SportsRefuge Editorials

After a one week Hiatus, I’m back to give you four more games to watch…

Buccaneers @ Bears
Griese vs. his old team, Orton vs. any team…truly a QB duel that no one gives a crap about.  This game is all about the defense, and all about the running games.  Rookie Matt Forte has looked real good in his first two games (has even had 2 TD’s “taken away from him”, as FB Jason McKie has gotten two goal line carries for touchdowns) and looks to build on that to prove he’s a force of a RB in this league.  Earnest Graham is averaging almost 9 yards per carry so far, and Warrick Dunn is an extremely nice compliment.  Chicago is ready for their home opener this year, and the Bears win, 23-13.

Panthers @ Vikings
One team has overachieved, the other has underachieved.  The Panthers have looked more-than impressive in their first two weeks winning on last second drives, while the Vikings have looked average at best.  Adrian Peterson is banged up, and Steve Smith is coming back.  There’s no way the Vikings can win this game, but I have a hunch, and I’ll take the Purple in a close one, 21-20.

Jaguars @ Colts
What a game this early in the season!  We’re talking a week 3 game that could ultimately provide this year’s AFC-S champion!  The Colts Run Defense has been bad, and losing Bob Sanders for a few weeks isn’t going to help.  The Jaguars running game has been worse, but can they seriously stay as bad as they’ve been?  I think so.  P. Manning gets back on track, and the Colts “upset” the Jags, 31-20.

Bengals @ Giants
The Bengals are close to being the worst team in football.  Talent-wise, this isn’t possible, but this team is in total disarray.  The Super Bowl Champion Giants have looked good, and they’re the home team.  Surely Carson Palmer isn’t going to outplay Eli, is he?  Of course not.  Giants win a slightly-closer-than-it-should-be game, 27-21.

Tags: 4GTW, X

Alright, so in a post I’ll try to make before Sunday on every week for the next 17 weeks, I’ll highlight 4 games (two upset watches, two good games that won’t end in upsets).  Here are my 4 Games to Watch for Week 1.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

A lot of people have the Vikings in this one, and reasonably so.  They have All-Day Adrian Peterson (reigning ROY) and a new go-to target in Bernard Berrian comfortable with the team.  However, the Packers went 13-3 last year and several people that Farve would get another chance to win a SB in the Green & Gold before the Giants rolled in and shocked the world just a few weeks later.  This game has a lot of intrigue, as the winner in this week 1 match-up could become favorites to win the division.  Both defenses are above average, both running games are above average, however I think the key will lie in the passing game.  Aaron Rodgers is an unknown.  At times he looked decent in the preseason and at times he looked lost.  Tavaris Jackson has looked lost his entire career.  With Green Bay having better WR options, I’m going to take the Packers on a late field goal, 27-24.

ST. LOUIS RAMS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Intrigue abound, this will be one of the better week 1 games to watch.  Philadelphia is home to one of the most versatile backs in the NFL in Brian Westbrook.  St. Louis counters with one of the biggest disappointments in backfield last season in Steven Jackson.  Rookie Chris Long looks to help this D-Line that was nothing special last year, and Bulger is looking to bounce back.  Philly is hoping to stay healthy this season and McNabb is poised to play a big role in ‘08.  Given the uncertainty of the two teams, I think this one is a complete toss-up.  For no good reason, I’m taking the Rams in this game, 21-20.

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS

No longer Jail-Birds (okay, the did bring Chris Henry back), the Bengals are looking to bounce back with a new name at WR…kind of.  Ocho Cinco (whom is obviously oblivious to the Spanish Language) is hoping to have a bounce back year in which his fans actually like him again, and the Ravens look to be relying on Rookie QB Joe Flacco.  With the Bengals offense banged up already, and Ray Lewis dancing onto the field for the first time in ‘08, I’ll take the Ravens in this one, 27-21.

DALLAS COWBOYS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.  There’s no possible way the NFC Favorites are going to lose their opening game to the Cleveland Browns.  But think about it for a second.  Cleveland made great strides last season.  Kellen Winslow looks to be the elite TE Cleveland thought he would be when they drafted him, and Derek Anderson became the best surprise of the 2007-08 season.  Jamal Lewis looks to have rebounded from a rough couple of years in Baltimore.  This team may be on the cusp of being one of the better teams in the AFC.  All that being said, Tony Romo, TO, and that nasty defense are going to be too much for the Brownies.  I’ll take Dallas in this game, 34-20.

Tags: 4GTW, X