The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE the awful start to this season my superiors are telling me that I have to ride the roller-coaster all the way to the end. Here we go again!

Let me just say this now: I need to be successful this week. My little niece, the pride of my life, is now looking at me as if my advice on anything doesn’t hold any clout. I walk around my house depressed and confused, questioning if football is actually real.

I need a good week, I need that joy to come back. Bear with me!

Washington Redskins (1-1) @ New York Giants (0-2)

Eli Manning and the Giants have found ways to lose two games in the fourth quarter, I have managed to pick both of those winners. They haven’t let me down yet, that has to be worth something right? Maybe if I pick them this week they win one for me ... the game is in New York, they need a win and the Redskins aren’t the toughest bunch in the batch.

Winner - Giants

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-2)

Continuing the “internal struggle/self-evaluation” theme for this week, over the first two weeks of the season I have picked Baltimore to win. They have lost both times. I have selected Bengals as losers two consecutive weeks - they haven’t lost. In my “I know you do it just to spite me pick” ...

Winner - Bengals

Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ Dallas Cowboys(2-0)

There is no need to discuss this. No Romo, no Dez, probably no Witten. All Falcons.

Winner - Falcons

Oakland Raiders (1-1) @ Cleveland Browns (1-1)

The Raiders don’t win these games. They don’t travel east and win these games. In fact, they are the worst in the league at these games - the worst. However, I like the Raiders, they look good and it feels like they can make a big step forward this year.

Winner - Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles (0-2) @ New York Jets (2-0)

Eagles have never lost to the Jets - they have an 8-0 all time record. However, throughout that entire history I am almost certain that no Eagles team has ever looked this lost or unprepared for games. I don’t know if the offence is complicated and players aren’t able to fully grasp it or if the team’s offensive unit just doesn’t have that chemistry yet. Whichever it might be, it is obvious that something is off. Eagles need a win but the Jets are easily the league’s most aggressive defence. Personally I hate the Jets, I have picked them to lose every week thus far. On the other hand I have kept the Eagles in my confident pick book, they are 0-2. In my “if this don’t work out please bring more alcohol” pick ...

Winner - Jets

San Diego Chargers (1-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-1)

Last week I introduced you to the football law that governs west coast teams travelling to the east for 1pm games - they never win. This week the Chargers get their shot to change that rule. Maybe the extra week they spent on the east coast after their loss to the Bengals last week kind of gets them comfortable with the east coast. Then again, they are playing the Vikings and Adrian Peterson.

Winner - Vikings

Indianapolis Colts (0-2) @ Tennessee Titans (1-1)

Andrew, Andrew, Andrew. Please, can you go out there and play the way you know how to. Thank you in advance!

Winner - Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) @ New England Patriots (2-0)

In a world where nothing seems to ever work the way it does, aren’t we glad Tom “Mr Terrific” Brady exists and wins as he is supposed to. A bye week on the horizon, Tom manages to get the boys up and ready and out there to a big win on Sunday.

Winner - Patriots

New Orleans Saints (0-2) @ Carolina Panthers (2-0)

No Drew Brees and I kind of owe Cam Newton one for disrespecting his ability over the last two weeks.

Winner - Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) @ Houston Texans (0-2)

Houston can’t lose this game. I have picked them every week this season. Hopefully J J Watt takes a break from chopping wood in the woods to lead this defence against a rookie quarterback. Houston can’t lose this game.

Winner - Texans

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) @ St Louis Rams (1-1)

Pittsburgh gets their starting running back this week. He is primed and eager to go from the fourth pre-season game.

Winner - Steelers

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-0)

The Cardinals are thinking about a major playoff run. In order for that to happen they first need to win the NFC West division title. This is a key step on that journey.

Winner - Cardinals

Buffalo Bills (1-1) @ Miami Dolphins (1-1)

In this week’s matchup of bruised egos we have the Dolphins, fresh off of their shocking loss to the Jaguars, and the Bills, who are still trying to understand what happened in their game against the Patriots. The key to this match is which team is more serious about competing this year. Both teams have hefty goals but only one can finish second behind my Patriots.

Winner - Dolphins

Chicago Bears (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (0-2)

Cam Chancellor is back this week (YES! Thank you Jesus!) Jay Cutler is out, in comes Jimmy Clausen. Need I say more?

Winner - Seahawks

Denver Broncos (2-0) @ Detroit Lions (0-2)

I never imagined the Lions starting the season 0-3. But I can’t imagine the Broncos losing to this Lions team on Sunday night.

Winner - Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) @ Green Bay Packers (2-0)

Green Bay has started this season off with a bang. They certainly look like one of the league’s best teams so far. Arron Rodgers has looked comfortable with his receivers and Clay Matthews looks more aggressive than ever before.

Winner - Packers