What a difference a week makes. After an unbelievable week one, my prognosticating skills took a nose dive in week two. In reality, though, it looks worse on paper than it really was. Three plays turned three pretty awful days into three pretty decent days. I had so many close calls not go my way, I’m fairly certain Ed Hochuli was involved. In any case, here’s last week’s wrap-up.
Time to shine:
QB Damon Huard, Kansas City: When you’re second on your team in passing yards to Tyler Thigpen, I think that counts as a horrible game. Miss
RB Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants: 93 yards, but no touchdowns which is why you start a guy like Jacobs in the first place. Getting closer, but still a miss.
RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee: 121 total yards, but like a nerd on prom night, there was no scoring involved. Miss.
WR Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis: 137 receiving yards from a number three receiver might be the break-out game Gonzalez owners were hoping for. Hit.
WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit: I said Johnson would go for 120 and a score but he did me one better (9 better if you’re talking about yardage). 129 and 2 touchdowns more than qualify this as a hit.
Bonus start: RB Kregg Lumpkin, Green Bay: I only recommended this start if either of the top two Packer running backs were inactive. Both played so I won’t count this one, but it is worth mentioning that Lumpkin went for 41 combined yards. There may be some potential here for those of you in 12 team keeper leagues.
Ride the Pine:
QB Brett Favre, New York Jets: 181 passing yards with a score and a pick – not good enough to be called a miss, but not bad enough to be called a hit. Push.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville: I was well on my way to a good prediction when Jones-Drew ruined it with a third quarter touchdown run. Only 42 total yards, but that touchdown makes this one a miss.
RB Felix Jones, Dallas: Last week I told you Jones would have his carries limited and he only had three carries. What I wasn’t expecting was a 98 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Again, one play ruins what was otherwise a good pick. Miss.
WR Eddie Royal, Denver: The Broncos got three or four receivers back from suspension in week two. They were all named Brandon Marshall and they combined to make 18 catches. They were so dominant, you wouldn’t have even known Denver had another receiver until Eddie Royal caught the game’s last two passes – a touchdown and two-point conversion. Miss.
WR Braylon Edwards, Cleveland: Three catches for 32 yards, and mercifully no touchdowns. Hit.
Week two totals: 3-6-1
Overall record: 10-8-2
On to this week’s picks:
Time to Shine:
QB David Garrard, Jacksonville: Jacksonville always seems to hang tough with Indy and the Colts new home is not nearly as intimidating as their old one. I know Garrard has been a disappointment this season, but look for him to throw a couple Tds in this one.
RB Julius Jones, Seattle: This is one of those must win games for a franchise that’s off to an 0-2 start and looking to make their coach’s final year a memorable one. Fortunately, the Rams at home are just what you want to see on your schedule when you must have a win, and since the Seahawks just convinced Mark Wahlberg to reprise his role as wide receiver Vince Papale and suit up this weekend, I doubt they’ll be throwing the ball very often. Put Jones down for 100 yards and a score.
RB Ray Rice, Baltimore: The surprise bye week, a game at home, and a struggling Browns defense lead me to believe that 100 yards is possible for the Rutgers’ rookie. Since this is the Ravens we’re talking about, he probably won’t score, but I’ll stick by the 100 yards.
WR Chansi Stucky, New York Jets: If last week was any indicator, teams tend to score a lot more points on Monday Night Football. Basing my pick on sound data like that, I could easily see the Jets and Chargers going for a combined 608 points. With those numbers, how could Stucky not get 80 yards and a score?
WR Lee Evans, Buffalo: An up-and-coming quarterback who’s starting to build chemistry with his top receiver versus a team that’s already planning its off-season. 100 yards and a touchdown for Evans.
Ride the Pine:
QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati: The offense was supposed to be the good half of the Bengals. Instead we get a team that can’t pass or run going against a Super Bowl champion who still feels disrespected. On the bright side, Palmer’s Trojans put the smack down on the Buckeyes last Saturday.
RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh: Parker is off to a hot start, but the Eagle’s will likely shut him down. This is mostly due to the fact that their high-priced secondary can’t seem to stop the pass. Big Ben will have a big game and Parker will have a secondary role in this one.
RB Jamal Lewis, Cleveland: Jamal was always the second most popular Lewis in Baltimore. Now in his second season with the Browns, he’d like to remind the Baltimore faithful what they’re missing. Problem is, the most popular Lewis in Baltimore, Ray, won’t let that happen. He tends to make things like this personal, and even though his AARP card is already being mailed to him, I wouldn’t bet against him in this game.
WR Andre Johnson, Houston: The Texans have had a tough week without even playing a game. While the people in the Houston area definitely need some good news, it’s hard to picture Johnson doing much against a tough Titan defense. Another long Sunday for the Texans.
WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia: The Steelers are a lot like the town the represent – blue collar, hard working people. They don’t go in for the showboating, pretty boy types. The Pittsburgh defense will make sure Jackson doesn’t have the opportunity to do any premature end zone dances this week.
