Overall: 10 - 6
There are some surprising 0 - 1 teams that are trying to avoid going down to defeat in their opening pair of games. Starting the season 0 - 2 is difficult to rebound from, especially if one of those losses is to an undefeated division foe. Dallas could take a big step in burying the Eagles with a win in Philadelphia today. There are some other interesting divisional match-ups, but they don't have the same feeling of urgency as what faces Philadelphia today. In other contests, you would have to think the Seahawks need to win at Green Bay, no small feat. The Giants have their backs to a wall after blowing a sure thing against the Cowboys. Let's look at the games.
Thursday Night (from a previous post):
Denver (1 - 0) 23 @ Kansas City (1 - 0) 24 : These teams are probably going to battle it out for AFC West supremacy this season. Both sport ferocious pass rushes, but the similarity ends there. Peyton Manning of the Broncos is one of the all time great quarterbacks on the tail end of his magnificent career. Alex Smith, the Chiefs signal caller, while not spectacular, manages the game well and for the most part avoids turnovers. Manning longest completion in week one against a tough Raven defense was eighteen yards. I'm not sure that will get the job done tonight in a very raucous stadium in Kansas City. The home team figures to win these match-ups, so I'll go with the Chiefs in a tight game.
Sunday:
Houston (0 - 1) 24 @ Carolina (1 - 0) 20: Ryan Mallett replaced Brian Hoyer at QB for the Texans after three quarters in week one's loss to Kansas City. The Panthers beat a dismal Jacksonville team but will be facing a tougher defense this week. I like the Texans to bounce back on the road.
San Francisco (1 - 0) 24 @ Pittsburgh (0 - 1) 27: The 'Niners pretty much surprised everyone with their intensity on defense Monday night against the Vikings. The Steelers squandered a lot of chances in their opening loss in New England. Pittsburgh has had ten days to prepare at home.
Tampa Bay (0 - 1) 17 @ New Orleans (0 - 1) 28: Jameis Winston had a rough start and it won't get much better this week, playing in the Superdome against a Saints team that is looking to get back to playoff form.
Detroit (0 - 1) 23 @ Minnesota (0 - 1) 28: I think the Vikes are better than they showed in San Jose last week. I look for them to get more production from Adrian Peterson.
Arizona (1 - 0) 27 @ Chicago (0 - 1) 24: Chicago made it a game late against the Packers, but they'll be playing an equally dangerous team today. When Carson Palmer is on his game, the Cardinals look like a Super Bowl contender.
New England (1 - 0) 20 @ Buffalo (1 - 0) 23: This is on of the big games of the week. Rex Ryan's Buffalo defense made the Colts' Andrew Luck look average and the Patriots escaped with a win over the Steelers. I'm going with the surprising Bills to continue their hot start.
San Diego (1 - 0) 27 @ Cincinnati (1 - 0) 28: The Bengals got a win in Oakland, but didn't look particularly good in the process. The Chargers outscored the Lions, but winning a close one on the road is a tougher task.
Tennessee (1 - 0) 24 @ Cleveland (0 - 1) 20: In another battle of Heisman winners, Marcus Mariotta leads the Titans into Cleveland to take on Johnnie Manziel and the Browns. I just don't think the second year QB is cut out for NFL success, unlike the rookie.
Atlanta (1 - 0) 27 @ New York Giants (0 - 1) 28: The Falcons held on to beat the Eagles, but I'm not yet sold that they're back to the level they were three years ago. Eli Manning will be looking to make up for his clock management gaffe last week.
St. Louis (1 - 0) 24 @ Washington (0 - 1) 21: I think the Rams are for real and the Redskins, well, they're not, even though it took a punt return for a TD for the Dolphins to pull out a victory in week one.
Miami (1 - 0) 20 @ Jacksonville (0 - 1) 13: The Dolphins are looking at contending for the division crown and a playoff bid. They can't squander games they're supposed to win if they want to hang with New England in a tough division.
Baltimore (0 - 1) 23 @ Oakland (0 - 1) 17: The Ravens lost a tough defensive struggle at Denver and now have to head back out west to take on the Raiders, a team many thought were on the road to improvement before the Bengals whacked them. I don't believe Oakland can score enough to win against a tough Baltimore defense.
Dallas (1 - 0) 27 @ Philadelphia (0 - 1) 30: The Cowboys were a little lucky to pull out a win in a game where they clearly outplayed the Giants. The Eagles need to win to keep from digging a big hole in the NFC East race. I like Chip Kelly to bounce back against Dallas.
Seattle (0 - 1) 19 @ Green Bay (1 - 0) 24: The Seahawks head to the midwest for the second week in a row, but still without safety Kam Chancellor. He is sorely needed against Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers.
Monday Night:
New York Jets (1 - 0) 24 @ Indianapolis (0 - 1) 28: After losing to Rex Ryan's current team, the Colts welcome his former one, another tough defensive foe. I find it hard to believe that QB Andrew Luck will have another poor performance, especially with an extra day to prepare.
Don't forget to check out my new book, "Roughing the Passer - A PK Frazier Novel" and my first, "Illegal Procedure - A PK Frazier Novel", available in print and e-formats at Amazon.com, iBooks and Smashwords. The third installment, "Offsetting Penalties" is due out in the fall.
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