Random Week 2 Thoughts and Picks:

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

Tennessee at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM, CBS

What started out as an intriguing matchup has quickly dissipated into a crapfest of epic proportions. Cincinnati's horrendous loss to Baltimore, combined with Vince Young going AWOL in search of confidence and his mommy, have severely crippled the appeal of this game. The game will still have Ocho Cinco and Who's-Your-Momma but the Tennessee D, which was one of the more impressive last week, should make them non-existant. This is not for the feint at heart,
watch with caution.

The Commish's Pick: Tennessee

Green Bay at Detroit, 1:00 PM, Fox

It's amazing how, in the span of one week, Aaron Rodgers has become the incarnation of Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Jesus combined. Okay, maybe that's going a little overboard but the coverage of Rodgers (and this team) has gone from intrigue/curiosity to downright fawning and sloppy admiration. I, for one, am not a big fan of PDA and find this to be a little embarrassing on the part of the National media. Expect more of it as they take on the Detroit Lions, who resembled mere pylons and traffic cones last week. This one could get ugly. Fast.

The Commish's Pick: Green Bay (by a lot)

Oakland at Kansas City, 1:00 PM, CBS

One word: Yuck. Avoid at all costs.

The Commish's Pick: Kansas City (by process of elimination)

NY Giants at St. Louis, 1:00 PM, Fox

Talk about polar opposites. The Giants, while stagnant on offense after a blistering first drive, dominated a hapless, hopeless Washington team last week. Plaxico Burress roamed the Skins' secondary like he owned the place and Jacobs, well, committed at least two acts of attempted vehicular homicide on LaRon Landry. This shouldn't change against a Rams team who wouldn't be able to compete in Division III at this point, let alone the NFL.

The Commish's Pick: New York

Indianapolis at Minnesota, 1:00 PM, CBS

How ordinary did Peyton Manning look last week against Chicago. Granted, he's coming off of knee surgery and he did lose Dallas Clark in the first quarter. Still, you're home in your new stadium and you have a sub-.500 squad coming in who've been mired in offensive mediocrity for a season plus. Shame on Indy. As for Minny, well, tough break against the Pack, who tried real hard to throw the game away last week. If Travaris Jackson can successfully remove his head from his backside for Sunday's game, this should be a good one.

The Commish's Pick: Minnesota (pending Jackson's successful colonoscopy)

New Orleans at Washington, 1:00 PM, Fox

New Orleans is coming off a great win last week against Tampa Bay but suffered an even greater loss when star wideout Marques Colston was told he would be on the sidelines for a month plus. This game will be about two things: Whether Henderson/Patten/Shockey can pick up the slack lost from Colston and whether Springs can turn the Skins secondary into something more than a backup High School unit. I'm gonna go with the first one.

The Commish's Pick: New Orleans

Chicago at Carolina, 1:00 PM, Fox

If you would have told me two weeks ago that this would be one of the marquee games between two undefeated teams, I would have laughed in your face. Heartily. However, I would be eating my words and for good reason. Carolina, through the luck of all things holy, squeaked out a last second win against a poor San Diego side while Chicago surprised the Colts at home on the legs of rookie RB Matt Forte and a rejuvenated D. Carolina will struggle without Steve Smith and Chicago should escape with a win.

The Commish's Pick: Chicago (barely)

Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM, CBS

One team looked great. The other looked terrible. This was expected. What wasn't expected is that Buffalo was the great one and Jacksonville was the terrible one. Buffalo whipped up on a crippled Seattle side, using Special Teams to force the Seahawks into submission. Jacksonville, meanwhile, couldn't run through pillow-covered hallways last week, let alone a tough Titans defense. 33 total yards rushing isn't going to get it down. Jax will get more, but it won't be enough. This Bills team is good. Real good.

The Commish's Pick: Buffalo

San Francisco at Seattle, 4:05 PM, Fox

If two injury-riddled, crappy West Coast teams play a 4 o'clock game in the Pacific Northwest and no one watches, did it really happen? This is the question many people will ask themselves when the highlight (singular, maybe) finds its way on Sportscenter late Sunday night. I'm a Niners fan and I couldn't care less about this game.

The Commish's Pick: San Francisco (Not like it matters)

Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 4:05 PM, Fox

I still want to know where the hell Michael Turner came from. I know he came from San Diego and that he said he would be a great running back if given a shot. Still, 220 yards in a first game, regardless of who it was against, is awfully impressive (yes, even against the Lions). This game would have been a lot better if Garcia was playing for Tampa, but it looks like Brian "I got released by Chicago" Griese will get the start. You could flip a coin 100 times and not get this right. Don't expect a great game.

The Commish's Pick: Atlanta

New England at NY Jets, 4:15 PM, CBS

What should have been Brady v. Favre Pt. 1 was not meant to be. Brady's knee is resembling the shredded cheese on the top of nachos and the Pats came crashing back to Earth in the span of 10 minutes. Favre and the Jets struggled (YES, STUGGLED. I don't care what anyone says, they were LUCKY to beat Miami last week) but came out with the win nevertheless. This will be a good game, but not as good as it could have been. I look forward to another awkward man-hug between Belichick and Mangini, it could be the best part of this game.

The Commish's Pick: NY Jets

Miami at Arizona, 4:15 PM, CBS

A lot of people have been making the same assessment I made earlier this week: Arizona could win the NFC West at 7-9. Arizona didn't win last week, San Fran lost it on the back of five extremely costly turnovers. Still, someone had to win and the Cardinals took advantage. This could turn out to be a mildly entertaining game with Penny and the Phins vs. Old Man Warner and the Cards. I wouldn't count on it though, much better not to so you aren't let down.

The Commish's Pick: Arizona

San Diego at Denver, 4:15 PM, CBS

I don't think any team last week (not even Jacksonville, Seattle or Washington) disappointed as much as San Diego did. They had every opportunity to step on Carolina's throat and refused to do so. They have no aggression and no heart, which is only compounded on now that Merriman is out for the season. People said that Turner had finally overcome his demons last year but I beg to differ. He's not a good coach and with all the talent he has, it's only gonna look worse when Denver ends up winning the AFC West. This will be a good gauge on just how far Denver has to go to do that. Cutler looked dynamic and Eddie Royal may be the find of the 2008 Draft. Regardless of last week, this will be a good game. Guaranteed or your money back.

The Commish's Pick: Denver

Pittsburgh at Cleveland, 8:15 PM, NBC

Pittsburgh looked really good. Cleveland looked overwhelmed. Expect Pittsburgh to light Cleveland up like a Christmas tree while Romeo Crennel does his best to look catatonic on National Television.

FYI: For all of you who care about these things, this is the first time in the 2008 season that two
African-American coaches will play on national television. Just thought you should know.

The Commish's Pick: Pittsburgh

Monday, September 15th, 2008

Baltimore at Houston, 8:30 PM, CBS

Joe Flacco! Matt Schaub! It's the NFL on CBS!

All jokes aside, this could end up being a really good matchup, pending Houston's recovery from getting dropped like Intro to Philosophy by Pittsburgh last week.

And somewhere, Joe Flacco is still meandering his way through Cincinnati's defense towards the end zone.

The Commish's Pick: Houston

Philadelphia at Dallas, 8:30 PM, ESPN

Donovan Mcnabb, Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Brian Westbrook, Terrell Owens, DeSean Jackson, the names just go on and on.

You don't need me to tell you that this is the game of the week, by far.

Just get yo' popcorn ready.

The Commish's Pick: Philadelphia