We’ve got the early Thursday game this week so the picks are coming out a few days before they normally do. Jason Alpert is back as our guest opinion from the California Aggie and we have Joey Kistler, Jack Dale, and Kartar Singh with picks also.
Thursday
Ravens @ Falcons
Jason Alpert - Great Thursday night game. The Falcons are a great team, but I don’t think their run will continue. Ravens are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and I see them coming out with a W.
Joey Kistler - Got a good game for the 1st Thursday game of the season! Both 2 loss teams and both have losses to good teams. I think the injury for the Falcons in their leading receiver Roddy White is troublesome. However I am still an Falcons fan through and through. Falcons win!
Kartar Singh- The Ravens, as good as the Steelers have been, are still in the race to win their division. The Falcons are probably the only good team in their division. Baltimore’s defense shuts down Ryan. Ravens.
Jack Dale- Falcons- I like Atlanta in the upset at home, Baltimore might be the best team in football, but they have to lose every once in a while.
Sunday
Lions @ Bills
Jason Alpert - Lions. The Lions are one or two role players from a strong contender. Even without Matthew Stafford, they should still pounce on a lifeless Bills.
Joey Kistler - Ugh 2-6 vs. 0-8?!? I still don’t have any stock in Ryan Fitzpatrick. And with Calvin Johnson coming from my Alma Mater, I think he makes the difference on the field. The Lions deny the Bills of their first win.
Kartar Singh- Ryan Fitzpatrick is my boy. Lions win though.
Jack Dale-Bills- For this game I’m taking Kartar’s favorite QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead the Bills to their first win.
Bengals @ Colts
Jason Alpert - Colts. I guess the TOcho experiment isn’t going so hot. Peyton Manning continues to make no-name, out-of-the-stands receivers into fantasy threats and the Bungal defense won’t be able to stop him.
Joey Kistler - They need a couple more Ocho’s on the team if they want some wins because Ocho Uno and Ocho Cinco aren’t enough to get it done. And its Peyton. He can get it done. Colts win.
Kartar Singh- Colts. Self - Explanatory
Jack Dale- Colts - It just feels like the Bengals are about to collapse, TO and Ochocinco can’t be pleasant in the locker room with all the losing.
Jets @ Browns
Jason Alpert -The Braylon Edwards bowl, cool. The Browns are coming in hot with their upset over the Patriots, but I don’t see them going two for two over the AFC West. Jets.
Joey Kistler - Cleveland wins 2 in a row against the Pats and the Saints by more than 10 points a piece? And now you have to face the Jets? Yikes! But you know what, they are a significant underdog against Sanchez and his crew but I think I will give them a nod at home this week. Keep the streak alive. Go Browns!
Kartar Singh- The Browns keep this hot streak going. Peyton Hillis has another monster game and Colt Mccoy continues to play the role of game management QB. Upset special baby
Jack Dale- Browns- Boom. Take that Sanchize.
Vikings @ Bears
Jason Alpert -Did you know Brett Favre is a quarterback? Did you know Brad Childress is the coach of the Vikings? Yeah, I don’t give a crap anymore either (not that I ever did.) Bears.
Joey Kistler - Both teams coming off a win with a great divisional matchup. I think the Bears #3 ranked rush defense is enough to stop AP and force Brett to throw more than he wants, which will lead to more turnovers. The Bears defense win them a close one at home!
Kartar Singh- Tale of two talented Quarterbacks having horrible years. The bears have a better defense. I guess I’ll take Chi city, even with Jay Cutler under center.
Jack Dale- Vikings- I think that at the end of the year, both head coaches are out (I think Childress is guaranteed to get fired), but for now Minnesota gets the victory at Soldier Field.
Texans @ Jaguars
Jason Alpert -Texans. If the Texans had any shred of defense, they’d be a serious super bowl contender. Alas, they play with the Warriors sports philosophy-score more than the opponent. I see that happening against a lowly Jacksonville team.
Joey Kistler - Arian Foster isn’t enough to keep this Texans offense going as we saw last week against the Chargers. Both teams are 4-4 in the AFC South. I think this will be “kinda” an upset with the Jags winning.
Kartar Singh- Texans win big although the Jags have somehow mustered a respectable half a season so far.
Jack Dale- Jaguars- Arian Foster may have me eating my words, but I cant turn my back on my boy; the man, the myth, the legend that is David Garrard.
Titans @ Dolphins
Jason Alpert - Titans. Tennessee, with Vince Young, Randy Moss and Chris Johnson, are 3/4 of the way to an Olympic 4x100 gold medal team. That is a helluva lot of speed on an offense.
Joey Kistler - I think the Dolphins need to win this game to stay in the mix with the Jets and the Pats in the conference. Even with Randy Moss, the Dolphins come out with more heart and take the win at home.
Kartar Singh- Now that they have a deep threat in Randy Moss, the Titans are viable candidates to win the Super Bowl. Titans on the road
Jack Dale- Titans- The Titans will come out of their bye week ready to go, and take down the Chad Pennington lead Dolphins.
Panthers @ Bucs
Jason Alpert - Bucs. Ok, maybe Tampa Bat isn’t that bad...
Joey Kistler - I mean, the Panthers lost their starting QB in Matt Moore, who was weak to begin with. They also lost Jon Stewart who is questionable for this week. Too much for the Panthers to overcome. The Bucs win
Kartar Singh- Bucs. Self Explanatory
Jack Dale- Bucs- Jimmy Clausen is starting this week for the Panthers. Any team lead by a Notre Dame product of the past ten years, I’ll bet against.
Chiefs @ Broncos
Jason Alpert - Chiefs. I don’t see the chiefs doing anything substantial this year, but watch out. They are young and just need a couple years to mature before becoming the AFC juggernaut.
Joey Kistler - Going to be a good game. Noone expected the Chiefs to be this good. I think this game is closer than people think. Even with KC looking good so far i think the Broncos use the altitude for their advantage and break the 4 game losing streak as the underdog. Broncos win
Kartar Singh- Kyle Orton is having a monster year, yet the Broncos are still 2-6. I think that’ll change this weekend. Horses at Home.
Jack Dale- Chiefs- I like the Chiefs to throttle the Broncos and put them in the race for Andrew Luck.
Rams @ Niners
Jason Alpert -Niners. San Francisco is perfect in games not played in the US. Just sayin...
Joey Kistler - Cmon Niners. I want to will them to win against the Rams to get back in this conference. Going to be tough without Alex Smith. But i got faith! Niners win
Kartar Singh- Troy Smith a poor man’s Michael Vick? Probably not. Still, I gotta take the Niners
Jack Dale- 49ers- Yep, the Niners will be ready coming off of their bye week and dominate the Rams at home!
Seahawks @ Cardinals
Jason Alpert - Cardinals. No matter who the quarterback is, Larry Fitzgerald will catch the ball. Too much Larry Fitz for the Seahawks.
Joey Kistler - Another tough one to pick because teams are so mediocre. I think the Seahawks have figured out Pete Carroll’s system. Seahawks win
Kartar Singh- I think I like Matt Hassleback just a little bit better than Derek Anderson. Seahawks win big
Jack Dale- Cardinals. I think Pete Carrols team unravels in the second half of the season and shows the league that they are as bad as everyone expected them to be.
Cowboys @ Giants
Jason Alpert -Giants. I don’t think a team with one win has ever gotten more ESPN exposure than the Cowboys. It’s like the Gold Glove, a complete joke. Here’s hoping the Giants score 60 points.
Joey Kistler - C’mon Dallas. Its going to take more than just firing your head coach to fix things. Not enough to beat Eli. Both Manning brothers win this week. Giants.
Kartar Singh- Giants. Self Explanatory
Jack Dale- Giants- I’m happy the Cowboys keep losing. It makes me feel….warm.
Patriots @ Steelers
Jason Alpert -Steelers. A possible AFC Championship game preview. The Patriots are reeling after last week’s shocking loss to the Browns, and the Steelers continue to play to their potential.
Joey Kistler - Best game of the week. By far! I am still on the Big Ben Bandwagon. Say that three times fast! Tom Brady throws a couple INTs to Troy and the defense which makes the difference. Going to be a high scoring game, and the Steelers win it.
Kartar Singh- Game of the week. Big Ben and Steelers will play some hard mouth football at home and Tom Brady just isn’t the same without Moss, completing less than 60% of his passes since his departure. Steel City at home.
Jack Dale- Steelers-Pittsburgh will stop the Patriots already weakened run game, and Big Ben will lead the Steelers in a close one.
Monday
Eagles @ Redskins
Jason Alpert -Eagles. The McNabb bowl. Hopefully Donavan is in good enough shape to walk out of the locker room.
Joey Kistler - Eagles. Michael Vick is just too good. And Clinton Portis is still questionable. I think the Eagles can fight out a win with Vicks legs and Donovan loses one against his old team.
Kartar Singh- Eagles. Self Explanatory
Jack Dale- Eagles- With Vick, the Eagles may be the best team in the NFC.
