*This is Cosmo & Cleat's first guest post and it's actually from a GUY. One of the most clever, stubborn, yet awesome guys I know. And he knows his football. Read ahead for picks on Week 2 of the NFL season. Enjoy!*
Well, here it is—my guest post.
How I ended up writing a guest blog post for Cosmos & Cleats you ask? I guess I have to blame it on a chance encounter nearly six years ago at Chico State (the Harvard of the West) when some strange girl wrapped in a Chargers blanket walked upstairs while a few of us were playing Madden—extremely intoxicated—at around 3 am. I proceeded to yell at this strange girl and explain to her how more superior the 9ers were over the Chargers. Obviously she thought I was loud, obnoxious and out of my mind. 100% correct. And thus began my friendship with the blog's creator...
Chelsea and I in our glory days @ Chico
*Quick side note: Don't expect any home team bias from me, unlike the owner of this blog.
It's Week 2 in what I believe is going to be the strangest NFL season I have ever watched. Three main things to look for in Week 2:
1. Tired Defenses - NFL Defenses are out of shape (due to short training camps caused by the lockout) and playing in the humid South/East Coast is having an effect on the third and fourth quarters. QBs are killing defenses.
2. Special Teams - The NFL changed the kickoff rule this season pushing up kicks five yards—thinking it would be safer for players, but in all actuality we're seeing lots of touchdowns! Look for more in Week 2 from Darren Sproles, Ted Ginn Jr. and Leon Washington.
3. Lots of passing yards - Half the QBs in the "new, safer NFL" went for over 300+ yds. Look for this to continue. High scoring games are much more prevalent, which makes for more exciting football.
Now to the games. (Random nerdy fact courtesy of Trey Wingo (ESPN): This is the first time since 1970 that there are no divisional games in a week.)
Morning Games: 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM Pacific, for you diehard fans. Bust out that bottle of Cooks, a splash of Minute Maid OJ and enjoy your hangover from a crazy Saturday night with these key games:
Green Bay @ Carolina
The defending Super Bowl Champions look better than ever. Mr. Chico (Packers QB Aaron Rodgers) has all his weapons healthy and Carolina has zero chance of keeping up with them. Expect Clay Matthews to have at least two sacks on rookie QB Cam Newtown.
It's Week 2 in what I believe is going to be the strangest NFL season I have ever watched. Three main things to look for in Week 2:
1. Tired Defenses - NFL Defenses are out of shape (due to short training camps caused by the lockout) and playing in the humid South/East Coast is having an effect on the third and fourth quarters. QBs are killing defenses.
2. Special Teams - The NFL changed the kickoff rule this season pushing up kicks five yards—thinking it would be safer for players, but in all actuality we're seeing lots of touchdowns! Look for more in Week 2 from Darren Sproles, Ted Ginn Jr. and Leon Washington.
3. Lots of passing yards - Half the QBs in the "new, safer NFL" went for over 300+ yds. Look for this to continue. High scoring games are much more prevalent, which makes for more exciting football.
Now to the games. (Random nerdy fact courtesy of Trey Wingo (ESPN): This is the first time since 1970 that there are no divisional games in a week.)
Morning Games: 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM Pacific, for you diehard fans. Bust out that bottle of Cooks, a splash of Minute Maid OJ and enjoy your hangover from a crazy Saturday night with these key games:
Green Bay @ Carolina
The defending Super Bowl Champions look better than ever. Mr. Chico (Packers QB Aaron Rodgers) has all his weapons healthy and Carolina has zero chance of keeping up with them. Expect Clay Matthews to have at least two sacks on rookie QB Cam Newtown.
Packers win 42-17.
Baltimore @ Tennessee
Fact: HE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL. Baltimore has the "best running back alive" in Ray Rice. QB Joe Flacco looks ready to take that next step. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed anchor a defense that just crushed the defending AFC Champion Steelers last week.
Baltimore @ Tennessee
Fact: HE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL. Baltimore has the "best running back alive" in Ray Rice. QB Joe Flacco looks ready to take that next step. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed anchor a defense that just crushed the defending AFC Champion Steelers last week.
Baltimore wins 20-6.
Chicago @ New Orleans (my Upset Pick of the Week)
Jay Cutler is single. Saints can't play defense. With the unfortunate death of linebacker and captain Brian Urlacher's mother, the Bears are going to be playing with a lot of emotion to win this one for him. After watching the Saints last week I don't think they can play defense. Should be a shootout at the Superdome.
Chicago @ New Orleans (my Upset Pick of the Week)
Jay Cutler is single. Saints can't play defense. With the unfortunate death of linebacker and captain Brian Urlacher's mother, the Bears are going to be playing with a lot of emotion to win this one for him. After watching the Saints last week I don't think they can play defense. Should be a shootout at the Superdome.
Chicago wins 38-27.
Afternoon Games: 4:15 ET/1:15 Pacific.
Afternoon Games: 4:15 ET/1:15 Pacific.
Okay, so you partied too hard and didn't wake up til noon. You still have time to slam a beer and get to the nearest watering hole for the afternoon games.
Dallas @ San Francisco
Uhhhhh....now to my team. "I'm going to have a heart attack this season watching the 49ers" said Adam Rosenthal after the 49ers strange win against the Seahawks. 49ers secondary looks terrible and Jim Harbaugh's redzone play calling is extremely suspect. On paper Dallas should win this no problem, but with Tony Romo playing QB, the 9ers still have a chance to squeak it out by some weird fumble/interception late in the game.
Dallas @ San Francisco
Uhhhhh....now to my team. "I'm going to have a heart attack this season watching the 49ers" said Adam Rosenthal after the 49ers strange win against the Seahawks. 49ers secondary looks terrible and Jim Harbaugh's redzone play calling is extremely suspect. On paper Dallas should win this no problem, but with Tony Romo playing QB, the 9ers still have a chance to squeak it out by some weird fumble/interception late in the game.
49ers win 20-17.
Yea, okay, a little bias, but its my guest blog post!
San Diego @ New England (Game of the Week)
Two preseason Super Bowl favorites battle it out in Foxboro. This game is going to be a shootout. Both QB's are capable of lighting up the scoreboard. I give the edge to New England (lets see if this post sees the light of day after typing that last sentence) because SD was hit with a few key injuries. Tom Brady looks unstoppable, but I got Phillip Rivers on my fantasy team so the dude better show up and throw some touchdowns.
San Diego @ New England (Game of the Week)
Two preseason Super Bowl favorites battle it out in Foxboro. This game is going to be a shootout. Both QB's are capable of lighting up the scoreboard. I give the edge to New England (lets see if this post sees the light of day after typing that last sentence) because SD was hit with a few key injuries. Tom Brady looks unstoppable, but I got Phillip Rivers on my fantasy team so the dude better show up and throw some touchdowns.
Patriots win 42-34.
Sunday Night Game: 8:20 ET/5:20 Pacific.
Sunday Night Game: 8:20 ET/5:20 Pacific.
You're slightly buzzed, you have to work at 8 am, Entourage/Curb Your Enthusiasm/True Blood (take your pick) are all over, and the last good game of the week features its most polarizing star.
Philadelphia @ Atlanta
Mike Vick returns to Atlanta. I'm not buying the hype around Atlanta this year. They went 13-3 and I don't think they can repeat due to a much tougher schedule and losing two of their starting defensive linemen this week won't help. Vick should have no problem creating four or five "did he really just escape that guy and pull that off?" type plays. Matt Ryan will have to be perfect to stand a chance.
Philadelphia @ Atlanta
Mike Vick returns to Atlanta. I'm not buying the hype around Atlanta this year. They went 13-3 and I don't think they can repeat due to a much tougher schedule and losing two of their starting defensive linemen this week won't help. Vick should have no problem creating four or five "did he really just escape that guy and pull that off?" type plays. Matt Ryan will have to be perfect to stand a chance.
Philly wins 28-14.
There you have it. Hope you enjoyed, and if you didn't and you just hit the back button on your browser and went back to Facebook, I understand.
There you have it. Hope you enjoyed, and if you didn't and you just hit the back button on your browser and went back to Facebook, I understand.
Thanks for reading! Find me on Twitter @jahanfourteen39
*Big thanks to Jahan for this guest post! Girls, he's single btw. Go Chargers!*
One of the most clever, stubborn, yet awesome guys I know. And he knows his football
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