One can’t help but be impressed with the ability of the Hognosticators we have in our friendly competition. Three of them — HOOKBASSGA, Skinsfan33 and jeremyroyce — were 13-1 last week! Congratulations to Skinsfan33, who through the tiebreaker was our weekly winner. HOOKBASSGA continues to pad his/her 13-game lead at the season’s halfway point at 101-29 or 77.7%. Talk about some impressive Hognosticating! How did these guys so confidently pick the Vikings, Falcons and Browns last week?
Buffalo at Miami
J.P. Losman will get the Bills their fourth win in a row, and take the Bills over .500 this week, against the team who figures to have the top pick in next year’s draft. Don Shula needs to be more concerned with the state of the Dolphin organization today, than the Pats’ potential undefeated season of tomorrow.
Pick – Bills
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
This game is a big match-up in the AFC North. The Browns have a suspect defense, while the Steelers are a much better, balanced team with an excellent defense and a potent rushing attack. Mike Tomlin has done a bang up job so far and has to be seriously considered a front-runner for coach of the year honors.
Pick – Steelers
Denver at Kansas City
Jay Cutler may play, while Larry Johnson is doubtful. Travis Henry’s also dinged but should start. The home team has won nine straight regular season meetings between these two. This would be a good time to call for the Priest to give the Bronco’s season it’s last rights.
Pick – Chiefs
Jacksonville at Tennessee
The Titans ran all over the Jags on the road in week 1. Now Jacksonville travels to Tennessee (without suspended DT run-stuffer Marcus Stroud) to play the Titans, who rank third in the league in rushing with an emerging LenDale White, who has rushed for three straight 100-yard games. The Jags signed veteran DT Grady Jackson to try to fill the gap. Meanwhile, the Titans are leading the league in rush defense, giving up an impressive average of 66 yards a game.
Pick – Titans
Minnesota at Green Bay
Want a good laugh from last week’s predictions? – “Can’t see Tomlinson letting Peterson show him up. Look for the Chargers to load up against Peterson and force whoever starts at quarterback for the Vikes to beat them.” Now that’s about as far from being correct as you can get! Other than Tom Brady’s TD production, there isn’t a bigger individual performance story this season than Adrian Peterson. It’ll be interesting to see if Peterson wears down in the second half of the season. There will be no doubting this kid here, he’ll get his yards this week, but it won’t be enough to beat the Pack at home. The Vikings will need injured CB Antoine Winfield to suit up, if he can’t go look for Brett Favre, Donald Driver and Greg Jennings to have a big game.
Pick – Packers
Philadelphia at Washington
With the Pukes and Bucs up next, we cannot afford to drop this home game against Philthy. It won’t be easy, as the Eagles have won six of the last seven against us at FedEx Field and statistically outrank us in every average team ranking category with the exception of pass defense and punting. It’s time to kick ‘em when they’re down and virtually put an end to their season. Maybe then Andy Reid can do what he should have done already: step away from coaching and get his house in order.
Pick – Redskins
St. Louis at New Orleans
With their win last Sunday, the Saints became only the fourth team in league history to win four in a row after starting the season with four straight losses. After their win over the injury-riddled Rams (the Rams should rest and protect Mark Bulger and Steven Jackson for the remainder of the season), they could be in a three-way tie with the Bucs and the Panthers for the NFC South divisional lead.
Pick – Saints
Atlanta at Carolina
The three-way tie scenario assumes the Panthers can beat the Falcons. Vinny may be back despite a sore Achilles, however if he can’t go, undrafted rookie Matt Moore (Oregon State) could get his first career start. It’s pretty impressive that the Panthers could be tied for their division lead and potentially be starting their fourth quarterback on Sunday. Four of DeShaun Foster’s seven 100-yard games have come against Atlanta, and contributed to the Panthers winning four of the last five against the Falcons.
Pick – Panthers
Cincinnati at Baltimore
If there is ever a time for the Ravens struggling offense to have a bust-out-of-their-funk game, this is it. The Bungle defense is pathetic and should cost Marvin Lewis his job. Been burned before this season picking the Bungles, not going to happen this week — taking the home team with a defense.
Pick – Ravens
Chicago at Oakland
When will JaMarcus Russell make his rookie debut? The Bears have had two weeks to prepare, coming off their bye week, while the Faiders are coming off their fourth straight loss. The Bears also had two weeks for introspection after losing at home to the Lions in week 8. Lovie Smith should have them motivated and prepared enough to win this one in Oakland.
Pick – Bears
Dallas at New York Giants
The Midgets are coming off their bye week following a sloppy win over the Dolphins in London and haven’t been swept by the Pukes since the 2003 season. It would be nice to see the sack happy Midgets rough up Tony Romo and put a dent in his confidence (for next week) and to watch Brandon Jacobs run all over the Puke defense. Just can’t see it happening. Interestingly, the week one game between these two (45-35) was the highest scoring of the 90-game history of this match-up.
Pick – Pukes
Detroit at Arizona
The Lions are going for their first 7-2 start in 14 seasons. The reason, aside from an improved offense, is the team leads the league with 14 interceptions and 24 takeaways. That is despite a defense that ranks 28th in the league in total yards allowed and 30th in pass defense. Shaun Rogers is playing for a new contract and has 4 ½ sacks over the past two weeks. He’ll cause problems for Kurt Warner this week. The Cardinals are coming off a pathetic offensive performance and won’t score enough points to keep up with the Lions.
Pick – Detroit
Indianapolis at San Diego
The deterioration of the Charger offense isn’t much of a surprise here considering Norv Turner is at the reigns. What is a surprise is the rapid decline of their defensive unit. Wade Philips must have been more of an influence than previously thought. Both of these teams are coming off losses, but the Chargers were embarrassed by Adrian Peterson, a rookie, who set the single-game rushing record against what was a dominant defense last season. Shawne Merriman is dinged; look for Joseph Addai to have another big game after his 226 total yards rushing and receiving last week against the Pats.
Pick – Colts
San Francisco at Seattle
Another Monday night yawner. The Seahawks better rest Shaun Alexander (knee, ankle and wrist) and get him healthy, or they will be a welcome first round playoff match-up for a wildcard team, despite winning their lousy division.
Pick – Seahawks
Last Week 10-4
Season 86-44
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Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings