PIGSKIN 2017: Week Two

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Two

RESULTS

Week One

SCOREBOARD

Week One Record:  4-7-1

Schmear of the Week:  0-1
Bagels in the Basket:  -7

1st and Ten:

• New England Patriots ... So much for going undefeated.  Meanwhile, Tom Brady serves a lengthy suspension last season for his alleged involvement in deflating footballs.  Yet, Ezekiel Elliott is still playing.

2nd and Long:

• New York Giants: Team than can least afford to start season with two straight losses.

No Gain:

• After losing their first two games by a combined score of 33-9, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis risks becoming their former coach ... again.  If he doesn't get fired, I'll show you a general manager not doing his job.

PUNT!

• Opening Day at the Black Hole in Oakland.  Curious to see if the future Las Vegas Raiders will be playing in front of highly apathetic fans.

WEEK TWO:
Friday Line ~ NYDN


RAIDERS -13 1/2 (Jets)
The Jets take another step closer to the #1 overall pick in next year's draft.  If, last week, the Jets lost by nine points in Buffalo, what do you think will happen in the Black Hole?  For Coach Todd Bowles, when it rains, it pours.
WIN  45-20 Raiders

Titans -2 (JAGUARS)
This will indeed be a close game.  Titans are coming off a tough home loss against Oakland.  The Jags can surprise, but I think the Titans are put together just a little better than the Jags are at this point.
WIN  37-16 Titans

RAVENS -8 1/2 (Browns)
After last week's performance, I'm forced to rethink the Ravens.  After last week's gutsy performance, I still can not be sold on the Browns.
WIN  24-10 Ravens

PANTHERS -7 1/2 (Bills)
Memo to Buffalo ... these aren't the Jets.  This strikes me as a ten point game.
Loss  9-3 Panthers

Patriots -6 1/2 (SAINTS)
Hard to go against the Saints at home, but I expect an extremely perturbed Tom Brady to correct last week's loss against the Chiefs.  Not sure when the Patriots last lost two games in a row.
WIN  36-20 Patriots

Cardinals -7 (COLTS)
Cards won't defeat the Colts in a romp like the Rams did.  But I'll bet they cover this game with ease. Carson Palmer should play better than he did against the Lions.
Loss  16-13 Cardinals

Eagles +5 (CHIEFS)
I know what the Chiefs did last week to New England.  The match-ups are different this week, and I think they favor Philly's defense.
Loss  27-20 Chiefs

Vikings +6 (STEELERS)
The Steelers put forth a disappointing performance last week against Cleveland.  That said, the biggest question surrounding this game centers around the health of Sam Bradford.  He might be able to fight through this game (with a recurring knee issue), but who knows what the rest of his season will bring.
Loss  26-9 Steelers

BUCS -7 (Bears)
This is essentially the Bucaneers' season opening game.  They are going to be a tougher team than people realize.  The Bears hung around last week (and covered the points) in Atlanta.  But, at the end of the day, however, they're just Da Bears.
WIN  29-7 Bucs

CHARGERS -4 1/2 (Dolphins)
Like the Bucs, the Fish have yet to play a game.  The Bolts barely lost to Denver last Monday.  With a game under their belts, look for them to cover at home.
Loss  19-17 Dolphins

D.C. Hogs +2 1/2 (RAMS)
This is a game I'd avoid like a plague.  If there's such a thing as a desperation game in Week Two, for the Hogs, this is it.
WIN  27-20 Hogs

Cowboys -2 (BRONCOS)
Denver can stuff the box in an effort to neutralize Ezekiel Elliott if they want.  But Dallas' O-Line will still give Dak Prescott time to throw (find Dez).  The Cowboys offensive balance, therefore, will win out.  The Cowboys defense is not as good as it looked against the Giants.  But I still don't see the Broncos outscoring Dallas.
Loss  42-17 Broncos

SEAHAWKS -14 (49ers)
An angry team, playing at home, against a dysfunctional organization.
Loss  12-9 Seahawks

Packers +3 (FALCONS)
Tough call ... Packers covered last week against the Seahawks > job well done.  The Falcons playing at home pushed against the Bears > suspect.  Vegas sees this straight up, so lay the points and hope for the best.
Loss  34-23 Falcons

*GIANTS -3 1/2 (Lions) Monday Night
I have only one decent reason for justifying this pick - the Giants defense against Matt Stafford.   Otherwise, the Giants offense can't run; they can't protect Eli; and it looks as if Odell Beckham Jr. will miss another game.  Did you see the kind of game Carson Palmer had against Detroit last week? Yeah ... so I'm counting on turnovers, defensive points, field goals.
Loss  24-10 Lions

Schmear of the Week: (0-1)
Buccaneers -7

Guten Appetit:
Shrimp skewers on the barbie, lobster rolls, crab cakes, and some good old fried calamari.  Tomato salad with cucumber, bell pepper, minced parsley/basil, fried onion crumbs, thin sliced almonds.  I picked up some crisp kristall weizen beers for the occasion.


Good Luck, and have a great Football Sunday everyone!

Post-Game:
Week Two Record:  6-9
Overall Record:  10-16-1
Schmear of the Week:  1-1
Bagels in the Basket:  -7