Our triumphant return to picking NFL games went about as well as would be expected for us in week 1—Andy led the way with a 9-7 record, while I limped in at 8-8.  Not terribly surprising, given the number of upsets in the first week. This week hinges on three key matchups for us, as the other 13 we actually picked the same way:

Sunday, Sept. 18 Andy Tony
Kansas City @ Detroit Detroit Detroit
Oakland @ Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo
Baltimore @ Tennessee Baltimore Baltimore
Jacksonville @ NY Jets NY Jets NY Jets
Cleveland @ Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis
Arizona @ Washington Washington Washington
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota Tampa Bay Tampa Bay
Green Bay @ Carolina Green Bay Green Bay
Chicago @ New Orleans Chicago New Orleans
Seattle @ Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh
Dallas @ San Francisco Dallas Dallas
San Diego @ New England New England New England
Cincinnati @ Denver Denver Denver
Houston @ Miami Houston Houston
Philadelphia @ Atlanta Atlanta Philadelphia
Monday, Sept, 19
St. Louis @ NY Giants St. Louis NY Giants

Game of the Week (Part 1): Philadelphia @ Atlanta – Going into the season, this was thought to be a potential preview of the NFC Championship game. After week 1, we’re not so sure either team is quite at the level that many thought. The Eagles didn’t dominate the Rams like many thought they would and the Falcons had a disappointing (and ugly) loss to the Bears—especially disappointing when you consider that it was the Falcons offense that cost them the game by handing the Bears points.  If the Falcons can come back and win this one, it puts them back in the early hunt—if the Eagles can pick up a second road win, it may show that they are legitimate competition for the rest of the NFC, and put the Falcons in a difficult hole to climb out of.

Game of the Week (Part 2): Chicago @ New Orleans – New Orleans offense played extremely well against a tough Packers team. The Bears defense looked strong against a supposedly high-powered Falcons offense—although they did give up 110 yards rushing, and 319 through the air. The difference in this game could come down to how each team fairs on their weaker side—can the Bears offense (specifically Jay Cutler) continue the success they had against the Falcons (312 yards passing), or can the Saints defense come up with some key turnovers.

Game of the Weak (Part 1): Cleveland @ Indianapolis – The Colts looked terrible without Peyton Manning to run their offense. The Browns lost to the Bengals. If only one game looks to go the route of under this week, this might be the one.

Game of the Weak (Part 2): Seattle @ Pittsburgh – We’ve claimed here before that the Vikings may have figuratively ruined Tarvaris Jackson’s career before it began by putting him on the field before he was ready. Putting him out there against a Steelers team that has to be seething over the ass kicking their division rival Baltimore Ravens gave them might end it literally.