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NFL Week 2 thread
Hallo, I know week 2 is actually a couple days old already, but I was working alright!
So we've already had a week and a 16th of what is already being described as American Football, and as usual it has not disappointed. The RGIII led Skins have so far proved themselves to be very real, impressively toppling the BOUNTY-GATE Saints at the Superdome, Peyton Manning and Ray Lewis respectively looked like younger, fitter versions of themselves, and the Cleveland Browns somehow nearly beat the Philly Eagles despite having one of the work QB ratings in history.
Yes, football was truly back, and its fantastic.
The first game of week 2 on the new season long Thursday night football saw Green Bay remember they were champions only two years ago and should have had a perfect season last year, though this time it was their defence that really shone in front of Lambeau. As for their oldest rivals Da Bears, well, let's just say Jay Cutler proved everyone right once again. (Don't worry long lost baldwin brother, I'm sure you'll be back next week)
TV games aren't massively inspiring today, but its ok because GAMEPASS IS FREE THIS WEEKEND. Anyway, for tradition's sake:
6pm, Sky Sports
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
These division rivals both got off to very disappointing starts, both of whom forgetting they had solid if not stronger run games at their disposal. I'd expect that to change today, but don't also be surprised to see lots of airing it out from Brees (whom I told to shut up on Twitter today just for the reference lols) and Super Cam. This should be fairly high-scoring as neither defence are particularly strong, whereas the offence is a whole other story. I think the Saints may have a few too many weapons however, so I'm going with them by 4.
9.05pm, Sky Sports
Washington Redskins @ St. Louis Rams
Other than to have a look at RG3 properly, it really is beyond me why this game is on tv. Barring some disaster, the Skins look legit, particuarly this early on in the season, and The Rams, well, are the Rams. Being away from home at the intimidating Superdome didn't seem to bother the Rookie last week, so I can't see that changing at timid St. Louis, who are too busy watching their Cardinals make yet another late surge for the MLB playoffs. Reckon this gonna be a beatdown, Redskins by 7+
Sunday/Monday 1:20am, Channel 4
Detroit Lions @ San Francisco Giants
OR, BAD HANDSHAKE, PART II. WILL THERE BE MORE ILL-JUDGED HANDSHAKES? PERHAPS AN INAPPROPRIATE TIPPING OF HATS? OR POSSIBLY A WELL THUMBED NOSE? THE EXCHANGE OF INSULTS HAS ALREADY BEGUN!
*ahem* anyway, this should be fun, as Matthew Stafford runs his so-called West Coast offence in the city that invented it. This should be a fairly entertaining game (though I'm working in the morning, so I don't think I'll make it, even though two of my pals are lions and niner fans respectively). The Niners looked very impressive away at Green Bay last week, whereas the Lions left it way late to win at home. When they got going however they did look pretty decent, but taking on an extremely tough San Fran defence out on the Bay I believe will just be a little too much for them (honestly, that Defence might take them to a superbowl this year if they carry on). SF by 4-5
Monday/Tuesday 1:30, BBC Red Button
Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons
This should be a very interesting one. Both got off to great starts last week, but something is going to have to give. Peyton was phenomenal against the Steelers last week, it was as if he'd never been away and like he'd been playing for the Broncos for years. Away at the Georgia Dome is a completely different kettle of fish, but I'm sure the seasoned veteran will be cool with it. Like Joe Flacco and Alex Smith, its kinda difficult to know what you're going to get with Matt Ryan. He is usually superb at home and on his day can beat anyone. But then there's the games where they just falter without a whimper. I don't think this is gonna be one of those days, but I think maybe, just maybe, the Broncos are for real. By 3.
Other notables:
I know I'm biased but I genuinely do think Ravens/Eagles is the best of the early games and is what i'll have on GAMEPASS. The Ravens were really impressive against a decent Cincy team, who frankly we made look silly at home last week. This is a much tougher test, but the Eagles are monumental chokers (and nearly fucked it against the browns) so I'm fairly confident! Us by 4-5
The eye-catching 9:25 game for me must be The New York Jets @ The Pittsburgh Steelers, just to see Big Ben tower over small sanchez and perhaps the return of Tebow beating the Steelers in overtime AGAIN. The Jets surprised everyone by being quite good last week. But that was against the Bills. Heinz Field is a whole different world (Gotham City, in fact, still angry about that). Anyway, this should be a good, hard-hitting contest (or a complete wipeout, depends which Jets turn up), and despite heart and form, I'm gonna have to go with the Steelers by 3.
AND THE REST:
6PM;
Tampa Bay @ New York - Don't see much trouble for the G men here, by 7.
Arizona @ New England - see above.
Minnesota @ Indianapolis - this has some interest, AP seems to very much alive, but Andrew Luck will want to prove himself. (Minnie by 3)
Kansas City @ Buffalo - zzzzzz Kansas by 3
Cleveland @ Cincy - lol
Houston @ Jacksonville - E-SAY Houston by 7
Oakland @ Miami - O-Zone by 7
9.25pm;
Dallas @ Seattle - Dallas by 3
Tennessee @ San Diego - Bolts by 4-5
PREDICTIONS? CONCERNS? JOKES? FANTASY WOES? IT'S ALL HERE. FOOTBALL!