The good news is that the NFL regular season has begun. Football withdrawal is over The bad news is that three of the four AFC South teams played far worse than they hoped and begun this season with losses. Only the loathsome and detestable tacks won last week. The other good news that accompanies the start of the NFL regular season is the bad picks from last year are long forgotten. Of course, the bad news that also accompanies the start of the new NFL regular season is more opportunities for bad predictions.
With this in mind....
Houston (0-1)
at
Carolina (1-0
)-Even though Carolina pulled out the win against my Jaguars last week, there are still major deficiencies on that roster. Even though Houston has the biggest deficiency a team can have at QB, and RB is still a problem until Foster can return healthy, unquestionably they have a more complete roster than Carolina and should match up well against them. I can't see Carolina's offensive line having a chance against Houston's front seven. Houston wins 24-13.
N.Y. Jets (1-0)
at
Indy (0-1)
-The Clots are fresh off a throttling at the hands of Buff[BAD WORD REMOVED]. They will host the Jets on MNF. The Jets' will pose many of the same matchup problems against a suspect Colts' offensive line. They have a supremely talented defensive line (though I don't know if they pose quite the pass rush threat Buffalo does_ and an experienced, talented, and deep secondary to matchup against the Clots receivers. Two differences. The Clots are at home, and the Jets' offense doesn't pose the same problems against the Clots defense. Indy wins 27-17.
Tennessee (1-0)
at
Cleveland (0-1)
-The Tacks absolutely exploded against Tampa Bay. Their winning wasn't a surprise. Winning the way they did was. Mariota dazzled in his career debut, passing for 4 TDs-0 INTs and a perfect QB rating in crushing the Bucs. Interesting side note. If Manziel starts for the Browns (and it is looking more likely it will happen), Mariota (the most recent Heisman trophy winner) will start his career against his immediate two Heisman predecessors in Winston and Manziel. I say even at this early stage, Mariota is more reliable than Manziel. Tacks win 23-10.
Miami (1-0)
at
Jacksonville (0-1)-Jacksonville lost an eminently winnable game against Carolina. I still firmly believe my Jaguars are more talented top to bottom than they have been in quite some time. But they have to develop and mature quickly in order for that to manifest itself in the W-L column. Sunday, they go against a Fish team that could easily be in playoff contention come mid to late December. They have a strong front four that can really get after the QB. They have good young receiving targets in Jarvis Landry and TE Jordan Cameron for Ryan Tannehill. The Jaguars should get some help with the possible return of Senderrick Marks and WR Marqise Lee, but I don't see this as a good matchup for the Jaguars, even though we played well against them last year. Miami wins 24-14.
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 2-2
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
