|
PAFL Week 2 – Write ups
Welcome to Week 2 of the PAFL season; just a momentary commentary. Is it possible Amy Adams Strunk may actually know less about football than the adorable Amy Adams from Enchanted. Put it another way; when Mozart was 3 years old and banging on the piano at 2 in the morning, does his parents get rid of the piano, or just buy a pair of earmuffs and pay for a music tutor? I’m sure Arthur Blank has a new BFF on Facebook as of yesterday afternoon…anyway…..
Minnesota (1-0) @ Tampa Bay (0-1)
Eric has his QB, and must be giddy all the way up to his ears, as he convincingly put down the Broncos; meanwhile, Seattle came in shocked the Bucs with Purdy getting nearly 300 yards on 16 completions (guessing John doesn’t have bubble screens on his call sheet). I doubt the Vikings are quite so…adventurous…but still, they should have enough to light up the scoreboard and make Goff enjoy the trip from Arizona. Minnesota 28 – Tampa Bay 21
Buffalo (1-0) @ Miami (0-1)
Buffalo took out their familiar recipe from the cupboard and served it up to Dallas last week, gaining more yards on the ground than the Cowboys had in total offense. If you were to add Cousins’ and Jackson’s QBR, it would still be below 65, but when you can pound the rock like Derrill does, all good things are possible. Meanwhile, Carolina diced up Miami, gaining even more yards on the ground than Buffalo did. I don’t see the Fins lasting very long in this game, despite it being near the Hard Rock; good thing the casino is open all night. Buffalo 31 – Miami 10
Atlanta (0-1) @ Chicago (0-1)
Actually had to check that I was looking at the right game file, but I guess I get the logic here; you know you are going to lose Hurts for a couple of games this year, and losing him out of conference makes more sense. Very confident play, and one probably justified. The rejuvenated Steelers won in convincing fashion, and I would expect Chicago to do the same. Heaven help the NFC West if MHJ is somehow paired with Stroud in the next couple of years. Atlanta 7 – Chicago 35
Washington (0-1) @ Dallas (0-1)
Andy had a heartbreaking loss in New Orleans last week, where the Saints scored with less than 2 minutes left in the game, while Dallas got pounded by Buffalo. This should be a sneaky good game; Cousins is the better QB while Washington has the better RB. I’m giving the slightest edge to Dallas here, simply because of the OL, but honestly, Henry could win this game on his own if Andy sticks to the run. Washington 24 – Dallas 27
Indianapolis (0-1) @ New York (N) (0-1)
Indy had another heartbreaking loss to open the season, with a broken play scoring a TD on the last play of the game to give the Cardinals the win. Meanwhile, I don’t think I have seen a worse performance at the QB position than what Brissett and Mayfield managed to put up; yeah, Stafford played well, but between the combined 22.4 QBR and losing Kupp for the next 8 weeks, it’s hard to say which hit the Giants the hardest. I would imagine a bounce back game for either Brissett or Mayfield, but Indy has a good D, and Carr should be able to put up enough points to sneak his first win of the season. Indianapolis 24 – New York (N) 21
Arizona (1-0) @ Los Angeles (A) (1-0)
Arizona pulled off a last second miracle to start the season off with a win, and get rewarded by visiting a Chargers team that dismantled Tennessee with a balanced attack and very efficient Joe Burrow. Daniel has never beaten the Cards since taking over the team, which makes this one that has all the earmarks for a trap (though I doubt this qualifies as a “trap” since LAA is currently listed 2nd in the Power Rankings). I am going with my tried and true formula here; if in doubt, go with the other team, as I will at least have one place to hang my hat when it’s over. Arizona 21 – Los Angeles (A) 24
Detroit (1-0) @ Green Bay (1-0)
You can’t get more balanced than a 34/34 run/pass split on offense, and Green Bay was super-efficient as well last week against Kansas City. Detroit meanwhile pounded the rock, and went into San Fran and pulled out the tough win there. Green Bay has been my early season darling, in the sense that they are sneaky good and most likely will be taking a familiar face down for a playoff berth. I think Detroit is a solid team and should give Green Bay more to handle, but in the end, I have to lean where I started before the season. Detroit 21 – Green Bay 28
Philadelphia (0-1) @ Carolina (1-0)
Philly had a brutal game to start with by having to travel to the defending Super Bowl champions, but this game does have some early season meaning. While no game is a must-win game in Week 2, a loss to Carolina puts the Eagles 2 games back to start the season, and puts the division in real turmoil. Now, it should be said that Carolina spanked Miami, and the Eagles were tied with the Jags going into the 4th quarter; I am just going to lean ever so slightly for Philly here, though next year…watch out. Philadelphia 24 – Carolina 21
Pittsburgh (1-0) @ Las Vegas (1-0)
I’m sure wherever Pete is now, seeing his beloved Steelers tied for 1st is bringing a smile, but he may need to find other areas in the ether sphere to bring him joy going forward. Don’t get me wrong; Pittsburgh is improving, but Las Vegas is a Super Bowl contender. I actually wasn’t exactly shocked to see Vegas beat Chicago (totally possible) even if Calvin had played his main guys, and it would be a major upset to see the Steelers go to 2-0, despite the solid building. Pittsburgh 10 – Las Vegas 31
Tennessee (0-1) @ Cleveland (1-0)
Hopefully Mark was a no-show last week due to a cough-due-to-cold rather than anything else; that said, the Chargers really kind of exposed some holes that might hold back the Titans a bit this season. Stan the Man should be able to start his season off on a good foot before his Week 3 matchup against Jacksonville, which will start that meat of the AFC East schedule. Tennessee 10 – Cleveland 28
New Orleans (1-0) @ Seattle (1-0)
Throw a dollar bill on the table and ask me to match it in that one of these two teams would be 2-0 after Week 2, and I would have to forego the hash brown with my breakfast burrito at McDonalds. Now I would advise both Don and John not to spend the money printing playoff tickets, but both found ways to win, and now get to see who will build faster than the other. Definitely an intriguing game and one that should ride on Purdy’s arm vs Don’s secondary. New Orleans 21 – Seattle 18
San Francisco (0-1) @ Los Angeles (N) (0-1)
Kenny had a tough first week matchup against Cincinnati, and the Rams not only lost in convincing fashion but suffered some long-term injuries (fortunately mostly at the backup positions). Meanwhile, the 49ers took it on the chin against the Lions, so both teams really need to right the ship in their respective divisions. While this year’s Brady isn’t the Brady of the past, he is still a decent QB, he is a better version of Mac Jones and Kenny just didn’t forget how to coach. Again, I would put the dollar down on the Rams to right the ship first. San Francisco 21 – Los Angeles (N) 24
Kansas City (0-1) @ Denver (0-1)
Both of these teams will be in that jumble of teams behind the Raiders this season, looking to make the playoffs, and starting 0-2 wouldn’t be good way to start. Paul and Rudy are both really good coaches, and both stuck trying to fix holes in their respective defenses, and there really isn’t a ton that separates them. Spit balling here…I am going with the combination of Chubb and Allen here to gain enough yards on the ground to control the ball enough to squeeze out a tight win. Now, if Tua throws to Chase for 200 yards and 3 TD’s I will look foolish, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Kansas City 23 – Denver 24
Cincinnati (1-0) @ Jacksonville (1-0)
Talk about the GOW; if you told me these were the two teams in the AFC championship game, I would not be shocked. Both teams match up very well against each other, though there is a slight edge to the Jags at the skill positions. Both QB’s are pretty much even, and I see both teams having a tough time running on the other; in the end I give ever the slightest edge to Jacksonville, as Cincy losing Stanley for this game against Brian Burns, along with Daniel Jones taking more sacks, means the possibility of more drives stalling and more FG’s than the Bengals can force on Jacksonville. Should be a barn-burner regardless. Cincinnati 21 – Jacksonville 24
|