The NFL Tackle: Tim vs. Terry – Week 3

It’s hard to believe it’s already week 3! It seemed like only yesterday we were all on pins and needles wondering if we’d have an excuse to devour all these snacks on Sundays.

Tim: After two hotly-contested weeks, Terry and I are now firmly deadlocked in our picks. I won week 1 and Terry walked away with week 2. And now our records are tied. Admittedly Terry, neither of us have a whole lot to be proud of picks-wise, but at least we’re over .500! Seriously, could anyone have predicted the Bills, Redskins or Lions would be 2-0 starting the year? There are some real momentum shifts happening in the NFL right now and, all of the sudden, 2010 seems but a distant memory. Still, week 3 is where the real fun begins. It’s time to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Terry (here): My poor Ravens seem to have been a bottle rocket. Week 1, they crushed the unforgiving Steelers, and now in week 2, they have completely fizzled. Who would have thought that Sunday’s most compelling game was Buffalo vs. Oakland? Still, uncertainty is very exciting – and this is where we find out who has the beginner’s luck and who really has what it takes.

Hitpoints

• It’s okay to take your dogs for a walk this week, Michael Vick’s head got hurt (The Mercury)
• Fox News thinks we should wait until the playoffs to determine whether the Pats will be a playoff team (FOX)
• Ravens D-tackle Haloti Ngata has money, difficult name to pronounce (LA Times)
• Rex Grossman takes time away from being crappy to talk “the biggest rivalry in football” (Washington Post)

 Football Pickens

Sunday

New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Tim: The Eagles lost a tight battle with Atlanta last week, but they also lost Michael Vick. If Steve Young proved anything, it’s that one concussion always leads to another, and another, and another, until you wake up one morning wondering why it’s so damn hard to tie your shoes. I’m joking of course, Vick’s going to have way more concussions than Steve Young. Manning hooks up with Manningham early and often: Giants

Terry: Like I said, those Eagles would have been great unless Vick got hurt. Talk about a glass cannon. Whoops: Giants

New England Patriots (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)

Tim: How can you not root for the Bills right now? They’re the early success story of this season and there’s a whole lot of reason for Bills fans to pants-off dance-off. Is it too early to be talking Super Bowl for these Bills? Yes, but they’re still allowed to have a little fun. You know who else is having fun this season? Tom Brady. In his first two 2011 games, Brady threw for 940 yards of fun. Beating his old two-game record by 167 yards: Patriots

Terry: I like upsets. I hate the Pats. You know what? I’ll go against all logic and reasoning: Bills. They’ve earned it. That said, they haven’t played anyone like New England this year.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

Tim: Two mediocre teams in a battle for modest supremacy! I like Harbaugh for this: 49ers

Terry: Another surprise team – Those Bengals are doing much better than anyone expected. And those 49er’s are doing about as well as they’ve been. So, yeah.

Denver Broncos (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1) 

Terry: Titans managed to take down Baltimore – which isn’t an easy feat, bungled play calling or not. Hasselbeck fits like a glove at Tennesee, while Denver continues to struggle with organization: Titans

Tim: There’s simply no need to panic in Baltimore yet, my friend. That said, I think the Titans go over the Broncos here.

New York Jets (2-0) at Oakland Raiders (1-1)

Tim: Is Mark Sanchez a goodlookin’ guy or what, Terry?

Terry: Jets are on fire this year, but technically, so is Oakland. It pains me to say it, but I think the Jets offense might be a little too much for these poor Raiders this week. Though, I’ve been wrong before.

Tim: Right, um, I meant to say that Mark Sanchez is a strong component to the Jets winning offense. It’s not like I want to kiss Mark Sanchez. Wait, does Mark Sanchez want to kiss me? What I’m trying to say is I think Sanchez finally has a stable receiver corps that brings them the W here. Stop looking at me like that, Terry: Jets

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2)

Terry: This is a tough call for me. St. Louis feels like a cornered animal right now, but that’s when they’re most dangerous. It all depends if Steven Jackson is ready to play for week three, but right now I like the Ravens for this one.

Tim: Terry I’m surprised at you. Casting even the least bit of doubt for your Ravens on this one. I’m looking to defensive master Terrell Suggs netting some sacks and sending the shitty Rams into 0-3: Ravens

Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (0-2)

Tim: Seattle head coach Pete Carroll’s farewell tour continues: Cardinals

Terry: This is a must win for Seatt…haha. I can’t even finish that sentence. But seriously, if they want to win, they’re gonna have to start doing it. Just because I feel like we’re going to agree a lot this week, Tim, I’ll put a little faith in the Carroll/Marshawn Lynch combo: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2)

Terry: The enemy travels the countryside, growing more powerful with every sunset. Steelers

Tim: Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is going to run it right down an already weak Colts defense. But consider this, Kerry Collins knows this Steelers D. How else could he have completed 66.3% of his passes against them in his last three starts (with the Titans)? Probably won’t matter here, but it’s a nice thought: Steelers

Houston Texans (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1)

Terry: An interesting match-up. The Texans are no slouch, coming off of a Colts/Dolphins destroying hot streak. I like the Houston’s odds for this, but I think week 1 was just a hiccup for Drew Brees and his boys: Saints

Tim: 2-0 is a good start for the Texans. They know that going in, so I expect them to roll over with relative ease here: Saints

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Tim: How fun has it been watching Cam Newton this season? If he’s not Rookie of the Year 2011 it’ll be because of injury (a big concern for scrambling QBs). I know it sounds like hyperbole, but I really do think Carolina now has the component in place to build and make a run in 3-4 years. This’ll be a closer game than anyone thinks. But I still peg the home team here. Carolina gets their much-deserved win in week 3: Panthers

Terry: Third time will be the charm this week for Cam Newton. The guy has been going hard this year. They deserve/will get the win: Panthers

Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

Terry: Oh, where to begin?? Detroit’s O line still sucks, but Minnesota’s everything line kind of sucks. Expect Suh to come at McNabb like a large, 800 pound spider monkey. Sorry Minnesota, the small candle representing my hopes for your team has gone out: Lions

Tim: This is the first time in 30 years that Vegas oddsmakers have picked the Lions to go over the Vikings. Thirty friggin’ years. That’s five presidents. But this is my Tim Kelly Upset of the Week™, it’s just too much of a sure thing to pan out: Vikings

Miami Dolphins (0-2) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)

Tim: J-Lo is part owner of the Miami Dolphins. True story: Browns

Terry: The Dolphins need a win if they want to be viewed as a serious team, but like the Saints, I think the Browns just had a hiccup last week and are ready to play some ball. Expect Hillis to run the ball all over that field: Browns

Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1)

Tim: The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Detroit Lions 48-3. That’s an astounding asskicking and the Chiefs have a whole helluva lot to be concerned about. Chargers take this one in convincing fashion.

Terry: San Diego is going to pull a Pittsburgh and vent a little frustration on those poor, unfortunate souls. Fantasy players – if you’ve drafted Mike Tolbert, best not leave him on your bench: Chargers

Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1)

Tim: The Saints happened to my Bears last week. Admittedly, things are looking pretty grim with Cutler being sacked 11 times this season already. The Bears have a horrendously bad offensive line who are proving they don’t much know the difference between a pass block and a cinderblock. Coincidentally, Jay Cutler would probably rather be protected by the latter: Packers

Terry: The Bears were looking real good this year, too. But poor Cutler is banged up more than Chris Brown’s last date. After a doozy with New Orleans, this promises to be pretty rough on them. And by rough, I mean they won’t win: Da Packers

Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)

Terry: Atlanta’s feeling good after destroying Michael Vick. Matt Ryan’s throwing well again. I’d imagine there isn’t a better high: Falcons

Tim: Tampa Bay beat the Vikes because they were the less sucky team that day, not necessarily because they’re a good ball club. On the flipside, the Falcons are recovering from that week 1 loss superbly. They went from being upended by the Bears D to putting 35 points up against a Philadelphia defense that many pegged in preseason to be the finest in the league. My math likes the Falcons for this.

Monday

Washington Redskins (2-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

Tim: Now here’s an interesting matchup. Remember me saying the Cowboys weren’t as bad as that first game led on? I still don’t think Tony Romo is ever going to win a Super Bowl, but throwing 201 yards in the 4th quarter and overtime on a broken rib and punctured lung is pretty goddamn impressive. I think the Redskins are a stronger club than those ‘niners though, and linebacker London Fletcher is going to be gunning for Romo’s ribs: Redskins

Terry: Isn’t there like an unwritten pact with a demonic trickster that says Hell will erupt on Earth if the Redskins go 3-0 in anything at all? Best break out your summer wear.

It seems as if there’s a lot to agree about in week 3 of NFL Tackle. It’s worth repeating that we’re playing for blood and whichever of us comes out on top will receive the deed to the loser’s firstborn son. Y’know, typical football stuff and whatnot.

Well, there you have it. The games are getting more and more interesting, despite the schedule’s active need to keep match ups as excitement-free as possible. It’s gonna be another good Sunday, Guys.