Week 2 Recap/Week 3 Preview:

For The Week/Season:
vs. W/L: (11-5)/(24-8)
vs. ATS: (10-6)/(19-13)
vs. Aggregate: (6-10)/(12-20)

ATS Vs. “The Sportsline Experts”:
Judge 19-13-0
Richard 21-11-0
PFN: 19-13-0
Prisco 15-17-0
SPiN 15-17-0
Madden 12-20-0
Harmon 11-21-0

W/L vs. “USA Today Experts”
Pete O'Brien 26-6 (.813)
Jim Corbett 13-3 (.813)
Sean Leahy 21-11 (.656)
Skip Wood 22-10 (.688)
PFN 24-8 (.750)
Nate Davis 22-10 (.688)
Gary Mihoces 19-13 (.594)
Jarrett Bell 11-5 (.688)
Tom Pedulla 20-12 (.625)
Jarrett Bell 17-15 (.531)

Week 3 Preview:

Even though it’s still September, there are a few “do or die” games on the schedule as there are a few alleged contending teams that might find themselves in an intractable hole should they lose on Sunday.

At NY Jets -2.5 Tennessee 37.5

Give the Jets credit for backing up their strong words with a terrific win against the Patriots. Is there a possibility of a letdown this week? Hmmm… Meanwhile, the Titans had a two-touchdown lead against Houston and let it slip away. How many people figured they’d start off 0-2? Tennessee is in desperate straits and goes into the Meadowlands facing a team whose confidence is off the charts.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Tennessee 20

At Houston -4 Jacksonville 47

The Texans rebounded nicely after their Week 1 loss with a road win in Nashville last week while the woeful Jags were lit up like a Christmas tree by Kurt Warner. It was an embarrassing loss played before friends and family in Jacksonville. Look for Schaub to be looking for Andre Johnson all afternoon.

Projected Final Score: Houston 27, Jacksonville 16

At Philadelphia -8.5 Kansas City 39.5

You’d have to figure that the Eagles are looking to torch the Chiefs after their Week 2 thrashing at the hands of the Saints. Kolb is probably starting this week, and outside of a couple of picks, acquitted himself pretty well in his first NFL start. The Chiefs were awful in Cassel’s debut and it’s hard to see how he’ll pull any rabbits out of his hat in Philly.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 27, Kansas City 13

At Ravens -13.5 Cleveland 38.5

There’s nothing like an AFC North mismatch to warm the cockles in Week 3. The Ravens pulled off a big win in San Diego and may have a little jet lag as they greet the Browns at M&T. Meanwhile, the 0-2 Browns stink, there’s just no other way to put it.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 23, Cleveland 13

NY Giants -6.5 At Tampa Bay 46

The 0-2 Bucs took quite a whippin’ up in Buffalo and return home with the unenviable task of facing the G-Men, who are coming off a last-second win in Dallas and are looking to create some distance in the NFC East. The Giants are a little banged up on defense and this may help Tampa Bay’s running attack.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 24, Tampa Bay 20

Washington -6 At Detroit 38.5

The Redskins continue the “Weak Sister” portion of their schedule, this week being a date in Detroit with the hapless Lions. After Washington’s poor showing against the Rams, you’d have to think that the Lions might have a chance. Rather than inflicting Stafford to needless punishment, Coach Schwartz should put Culpepper back in at quarterback because the kid’s in way over his head right now.

Projected Final Score: Washington 23, Detroit 20

Green Bay -6.5 At St. Louis 41.5

The Packers should identify those fans who celebrated Ocho Stinko’s Lambeau Leap and banish them from the frozen tundra for a thousand lifetimes. Coach Lombardi is looking down upon such a heretical act in utter disbelief. He was also displeased by the Pack’s terrible outing against the Bungles. Who allowed Odom to record five sacks? The football gods saw fit to punish the Packers for their transgressions by banishing them to St. Louis for a week to get their game back in order against an eminently beatable opponent.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 28, St. Louis 20.

At Minnesota -7 San Francisco 39

Favre and the Vikings had a couple of cupcake tune-ups in their first two games and now face a quality opponent. There’s no doubt that Coach Singletary has instilled a much tougher attitude in the ‘Niners and their run-first approach. This ought to be a showcase of two of the NFL’s best runners in Peterson and Gore. The Vikings run D will carry the day.

Projected Final Score: Minnesota 27, San Francisco 17

At New England -3.5 Atlanta 44

It was no surprise around here to see the Patriots get manhandled in the Meadowlands on Sunday. Patriots’ fans were delusional in believing that Brady would pick up right where he left off in ’07. The guy had major reconstructive knee surgery, for cryin’ out loud. It’s going to take him some time to feel comfortable and regain his rhythm. Their defense is a work in progress and they’ll be behind the eight-ball without Mayo. In short, be patient with the team in September and October and let’s see what they’ll do come crunch time. The Jets had a great gameplan against Brady and they executed it to perfection in the second half. But the Jets have a very good defense, and other teams may lack the talent to copy it on a weekly basis against New England. The Falcons run defense can be exploited. However, the Falcons’ offense presents a tough challenge for the Patriots. Turner is a very good runner and Tony Gonzalez has fit into the offense seamlessly.

Projected Final Score: New England 27, Atlanta 24

Chicago -2.5 At Seattle 37

The Seahawks return home (probably without Hasselbeck) to face a Bears’ team that is probably still on Cloud Nine after their big home win against Pittsburgh. The question is whether the Jay Cutler who showed up in Week 2 can turn in a similar effort or revert to the guy who threw four picks in Week 1?

Projected Final Score: Chicago 17, Seattle 13

New Orleans -4.5 At Buffalo 52.5

The Bills get another 4:00 game at home against an NFC South opponent, only this time the quality of the competition is like night and day. Edwards was able to get TO into the offense and that’ll keep his mouth shut for the time being. For the first two weeks, the Saints have embarked on a scorched earth policy as Brees is intent on wiping out every passing record in the book.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 31, Buffalo 24

At San Diego -5.5 Miami 44

The Chargers ought to be steamed after their home loss to the Ravens and should be determined not to lose at home in consecutive weeks. But LT is still out and Sproules is probably still seeing stars after getting hammered by Ray Lewis. For the Chargers to win, Rivers needs a big day through the air. As far as the Dolphins, how does a team control the clock for 45 minutes and still lose? Miami will run and grind the clock just like last week, but again the defense has to contend with a high-powered, quick strike offense.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 27, Miami 20

Pittsburgh -3.5 At Cincinnati 37

Speaking of being steamed, the Steelers had two cracks at beating Chicago last week and blew both field goal attempts in the fourth quarter. The Bengals had an impressive rebound win on the road and are looking to keep rolling against the Champs. Pittsburgh is just not going to allow that to happen.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 20, Cincinnati 14

At Oakland -1.5 Denver 36.5

The Raiders’ D has put forth two pretty good efforts. Unfortunately, their quarterback is not a big leaguer. He can throw the ball a country mile but can’t hit the side of a barn. This week, their ancient AFL West rivals come to town looking to stay undefeated in the young season.

Projected Final Score: Oakland 20, Denver 17

Indianapolis -2.5 At Arizona 48

This ought to be an interesting matchup on Sunday night between two great quarterbacks. Last week, the Cardinals traveled East and made a lot of prognosticators eat crow (here included) as Warner had just a dominant outing against a pathetic Jacksonville team. On Monday, Manning and the offense put up 30 points on the board despite only having the ball for 15 minutes.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 31, Arizona 28