“To them, victory proves the pain and sacrifice were worth it. Defeats breed doubt in teammates, coaches and in the very price that they pay to play the game” \u2013 Thomas Boswell, Washington Post<\/p>\n
This quote was so well written and so clearly expressed the nature of the Skins’ ‘must’ win comments made in week one that it had to be shared in case you missed it. Jon Jansen’s injury was not a sacrifice worth winning a single game or a season of games, but it is much less painful to the team and fans’ psyche with the ‘w’. Best of luck to ‘The Rock’ on a speedy recovery, he’ll most certainly be missed this season. It was great to hear his recent comments about coming back for 4-5 more seasons.<\/p>\n
As mentioned last week, no implied expertise or football pedigree here, proven by a mediocre 10-6 showing last week. Also mentioned, however, was just how good some of our hognosticators here at THN are. Congratulations to nearly half of the hognosticators (25 of 64) who averaged 12-4\u2026or a whopping 75%! Two hognosticators would have had our first perfect week, had it not been for the Rams struggles offensively after losing Orlando Pace for the season, on their already patchwork offensive line.<\/p>\n
Best of luck and prayers for a full recovery to Kevin Everett as well.<\/p>\n
Indianapolis at Tennessee<\/u>
\nLast Thursday, the Colts played and looked like the World Champs they are. They are rested and play the offensively one-dimensional Titans; Young won’t out gun sling Manning, and the Colt rush defense will play better than Jacksonville’s last week.
\nPick – Colts<\/i><\/p>\n
Green Bay at New York Giants<\/u>
\nWay to go Pack! They’ll inflict another loss on an NFC East foe this week, one with a lame duck QB, back-up running back and no defense whatsoever.
\nPick – Packers<\/i><\/p>\n
Cincinnati at Cleveland<\/u>
\nThe Brownies go from starting Frye to trading him in the same week. How much longer can Romeo Crennel hang on to his job? He’s 1-12 against AFC North teams.
\nPick – Bengals<\/i><\/p>\n
Houston at Carolina<\/u>
\nThe Texans are much improved and should make this a close game, but the Panthers are too tough at home and Delhomme is playing with confidence after throwing three TDs last week against the Rams.
\nPick – Panthers<\/i><\/p>\n
New Orleans at Tampa Bay<\/u>
\nCadillac is nicked and New Orleans will continue their recent dominance of the Bucs, who drop to 0-2.
\nPick – Saints<\/i><\/p>\n
Buffalo at Pittsburgh<\/u>
\nPittsburgh got a warm-up game last week against the Junior Varsity. Buffalo lost a heartbreaker, in more ways that one. Besides the emotional loss of Everett, the Bills lost starting free safety, Ko Simpson and cornerback Jason Webster.
\nPick – Steelers<\/i><\/p>\n
Atlanta at Jacksonville<\/u>
\nWith Joey Harrington getting his last hurrah as a starter, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Atlanta take a QB with the top pick in next year’s draft. Falcon fans and new coach Bobby Petrino are in for a long season.
\nPick – Jaguars<\/i><\/p>\n
San Francisco at St. Louis<\/u>
\nMike Nolan gets his first win, albeit an ugly win, over the Cardinals after being swept by them in his first two seasons. The 49ers looked awful, yet managed to get the win. Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger are going to have a tough season, if Linehan and company can’t find some quick answers upfront offensively.
\nPick – 49ers<\/i><\/p>\n
Minnesota at Detroit<\/u>
\nDetroit puts up 36 on the road against a supposedly decent defense and wins. Go figure. They will face a decent defense this week at home against Minnesota and come up short.
\nPick – Vikings<\/i><\/p>\n
Seattle at Arizona<\/u>
\nThe Cardinals looks horrible Monday night and the Seahawks seem to have the upper hand in recent meetings. Things won’t change this week.
\nPick – Seahawks<\/i><\/p>\n
Dallas at Miami<\/u>
\nWade, do you have any defense? Nope\u2026go fish.
\nPick – Pukes<\/i><\/p>\n
Kansas City at Chicago<\/u>
\nIf the effortless Chiefs can only muster 3 points in Houston, how can anyone expect them to fair well at Soldier Field against Urlacher and company? The Bears could get a shut-out this week and will score more than the 3 points they got last week in San Diego.
\nPick – Bears<\/i><\/p>\n
New York Jets at Baltimore<\/u>
\nWhich team is more banged up after week 1? A big loss for Baltimore if Ogden is done for the season; Ray Lewis is apparently good to go. Reports are out that Kellen Clemens will start for an injured Pennington. Also, Kyle Boller may get the start for McNair, but somehow Baltimore will find a way to win at home to avoid going 0-2.
\nPick – Raisins<\/i><\/p>\n
Oakland at Denver<\/u>
\nOne of this week’s easier picks. Shanahan owns his former team. Broncos have won 7 of the last 8 meetings.
\nPick – Broncos<\/i><\/p>\n
San Diego at New England<\/u>
\nWho cares if the Patriots are spying on signals? Isn’t that what the signals are for? Last time these teams met (1\/14\/07) New England came from behind to end the Charger’s superb season and Schottenheimer’s career in San Diego. More great scheduling for this Sunday night match-up and just can’t pick against the Pats at home, besides Pats have taken 10 of the last 12 against the Chargers.
\nPick – Patriots<\/i><\/p>\n
Washington at Philthadelphia<\/u>
\nCP is back and healthy! Philthy shut down the anemic running game of Green Bay last week. Not going to happen this week. With the win, Coach Gibbs gets his 20th victory over his second team, Arizona being the other (21); ironically on the same weekend that the only one other active coach to meet that mark against a single opponent, Shanahan will go for number 20 this week against the Faiders.
\nPick – Redskins<\/i><\/p>\n
Last Week: 10-6
\nSeason: 10-6<\/b><\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"