Cohen's Corner Pick Six Football Friday Picks
Week 2 of the NFL season is now upon us. The Jets and Bills set the stage for what could be a wild week in the NFL, and we will have plenty of big match-ups this Sunday. The Bengals and Steelers meet up for the first time since last January's wild card game. The Dolphins roll into New England against the Brady-less Patriots. The Giants host the high-flying Saints, and the Vikings open up their new stadium against the Packers.
The Dolphins nearly pulled one out in Seattle last week, but there was too much Russell Wilson at the end of the day. The Dolphins are getting healthy. Mario Williams practiced on Friday, while linebacker Jelani Jenkins also practiced for the second straight day. The Dolphins have a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball to keep things interesting against Jimmy Garappolo and the Patriots. Speaking of Garappolo, he really acquitted himself well against a Cardinals team considered by some to be the best in the NFL. This will be fun, but ... Patriots 23, Dolphins 16.
I was not impressed by the Giants last week in Dallas. Sure, Eli Manning threw for three scores, and the Giants defense looked better than it did a year earlier, but let's remember they beat Dallas by only a point. Had the Cowboys managed the clock better in their final drive, the Cowboys could have won this game. Not to mention the Cowboys were playing without their starting quarterback, and without several players on defense. Big Blue's D also failed to get pressure on rookie Dak Prescott. That will be an issue this week vs. the Saints and Drew Brees. Brees cut up the Giants last year. This figures to be another shootout, but what gives the Giants a shot here is the fact that the Saints defense is just plain awful. Giants 33, Saints 31.
The Bengals (1-0) are looking to enact some vengeance on the Steelers for last year's wild card game, but let's remember Cincy did more to lose that game than Pittsburgh did winning it. The Bengals can fling it, but their D is still suspect. No such issues for the Steelers who mauled the Redskins a week ago. This will be competitive, but there will be too much Big Ben, DeAngelo Williams, and Antonio Brown. Steelers 27, Bengals 20.
Something about these Cowboys I like. Even in defeat a week ago, Dak Prescott was impressive in his first start, if not unspectacular. Still the Cowboys found a way to lose to the Giants. The Skins meanwhile can ill afford to drop to 0-2, especially at home. They got manhandled by the Steelers last week, and need a rebound effort by Kirk Cousins and company. Like I said, something about these Cowboys. Cowboys 28, Redskins 21.
The last time the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos played each other in a game that DID NOT feature Payton Manning, you'd have to go back to 1993. Oh, the days when the Broncos wore bright orange jersey's, and had the giant letter D on their helmet. Oh, the days when John Elway still played, and ... Jeff George played for the Colts. Sorry Indy fans. Yes, it's the first ever post-Manning Bowl. The Broncos held off a late Carolina charge in Week 1 where they beat up Cam Newton into a pulp, literally. That could be a problem for Indy on Sunday. The Colts have had issues with their offensive line, which plays into the hands of the Broncos. That being said, if you ask me which quarterback I would rather have in the final two minutes, I am clearly taking Andrew Luck over Trevor Siemian. Upset Alert: Colts 24, Broncos 21.
I have a hard time buying into the Vikings with this whole Shaun Hill vs. Sam Bradford talk. Sure, the Vikings have a great back in Adrian Peterson, and they have a stifling defense. But, they are taking on the Packers and Aaron Rodgers in this game. I think it will be too much Packer offense for the Vikings to play catchup. Packers 31, Vikings 24.
The Dolphins nearly pulled one out in Seattle last week, but there was too much Russell Wilson at the end of the day. The Dolphins are getting healthy. Mario Williams practiced on Friday, while linebacker Jelani Jenkins also practiced for the second straight day. The Dolphins have a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball to keep things interesting against Jimmy Garappolo and the Patriots. Speaking of Garappolo, he really acquitted himself well against a Cardinals team considered by some to be the best in the NFL. This will be fun, but ... Patriots 23, Dolphins 16.
I was not impressed by the Giants last week in Dallas. Sure, Eli Manning threw for three scores, and the Giants defense looked better than it did a year earlier, but let's remember they beat Dallas by only a point. Had the Cowboys managed the clock better in their final drive, the Cowboys could have won this game. Not to mention the Cowboys were playing without their starting quarterback, and without several players on defense. Big Blue's D also failed to get pressure on rookie Dak Prescott. That will be an issue this week vs. the Saints and Drew Brees. Brees cut up the Giants last year. This figures to be another shootout, but what gives the Giants a shot here is the fact that the Saints defense is just plain awful. Giants 33, Saints 31.
The Bengals (1-0) are looking to enact some vengeance on the Steelers for last year's wild card game, but let's remember Cincy did more to lose that game than Pittsburgh did winning it. The Bengals can fling it, but their D is still suspect. No such issues for the Steelers who mauled the Redskins a week ago. This will be competitive, but there will be too much Big Ben, DeAngelo Williams, and Antonio Brown. Steelers 27, Bengals 20.
Something about these Cowboys I like. Even in defeat a week ago, Dak Prescott was impressive in his first start, if not unspectacular. Still the Cowboys found a way to lose to the Giants. The Skins meanwhile can ill afford to drop to 0-2, especially at home. They got manhandled by the Steelers last week, and need a rebound effort by Kirk Cousins and company. Like I said, something about these Cowboys. Cowboys 28, Redskins 21.
The last time the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos played each other in a game that DID NOT feature Payton Manning, you'd have to go back to 1993. Oh, the days when the Broncos wore bright orange jersey's, and had the giant letter D on their helmet. Oh, the days when John Elway still played, and ... Jeff George played for the Colts. Sorry Indy fans. Yes, it's the first ever post-Manning Bowl. The Broncos held off a late Carolina charge in Week 1 where they beat up Cam Newton into a pulp, literally. That could be a problem for Indy on Sunday. The Colts have had issues with their offensive line, which plays into the hands of the Broncos. That being said, if you ask me which quarterback I would rather have in the final two minutes, I am clearly taking Andrew Luck over Trevor Siemian. Upset Alert: Colts 24, Broncos 21.
I have a hard time buying into the Vikings with this whole Shaun Hill vs. Sam Bradford talk. Sure, the Vikings have a great back in Adrian Peterson, and they have a stifling defense. But, they are taking on the Packers and Aaron Rodgers in this game. I think it will be too much Packer offense for the Vikings to play catchup. Packers 31, Vikings 24.
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