Well, I’m glad last nights game wasn’t in the mix. Glad to say I got the team right, but was too damn stupid to remember to get to the Pick 'Em league to register the pick…duh. Can’t believe how pathetic TO was, though considering he’s on my opponents Fantasy Team, I loved it. What a pussy, he guys 35 pounds bigger than the whole secondary and flinches every single time there’s tough play. Remember the Bears game last year?
Lets see if I can tick off the rest of the games.
Sunday’s games
Philadelphia at Tennessee (Iggles by 1) OMNI
McNabb vs. everyone’s “sleeper” pick. The first week of the season is always a crap shoot, and there are no obvious games. I don’t think Tennessee will turn it around to the degree everyone else does. Their defense won’t be dominant like people are predicting, but they’ll be better. Eddie is and always will be the stud RB, and he’ll be back to old form this season. They’ll be back in the Playoff hunt in that weak division, but they’ve got Philly this week. The Eagles defense is better, and will stifle the Titans retooled passing game. The X-factor in this one is Frank Wycheck, if he can convert 3rd downs (because Dyson and Mason will be non-factors) helping the Titans to maintain possesion, they’ll get a win at home. Odds are he won’t, Eagles win and cover.
N.Y. Jets at Buffalo (J-E-T-S by 3)
I really want to pick the Bills to upset here, Bledsoe is my fantasy QB, and the Jets lost damn near all the important pieces on that defense. However I’m seeing Vinny, Moss, and Cu Mar having big days. It’ll be high scoring, but the Bills might take the first half to get rolling. My X-factor in this game is going to be the big rookie, Mike Williams. If he steps up and protects Bledsoe, he’ll devour the Jets. I’m going on a limb and picking the Bills to upset, but probably not as an Omni pick.
Arizona at Washington (Skins by 7)
Hmm, tough game to judge here. I think Spurrier is gonna be a hit, and I believe in Wuerffel. I watched the Wuerffel/Matthews tandem in Chicago, and Matthews isn’t it. He’s the “safe” choice, but I don’t expect Spurrier to be happy with eeking out 16-13 wins with defense. If Wuerffel were starting I’d pick the 'skins to cover. My X-factor is the Washinton QB, not only how he plays, but who plays. Matthews is gonna be on a short leash, and Spurrier is going to demand alot. If all the other teams were right about these guys, they don’t stand a chance. Playing Arizona in the equivalent of a season opener in the Swamp against Troy State, and we know how Spurrier handles those games. But then again, Plummer and Boston are good, but so is the 'Skins defense. Redskins win and cover, but its definately unpredictable.
Baltimore at Carolina (Criminals by 2)
Will anyone even watch this game? If so, WHY? Horrible I tell you. Whats it say when a team one year removed from Super Bowl Champs is only favored by 2 points over a 1-15 team? Did anyone ever expect to actually see the name Rodney Peete in a Box Score again? I can barely fathom an instance when either team scores. I’d say X-factor is Jamal Lewis, and his knee, but it doesn’t really matter, Ravens win either way. Carolina is banged up. Ravens win and cover, I feel so dirty. We can all agree that the 2000 Super Bowl never happened, right?
Minnesota at Chicago (Mini-Ditkas by 4½)
Da Bears!!! OK, I generally have a rule never to stake money on the home team, I simply am incapable of being objective. It’ll be a constant torment this year, especially after watching that defense just devour the 'Queens. Needless to say I’m picking the good guys to win and cover down in wonderful Champaign, but with the new home, the bias factor, and having Moss on my fantasy team I can’t in good conscience make it a Omni pick. The X-factor in this game is the Bears offensive line, if Miller stays vertical most of the game, we’ll be fine. If Minnesota gets alot of hits on him, then it could be trouble. Bears win, Vikings cover.
San Diego at Cincinnati. (Bungles by 2) OMNI
This spread shocks me, the Changers have a talented defense and last time I checked Cincy still had Kitna, Akili Smith and Gus Frerotte as QB options. Brees might struggle a little, especially late in the game, but not with a Tomlinson security blanket. The X-factor has to be Brees, if he avoids INTs they win, if he passes for 250 yards and a TD or two, its a blowout. Chargers win in a slight upset.
Kansas City at Cleveland. (Browns by 2½) OMNI
I’m suprised that Cleveland is favored without Couch. This game really should be OFF with that question mark. My X-factor is Couch, he’s listed somewhere between questionable and doubtful, but if he does play effectively Cleveland could dominate with the Couch-Green 1-2 punch. However the rumors say he’s out, regardless of what the injury report says. In that case I expect the Chiefs to upset the Brownies at home, I’m usually not sold on the Rams version 2.0 offense, but they’ll do just enough this week.
Atlanta at Green Bay (Cheeseheads by 7) OMNI
I’m gonna have to take the Pack this week, Atlanta will probably score against a overrated GB defense with Duckett, Vick and Dunn, but the Pack will score more, alot more against a defense worse than my high school teams’. The X-factor suprisingly enough is Favre, does he come out too keyed up and turn the ball over? Will he have any confidence in his receivers? Pack wins and covers.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville (Colts by 3½)
Tricky call, it all depends if Taylor gets hurt this week or next week. Dungy is a little overrated, but the Colts did shore up the D with new personel. Taylor didn’t look dominating in preseason, and Jimmy Smith hasn’t gotten any work yet. The X-factor in this puppy has got to be Edge, if he plays up to form it won’t matter how well Jacksonville’s big three play. If he’s rusty and Jimmy Smith isn’t, then the Jags win. Colts win and cover, barely.
Detroit at Miami (Phins by 8)
Ricky, Ricky, Ricky. Wanny, Wanny, Wanny. Who can root for these guys? Who really has confidence in them? But then again, they’re playing the Lions at home. I hate these picks, Detroit is bad, but I think they underachieved last season. Miami is solid, but they overachieved last season. Miami will win, but 8 points is a big spread for week one. My X-factor is Fielder, how many point will he give up? Create? Can he get Chambers the ball at the right times? Definately not a Omni pick, so I’m gonna be bold and say Lions lose, but cover.
St. Louis at Denver (Rams by 3)
This one’s gonna be fun. Unfortunately the Rams are on grass at altitude on the road. Bad news for a track team. Then again, defense isn’t the Broncos strength. Its a opportunistic defense, but Warner is real good at not providing oportunities. Denver probably has almost as many weapons as St Loius, I’d say the second best talent on offense in the league…except Griese, the obvious X-factor. I think he’s gotten beaten up more than he deserved in the press, and I think he’ll get it together this year. However this is a very good Rams defense, believe it or not. They’ll be the difference. Rams win and cover in a high scoring game, but close, game.
Seattle at Oakland (Tha Raida’s by 7)
I only know two things about the Seahawks. 1) I know Shuan Alexander is frigging awesome. 2) I know I know nothing else. Fills you with confidence huh? The Raiders are old, and should move the ball on offense. Don’t put too much stock in the age thing. As long as they are healthy, they’ll be fine. Luckily its the first week, so the “healthy” thing is a non-factor so far. The biggest thing I remember is that Mr alexander ran for 266 yards against the Raiders in a game. The X-factor is Hasselbeck, think he’s gotten better? Doubtful since Dilfer got alot of the work in camp. Will he turn it over alot? Perhaps. If he does it’ll be a easy win for the Raiders. Take the over in this one, and take the Raiders to win. I’m going to gamble a little and take the 'hawks to cover though.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay (Bucs by 6)
Most of the signs point to the Bucs in this one. Too many i’d say. I have this memory of A-Train steamrolling that vaunted Bucs D. The defense is hugely overrated this year. Sapp is still great, as is most of the secondary including Lynch and Barber. They’ll be average…but so will he Saints offense. Brooks is looking like a huge flash in the pan, and Haslett has never dazzled anyone with his offense. Deuce looks like the real deal, and should have a nice statistical day. My X-factor is Brad Johnson, if he runs a successful play action passing attack, it won’t be much of a game. I don;t think he will. I expect to see a Bucs team that plays alot like last year, Gruden or not. They’ll eek out a win, but it’ll be ugly and close. New Orleans covers.
Dallas at Houston (Boys by 8) OMNI
Houston will be bad without a running attack. I expect it to look like a carbon copy of the Browns in 99. The Boy’s aren’t going to blow anyone away, and Capers can run a defense with any personel. The X-factor here has got to be Quincy Carter. If he plays down to Carr’s level they might not cover, but I have a hunch they will. Cowboys roll in a dull game.
Monday’s game
Pittsburgh at New England (Steel-makers by 2½)
Talk about disrespect. I guess no one watched last years playoff game. I think the Pats added more than the Steelers did, and Randle-el won’t be an impact player. Bettis’ career is about over, and you’ll see him simply fade this season. There’s no reason to think he’ll do much against the Pat’s schemes. Gonna be a low scoring game, and the Steelers D will get them places. The X-factor is the turnover margin, defensive points might decide it. I expect Brady to make fewer mistakes than Kordell (duh), and really stick it to the “experts”. Take the under, and take the Pats to win and cover.
