Football Friday: Week 3

Editors' note: Every week, these two idiots will play a Pick 'Em NFL game. The object is for each editor to pick four seemingly even NFL matchups from the upcoming weekend, challenging the other pick to the winners. A running record will be tallied. Feel free to play along at home. Leave comments with your own picks if you want to go on the record.
Standings:
Ian 3-1
Saj 2-2


10:46am
So you won Week 2 Ian. Impressive. Chicago over Detroit was a hell of a pick, it really was. If it weren't for John Fox getting cheeky on a punt return you'd be 4-0. But alas he was cheeky, and alas you came out of the weekend 3-1 only a game ahead of me. I'm not proud of 2-2, but with those games I'll take it (the flyer on the Redskins was worth the potential of being doubly rewarded by Bledsoe finding a way to be Bledsoe).

Since you picked the first four games last week, I will do the honors today, and they're tough Ian. They are tough:

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (Sun, 1:00pm)
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (Sun, 1:00pm)
NY Giants at Seattle (Sun, 4;15pm)
Green Bay at Detroit (Sun, 1:00pm)


12:59 PM
Won't be a problem, chum.........p. Here are yours:
NY Jets at Buffalo (Sun, 1:00)
Washington at Houston (Sun, 1:00)
Carolina at Tampa Bay (Sun, 1:00)
St. Louis at Arizona (Sun, 4:15)


2:58 PM
Here goes:

BUFFALO

I still think the Jets are terrible. They beat a laughably bad Tennessee team (Kerry Collins has an interception for every six completions, and VY isn’t exactly showing him up with a below 60 QB rating) and were two ridiculous plays from their wide receivers away from being thoroughly embarrassed by the future AFC East champion New England Patriots (ETA for clinching the division: Week 9. Not sure if that’s mathematically possible). Meanwhile the Bills put together two spirited defensive performances against offenses that are arguably superior to that of the Jets. To add fudge syrup to this ice cream sundae, J.P. Losman had himself a touchdown last week. If Losman can throw a touchdown pass in the NFL, well then there’s hope for anything in this crazy world of ours.

WASHINGTON

Recently discovered information about Clinton Portis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Portis#Characters
http://www.deadspin.com/sports/nfl/coach-janky-spanky-cliffs-notes-version-147013.php

Sure this is old news to most, especially Redskins fans, but it's new to me. Clinton Portis is now my favorite player in the NFL. And while the Redskins secondary might make David Carr look like John Elway, the Texans defensive line will make Clinton Portis look like, well, Clinton Portis. It’s a must win game for the Skins to stay semi-competitive in the NFC East, and they oblige.

CAROLINA

A theory: John Fox hit his head pretty badly during the game last week and woke up thinking he was 12 again and was playing two-on-two touch football in his backyard. A likely explanation for that ill-advised lateral in a game they were completely controlling. Regardless, the Panthers looked good for a time against Minnesota while the Buccaneers looked terrible yet again. To be fair to Tampa Bay, they have played two of the stronger teams in football but Chris Simms is playing like Molly Sims. The Panthers defense has shown susceptibility to the running game so far this season, but Cadillac’s back may prevent Tampa Bay from exploiting it. Toss in a dash of Steve Smith and Tampa is looking at an 0-3 (0-2 in the division) start to the season.

ST. LOUIS

Stephen Jackson, averaging 5.1 yards per carry this season, has a third straight 100 yard rushing game and finally finds the end zone saving the season for my fantasy team. St. Louis had some trouble last week with Frank Gore and Antonio Bryant, but Scott Linehan’s team dials it up, smothering the Cardinals running game and putting 30 points up on the board.

Simple stuff, let’s see what you got.


Time to build on a 3-1 record, 4-0 if it weren't for that aforementioned John Fox blunder.
Game 1: Jacksonville @ Indianapolis: It's actually not as hard of a pick as I thought it would be earlier in the week. I'm going Indy for a couple reasons. First, domefield advantage. The game is different on the carpet and in a controlled environment. Peyton Manning and those receivers really thrive on it. In fact, Manning is at his best when there are as little variables as possible, preferably with everything scripted. You know, like in a commercial.
Second, Jacksonville's strength is clearly its run defense. They have two bohemeth defensive tackles that absolutely ate up the last two offensive lines they confronted. It's been the irresistable force versus the 1500 pound O-Line...irresistable force wins 9 times out of 10, depending on the O-Line's blindside Tackle. The Colts, however, can win with no running game! It's nearly irrelevant to their success. They will win games passing the ball, which is why everyone who drafted Peyton Manning in their fantasy league are thanking their lucky stars for having a middle pick.
The game's in a dome. The Jaguars' defense can't possibly be as good as we've seen. I see a shoot-out here. Take the Over. Take the Colts. Pick: Indianapolis

Game 2: Cincinatti @ Pittsburgh: Which Pittsburgh Steelers team will show up - the Week 1 dominant version or the Week 2 version that got bageled? And do we read anything into the fact that Batch started that first game and Roethlisberger the second? (No.) I think Cincinatti has been waiting for this game since Carson Palmer's injury at the hands of the Steelers in last year's playoffs. I think the Steelers have been waiting for this game since Sunday night. Cincinatti may want it more, but the Steelers have two tangible things going for them. One, it's in their stadium. Two, they own the head-to-head matchups. Cincinatti has yet to learn to play tough teams, which is why, until they prove otherwise, they will have difficulties with the New Englands, the Jacksonvilles, and the Pittsburghs of the world. Pick: Pittsburgh.

Game 3: Green Bay @ Detroit: Thanks a lot. I love picking between two 0-2 teams in disarray. Is this the first playoff game of the year? Two 0-2 teams in a division with two 2-0 teams. The loser is realistically finished. Oh-and-three teams don't make the playoffs. So which of these teams have no shot at the playoffs? The answer is Green Bay. They are terrible. If it weren't for the catastrophe known as the Oakland Raiders, the Pack would be the worst team in football. At least the Lions have talent and some hope. AND the game's in Detroit? Pick: Detroit.

Game 4: NY Giants @ Seattle: Last year, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Giants in a game Seattle had no business winning (the 3 missed game winners from Feeley). In fact, this happened twice to Seattle last year (2 missed game winners from the Dallas kicker). Both ended up being OT victories for Seattle. Could those games have played a part in Seattle getting the 1 seed last year? Yes. Does that mean Seattle might have been overrated heading into this year? Yes. Does this mean I am finally picking a road team this week? No. Seattle has a better running back, quarterback, receiving corps, and head coach. The Giants defense looks great on paper, and they talk a big game, but they haven't proven ANYthing yet. I'm taking Seattle, but let me just say I think you're wrong about Eli. I think he's going to be a top 5 QB in this league before you turn 25. Pick: Seattle

Ok, so I'm probably wrong about Eli. But you're wrong about Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Green Bay, and New York. Getting ready for 0-4, Ian?