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by Digger

NFL 2008 already has a couple of teams turning heads. A select few were taken for granted before the season began. Opposing coaches are beginning to take notice. Week 3 is up next... thought I'd try my hand at predicting the winners.

Kansas City (0-2) @ Atlanta (1-1): Birds were grounded by Bucs last week after opening the year taming Lions. KC hasn't figured out how to move the ball. Coach Edwards should be canned soon. He's not the answer for KC's proud franchise. Atlanta 33-13

Oakland (1-1) @ Buffalo (2-0): Buffalo proved they're to be rekoned with after disposing of Seattle and Jax. Oakland was humiliated opening weekend but rebounded vs lowly KC. Bills stampede, 27-17.

Tampa Bay (1-1) @ Chicago (1-1): On paper this is the battle of stiffling defenses. Both teams have surrendered 33 points. TB has scored 44, Chicago 46. Both offenses rely of field position supplied by defense. Brian Griese vs Kyle Orton. An offensive yawner unless running backs can break a few. Big play D will be the key. Da Bears win, 15-10.

Carolina (2-0) @ Minnesota (0-2): On paper this is a lock for the prowling Panthers vs an inept Vikings attack. Minnesota benched QB Jackson in what could be described as an admission this guy was the wrong pick to build a team around. Vet journeyman Gus Ferrotte will start. Panthers have won back to back thrillers (26-24 vs SD, 20-17 vs Chi). This could be the upset game of the week if Minnesota comes out rejuvinated. Carolina prevails, 27-23.

Miami (0-2) @ New England (2-0): Just about the only good news for Miami is playing in NE now instead of frigid December weather. Cassell will face various Miami defensive shifts. If he remains calm, this game will be a blowout. Miami doesn't have enough (any?) offensive weapons. Patriots fry fish, 33-6.

Cincinnati (0-2) @ New York Giants (2-0): Cincy remains in turmoil. Giants Eli Manning has arrived. His confidence level is at an all time high judging by his new found pocket presence. No longer throwing weak passes back peddling... now delivering strikes stepping up in the pocket. MVP performances in first two weeks. Eli will dissect secondary while Jacobs knocks off Bengal stripes. Super Bowl Champs conquer, 42-24.

Houston (0-1) @ Tennessee (2-0): Texans were displaced last weekend by Ike. They needed extra time to prepare for undefeated Titans. QB Collins leads the way while Madden Cover Jinx Young tries to find his nerves. Texans still searching for an offensive leader. You have to feel for fans stuck in tv markets forced to watch this boring game. A word to the wise, head to a sports bar to watch another game. Titans win, 24-7.

Arizona (2-0) @ Washington (1-1): Zona's QB Warner has been great piecing together back to back wins, 128.5 QB rating while completing 70.4% of pass attempts. Did I forget to mention this was vs SF & Miami? No matter. Washington looked confused at times with rookie Head Coach Zorn looking undecided on play calls in week one. Last week, they marched over Saints. This game should be a battle. Arizona by a hair, 31-27.

New Orleans (1-1) @ Denver (2-0): Saints running game hasn't surfaced yet. Thru two weeks, their single player game high has been 52 yards. 3rd and long is no way to play football. Denver's offense has been scoring at will.. 41 vs Oakland... 39 in a thriller vs SD. QB's might total 80+ passes. Broncos stampede, 44-30.

Detroit (0-2) @ San Francisco (1-1): Lions porous defense has been outscored 42-17 in two first halves. No chance to play with game plans when having to throw every down. Detroit QB's have chucked 74, running attack only 33 carries. Nothing changes vs San Fran's new found offense. Frank Gore will have a huge game. SF pours it on, 38-10.

St. Louis (0-2) @ Seattle (0-2): What's happened to both of these once upon a time high octane teams? St. Louis has 16 points... 16! Yikes. 3 of 24 on 3rd downs kills drives. The Rams formerly owned an impressive attack. Bulger has been atrocious, bad throws, horrible reads. For as bad as St. Louis' offense has played... their defense has been worse. Perhaps the NFL's most hapless group heading into week three. This is a team confused on both sides of the line. As for Seattle, Hasselbacks 48.5 QB rating can't be sitting well with Coach Holmgren (nor is -4 turnover differential). Julius Jones is Seattle's featured back (his first as a starter). He had a big week two but it wasn't enough. Seattle rebounds, Rams struggles continue... 36-14.

Cleveland (0-2) @ Baltimore (1-0): Ravens defense still dominates and will again if Cleveland's offense doesn't find its' stride this weekend. Browns haven't scored a td since 12:43 of quarter two in week one. Head Coach Romeo Crennel has screwed up as many times thru two games as most do in an entire season. Ravens rookie QB Flacco is a work in progress. He's poised in the pocket but will stumble at times vs various defensive schemes. Ravens survive, 23-20.

Jacksonville (0-2) @ Indianapolis (1-1): Jags have dropped two close contests. Their running game hasn't found it's footing. Now they take on a banged up Colts team who lucked out in a come from behind win vs Minnesota last weekend. Manning's knee looks wobbly. All Pro Safety Sanders is out for at least a month. Lost their DT to a pot bust. Things have been better for Coach Dungy. This one will be a battle. Jags running game wakes up, 28-24.

Pittsburgh (2-0) @ Philadelphia (1-1): This is my #2 must watch game of the week pick. Philly's offense is soaring scoring 75 in two games (38 vs StL, 37 @ Dallas). Westbrook already has 5 touchdowns & McNabb looks better than ever. On D, they bring blitzes every down trying to force mistakes. Pittsburgh has played rugged football. They'll either need to create turnovers on D or slug it out on the scoreboard. 80 degree weather might wear down defenses. Philly keeps scoring, 33-17.

Dallas (2-0) @ Green Bay (2-0): This is the #1 must watch game of week three. As usual, the Cowboys have opened the season on fire. Romo and Barber have combined for 8 td's. T.O. already with 3. This team has too many weapons. Defense looked weak on most series vs Philly but came thru when the game was on the line. Green Bay is off to the races behind first year starting QB Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers replaced legendary Brett Favre and has been outstanding leading the Pack offense (117.8 QB rating, 4 TD, 70% completions). Dallas represents test #1 for Rodgers after steamrolling weaker Minnesota and Detroit. Rodgers is ready to show he belongs... throws for 350+ yards. Pack Attack 41, Cowboys 37.

New York Jets (1-1) @ San Diego (0-2): J-E-T-S... JETS, JETS, JETS fans were chanting all week anticipating a victory vs hated arch division rival New England. NE QB Brady was declared out for the year. Favre is now a Jet. According to NY writer's and fans this combination means a trip to the playoffs. Favre was to be the savior. He didn't get it done vs New England as the offense sputtered. San Diego is banged up on both sides of the ball. It's already a season of hard knocks for San Diego. Losers as time expired in week 1 vs Carolina 26-24. Week 2 was a controversial 39-38 last minute defeat in Denver. Injuries might alter visions of destiny quickly should they fall to 0-3... which they will. Favre wins his Jets Monday Night Football debut, 31-23.