It was a rough week for hognosticating as the hognostication pool consensus last week went a mediocre 8-8 (.500). The upsets included the Jets over the Patriots (picked by 2 of 40 hognosticators), the Brownies over the Falcons (picked by 4 of 40 hognosticators), the Dolphins over the Chiefs (picked by 8 of hognosticators) and lastly, the Texans over the Jaguars (picked by no one).
Atlanta at Baltimore
The Raisins defense gave up a season high 26 points to the Titans, of all teams, last week. However, they’ll be too tough at home. Vick was 16/40 with two picks last weekend. Why would Vick be throwing the ball 40 times in any game, let alone against the Brownies at home in a low-scoring contest? Rumor has it, Vick may be on the trading block after the season, as his backup, Matt Schuab, is considered by some to be the most-talented backup QB in the league.
Pick – Raisins
St. Louis at Carolina
The Rams are banged up, have lost four straight and have one of the worst defenses in the league. The Panthers are struggling on the other side of the ball but should find a way to score enough points to win at home – namely Steve Smith. Meshawn, you’re still an idiot.
Pick – Panthers
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Willie Parker rushed for 213 yards last week against the Saints. Look for him to have another monster game against Cleveland’s 30th-ranked rush defense. The Steelers have won the last five against the Brownies. They’ll make it six straight and 12 of the last 15 since Cleveland re-entered the league in ’99.
Pick – Steelers
New England at Green Bay
Although the Patriots have been running the ball well, they have struggled throwing the ball as of late. Throwing against the Packers’ secondary, which ranks dead last in passing yards per game, should help Brady’s confidence and return the Patriots to their winning ways. This will be the Patriots’ first visit to Lambeau since ’88.
Pick – Patriots
Buffalo at Houston
The Bills have lost 4 of 5 and are struggling offensively. The Texans are wishing they had the Jaguars on their schedule a few more times.
Pick – Texans
Oakland at Kansas City
The Chiefs playing at home and against a much-softer rush defense will bounce back from their loss last week to the Dolphins. Look for Larry Johnson to have a big game.
Pick – Chiefs
Minnesota at Miami
Tough pick. Take the Dolphins as they’ve played better of late and are at home.
Pick – Dolphins
Cincinnati at New Orleans
Last Sunday’s game had to be very difficult for Cincinnati fans to watch, as the Bengal defense gave up 42 points in the second half against the Chargers, after jumping out to a 28-7 halftime lead. This one should be high-scoring and go either way. Taking the Saints for the same reasons as Miami.
Pick – Saints
Chicago at New York Jets
Jets’ fans have to be excited about where they sit right now record-wise (5-4) and looking forward to a soft schedule after this week’s contest against the Bears. Hard to imagine the Jets in the playoffs with rookie head coach, Eric Mangini, after going 4-12 last season with Herm Edwards. Just shows how critical the quarterback position is to a club. This is the Bears second trip to Giant Stadium in as many weeks. The result will be the same.
Pick – Bears
Tennessee at Philadelphia
The Philthy offense should look really good versus one of, if not, the worst defense in the league. Sad to say, our offense, at home and healthy no less, got nothing accomplished against them.
Pick – Eagles
Washington at Tampa Bay
Interesting similarities with these two teams that met in the NFC Wildcard game 10 months ago and have since mirrored one other in a season of mediocrity. The reign of Jason Campbell begins. Let’s hope he’s a mainstay at the position for many years to come.
Pick – Redskins
Detroit at Arizona
The ‘toilet bowl’ with perhaps the first pick in the ’07 draft at stake. Thank goodness we didn’t take Mike Williams in the draft two years back; as I thought we should have at the time. Carlos will hopefully progress, while Williams is reportedly contemplating retirement after the season. The Cards haven’t won since opening day. Their losing streak continues this week. How does Denny Green, or Matt Millen for that matter, still have a job?
Pick – Lions
Seattle at San Francisco
Both teams are coming in with two straight wins, and although the Seahawks always struggle in San Francisco, look for Alexander to be back on the field, providing the necessary spark for the Hawks. Hasselbeck may also return.
Pick – Seahawks
Indianapolis at Dallas
This is one pick I would be pleased to get wrong. God forbid the Pukes pull this off, and we have to be subjected to the ‘talking heads’ recrowning of Parcels and Jones as geniuses for their acquisitions and promotion of Romo and the Pukes as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Pick – Cowboys
San Diego at Denver
The winner of this first match-up of the season for these divisional rivals will take sole possession of first place in the AFC West. The Broncos, with their supposed ‘shut-down’ corner, Champ, are ranked 27th in the league in passing yards allowed at 226.2/game. Does that make sense? The Chargers are putting up the most points in the league at 33/game, while the Broncos have struggled to put up points and amass passing yardage.
Pick – Chargers
New York Giants at Jacksonville
This is Coughlin’s return to Jacksonville, where he took the Jaguars to two AFC title games in their first five seasons as an expansion team. He brings a banged-up Giant team, but who would pick the schizophrenic Jags who have been spanked by the Jets and Texans, yet beat the Eagles and Pukes. They’ll finish 2-2 against the East.
Pick – Giants
Last Week’s Results: 7-9
Season to Date: 80-63
– Frank Hastings
Editor’s Note: To read the Hognostication Counterpoint from last year’s winner RedskinInCanada, be sure to check out our blog section.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings