Everyone in the free world has pretty much chimed in on Ray
Rice and Roger Goodell, but since I am making my picks column I felt obligated
to write about it before I move on to talking about real football. Here are my
feelings/opinions about what I think about Rice and Goddell. As far as Rice
goes, the Ravens obviously wanted to believe and trust him, and they surely
wanted him to play this year, so they didn’t pursue the incident as much as
they possibly could. The Ravens and their front office deserve to get blamed
for that, and they haven’t gotten as much heat as the NFL office has.
Now, onto
to the Commissioner of the NFL. The one thing that stands out about Goodell is
that he always seemed to me as a person who is not the smartest person in the
world-especially if that person is supposed to be in charge of the most
powerful sports league in North America. With that said, Goodell has made many
impulsive and inconsistent decisions on certain matters as Commissioner during
his tenure. He seems to make decisions and he treats the NFL fans and the
public like we are some group of naïve children. He talked about player safety
and concussions, but then he tries to stuff 18 games down our throats because
fans “want it.” Also, he includes as full-slate of Thursday night games because
the fans “want more of the product.” He also mishandled the investigation with
the Patriots and Spygate, and he wrecked the Saints entire season by
mishandling the Bountygate suspensions. He is never consistent with his
suspensions and sanctions involving players. Now, Goodell completely screws up
the process involving Ray Rice. I think that Goodell saw the tape and gave Ray
Rice a two-game suspension, and he just isn’t smart enough to understand the
severity of the case. If Goodell didn’t see the video in the elevator, then he
just didn’t want to see it, hand down punishment to Rice, and hope this whole
thing goes away. Either way, I’m not saying that Goodell needs to get fired as
NFL commissioner, but I’m just not sure that he is smart or savvy enough to
handle the responsibilities of running this league. Now, finally onto the picks
for Week 2…
Last Week’s Record: 4-11-1
Overall Record: 4-11-1
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
Detroit (+3) over CAROLINA: I’ll take the Lions this week on
the road after an impressive win over the Giants on Monday night. The Panthers
won on the road without Cam Newton. I’m going to buy the Lions being a threat
in the NFC North and getting a big win on the road.
Miami (-1) over BUFFALO: The Dolphins were probably the most
impressive team of Week 1 with their win over the Patriots. You have to think
that they should be able to keep that momentum going into Buffalo this week.
The Bills also shocked everyone by upsetting the Bears in Chicago in Week 1.
This suddenly becomes a key Week 2 game in the AFC East. I’ll ride the Fish
until they prove me wrong.
Jacksonville (+6) over WASHINGTON: You have to think the
Redskins will get RG III and their offense going at home this week. The Jags
were up 17-0 over the Eagles and they fell apart and lost 34-17. I think the Jags are a little more feisty than we thought they would be. I'm backing them getting six on the road.
TENNESSEE (-3) over Dallas: This could be the easiest game
of the week for me to pick. I love the Titans at home here. Tennessee buried
the Chiefs in KC last week, and if they can stay healthy, then they could
definitely be a playoff contender this year. The Cowboys come to town on the
heels of a dreadful loss to the 49ers last week. Take the Titans laying the
field goal.
NY GIANTS (+2) over Arizona: This is dangerous for me to take this putrid Giants offense against a solid defense like Arizona's, but I'm going to stick with the G-Men this week. Why? Because everyone is picking the Cards to win outright this week. I'll give the Giants a win somehow at home.
New England (-3) over MINNESOTA: There is no way the
Patriots are going 0-2. Right?
CLEVELAND (+7) over New Orleans: There is no way that the
Saints are going 0-2. Right? Look for this to be close, but the Saints will win
the game.
Atlanta (+5) over CINCY: Tough spot for Atlanta on the road
in Cincy. You have to be impressed by the Falcons and their come-from-behind win over the Saints last week. Cincy did a number on Baltimore for three quarters, then it pulled it out with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green heroics. Cincy will win the game, but the Falcons will keep this game really close.
TAMPA BAY (-4) over St. Louis: Both teams are garbage and
this might be this week’s winner for “Least Interesting Game of the Week.” The Rams lost Chris Long for the next two months, and they might have to start Austin Davis at QB. That's right folks. Austin Davis is starting at QB in the NFL and Tim Tebow is doing SEC games on ESPN. Just think about that for a minute.
SAN DIEGO (+7) over Seattle: I have loved the Chargers in this game all week long and here's why: The Seahawks have been the past week and a half basking in the glory of just how good they are after their dominating win over the Packers last Thursday night in the season opener. I think they will find a way to win this game on a late Russell Wilson drive, but this will be a close game throughout.
OAKLAND (+3) over Houston: Derek Carr gets revenge on his
older brother’s former team in the “Carr Bowl.” Jadeveon Clowney is out for
Houston with a knee injury, so that kind of takes the fun out of this one. Take
the Raiders at home to get to 1-1.
GREEN BAY (-7) over New York Jets: This is a tough game to
predict. The Packers will win, but I could see the Jets keeping it closer than
people think. I’ll trust the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to put this game away in
the 4th quarter.
SAN FRANCISCO (-6) over Chicago: Tough game to call. You
would think that a lot of people would be bailing on the Bears after last
week’s horrible loss to the Bills at home. It would be surprising to see them
start 0-2. On the other hand, this is a tough spot for them. Road game, Sunday
Night Football, opening of a new stadium, and the 49ers to boot. Everyone is back on the 49ers bandwagon after mostly everyone jumped off during preseason. I would take the Bears here, but it sounds like both Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall are game-time decisions. I can't risk it based on that information.
INDY (-2) over Philly: Good matchup for Monday Night
Football. I can’t see the Colts losing this game at home. It will be a good
game and go back and forth, but look for Andrew Luck and the Colts to find a
way to win this game late.
Kansas City (+13) over DENVER: I think the Broncos are getting a huge advantage by getting an already wounded KC team coming to Denver in Week 2. After last week’s victory over the Colts, the Broncos won’t have to worry about Alex Smith pulling an Andrew Luck impersonation. The Broncos defense should be able to contain the Chiefs handily in this game. I think this line is too high, and the Broncos should win, but you just can’t lay that many points-especially since Denver has trouble closing out these games when they get a big lead.
Final Score: Broncos:27 Chiefs:21
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