I’ve always found that making football selections, strictly on the basis of endless data, is obviously not a guarantee for success. So just for fun, I’m writing this, without obsessing over each and every single bit of information, that can put a hungry tiger to sleep. Every now and then, it’s refreshing to try something different. It makes the process of picking winners and losers more interesting.
Bengals at Panthers: Sooner or later, Palmer, Ochocinco and Owens have to put on a show. I say it happens in this game. Cincinnati wins 27-17.
Bills at New England: I’d like to pick Buffalo, just because I feel sorry for their fans, but it would be dishonest of me to do that. Even with the loss of Kevin Faulk, and the Patriots second half collapse against the Jets last week, I just can’t see Ryan Fitzpatrick engineering an upset in Foxboro. Pats 28 Bills 16.
Cleveland at Baltimore: Joe Flacco can’t mess this game up, like he did last week, with four interceptions, and looking like a deer in the headlights. The only way the Browns win, is if Hall Of Fame legend Jim Brown comes out of retirement, and gets 25 carries. Ravens win 30- 12.
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay: If Tampa wasn’t so inexperienced at key positions, I might pick them, but the Steelers are a bit too much on defense for the improving Josh Freeman and his Buccaneer buddies. In addition to that, the one year suspension of safety Tanard Jackson, one of the best in the league, for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, is a big blow to the Bucs defense. Steelers 29 Buccaneers 20.
San Francisco at Kansas City: You have to admire the grit of Mike Singletary’s Niners. They certainly gave the Saints all they could handle. The Chiefs also appear to be moving up the ladder of respectability once again, in spite of the poor performance so far by quarterback Matt Cassel. Kansas City is 2-0, and feature a strong running game, led by Jamaal Charles, and it’s not surprising when they have Bill Belichick’s former General Manager, Scott Pioli. He knows how to build a football team. This game could be much better than what you might expect. 49ers 23- Chiefs 21.
Titans at Giants: Tom Coughlin has some issues with unhappy safety Antrel Rolle and Brandon Jacobs, with his helmet toss last week. The Giants may have a bit of an edge, with former Titan linebacker Keith Bulluck, who might be able to help them limit Chris Johnson, which is absolutely essential for New York to be able to win this game. I’ll go with the Giants to bounce back from last week’s embarrassment, and beat Tennessee, by 26-19.
Falcons at Saints: I would like to pick the “Dirty Birds” for my buddy, “Pacman”, a diehard Falcons fan if there ever was one,and extremely knowledgeable on football and basketball. Sorry Pacman, in spite of the Falcons clobbering the Cardinals by 41-7, and the absence of Reggie Bush, I just can’t pick them against the champs. I’m sure they will make it very close, but still come up just a bit short. New Orleans 27 Atlanta 24
Lions at Vikings: I can’t imagine Brett Favre missing his targets like he did last week. Maybe he can work well with newly signed Hank Baskett, but the Lions aren’t the pushover’s they used to be. If Favre can’t, and the Vikings are 0-3 on Monday, he may wish that he did retire after last season !!! Minnesota 26 Detroit 22.
Cowboys at Texans: This is the Lone Star State Super Bowl. If Matt Schaub and Arian Foster can help Houston, to defeat Dallas, they’ll probably be given a parade just for doing that. Just like a shark, I think they can smell the blood, of a creeping Cowboys collapse. Texans 33 Cowboys 31.
Eagles at Jaguars: Mike Vick will shred Jacksonville. Philadelphia wins 37- 24.
Chargers at Seahawks: The Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck, needs to improve on last week’s three interceptions, for them to prevail over San Diego, but I don’t think they can. Chargers 24 Seahawks 21.
Colts at Broncos: The Colts can crush any team, when they play like they’re capable of and they’re healthy. Denver has a lot to contend with,especially the tragic suicide of Kenny McKinley, and the possible absence due to injury, for starting cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman. All of this may be too much for the Broncos to cope with, on top of the overwhelming Indy offense with Peyton Manning. Indy wins by 34-23.
Oakland at Arizona: I don’t think I’ll be changing my schedule to watch this game, and neither will many other football fans. The Cardinals win this less than classic matchup, by 26- 24.
Washington at St.Louis: Much to the chagrin of Philly fans, Donovan McNabb looked great last week, and was playing as well as he has, in quite a while. I can’t see the Rams raining on his parade. Redskins 29-Rams 20.
Jets at Dolphins: Without cornerback Darrelle Revis, and the distraction of wide receiver Braylon Edwards DWI charge, you wonder about the focus of Rex Ryan’s squad. They may be ripe for an upset. I’ll go with the Dolphins to take advantage of the disruptions in the New York locker room. Miami 27 Jets 24.
Green Bay at Chicago: The rebirth of the old black and blue division of decades ago,is on. Jay Cutler is finally starting to look like the quarterback coach Lovie Smith thought he was acquiring last year. The Packers injury problems can’t be ignored in a game like this,especially the absence of Ryan Grant, and the knee soreness of left tackle Chad Clifton, as well as the need to contend with Chicago’s Julius Peppers. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game was decided in overtime. Bears 26-Packers 23.