Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming up. The first week is in the books and it did offer up some surprises to many. We shall see if things start to quiet down for Week 2. In this post I will take a look back at the 2008 NFL Playoffs and the picks for this week's games. Let's get to work!
2008 Playoffs: A Look Back
The 2008 season was a wild one. Tom Brady gets injured in Week 1 against the Chiefs. He would miss the rest of the season. Brett Favre becomes a Jet in his one season in New York. Oh and the Lions went 0-16 for the season.
The playoffs for that season didn't offer that much of a difference either. Neither #1 seed in the AFC or the NFC made their respective conference championship game. The 4th seeded Cardinals hosted the NFC championship game. The same Cardinal team that was one play away from winning their first championship in nearly 60 years. It was a wild year.
The playoffs started with San Diego beating Indianapolis in overtime. Later that day the Cardinals beat the Falcons by a 30-24 score. The next day would see the #3 seed Miami Dolphins (winners of the AFC East that year) lose spectacularly to the Ravens. The #6 seeded Eagles would also beat the #3 seed Vikings as well. If you were a #6 seed in these playoffs, you had a good chance of doing something nice.
In the Divisional round, the Ravens would start the road team winning trend as they usurp the #1 seeded Titans 13-10. Later that night the Cardinals would trounce on the Panthers 33-13, creating five turnovers from Panther quarterback Jake Delhomme. Like Baltimore, Philadelphia would win an upset against a #1 seed in the Giants (who had won the Super Bowl the previous year mind you). The Steelers would change the trend as they beat the Chargers at home. Darn Pittsburgh, always ruining narratives.
The championship games didn't have drama in them as the Eagles magical season ended against the Cardinals 32-25. Baltimore wouldn't have much luck either as they lost to their rival Steelers 23-14. Pittsburgh was seeking their 6th Super Bowl championship, Arizona was seeking their first heading into Super Bowl XLIII.
The game was a back and forth contest featuring two of the biggest stars in Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals and Troy Polumalu for the Steelers. Fitzgerald finished the game with 127 yards receiving with two touchdowns. The game also included a 100-yard pick six play from James Harrison to end the 1st half. Ultimately, the game is best known for the tip-toe touchdown reception from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes that was the game-winning score.
The 2008 playoffs was sort of ironic to a degree. The nation was in the midst of a terrible recession. People liked seeing the underdog achieving in sports and these playoffs offered much of it. Super Bowl XLIII was also known as the "Recession Bowl" due to its effect on businesses and parties. You had the underdog, snakebit Arizona Cardinals and the established, highly regarded Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Steelers would ultimately win out in the end, it did provide quite a remarkable playoffs for the ages.
The Picks
Week 2 of the National Football League season starts in Cincinnati, Ohio and finishes in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are 16 games on this week's slate. The week includes a Thursday night game, 10 early games, three late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. FOX will have the single, regional game while CBS will carry the doubleheader. No teams are on a bye week. Let's get to the picks!
Cincinnati (0-1) @ Cleveland (0-1) (NFL Network): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
Both teams lost last week as the Bengals lost to the Chargers and the Browns lost to the Ravens. Ah yes the Battle of Ohio, where two 0-1 teams try to one up themselves in a division that's unlikely to be theirs for the taking. The Bengals pose an intriguing storyline based on how well they did against the Chargers last week but I feel the Browns are a better team in general. With all that offensive talent they can at least put up numbers on this Bengals team.
Jacksonville (1-0) @ Tennessee (1-0) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Jaguars
Both teams got wins last week as the Jaguars beat the Colts and the Titans beat the Broncos. So I was somewhat off on how Jacksonville could be this season. As long as Gardner Minshew is still their quarterback, all talk of tanking for Trevor Lawrence is on hold as he willingly drags this garbage heap of a franchise out of tanking. I like Tennessee as they do have balance on both the run and pass game in offense. I probably won't learn my lesson and then face wall myself if the Jaguars actually win this game.
Detroit (0-1) @ Green Bay (1-0) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Lions lost to the Bears and the Packers beat the Vikings last week. The talk of Aaron Rodgers "diminishing talent" is on hold for a bit as he took apart a vaunted Vikings defense. Or they absolutely shit the bed and play down to their competition in the Lions, who had gave them quite reason to worry last season despite a 2-0 series sweep by Green Bay. Top to bottom, the Packers should get a win based on a better defense and Aaron Rodgers. Enough said.
LA Rams (1-0) @ Philadelphia (0-1) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams beat the Cowboys and the Eagles lost to the "Football Team" last week. Last week proved that the Eagles are inept at maintaining leads and not blowing them. With an improved Rams team coming to town, I can't feel safe with Carson Wentz and company coming back and taking a W. That Rams running game looks way too good and they will likely feast on a injury-ravaged defense.
NY Giants (0-1): @ Chicago (1-0): (CBS): TW: Bears; CV: Giants
The Giants lost to the Steelers and the Bears beat the Lions last week. New York's offensive line problems reared their ugly head last week and now they have to go up against Khalil Mack and the Bears defense. If the Giants have any shot to win this game they need to find some way for Saquon Barkley to get more than 3 yards per carry (15 carries for 6 yards... ouch). Chicago's offense with their running game will salivate over New York's 25th ranked rush defense. Da Bears!
San Francisco (0-1) @ NY Jets (0-1) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Both teams lost last week as the 49ers lost to the Cardinals and the Jets lost to the Bills. The Jets finishing 2nd in the AFC East prediction is starting to look terrible. I hate looking terrible. When it comes to overall talent, I'd take San Francisco but they somewhat laid an egg against the Cardinals last week. I'll take the 49ers. Screw the Jets.
Denver (0-1) @ Pittsburgh (1-0) (CBS): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Broncos lost to the Titans and the Steelers beat the Giants last week. Ben "Popeye" Roethlisberger's health will be key to victory in this one again. Pittsburgh's defense will likely put a hurt on the Broncos offense. The loss of Von Miller will hurt Denver down the road and will likely put their playoff hopes up in the air.
Minnesota (0-1) @ Indianapolis (0-1) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Both teams lost last week as the Vikings lost to the Packers and the Colts lost to the Jaguars. Meet the new Philip Rivers, same as the old Philip Rivers. Honestly if he continues his play, the Vikings should definitely put as many QB spies as possible as its bound for him to throw for 300 yards while throwing two interceptions. Injuries on the Colts roster will put some doubt on if they can win this one. Minnesota is an overall better team on both sides of the ball anyway.
Carolina (0-1) @ Tampa Bay (0-1) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Panthers
Both teams lost as the Panthers lost to the Raiders and the Buccaneers lost to the Saints. Tom Brady's debut was lackluster last week. I feel Tampa will get back into a winning form by beating up on a team that will likely finish last in the division in the Panthers. Carolina lost much this offseason and the Bucs are likely going to force Teddy Bridgewater to beat them as the Bucs defense will likely try to shut down Christian McCaffrey.
Buffalo (1-0) @ Miami (0-1) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills beat the Jets and the Dolphins lost to the Patriots. Buffalo took care of business and made strides in a possible division winning season. Miami's offense looked promising but to go up against a defense like the Bills, I just don't know if they can do it. Please Buffalo, if you want to be the team that you want to be, you have to win your division games. The Patriots easily made it into a habit.
Atlanta (0-1) @ Dallas (0-1) (FOX): TW: Cowboys; CV: Falcons
Both teams lost last week as the Falcons lost to the Seahawks and the Cowboys to the Rams. Oh Dallas, you love to be underachievers and ineptitude is your middle name. Sure the refs might've screwed you over late last week but it was not even on a scoring play, give me a break. If you honestly don't score more than 20 points this week, just fire Mike McCarthy for god's sake. Or keep him for all I care. It's not like you're playing against a terrible Falcons defense that gave up 38 points to Seattle. Please get it done so that your obnoxious fans have something to celebrate.
Washington (1-0) @ Arizona (1-0) (FOX): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
Both teams got wins last week as the Football team beat the Eagles and the Cardinals beat the 49ers. Washington showed heart last week as they actually won a game. Sure it was against a depleted Eagles roster but it showed that you could be in the right direction as a team. Unfortunately, you're going up against a Cardinals team that got better offensively with DeAndre Hopkins and a Larry Fitzgerald that can still put up a number of catches a game. I like the Cards in this one.
Baltimore (1-0): @ Houston (0-1) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Ravens beat the Browns and the Texans lost to the Chiefs. Houston's schedule is brutal for the first part of this season. Going up against two former MVP's in Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. David Johnson proved last week as he can still do well in running the ball but health remains to be a question mark for him. I like Baltimore because of overall talent on both sides of the ball. This could be an interesting one to watch.
Kansas City (1-0) @ LA Chargers (1-0) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams got wins last week as the Chiefs beat the Texans and the Chargers beat the Bengals. The defending champs showcased their new weapon Clyde Edwards-Helaire in spectacular fashion as he had a 100+ yard day. The question I have is how can Tyrod Taylor and company can keep up with the offensive juggernaut of the Chiefs. Los Angeles does get to have their own home opener at So-Fi Stadium though.
New England (1-0) @ Seattle (1-0) (NBC): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams got wins last week as the Patriots beat the Dolphins and the Seahawks beat the Falcons. Cam Newton proved last week that he still has something left in the tank. He didn't show off his arm like in years past but his running ability was something nice to see out of him. New England's defense did fine against Miami but how well can they do against a great offense in Seattle.
New Orleans (1-0) @ Las Vegas (1-0) (ESPN): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
Both teams got wins last week as the Saints beat the Buccaneers and the Raiders beat the Panthers. Las Vegas opens their new shiny stadium, even though no fans are allowed inside. The game honestly feels like a trap game for the Saints. If the Raiders can have sustain drives and keep the Saints offense on the sideline, they have a good chance to win this one. Josh Jacobs is a great running back. I think the Saints are a great team but I can't trust them in this one. Don't let me down Vegas!
Local TV Schedule
Schedule is subject to change, courtesy of 506sports.
CBS Early:
NY Giants @ Chicago
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
CBS Late:
Kansas City @ LA Chargers
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Single:
Minnesota @ Indianapolis
Tim Brando, Robert Smith
For more information on which games are being shown in your area, check out: NFL Week 2 Maps
2020 Week by Week Record:
TW's record:
Week 1: 8-8
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 10-6
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
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