To me, last week was an exhibition of scrappiness for the AFC South teams. Indy went to Washington and put on a surprisingly strong showing defensively, holding the skins to nine (9) points in their win. In an even scrappier performance, the depleted tacks, missing both starting tackles, their second team RT, their TE and starting QB, managed to cobble together a win over the division rival tinhorns. but saving the best for last, my beloved first place and defending divisional champion Jaguars got a revenge that was eight months in the making, finally vanquishing the defending AFC champion Patriots 31-20 in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicated. Even though it's a new week, I expect some equally hard fought games. From a prognostication perspective, I went 1-2 last week, bringing my overall record to 3-4. I missed on the Colts and tacks. But as I said last week, I will gladly take those results if I was right on the Jaguars beating the Patriots. Fortunately, the season is young and there is time for me to turn things around.
On to the picks....
N.Y Giants (0-2) at
Texans (0-2)-this game features two teams I have been wrong about so far. I figured the new coach and the additions of Solder and Hernandez would solidify at least half of the Giants OL. So far, it hasn't. They still haven't blocked well enough to enable rookie RB Saquon Barkley to really have much room, save his incredible week one run against us. They also showed vulnerability in pass protection, as Dallas sacked Eli Manning six (6) times. As for the tinhorns, I figured with Watt, Mercilus and Clowney being healthy, they would be able to show an invigorated pass rush against depleted Patriots and tacks offensive lines. Not so much. I also figured Watson would return and really elevate the offense. Again, not so much. One of these things I've thought about these teams have to manifest at some point...right? Interesting note: The Texans have lost 11 out of their last 12 games. If they continue to sputter, will O'Brien chair start getting warm?
tinhorns win 23-14.
Colts (1-1) at
Eagles (1-1)-in another battle of a new coach (Reich) vs. an established coach (Pederson), the Colts travel to the Linc to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, who welcome back QB Carson Wentz, who missed last year's playoff run and the first two games of this season with a torn ACL. The Colts' OL seems to be coming together pretty well. Luck has only been sacked three times so far. So far, the Colts' defense has been less of a sieve than it has been. Rookie LB Darius Leonard has been all over the place and was in on 18 combined tackles last week. But I don't think they can win in Philly. I don't think they have the array of offensive weapons and pose as many matchup problems for the Eagles as the Bucs did last week. I still don't trust their tackles to hold up against the Eagles' pass rush. I think Wentz' return in front of the Philly home crowd fires up the Eagles.
Eagles 27-Colts 17.
tacks (1-1) at
Jaguars (2-0)-This week's marquee game features the loathsome and detestable tacks traveling to Tiaa Bank field to take on the defending AFC South champion and undefeated Jaguars, fresh off a 31-20 win over the Patriots that was cathartic for Jaguars fans and eye opening for national observers. I expect the tacks to get some players back, notably QB Marcus Mariota and T Taylor Lewan. However, I still expect them to keep that wildcat wrinkle they utilized against the tinhorns. Even though the tacks have been another pain in the butt for the Jaguars over the years, at this point, I don't think they can win in Jacksonville. I think the Jaguars will feel the loss of Cam Robinson for the year, but this is a far more confident Jaguars team than the tacks faced here in week 2 last year. The Jaguars now know they can move the ball through the air against pretty good defenses. The Jaguars are better equipped to stop the run than they were in week 2 last year with the addition of DT Marcell Dareus. This is a Jaguars team that knows how to win now, that wants the spotlight, and thanks to their playoff run last year, knows how to play consistently from week to week to stay in that spotlight.
Jaguars win a typically hard fought game against these stinkin' tacks 24-13.
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 3-4
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
