory for them, as they face the Dolphins. Whether or not the Dolphins succeed, lies ultimately with whether or not Jay Cutler cares.
Broncos vs Cowboys - Cowboys
There's some heavy irony here of a bronco (a wild horse) and a Cowboy (animal herder) facing each other. So much like the picture I just created, I see the Cowboys taking this one. Though the matchup of the Cowboys O-line and the Broncos D-line look to be a very good battle.
Seahawks vs 49ers - Seahawks
Ohh dear... This one's gonna hurt for the Niners. Their offence was completely sterile against the Panthers, and I think it'll look just as impotent here against the Seahawks. Hopefully the birds can also muster themselves a little after the setback against Green Bay.
Rams vs Redskins - Rams
The Rams looked like Superbowl contenders against the Colts (Sorry, Stuart!), and I don't think the Redskins will give them much of a challenge either. Either Kirk Cousins rallies the skins to win it, or Jared Goff will implode and cost the Rams a win.
Falcons vs Packers - Packers
Ahh, the NFC Conference Championship rematch. However, I think the outcome this time to go Green Bay's way. Unless Matt Ryan turns into Sub-Zero again and can solve Green Bays defence once more.
Giants vs Lions - Giants
Terrible performance offensively speaking for the Giants last week. Defence can't really do much to stop scores when the offence barely gets anywhere, and barely stays out on the field. As for the Lions, the 4th quarter comeback magic continues as it did beating the Cardinals last week. The Giants offence needs to go somewhere, so the defence can still have the energy to contain another possible case of 4th quarter witchcraft from Matt Stafford and the Lions.
There it is! Week 2 all wrapped up, and ready for tonight when the Texans take on the Bengals!
As always, thank you so much for reading, and see you next week!
Go Giants!
Comments
Post a Comment