MONKEY'S NFL Pick of the Week - Week 2

[MonkeyPants]

Last week in this space, I debuted by NFL picks on this board with the minor upset of the Detroit Lions snapping their 24-game road skid at Chicago in a 20-16 victory over the Bears. The Lions were even a little more in control as far as the points go, because they opted to give the Bears a late safety in the final couple of minutes trimming the 9-point Vegas cushion to 7. (Detroit was getting 3). Chicago made a late run before getting intercepted in the end zone giving Detroit (and Lion bettors) a victory.

Season Stats:
NFL 1 - 0 1.000 +3 units

Game: Indianapolis at Tennessee
Time: Sunday, Noon CDT
Pick: TENNESSEE -1 (4 units)

The Tennessee Titans host division rival Indianapolis in a key game that may well decide the eventual AFC South champion. Tennessee (1-0) is coming off an ultraconservative win in Miami while the Colts (0-1) lost a close one to the Patriots in Foxboro. A Titans victory on Sunday would put the Colts in a tough 2-game hole right at the beginning of the season.

Last season in Tennessee, the Titans most likely lost the division title when they lost a home game to the Colts. The very simple reason the Titans lost that game was 4 turnovers and 10 penalties.

I see a lot of advantages in this year's matchup the Titans did not have last year. First of all, Steve McNair is 100% healthy. The next plus, is the addition of a real running game. Tennessee also has 3 cornerbacks who are playing very good right now.

Tennessee has a much improved run offense and their secondary will be healthy and ready to go. The Colts' defense cannot stop the Titans' offense, especially now that they can run the ball. I see the Titans' defense blitzing all game, forcing Peytom Manning into making bad throws to their opportunistic secondary.

The Titans send the Colts to a second consecutive road defeat.

 

[MrChristo]

Pretty sure we are the only 2 people on this board that like the Titans. (I really like them at PK)

Not sure how 'in control' of the game the Lions were tho...Relying on a blocked FG to get TD's isn't the traditional way to the SB!!

Jokin' buddy...Good luck.

 

[Hooks]

I'm also with you guys on the Titans. :firing:


N.E. passed for 320 NET yds. vs. Indy. in week 1 and threw 3 T.D.passes.

I looked at the top 8 or so Q.B.s in the paper after week 1. Those Q.B.s all had strong passing stats in their respective week 1 games.
The only one that plainly didn't have big stats was smack dab in the middle of the list. So he was surrounded above and below on that list and he stuck out like a sore thumb.

It is Steve McNair. If he has read the sports pages this week, he will be almost embarrased the way it looks.
I look for him to have a HUGE day vs. that Indy. secondary.

Also LOVE the fact that Indy. handed The Titans their only HOME loss last year!
Tenn. has won 6 of the last 9 games between them.

McNair is 36-19 vs. division foes and has a 101.9 passer rating in 4 starts vs. Indy. ( 70 -104 for 692 yds., 5 TD passes & 1 int.

Tenn. was 1 of ONLY 7 teams last week to STOP the run.

Playin Titans -1. Will wait longer as it appears lots like the Colts this week.

Also have to look at the over.

 

[MonkeyPants]

Bad day in Music City.

The Titans should have been able to put Indy away in the first half and they were unable to. They kept Manning off the field, ran the ball well, but could only muster a 10-3 lead at the half.

In the second half, Tennessee just couldn't make the plays.

On a positive note, Chris Brown is running very well for the Titans.

On a negative note, MONKEY drops to the red side of the ledger in the NFL. :cuss:

Season Stats: 1 - 1 .500 -1.4 units