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NFL 2018 Week #1

mrpackerguy

mrpackerguy

Gold Supporting Member
Jul 3, 2004
4,694
3,185
Madison, Wisconsin
www.whozplaying.com
#1
It's that time again!! Since we're only 6 days away from the op'ner, thought we better get in our picks and predictions.

Packer/Bears - I'll be at the game! In a club seat no less.

Pack 31 Bears 17 Rockwood Lodge

I think we're going to be great on offense this year with the addition of Jimmy Graham and Marcades Lewis. The ground game will be stalled and no one has broken through in preseason. Adams and graham should have big games. Hopefully the D picks it up this year. The run D has looked porous all preseason. That's got to get fixed. But the secondary is looking better. Rookie Alexander will likely start. The only other issue could be if any of the Oline starters get injured - our depth at most of those positions is just awful and Rodgers could end up on his backside or worse. But I think the Pack wins, even though I always have said I don't care what Vegas or the predictions say about any Packers/Bears game. Anything can happen.
 
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#2
Seahawks at Broncos. That was a rivalry back when the Seahawks were an AFC team. Then there was the Super Bowl blow out. Now, I'm not sure anybody on either side cares. The interesting part of the game is that KJ Wright looks like he'll be out, which means both Griffin twins will start. That should be fun to watch. Shaquem Griffin isn't the biggest linebacker around, but he might just be the fastest. The Broncos are favored, and it's in Denver. Both sides have plenty of unknowns. It should be a pretty decent way to start a season with less than Super Bowl expectations. I plan to enjoy the traditional pizza and Sunday afternoon football with my wife. Next step: turning her into a Saturday afternoon/evening Husky football fan, too.
 
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#4
This is Atlas. He's a Titan, who is holding up the Earth.
atlas1.jpg



This is Flipper. His show was canceled.
hqdefault.jpg


Clearly the Titans will win.
 
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#5
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#7
Football = fall. Which makes me happy. Growing up in rural central Ohio, fall meant Reds and Buckeyes on the radio, the last of the best sweet corn on the planet, then freshly pressed apple cider, relief from the heat and humidity, and fall color. There were leaves to rake up and jump in, and then after I was 9, football practice that wasn't practice in an oven. Plus mud. Football in lots and lots of mud is how it should be. I even liked going back to school for the most part, because we were pretty isolated and school meant there were other kids. The Browns weren't on the radio so far as I can remember, but they were the "local" NFL team. The interloper and copycat Bengals didn't exist yet.

Then I became an adult and discovered that you don't have to live in an uninhabitable climate in the far suburbs of a town with 200 people in it. And got out of central Ohio. I still like fall, though. It means drizzle and darkening days here, the Mariners fading if they haven't already been eliminated, and hype around the Seahawks and Huskies.

I have been programmed to look forward to fall since the beginning.
 
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#8
OK, since MJ dragged me back into this, it's his fault. ;) Week 1 is always a crap shoot, you can never be sure what you saw in preseason will translate to the field when the ammo switches from blanks to live. Lot of throwing spaghetti at the wall and seein' what sticks this week....

TNF Falcons @ Eagles: Preseason means nothing, I know, but it's impossible to ignore how utterly BAD the Failclowns have looked in the past 4 weeks. Just BAD. Like, making my obnoxious nickname for the team and their leaky sphincter stadium look accurate bad - Falcons 13 Eagles 24

Bills @ Ravens: I don't have much data on either team so far...but Flacco is just not performing well the past few years, and their defense is not the feared beast it once was...guessing... - Bills 24 Ravens 17

Jaguars @ Giants: Yeah, the Giants made some big moves, ODB is back, Barkley is a beast. The Jags were one half of football away from the Super Bowl last year, and they will be a contender again - Jags 27 Giants 17

Texans @ Patriots: If "those" Texans show up, y'know the one with Deshaun Watson and JJ Watt, this will be a game worthy of your attention. I kind of wish it were on at the 4pm slot, so I could watch it with all my attention. Should be entertaining, and I expect a close one, with just a slight home field edge to the Pats - Texans 23 Pats 27

49ers @ Vikings: Tough one to call, both teams have shiny, brand-new-to-them QB's, and expect big things from them. Another home field advantage win - 49ers 17 Vikings 20

Titans @ Dolphins: I'm thinking this one will be closer than Titans fans want it to be, and just close enough but not quite enough to make the Phins fans frustrated at the end of regulation - Titans 34 Dolphins 28

Bengals @ Colts: Can Marvin Lewis save his job for yet another season versus can Andrew Luck actually still play at an elite level. I think luck wins for Luck - Bengals 20 Colts 27

Steelers @ Browns: Mayfield? Who knows. Steelers are difficult to read as well. Because of history.... - Steelers 20 Browns 13

Chiefs @ Chargers: This is the late game I'm hoping I get to see. Both teams should be good this year, and I expect a home & home split, but both games competitive - Chiefs 24 Chargers 27

Seahawks @ Broncos: Yet another "lack of significant data" for me game. The Legion Of Boom is gone, but the offense in Denver is an unknown...home field 3 - Seahawks 20 Broncos 23

Cowboys @ Panthers: Norv Turner will ruin what little hope sCam "Figgy" Newton might give Panthers fans this season. Add to that the fact that the Panthers have done literally nothing to address the spaghetti strainer trying to convince everyone it is actually an offensive line, and if Newton actually makes it through the season without missing a few games, it will be a miracle. The only reason the Panthers will be in any game at all is their defense, and even that is beginning to show fraying around the edges. As much as it pains me to admit this, the Cowboys do have a fair defense and a very solid offensive line - Cowboys 24 Panthers 10

Redskins @ Cardinals: I think the Cards might just be for real this year. I don't think the Redskins will be - Redskins 13 Cardinals 24

SNF Bears @ Packers: Packers have ARod back, so their offense will be back on track. They still don't have a solid front 7 on defense, however, so games are going to resemble track meets. Still, Rodgers versus Trubisky equals home win for the cheese - Bears 20 Packers 31

MNF #1 Jets @ Lions: Jets have a lot of unknowns, Lions are established and at home. Neither team is a threat to win their division, but the Lions will at least make the rest of their division worry about them; the Jets are a couple of seasons away from that point - Jets 13 Lions 27

MNF #2 Rams @ Raiders: The Rams did not put their starting QB, RB, or DE's on the field during the entire preseason. Not one snap. Won't matter. Gruden will be Gruden, he looks and sounds like a winning coach, but he isn't - he just fooled everyone into thinking he was when he wasn't able to disassemble Tony Dungy's early 2000's Bucs fast enough to keep them from winning the Super Bowl Dungy would have had the Glazers not ignorantly fired him - Rams 35 Raiders 13



Best for last!

Bucs @ Saints: Well....uh....Fitztragic versus Breesus. That should sum it up nicely. The Bucs are going to be vying for the #1 overall pick this year, even with Captain Serial Sexual Assaulter on the field, they will underachieve - and he's sitting at home for 3 weeks, leaving them with a career backup trying to run their "8 cylinder offense hitting on 5 cylinders"; the Saints are going to be vying for their second Lombardi trophy (and it's a legit expectation). The Saints have a defense that was sneakily good last year, and it has gotten even better this offseason - the front 4 will be just brutal, and they may just have one of the top 3 sets of DB's; their offense...well....even without Ingram for the first 4 weeks, they will have a vicious ground game, then they have Brees and "Can't Guard Mike" Thomas and a few other nasty surprises if you stack the box to stop the run. The game will play out accordingly - Bucs 10, Saints 31
 
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#11
Gard said:
TNF Falcons @ Eagles: Preseason means nothing, I know, but it's impossible to ignore how utterly BAD the Failclowns have looked in the past 4 weeks. Just BAD. Like, making my obnoxious nickname for the team and their leaky sphincter stadium look accurate bad - Falcons 13 Eagles 24
Click to expand...

Who knows, Nick has looked shaky, but then again I don't think Doug actually ran any kind of offensive scheme in pre-season. Plus no one really knows who is starting week one. Eagles defense has looked good, so with some offensive questions I expect this gane to look more like the postseason battle where 25 total points were scored, versus almost 40.
 
#13
I rather like what the Bears did. They haven't been that far off. The addition of Mack will signal a massive change of culture. They won't be able to help but buy in. I like their young core. They have a few holes still but as they stand they can make the post season. IMO of course.

The Titans really need to improve in order to climb out from under the shadow of mediocrity. This is make or break for Mariota for me as a fan. I don't want to read about "upside" or "potential" I want to read about wins, leadership and moxie. If he isn't that this year then he can fade to the ranks of career back up. He has the weapons, the defense to support and an offense designed to make it happen. The only reason I don't favor the fins in this right now is their steadfast desire to prove they drafted correctly with Tannehill. They're wrong.
 
#17
Gard said:
...the guy over in my avatar would like a word with you... ;)
Click to expand...

1 person doesn't equal a good history. He is an outlier. Also, his legs have never a big part of his game with the exception of his last year at Purdue. If you would have said Steve Young, I would have been more apt to agree. Be even Steve reduced, and then avoided running because he probably took more concussive shots than any player, in any position during his early NFL playing days. The crazy, wonderful bastard actually sought out contact.

Spread QB's

Elite:
Brees - Legit bad-ass QB and quality human. Let's be real though. When you think Brees you think massive passing yards from the pocket. That is the anti-spread. Spread didn't make him, he made "basketball on grass" look good.

Decent:
Cam - But like all uber athletic spread QB's had his share of injuries. His size and athleticism allow him a bit of an advantage over the others.
Alex Smith - How long did it take him to become a starter who could run a team at the pro level?
Flacco - Probably the most successful spread QB of the "decent" group ( and it was only semi-spread ) '08 Rookie of the year and a Superbowl MVP.


Jury is still out:
Mariota - The jury is almost back... I'm not optimistic. Unlike Brees, the spread inflated his stats and perceived ability.
Tannehill - The jury has nearly all taken their seats... Their long faces hint at a unfortunate outcome.
Deshaun Watson - Already bit by the spread injury bug. I wonder about his 19 sacks in 6 starts but his arm talent is evident.
Jamies Winston - His biggest struggles are with himself. Has the talent, but does he have the noggin? Let's discuss it over some crab legs. . .

Uncomfortable truth - QBs who had limited success but are not "good"
Kaepernick - 59.8% completion rate 72 Td 13 rushing Tds 30 int and 37 fumbles. Nikes cash cow now. Despicable Nike...
Vick - 143 games 56% completion rate 133 tds 36 rush TDs 88 Ints and 95 fumbles. Also hates dogs.

I wont drag the rest through the mud but suffice to say it's far worse below Vick and Kaep.


TL;DR - Spread QB's by and large bite the banootch in the NFL.
 
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#19
Gard said:
OK, since MJ dragged me back into this, it's his fault. ;) Week 1 is always a crap shoot, you can never be sure what you saw in preseason will translate to the field when the ammo switches from blanks to live. Lot of throwing spaghetti at the wall and seein' what sticks this week....

TNF Falcons @ Eagles: Preseason means nothing, I know, but it's impossible to ignore how utterly BAD the Failclowns have looked in the past 4 weeks. Just BAD. Like, making my obnoxious nickname for the team and their leaky sphincter stadium look accurate bad - Falcons 13 Eagles 24

Bills @ Ravens: I don't have much data on either team so far...but Flacco is just not performing well the past few years, and their defense is not the feared beast it once was...guessing... - Bills 24 Ravens 17

Jaguars @ Giants: Yeah, the Giants made some big moves, ODB is back, Barkley is a beast. The Jags were one half of football away from the Super Bowl last year, and they will be a contender again - Jags 27 Giants 17

Texans @ Patriots: If "those" Texans show up, y'know the one with Deshaun Watson and JJ Watt, this will be a game worthy of your attention. I kind of wish it were on at the 4pm slot, so I could watch it with all my attention. Should be entertaining, and I expect a close one, with just a slight home field edge to the Pats - Texans 23 Pats 27

49ers @ Vikings: Tough one to call, both teams have shiny, brand-new-to-them QB's, and expect big things from them. Another home field advantage win - 49ers 17 Vikings 20

Titans @ Dolphins: I'm thinking this one will be closer than Titans fans want it to be, and just close enough but not quite enough to make the Phins fans frustrated at the end of regulation - Titans 34 Dolphins 28

Bengals @ Colts: Can Marvin Lewis save his job for yet another season versus can Andrew Luck actually still play at an elite level. I think luck wins for Luck - Bengals 20 Colts 27

Steelers @ Browns: Mayfield? Who knows. Steelers are difficult to read as well. Because of history.... - Steelers 20 Browns 13

Chiefs @ Chargers: This is the late game I'm hoping I get to see. Both teams should be good this year, and I expect a home & home split, but both games competitive - Chiefs 24 Chargers 27

Seahawks @ Broncos: Yet another "lack of significant data" for me game. The Legion Of Boom is gone, but the offense in Denver is an unknown...home field 3 - Seahawks 20 Broncos 23

Cowboys @ Panthers: Norv Turner will ruin what little hope sCam "Figgy" Newton might give Panthers fans this season. Add to that the fact that the Panthers have done literally nothing to address the spaghetti strainer trying to convince everyone it is actually an offensive line, and if Newton actually makes it through the season without missing a few games, it will be a miracle. The only reason the Panthers will be in any game at all is their defense, and even that is beginning to show fraying around the edges. As much as it pains me to admit this, the Cowboys do have a fair defense and a very solid offensive line - Cowboys 24 Panthers 10

Redskins @ Cardinals: I think the Cards might just be for real this year. I don't think the Redskins will be - Redskins 13 Cardinals 24

SNF Bears @ Packers: Packers have ARod back, so their offense will be back on track. They still don't have a solid front 7 on defense, however, so games are going to resemble track meets. Still, Rodgers versus Trubisky equals home win for the cheese - Bears 20 Packers 31

MNF #1 Jets @ Lions: Jets have a lot of unknowns, Lions are established and at home. Neither team is a threat to win their division, but the Lions will at least make the rest of their division worry about them; the Jets are a couple of seasons away from that point - Jets 13 Lions 27

MNF #2 Rams @ Raiders: The Rams did not put their starting QB, RB, or DE's on the field during the entire preseason. Not one snap. Won't matter. Gruden will be Gruden, he looks and sounds like a winning coach, but he isn't - he just fooled everyone into thinking he was when he wasn't able to disassemble Tony Dungy's early 2000's Bucs fast enough to keep them from winning the Super Bowl Dungy would have had the Glazers not ignorantly fired him - Rams 35 Raiders 13



Best for last!

Bucs @ Saints: Well....uh....Fitztragic versus Breesus. That should sum it up nicely. The Bucs are going to be vying for the #1 overall pick this year, even with Captain Serial Sexual Assaulter on the field, they will underachieve - and he's sitting at home for 3 weeks, leaving them with a career backup trying to run their "8 cylinder offense hitting on 5 cylinders"; the Saints are going to be vying for their second Lombardi trophy (and it's a legit expectation). The Saints have a defense that was sneakily good last year, and it has gotten even better this offseason - the front 4 will be just brutal, and they may just have one of the top 3 sets of DB's; their offense...well....even without Ingram for the first 4 weeks, they will have a vicious ground game, then they have Brees and "Can't Guard Mike" Thomas and a few other nasty surprises if you stack the box to stop the run. The game will play out accordingly - Bucs 10, Saints 31
Click to expand...
I think these are pretty good picks. I do think the Ravens will stomp the Bills; and I'll take the Chiefs over the Chargers. But all-in-all, I'm right there with ya'...
 

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