NFL Week 2: Games to watch

By Dan Rodgers

Last week I was 2-1 in my "games to watch" predictions. This week, we have two great games and one interesting one.

Game 1

Ravens at Bengals - This game is very interesting because the Bengals played like crap in the first half last week and their defense got absolutely destroyed by the Pats. The Ravens also didn't look too good, but a pathetic Jets offense couldn't take advantage. The Ravens could to anything in the running game, so look for them to try and establish that early on. The Bengals should try and do what the Jets couldn't and attack a vulnerable Baltimore seconary. Look for the Cinci receiving core to have another good day if they can give Carson Palmer any protection. Baltimore's favored in this game, but I like Cinci to win straight up at home.

My Prediction: Bengals (+2.5) 27 Ravens 24

Game 2

Pats at Jets - This game is much more important to the Jets than the week one game against Baltimore. They face New England at home in an early season division game. The Pats came out last week and lit up the Bengals supposedly solid secondary. The Jets cornerbacks (minus Revis) got completely owned last week by an above average Ravens receiving core. Cromartie and rookie Kyle Wilson will have to step up against a Pats passing offense that boasts Randy Moss (to be stranded on Revis Island), Wes Welker, Julian Edelman (Welker Jr.), and the best tightend trio in the NFL (Crumpler, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski). It will be interesting to see how the Jets' secondary plays in this game. Also, look for Mark Sanchez to try and open up the field a bit more against another suspect secondary.

My Prediction: Pats (-3) 23 Jets 16

^What I think will happen, what could happen?: Jets (+3) 17 Pats 16

Game 3

Giants at Colts - Oddly enough, the Colts have already been defeated in the 2010 season, while the Giants look to go 2-0. This is a battle of the Manning brothers and you better believe that Peyton is in F.U. mode. It doesn't matter that this game is against

his little brother, the Colts will bring it beyond anything we've seen from them recently. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Texans, the Colts need to step up and show everyone who's boss. The Giants simply got unlucky, and they're not that good. They will probably try to run the ball given what Arian Foster did against Indy last week. It probably won't work since they focused on that this week in practice; hopefully that means Nicks gets a lot of touches for my fantasy team. Regardless, Peyton easily takes this matchup and the Colts get back in the win column.

My Prediction: Colts (-5) 38 Giants 23

Enjoy another wonderful Sunday in the NFL, and be sure to root for my fantasy!

Rodgers That

NFL Week 11/12: The Down and The Dirty *mini edition

By Dan Rodgers

What's going on everybody?

I once again apologize due to the lack of posts. It is crunch time for college students because finals are approaching fast. This will be an abbreviated version of Weeks 11 and 12.

Week 11

The Down

Unfortunately, I am going to be unbiased because this week's award definitely is going to my New York Football Jets QB Mark Sanchez. Once again, he had an atrocious game adding to his most-likely record setting interception pace with four more against the Patriots suspect defense. He did throw one touchdown but on many of his throws he did a nice job scrambling and just tried to do too much by throwing into tight coverage. In fact, a few of his picks didn't even look like a Jets receiver was in the area. Hopefully, he will get his act together, but what do I know? I'm a Jets fan...

The Dirty

I can't believe this, but somehow Brown's QB Brady Quinn has just beyond convinced me that he more than deserves his award. I don't even care that it was against the Lions because the fact he threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns. Somehow the Browns blew a 24-3 lead and lost on a touchdown pass by Matt Stafford with no time on the clock. Who knows if Quinn will ever have a game even close to that ever again, but props to him. I would also like to send a shout-out to Wes Welker who had 15 receptions for 192 yards, and to T.O. who had nine receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown.

Week 12

The Down

I am proud to say that this week's The Down goes to a player that faced my Jets. Jake Delhomme stole the award, just barely, from Matt Stafford. Delhomme threw four interceptions against New York, two to Revis and two to Rhodes. Revis, one of the best corners in the NFL, took one back to the house. Delhomme had to win due to him throwing for 83 less yards and Stafford at least had one touchdown. Delhomme was just all around awful and Carolina's defense actually kept them in the game for the most part forcing three turnovers of their own.

The Dirty

While some people might disagree with Brett Favre not winning the award this week, those people obviously missed the Monday Night Football showdown in the Big Easy. The unbeaten Saints took it to the Patriots by exploding on offense and embarrassing the normally fluid Pats offense. The Saints defense picked off Tom Brady twice but it didn't even matter because Drew Brees threw five (5) touchdown passes. He showed that the Patriots are more than beatable and just put on a clinic with his right arm. He shared the love because each touchdown was to a different reciever. Oh, he also threw for 371 yards and had a perfect 158.3 QB rating. Congrats to the 11-0 Saints.

Rodgers That