NFL Week 2 Cheat Sheet
The Hoosier on the Potomac staff didn't get last week's cheat sheet out until almost 1 p.m. last weekend. That is a poor effort.
We made it a goal to do better this week, and we had to do better. Two key members of the HOTPO staff are going to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland to watch the home team in our hearts (Hello, the Colts) play the local home team (Washington Redskins) today. The minute they announced the 2018 schedule, I knew what I would be doing today.
Earlier this week I heard some sports radio folks talking about the decreasing interest in most fans to actually attend games. To go to a game, you have to leave your home, travel some amount of distance, and drop some decent coin to be away from all of your multimedia capabilities in your own house. That makes absolute sense, but I will probably never feel that way -- their is no substitute for the in-person, game-day experience for me.
I am pretty excited about taking my oldest to his first NFL game today, and I know he is amped for it, as well. The other day we discussed the trend of fans not wanting to pay for and attend games -- which is absolutely understandable (I haven't been to an NFL game in eight years...the last time the Colts came to the District). We both admitted there are downsides to attending big-time spectator sporting events -- it is a significant investment of time and money and a diversion of resources from important tasks.
To end that conversation, I acknowledged those quality points, looked in his young eye balls, and said, "When I call you in 20 years, you are in California or some place like that, and I tell you the Colts are playing the Redskins in D.C., get your butt on a plane."
From his facial reaction, I am pretty sure he understood exactly what I was saying, and it didn't have a damn thing to do with the Colts or sports.
Let's do the NFL Week 2 Cheat Sheet:
Carolina at Atlanta (-4.5): Carolina got a Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, but lost TE Greg Olsen and OT Daryl Williams in the process. The Panthers defense carried the day not allowing the Cowboys into the red zone until midway through the fourth quarter. Atlanta came out looking strong offensively against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but couldn't consistently cash in once in the red zone, scoring one touchdown in five trips. The Falcons didn't run the ball well against Philadelphia either, and D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Atlanta offensive line is ready to decline if John Clayton's thought-provoking Theory of 150 holds true. -- PANTHERS
Los Angeles Chargers (-7.0) at Buffalo: Los Angeles ran up 541 total yards against the Kansas City Chiefs, but somehow managed to lose 38-28 last week in LA. Leo Roth of the Rochester Democrat Chronicle lays the blame for that loss on the Chargers defense and special teams. That defense will look a lot better this week against a Bills offense that managed a measly 153 total yards in a 47-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. -- CHARGERS
Minnesota at Green Bay (-1.0): Green Bay was down to the Chicago Bears 20-0 with 9:14 left in the third quarter Sunday night, but Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw three fourth quarter touchdowns to help secure a 24-23 victory at Lambeau Field. Rodgers incurred a knee injury that some estimate is a mild MCL sprain which would likely limit his mobility for a month or so. While it looks like Rodgers will play this week, Warren Ludford of the DailyNorseman.com believes the Vikings defensive line and wide receivers have favorable matchups. -- VIKINGS
Houston (-3.0) at Tennessee: Both teams started the 2018 campaign with 27-20 losses, but the Titans looked decidedly mediocre and paid a heavy price in their loss. Tennessee lost TE Delanie Walker to a season ending injury, QB Marcus Mariota suffered a minor elbow injury, and LT Taylor Lewan sustained a concussion and is still in the protocol -- RT Jack Conklin is already out, still rehabbing from offseason surgery. Erik Bacharach of the Nashville Tennessean reports the Texans are 6-2 against the Titans since Bill O'Brien took over in Houston. -- TEXANS
Cleveland at New Orleans (-9.5): After settling for a tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Browns are off to their best start since 2004. Think about that. Like the Chargers, the Saints rolled up more than 500 yards, but still managed to lose 48-40 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans because they allowed Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw three touchdowns and more than 400 yards. I anticipate the Saints defense will look much better this week. -- SAINTS
Miami at New York Jets (-2.5): Well look what we got here -- two 1-0 teams sitting atop the AFC East with the New England Patriots. Everything went right for the Jets last week in a 48-17 victory of the Detroit Lions -- rookie QB Sam Darnold recovered from a first pass interception to throw two TDs, RB Isaiah Crowell rushed for 102 yards, the New York defense intercepted five Matt Stafford passes. In less spectacular fashion, the Dolphins were able to move the ball well and played some impressive defense in a 27-20 with over the Titans, according to Larry Walansky of NBC 6 South Florida. I think we all see the outlier awaiting a regression. -- DOLPHINS
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (-5.5): The Pat Mahomes era in Kansas City got off to a great start as the rookie quarterback threw four touchdowns in their victory over the Chargers. The Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh hit a low point last week when the veteran quarterback threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles on sacks last week in a 21-21 tie to the Browns. Take heart Steeltown fans, Jeff Hartman of BehindtheSteelCurtain.com reminds us that Roethlisberger is a much different quarterback at Heinz Field than he is on the road. -- STEELERS
Philadelphia (-3.5) at Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay won against New Orleans last week despite their defense giving up 40 points. Philadelphia won against Atlanta despite QB Nick Foles throwing for a paltry 117 yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. The Buccaneers defense may be the elixir that cures what ails Foles. -- EAGLES
Indianapolis at Washington (-6.0): I only pick the Colts if I am absolutely certain they are going to win. It just hurts too much if they lose and cost me a game in a pick 'em league at the same time. I am pretty excited about what the local Washington football club might be able to get done this year. Life is better along the Potomac when the Redskins do well. This weekend, though, I am obviously against them. -- REDSKINS
Arizona at Los Angeles Rams (-13): Los Angeles is a two score favorite in this game, so let's not waist a ton of brain cells dissecting this lock. Your time would be better spent reading a hilariously scathing analysis of Arizona QB Sam Bradford by "TG25" of the TurfShowTimes.com. -- RAMS
Detroit at San Francisco (-6.0): Lions coach Matt Patricia was very successful as the Patriot's defensive coordinator, but he proved to be rotten in his first game, like most of the fruit from the Bill Belichick coaching tree. I think Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press nailed it in his prediction of a San Francisco victory -- "...too hard for the Lions to fix all three phases on a short week and a trip cross-country..." He also points out that Detroit hasn't won in San Fran since 1975. -- NINERS
Oakland at Denver (-6.5): The Denver defense sacked Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson six times last week in their 27-24 victory at Mile High. Oakland offensive tackles, rookie Kolton Miller and veteran Donald Penn, are the key pieces to stopping that pass rush, but both have only one start at the tackle position, according to Matt Schneidman of the Sacramento Bee. Bronco QB Case Keenum faces a much less daunting pass rush from the Raiders. -- BRONCOS
New England (-1.5) at Jacksonville: The Florida Times-Union published seven predictions for this game, and six of the prognosticators picked the Jaguars. WTF? They weren't all home team beat writers, either. Three of those Jacksonville picks were by reporters from ESPN, AP, and the Athletic. I know this Jaguars defense is great, and I know this is a road game for the Patriots and their 41 year old QB Tom Brady, but still...I won't be picking against New England until they lose at least two straight. -- PATRIOTS
New York Giants at Dallas (-3.0): The theme for this game between historic NFC East rivals is that one of these teams will be 0-2 after this game, and since 1990, 87 percent of 0-2 teams have not made the playoffs. I got to see (or was forced to watch) most of the Giants game last week, and I didn't like what I saw. Much of what I have read tells me the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott are struggling on offense. These are historic teams, but they are not at their best. I don't really want to read anymore about this game. Let's just take the home favorite and call it good. -- COWBOYS
Seattle at Chicago: Both of these teams are staring down an 0-2 start, but the game doesn't stink of the decent into the outhouse hole. Chicago picked up LB Khalil Mack just prior to the start of the season, and QB Mitch Trubisky looked improved as he hit eight different receivers and completed 65 percent of his passes (albeit for only 171 yards) in their loss to Green Bay last week. Seattle has dismantled the defense that help get them to two straight Super Bowls, but they still have QB Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll. If Denver could sack Wilson six times, I think Mack at home might have an opportunity to make some big plays. -- BEARS
We made it a goal to do better this week, and we had to do better. Two key members of the HOTPO staff are going to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland to watch the home team in our hearts (Hello, the Colts) play the local home team (Washington Redskins) today. The minute they announced the 2018 schedule, I knew what I would be doing today.
Earlier this week I heard some sports radio folks talking about the decreasing interest in most fans to actually attend games. To go to a game, you have to leave your home, travel some amount of distance, and drop some decent coin to be away from all of your multimedia capabilities in your own house. That makes absolute sense, but I will probably never feel that way -- their is no substitute for the in-person, game-day experience for me.
I am pretty excited about taking my oldest to his first NFL game today, and I know he is amped for it, as well. The other day we discussed the trend of fans not wanting to pay for and attend games -- which is absolutely understandable (I haven't been to an NFL game in eight years...the last time the Colts came to the District). We both admitted there are downsides to attending big-time spectator sporting events -- it is a significant investment of time and money and a diversion of resources from important tasks.
To end that conversation, I acknowledged those quality points, looked in his young eye balls, and said, "When I call you in 20 years, you are in California or some place like that, and I tell you the Colts are playing the Redskins in D.C., get your butt on a plane."
From his facial reaction, I am pretty sure he understood exactly what I was saying, and it didn't have a damn thing to do with the Colts or sports.
This little fella was locked into watching the Colts in the 2009 Super Bowl with a couple of his cousins. I am finally getting him to his first NFL game nine years later.
Let's do the NFL Week 2 Cheat Sheet:
Carolina at Atlanta (-4.5): Carolina got a Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, but lost TE Greg Olsen and OT Daryl Williams in the process. The Panthers defense carried the day not allowing the Cowboys into the red zone until midway through the fourth quarter. Atlanta came out looking strong offensively against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but couldn't consistently cash in once in the red zone, scoring one touchdown in five trips. The Falcons didn't run the ball well against Philadelphia either, and D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Atlanta offensive line is ready to decline if John Clayton's thought-provoking Theory of 150 holds true. -- PANTHERS
Los Angeles Chargers (-7.0) at Buffalo: Los Angeles ran up 541 total yards against the Kansas City Chiefs, but somehow managed to lose 38-28 last week in LA. Leo Roth of the Rochester Democrat Chronicle lays the blame for that loss on the Chargers defense and special teams. That defense will look a lot better this week against a Bills offense that managed a measly 153 total yards in a 47-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. -- CHARGERS
Minnesota at Green Bay (-1.0): Green Bay was down to the Chicago Bears 20-0 with 9:14 left in the third quarter Sunday night, but Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw three fourth quarter touchdowns to help secure a 24-23 victory at Lambeau Field. Rodgers incurred a knee injury that some estimate is a mild MCL sprain which would likely limit his mobility for a month or so. While it looks like Rodgers will play this week, Warren Ludford of the DailyNorseman.com believes the Vikings defensive line and wide receivers have favorable matchups. -- VIKINGS
Houston (-3.0) at Tennessee: Both teams started the 2018 campaign with 27-20 losses, but the Titans looked decidedly mediocre and paid a heavy price in their loss. Tennessee lost TE Delanie Walker to a season ending injury, QB Marcus Mariota suffered a minor elbow injury, and LT Taylor Lewan sustained a concussion and is still in the protocol -- RT Jack Conklin is already out, still rehabbing from offseason surgery. Erik Bacharach of the Nashville Tennessean reports the Texans are 6-2 against the Titans since Bill O'Brien took over in Houston. -- TEXANS
Cleveland at New Orleans (-9.5): After settling for a tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Browns are off to their best start since 2004. Think about that. Like the Chargers, the Saints rolled up more than 500 yards, but still managed to lose 48-40 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans because they allowed Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw three touchdowns and more than 400 yards. I anticipate the Saints defense will look much better this week. -- SAINTS
Miami at New York Jets (-2.5): Well look what we got here -- two 1-0 teams sitting atop the AFC East with the New England Patriots. Everything went right for the Jets last week in a 48-17 victory of the Detroit Lions -- rookie QB Sam Darnold recovered from a first pass interception to throw two TDs, RB Isaiah Crowell rushed for 102 yards, the New York defense intercepted five Matt Stafford passes. In less spectacular fashion, the Dolphins were able to move the ball well and played some impressive defense in a 27-20 with over the Titans, according to Larry Walansky of NBC 6 South Florida. I think we all see the outlier awaiting a regression. -- DOLPHINS
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (-5.5): The Pat Mahomes era in Kansas City got off to a great start as the rookie quarterback threw four touchdowns in their victory over the Chargers. The Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh hit a low point last week when the veteran quarterback threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles on sacks last week in a 21-21 tie to the Browns. Take heart Steeltown fans, Jeff Hartman of BehindtheSteelCurtain.com reminds us that Roethlisberger is a much different quarterback at Heinz Field than he is on the road. -- STEELERS
Philadelphia (-3.5) at Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay won against New Orleans last week despite their defense giving up 40 points. Philadelphia won against Atlanta despite QB Nick Foles throwing for a paltry 117 yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. The Buccaneers defense may be the elixir that cures what ails Foles. -- EAGLES
Indianapolis at Washington (-6.0): I only pick the Colts if I am absolutely certain they are going to win. It just hurts too much if they lose and cost me a game in a pick 'em league at the same time. I am pretty excited about what the local Washington football club might be able to get done this year. Life is better along the Potomac when the Redskins do well. This weekend, though, I am obviously against them. -- REDSKINS
Arizona at Los Angeles Rams (-13): Los Angeles is a two score favorite in this game, so let's not waist a ton of brain cells dissecting this lock. Your time would be better spent reading a hilariously scathing analysis of Arizona QB Sam Bradford by "TG25" of the TurfShowTimes.com. -- RAMS
Detroit at San Francisco (-6.0): Lions coach Matt Patricia was very successful as the Patriot's defensive coordinator, but he proved to be rotten in his first game, like most of the fruit from the Bill Belichick coaching tree. I think Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press nailed it in his prediction of a San Francisco victory -- "...too hard for the Lions to fix all three phases on a short week and a trip cross-country..." He also points out that Detroit hasn't won in San Fran since 1975. -- NINERS
Oakland at Denver (-6.5): The Denver defense sacked Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson six times last week in their 27-24 victory at Mile High. Oakland offensive tackles, rookie Kolton Miller and veteran Donald Penn, are the key pieces to stopping that pass rush, but both have only one start at the tackle position, according to Matt Schneidman of the Sacramento Bee. Bronco QB Case Keenum faces a much less daunting pass rush from the Raiders. -- BRONCOS
New England (-1.5) at Jacksonville: The Florida Times-Union published seven predictions for this game, and six of the prognosticators picked the Jaguars. WTF? They weren't all home team beat writers, either. Three of those Jacksonville picks were by reporters from ESPN, AP, and the Athletic. I know this Jaguars defense is great, and I know this is a road game for the Patriots and their 41 year old QB Tom Brady, but still...I won't be picking against New England until they lose at least two straight. -- PATRIOTS
New York Giants at Dallas (-3.0): The theme for this game between historic NFC East rivals is that one of these teams will be 0-2 after this game, and since 1990, 87 percent of 0-2 teams have not made the playoffs. I got to see (or was forced to watch) most of the Giants game last week, and I didn't like what I saw. Much of what I have read tells me the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott are struggling on offense. These are historic teams, but they are not at their best. I don't really want to read anymore about this game. Let's just take the home favorite and call it good. -- COWBOYS
Seattle at Chicago: Both of these teams are staring down an 0-2 start, but the game doesn't stink of the decent into the outhouse hole. Chicago picked up LB Khalil Mack just prior to the start of the season, and QB Mitch Trubisky looked improved as he hit eight different receivers and completed 65 percent of his passes (albeit for only 171 yards) in their loss to Green Bay last week. Seattle has dismantled the defense that help get them to two straight Super Bowls, but they still have QB Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll. If Denver could sack Wilson six times, I think Mack at home might have an opportunity to make some big plays. -- BEARS
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