09-20-2017, 08:53 AM
As glorious as week one was for me and Jaguars fans everywhere (Irma notwithstanding), week two was equally disappointing. The Jaguars fell back down to earth with their loss against the tacks. However, not all is lost. We are in a 1-1 tie with the tacks and the Texans. We still have the chance to take a lead this week, but the prize for the bad guys losing and us winning isn't quite as big as it was last week.
My picks:
Ravens (2-0) at Jaguars (1-1)- The Ravens have been amazing defensively, dismantling the Ohio teams on their way to 2-0. The Ravens have more speed and talent at WR than they have had in years past with Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace. However, their passing game should not scare the Jaguars, only throwing two passes that have traveled more than than 20 yards in the air. That may be, in part, a function of their OL being banged up. They just lost D Marshall Yanda for the year. According to the Baltimore Sun "Of the nine linemen on the roster, four are former undrafted free agents and two are sixth-round picks." The Jaguars' D-Line will have some opportunities against Flacco and Co. However, I'm not sure if the Jaguars' offense can capitalize on it. A passing game that was already suspect coming into the season became more so with the Allen Robinson injury. Last week against the tacks, the Jaguars were unable or unwilling to stretch the field and attack downfield much until garbage time. Fournette got quality yardage early, but was shut down later as the tacks consistently put 8-9 in the box. The Jaguars must attack the Ravens rookies through the air to keep the defense honest. Not sure if they can do that. It will be a game of defense, turnovers, and field position. The Ravens have the better QB, and that will be the difference. Ravens 20 Jaguars 16.
Seahawks (1-1) at Tacks (1-1)-A strong Seattle defense travels east to Nashville to face the tacks. Seattle's defense looks nasty as ever, and there is an axiom that defense travels. Unfortunately for Seattle, their offensive line, featuring Jaguars bust Luke Joeckel, is traveling with them. I'm still thankful yet mystified as to why Seattle didn't take Cam Robinson for themselves. I don't see the tacks doing much against that Seattle defense, but I can't see Seattle's offense blocking Jurrell Casey or Brian Orakpo. Again, I will go with the better QB-Russell Wilson. Seattle 21-Tennessee 17.
Texans (1-1) at Patriots (1-1) Both teams suffered surprising and embarrassing week one losses, and bounced back with week 2 wins. However, while Houston struggled and scraped to a win over the mightily struggling Bengals, Brady and the Patriots looked more like the team that won its 5th Super Bowl last year. They still have Belichick, who still has a way of making rookie QBs struggle. That's bad news for the Texans, who has Deshaun Watson starting only his second game. Patriots 28 Texans 10.
Browns (0-2) at Colts (0-2)-In a battle of two struggling teams, the Browns travel to Indy to face the still Luck-less Colts.Neither team has much of an advantage at QB, as the Browns have rookie DeShone Kizer-soze at QB, while the Colts counter with Jacoby Brissett, who has maybe two career starts under his belt, and has only been in the Colts offense three weeks. I give the edge to Cleveland here. They played tough against two of their division's better teams, and have a stronger nucleus of rookie contributors than the Colts, even without prize #1 pick Myles Garrett, who is nursing a high ankle sprain. Browns win 20-17.
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 3-3
My picks:
Ravens (2-0) at Jaguars (1-1)- The Ravens have been amazing defensively, dismantling the Ohio teams on their way to 2-0. The Ravens have more speed and talent at WR than they have had in years past with Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace. However, their passing game should not scare the Jaguars, only throwing two passes that have traveled more than than 20 yards in the air. That may be, in part, a function of their OL being banged up. They just lost D Marshall Yanda for the year. According to the Baltimore Sun "Of the nine linemen on the roster, four are former undrafted free agents and two are sixth-round picks." The Jaguars' D-Line will have some opportunities against Flacco and Co. However, I'm not sure if the Jaguars' offense can capitalize on it. A passing game that was already suspect coming into the season became more so with the Allen Robinson injury. Last week against the tacks, the Jaguars were unable or unwilling to stretch the field and attack downfield much until garbage time. Fournette got quality yardage early, but was shut down later as the tacks consistently put 8-9 in the box. The Jaguars must attack the Ravens rookies through the air to keep the defense honest. Not sure if they can do that. It will be a game of defense, turnovers, and field position. The Ravens have the better QB, and that will be the difference. Ravens 20 Jaguars 16.
Seahawks (1-1) at Tacks (1-1)-A strong Seattle defense travels east to Nashville to face the tacks. Seattle's defense looks nasty as ever, and there is an axiom that defense travels. Unfortunately for Seattle, their offensive line, featuring Jaguars bust Luke Joeckel, is traveling with them. I'm still thankful yet mystified as to why Seattle didn't take Cam Robinson for themselves. I don't see the tacks doing much against that Seattle defense, but I can't see Seattle's offense blocking Jurrell Casey or Brian Orakpo. Again, I will go with the better QB-Russell Wilson. Seattle 21-Tennessee 17.
Texans (1-1) at Patriots (1-1) Both teams suffered surprising and embarrassing week one losses, and bounced back with week 2 wins. However, while Houston struggled and scraped to a win over the mightily struggling Bengals, Brady and the Patriots looked more like the team that won its 5th Super Bowl last year. They still have Belichick, who still has a way of making rookie QBs struggle. That's bad news for the Texans, who has Deshaun Watson starting only his second game. Patriots 28 Texans 10.
Browns (0-2) at Colts (0-2)-In a battle of two struggling teams, the Browns travel to Indy to face the still Luck-less Colts.Neither team has much of an advantage at QB, as the Browns have rookie DeShone Kizer-soze at QB, while the Colts counter with Jacoby Brissett, who has maybe two career starts under his belt, and has only been in the Colts offense three weeks. I give the edge to Cleveland here. They played tough against two of their division's better teams, and have a stronger nucleus of rookie contributors than the Colts, even without prize #1 pick Myles Garrett, who is nursing a high ankle sprain. Browns win 20-17.
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 3-3
