The Bears take over the #1 spot with a blowout win in which they were impressive on both sides of the ball, even though Brian Urlacher was playing hurt, against an underrated Colts team. I’ve been high on this team all offseason, but could never put them ahead of the Packers in the NFC because [...]
Last week: 2 (+0) Record: 1-0 The Texans really looked like they were sleep walking through most of last week’s game and they still got the 30-10 win. It’s tough to learn much about a team when they play the lowly Dolphins. The Texans get their first test of the season this week when they [...]
Last week: 3 (+0) Record: 1-0 Super Bowl runner up hasn’t won the Super Bowl since Super Bowl XII or even made the Super Bowl since XXVIII. If anyone can end that, it’s the Patriots. The defense, unlike the Packers’ actually seems improved from last season, while the offense adds a new dimension with Brandon [...]
Last week: 1 (-3) Record: 0-1 The Packers’ defense was too reliant on turnovers last year. I thought they added enough talent and had enough bounce back candidate players to compensate and still be passable defensively, but they sure didn’t look that way against the 49ers. The last 3 times the Packers haven’t forced a [...]
Last week: 9 (+4) Record: 1-0 Their offense was as advertised as they put up 40 on the Chiefs in Kansas City, though the Chiefs were missing their top two defenders. Speaking of missing defenders, the Falcons will be without top cornerback Brent Grimes for the entire season with a torn Achilles, which puts a [...]
Last week: 6 (+1) Record: 1-0 If I had remembered how bad the Steelers were on the road last year, I probably would not have picked them in Denver. Seriously, look at this, lose by 28 in Baltimore, win by 3 in Indianapolis, lose by 7 in Houston, win by 12 in Arizona, win by [...]
Last week: 6 (-1) Record: 0-1 It’s not quite time to hit the panic button in New Orleans. They’ll get better as the season goes on. After the offseason they had, it’s understandable if they struggle out of the gate and if anyone can get through this, it’s a Drew Brees led team. However, they [...]
Last week: 10 (+2) Record: 1-0 The Chargers barely beat an overrated Raiders team that was shooting themselves in the foot all night. Yep, it’s the same old early season Chargers. That game reminds me of their close early season wins against bad teams last year, Miami, Denver, Minnesota, and Kansas City, all by 10 [...]
Last week: 13 (+4) Record: 1-0 Well I think it’s safe to say Peyton Manning is fine after 4 neck surgeries. He might not have his best season, remember he’s 36, but unless he reinjures himself, the Broncos appear to have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The defense I still have questions [...]
Last week: 4 (-6) Record: 1-0 I had the Eagles making a big jump this season because history suggested their turnover differential would improve, because of their high Pythagorean Expectation last season, and because of how they ended last year, particularly defensively. Well, the defense looked great. I know the Browns suck offensively, but you [...]
Last week: 8 (-3) Record: 0-1 This is the last of the rankings that don’t make any sense, I promise. Before the season, I had the Titans as better than the Ravens. Are Titans better than Ravens? Probably not, but I’m not flip flopping after 1 week. I’d rather just be wrong than flip flop [...]
Last week: 12 (+0) Record: 0-1 And here’s the other half of the controversial prediction. On one hand, I nailed the Rams/Lions game. The Rams showed they were a better team than last year on both sides of the ball. On the other hand, my prediction of the Rams in the playoff only makes sense [...]
Last week: 19 (+6) Record: 1-0 This is the 2nd straight controversial ranking. I had the 49ers missing the playoffs before the season and the Rams making it. I don’t want to repeat myself with the reason, but basically it was because the Rams would have better injury luck, better coaching, and the addition of [...]
Last week: 15 (+1) Record: 1-0 This is the first in 4 straight controversial rankings. Two of my early season bold predictions, Titans over Ravens and Rams over 49ers, took a hit on an otherwise solid week 1, but I hate to change predictions after 1 week. I’d rather be wrong than flip flop because [...]
Last week: 17 (+2) Record: 1-0 The Cowboys beat the Giants because Tony Romo had one of the best games of his career. However, they committed 13 penalties, which could have easily derailed them, but Tony Romo wouldn’t let it happen and kept coming up with big throw after big throw. They’ll be right in [...]
Last week: 16 (+0) Record: 1-0 There isn’t much that needs to be said. The Redskins went into New Orleans with a rookie quarterback and beat a Saints team that was undefeated at home last year. The defense is a bit of a concern, but then again, they were playing Drew Brees, and any potential [...]
Last week: 22 (-5) Record: 1-0 Before the season started, I picked the Buccaneers as an underrated team for several reasons. I’m not going to repeat myself completely, but basically free agent additions, new coaching staff, fewer turnovers, 3 starters through the draft, and guys coming back from injury and having bounce back year. Basically, [...]
Last week: 14 (-4) Record: 0-1 Yes, they may be defending Super Bowl champs, but they were also the worst regular season team to even win the Super Bowl in terms of wins and point differential. They’re a good team that can get hot, but not an elite team. I said that before the season [...]
Last week: 23 (+4) Record: 1-0 The Jets didn’t score a touchdown with their 1st or 2nd team offense all preseason and then they score 48 against the Bills week 1? What the hell? Well, all of their offensive problems are not solved. They may have scored 48, but 14 of those were scored by [...]
Last week: 18 (-2) Record: 0-1 No shame in losing to the Bears, who might be the best team in football. I had the Colts and Bears both as underrated teams going into the season and now I think the Colts might be even more underrated after a big loss to an underrated opponent. Seriously, [...]
Last week: 11 (-10) Record: 0-1 I don’t often admit I’m wrong after week 1 (more on this later) because it’s one game and the last thing I want to do is flip flop after one week and then eventually find out I was right the first time. However, I’m pretty sure I’m wrong about [...]
Last week: 20 (-2) Record: 1-0 I got several things wrong week 1, finishing 8-8 ATS and 9-7 SU on the week, and several of my bolder preseason predictions are looking kind of shaky (more on that later), but one thing I nailed was that St. Louis would be better than people thought and Detroit [...]
Last week: 21 (-2) Record: 0-1 Jonathan Stewart has more rushing yards than DeAngelo Williams this year and he didn’t even play this weekend. The Buccaneers had the league’s 31st ranked run defense last year and the Panthers had the league’s 1st ranked run offense, so naturally the Panthers would rush for 10 yards on [...]
Last week: 25 (+1) Record: 0-1 That sound you just heard was Russell Wilson’s bandwagon hitting a pole. As I’ve said all along, Wilson is far more likely to go the way of Quincy Carter, Chris Weinke, and Kyle Orton than Andy Dalton (the only 4 non-1st round picks to start at quarterback week 1 [...]
Last week: 24 (-1) Record: 0-1 It’s a bad sign when your only chance to make the playoff is to follow a strong defense, good running game, don’t make mistakes formula and you allow 40 at home in the opener. I know they were missing their top two defensive players and the Falcons’ offense is [...]