Welcome to the first of a weekly series of hognostication blogs brought to you by your’s truly…Hoss.
Congratulations go out to our 2007 champ HOOKBASSGA, who totally dominated the hognostications from beginning to end. The rest of the top eight finishers were: Mursilis, Texas Hog, Justice Hog, SkinsJock, JSPB22, RIC and REDEEMEDSKIN. You all did a fantastic job….but that was last year!!!!
Chicago at Carolina: This is one of the toughest match-ups of the weekend. Rookie Matt Forte of Chicago ran for 123 yds last week with an average of 5.35 yds per carry against the Colts. On the other hand, Delhomme had 247 yds passing with a clutch TD pass to steal the the game in their win over the Chargers. I’ll take the home team.
Pick Panthers
New Orleans at Washington: The Saints are among the top teams in the NFC. How will the injury to Colston effect their game? The Saints come into FedEx to face a Redskins team trying to find their way. Look for the Skins defense to match Brees and Bush and for Campbell and company to find their groove.
Pick Skins
New York Giants at St. Louis: The Giants started the season with a win over the Skins 16-7, however, they should have won by more. The Rams, however, were man-handled by Donovan McNabb and the Eagles 38-3. The Giants should reverse their start of the ’07 season by going 2-0.
Pick Giants
Indianapolis at Minnesota: Indy looked flat last week against the Bears. Though the Vikes had a top defense last year, look for Peyton to shed the rust and return to form.
Pick Colts
Oakland at Kansas City: Kind of a “who cares” game of the week. Both teams are still struggling and won’t show much improvement over last year. K.C. kept it close with the Pats last week and the Raiders got blown out on Monday night against the Broncos. Look for Oakland to go 0-2.
Pick Chiefs
Buffalo at Jacksonville: The Bills started the season with a resounding win over the Seahawks last week and the Jags lost a tough one to the Titans. Look for the Jags to come out with a vengeance and regain their play-off form.
Pick Jags
Tennessee at Cincinnati: The Titans sqeaked out a win last week over the Jags. Will the drama of Vince Young over the last few days play on their emotions? The Bengals looked quite unimpressive last week against the Ravens. The Titans should win this game, but I look for the Bengals to scrap out a win.
Pick Bengals
Green Bay at Detroit: New QB A. Rodgers looked impressive in his Packers debut last Monday night against the Vikes. Detroit put up impressive numbers in their loss to the Falcons. Look for the Packers D to hold the Lions.
Pick Packers
Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Hotlanta came out swinging last week with running back M. Turner giving them 220 yds. The Bucs came up short against the Saints. This should be an interesting match-up. Give the nod to the home team.
Pick Bucs
San Francisco at Seattle: The 49ers were soundly defeated last week by the Cardinals, while the Seahawks had their asses handed to them at Buffalo. Look for the 49ers to continue their losing record.
Pick Seahawks
Miami at Arizona: Looks like the Dolphins will continue to try to find themselves this year. I look for them to put up a fight in Arizona, but they will have to wait for some other week for their first win. Pick Cardinals
Baltimore at Houston: The Ravens come into Houston 1-0, after beating the Bengals last week. The Texans got man-handled by a tough Pittsburgh team last week. Look for Houston to get their first win.
Pick Texans
San Diego at Denver: This is one of the best match-ups this weekend. The Chargers had a heartbreaking loss in over time to the Panthers and Denver crushed the hapless Raiders Monday night. this should be a shoot out, but I have Norvel smiling again.
Pick Chargers
New England at New York Jets: Another interesting game. Both teams won last week, but the Patriots lost their identity with Brady out for the season. Farve has rejuvenated the Jets and this could be a thriller. After this week, the Farve saga will intensify.
Pick Jets
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: Tough divisional game between these two teams. Look for Pittsburgh to go 2-0.
Pick Steelers
Philadelphia at Dallas: This should be a great Monday night game between the Cowboys and the improved Eagles. Look for a high scoring game with the Eagles coming up short.
Pick Cowboys