So tune in each week to see how well Shots Heard can predict who wins the games. This is the first year, Shots Heard is prognosticating NFL games. The goal is to pick at least 70 percent of the games right. Remember that we went 14-1 picking the NBA playoffs match-ups.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: Giants
The New York Giants beat the three best teams (Cowboys, Packers, Patriots) in their last three games of the playoffs. So there's no reason to pick against them in their opener against the Redskins.
Outcome: Redskins 7 Giants 16 - Giants 'Super' defense stars again.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: Packers
Is this a NFC Championship preview? The Vikings have the player in the league with Adrian Peterson. They have the best defensive lineman with Jared Allen. But the Packers have home field advantage and will expose the Vikings passing game while stacking the box and limiting Peterson.
There is no more Super Favre, but Aaron Rodgers may be better. He certainly is the best quarterback in the division and has looked to be very polished. The Packers look more polished and know who they are even after all of the Favre drama. The Vikings will need to find themselves after coming up short of the playoffs last year.
Outcome: Packers 24 Vikings 19 - Aaron Rodgers has a spectacular debut as GB starting QB.
Seattle Seahawks (0-0) @ Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Pick: Seahawks
This is not the cold weather game that Bills teams traditionally thrive in. Seattle has been one of the better teams over the last five years. Seattle is more polished on both sides of the ball.
Outcome: Seahawks 10 Bills 34 - Bills too much for Hassleback's soar back.
Houston Texans (0-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
Pick: Steelers
The Texans looked like a legitimate playoff contender last year. But the Steelers have more proven commodities (Yes I know I am using that word improperly). So the Texans have a shot, but Shots Heard is going with the team playing in biggest football town in the country (Sorry Title Town).
Outcome: Texans 17 Steelers 38 - Parker rushes for three touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)@ New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Pick: Saints
The Bucs made the playoffs last year, but they have not silenced the critics. The Saints cannot count on the inconsistent Reggie Bush, but they do have a proven star in Drew Brees.
Outcome: Bucs 20 Saints 24 - Brees throws for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
Detroit Lions (0-0)@ Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Pick: Lions
This is just what the Lions needed to kick-start their season. The Falcons look putrid on offense.
Outcome: Lions 21 Falcons 34 - Michael Turner runs out from under LT's shadow for 220 yards.
St Louis Rams (0-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
This game features two of the most exciting players in the game: Brian Westbrook and Steven Jackson. Despite their teams being lackluster, that makes this one of the most exciting match-up of the week. Home team gets the tie-breaker.
Outcome: Rams 7 Eagles 38 - Rams go limp in anticipated shoot-out.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)@ Tennessee Titans (0-0)
Pick: Jaguars
How often do we think nothing of the Jags and yet they win 10-13 games. Games like this are the reason. The Titans at home are formidable, but they have plenty of cracks.
Outcome: Jags 10 Titans 17 - Titans win despite Vince Young's mediocre performance.
New York Jets (0-0) @ Miami Dolphins (0-0)
Pick: Jets
We all know that Ricky William has a lot to prove. But does he care? We also know that Chad Pennington thinks he has something to prove. He wants to prove that the Jets were wrong to dump a mediocre quarterback that led his team to a 4-12 record for the greatest quarterback of all-time that led his team to a 13-3 record. Silly Jets.
But Favre wants this game badly too. He knows that the Jets need games like this to have a chance at going to the playoffs. And like the Detroit Lions, this is a good kick-start game for the Jets to get a win and build-up their confidence.
Outcome: Jets 20 Dolphins 14 - Clemens unable to get revenge against Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
Pick: Ravens
The Felons, I mean Bengals are in disarray. Their quarterback is coming off an off year. They just cut their (former) starting running back. They resigned one criminal receiver that they said they would not sign. Their other star receiver is busy changing his last name. Baltimore is not a great team, but at least they know who they are.
Outcome: Bengals 10 Ravens 17 - QB Joe Flacco wins in his rookie debut.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) @ New England Patriots (0-0)
Pick: Patriots
The Patriots defense showed signs of fading at the end of last year, so don't expect another undefeated season. But they will have no problem dispatching the Chiefs.
Outcome: Chiefs 10 Patriots 17 - Down goes Brady! Down goes Brady!
Dallas Cowboys (0-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-0)
Pick: Cowboys
One should never put too much stock in the pre-season (if any). However the Browns were outscored by 33 points and did not win a game. Maybe that does not mean anything. But it is enough for Shots Heard to give this road victory to the Cowboys.
Outcome: Cowboys 28 Browns 10 - The Cowboys beat the Browns handily.
Carolina Panthers (0-0) @ San Diego Chargers (0-0)
Pick: Chargers
Vegas has the Panthers favored to win, despite the Panthers recent history of slow starts and Steve Smith being suspended. The Chargers have all their key players returning and will look to put the Panthers on the ropes early.
Outcome: Panthers 26 Chargers 24 - Panthers score winning TD on final play.
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (0-0)
Pick: 49ers
Alex Smith is out and J.T. O'Sullivan is in as the 49ers quarterback. The change will invigorate the 49ers. Meanwhile, Kurt Warner replacing Matt Leinart is only another chapter in the Cardinals musical quarterbacks. This game will go a long way in showing us who may be able to compete with the Seahawks for the division title.
Outcome: Cardinals 23 49ers 13 - Cardinals control the clock and the game.
Chicago Bears (0-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-0)
Pick: Colts
Can you believe that the Bears did not draft Brian Brohm to replace Kyle Orton and Sexy Rexi a.k.a Rex Grossman. Expect the Bears to get creamed as their defense is also mediocre.
Outcome: Bears 29 Colts 13 - Bears avenge Super Bowl loss; not really.
Denver Broncos (0-0) @ Oakland Raiders (0-0)
Pick: Broncos
You have to love the Raiders potential with Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. But the future has not arrived yet.
Outcome: Broncos 41 Raiders 14 - No surprises, the Raiders start season on an ugly note.
Picture 1: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings running back
Picture 2: Brett Favre Super Man likeness
Picture 3: Brett Favre, New York Jets quarterback
Picture 4: Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears quarterback
No comments:
Post a Comment