The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

BRUISED, battered and broken, I am crawling into Week 2.

To be frank, the only thing worse than my picks last week had to be Pete Carroll’s call for an onside kick to start overtime against the Rams.

Completely indulged in my “you just got man-handled” starter kit, it’s time to put that 7-9 start behind me and focus on the future.

Denver Broncos (1-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) - Broncos

This week, battle-tested Peyton Manning responded to reporters questioning his injury status with an impromptu breakdown of the reporter’s injury statuses. While I am still unsure of the strength of #18’s neck, I am certainly that the Broncos defensive backs would cover KC’s receivers better than the Texans did last week. The Bronco’s top ranked passing defence held Joe Flacco to less than 150 yards last week and forced two interceptions.

Let’s be clear here, Alex Smith is no Joe Flacco. The Broncos, after week 1, are one of a few teams with top 10 rankings across defensive stat categories. This week they continue that trend.

Houston Texans (0-1) @ Carolina Panthers (1-0) - Texans

While the offensive losses weren’t obvious last week for the Panthers against the Jags, this week the misfortunes are going to spell trouble for Cam and the boys. JJ and company are angry. They got shellacked last week by a sting Andy Reid game plan. This week, expect that Texans defence to live up to the hype and get after Cam all game long.

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ Pittsburg Steelers (0-1) - Steelers

Let the old text read: “West Coast teams travelling east for a 1pm game” ... all of that holds true. Big Ben shows up Colin and the 49ers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) @ New Orleans Saints (0-1) - Saints

My mind is telling me Tampa but my heart is telling me Drew Brees is still an elite QB. I know he looked like a shell of himself last week but it takes time to get over Jimmy Graham. Drew mans up this week and moves forward; he will throw for 300 plus yards.

Detroit Lions (0-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-1) - Lions

Adrian Peterson owes it to us all. But let’s be honest, his team doesn’t have the talent on defence to stop the Lions this week.

Arizona Cardinals (1-0) @ Chicago Bears (0-1) - Cardinals

Could we just take a moment to marvel at the Carson Palmer/Bruce Arians combination. I just love this tandem. Arians is quickly becoming on of my favourite coaches. He simply knows how to push the right button, on his team and the opposing team. This week he said he was shock that the Bears didn’t hire him after firing Lovie Smith. The Bears went with Marc Trestman hoping that he could help fix what was ailing Jay Cutler’s game (clearly talent, yes, talent). Cardinals prove they can win outside the University of Phoenix Stadium.

New England Patriots (1-0) @ Buffalo Bills (1-0) - Patriots

So, Andrew Luck went in to Buffalo last week and laid an egg and now everyone thinks that Ralph Wilson Stadium is the toughest place known to breathing humans. Child please! Tom and the Gronk will show you just how weak a Rex Ryan defence could be. Patriots by two scores.

San Diego Chargers (1-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) - Chargers

Let the old text read: “West Coast teams travelling east for a 1pm game”… all of that holds true … just not in this game. Rivers is like that old western movie hero. He just always seems to have that one final shot in his chamber. Bang! Bang! Bang! You’re out but he isn’t. Philip gets it done.

Tennessee Titans (1-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-1) - Titans

I wish it was some fantastic way to tell you how excited I was to see Mariota’s performance last week. This guy has “game changer” written all over him. He is the real deal and will prove to the world once again why he is better than Jamies.

Atlanta Falcons (1-0) @ New York Giants (0-1) - Falcons

I think I have figured out the secret to Matt Ryan - he likes the big stage. While a Sunday 1pm game isn’t the biggest stage, New York against Eli after a loss certainly adds to walking space. Ryan and Julio are primed to put on a show against a Giants defence that looks to be a ragtag bunch thrown together to simply say “we have a roster”. Their linebacking core is horrific, defensive backs aren’t noteworthy and to say it best, the defensive line is missing a few pieces (sorry JPP). Sir Roddy White, watch out for him this week.

St Louis Rams (1-0) @ Washington Redskins (0-1) - Rams

At this point we can honestly say that the Redskins have some talent on that roster. Pierre Garcon certainly looked the part last week against a tough Dolphins team. Kirk Cousins showed up. But this week he an entirely different set of cards. The Rams are simply the better team and they have a QB that knows how to beat the Redskins - Nick Foles.

Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) - Dolphins

The Dolphins, thanks to a soft opening schedule, will move to a 2-0 record on the year. Expect high fantasy numbers for not only the Dolphins’ defence but Lamar Miller, Juice Landry and even Tannehill.

Baltimore Ravens (0-1) @ Oakland Raiders (0-1) - Ravens

I believed last week. I bought into the Raiders hype and believed. Strangely enough, even after watching that onslaught when they took on the Bengals I still believe. Just not enough to pick them this week. Joe Flacco rebounds from Denver with a big performance against the Raiders on Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys (1-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (0-1) - Eagles

This game is all about proving to your “ex” that you could get along fine without them. Murray has to prove that he is more than the Cowboys’ offensive line and the Cowboys have to prove that they are fully over Murray. Not that we are over but I still sort of miss them kind of way. Murray had a rough week last week against a shabby Falcons defensive unit but, it wasn’t all on him. He didn’t get enough carries on Monday night, as if he was lost in the Eagles’ stable of backs. For goodness sake, he was the league’s leading rusher a year ago, hand him the rock and let him work. I think ‘Chip’ Kelly gets the memo and the Eagles pull up to .500 on the year.

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) @ Green Bay Packers (1-0) - Seahawks

The Packers have never lost to the Seahawks at historic Lambeau Field. But the Packers have not beaten Seattle with Russell Wilson at under centre. One of these stats is set to give way this weekend. The Packers - even with James Jones turning back all of the clocks he could find - they don’t have enough weapons to sustain a battle. Seahawks are just too much Sunday night.

New York Jets (1-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-1) - Colts

Maybe, just maybe Andrew Luck went into his Week 1 match-up against the Bills somewhat unprepared. With that thought in mind, let’s forget his shaky performance and project what he could do against the Jets. Despite having a tough secondary on paper, the tandem of Revis and Cromati didn’t seem to be on the same page last week. At times in fact, the Browns made them look basic. I expect Luck to come in, in his home opener, target Andre Johnson and pull out a big win.