TB (+3) at MIN - The 0-1 Vikings are coming home to play in their first game in the Metrodome since the roof collapsed last year. With yet another aging veteran quarterback running the offense, the Vikings will look to avoid a second consecutive 0-2 start. Donovan McNabb had one of the worst performances of his career against San Diego going 7-15 for for 39 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart combined for 114 on the ground to compensate and keep the game close. Another big game from Peterson and an improved effort in the air will be enough for the win. Peterson expressed his concerns this week emphasizing the Vikings, "definitely need to get the pasing game cranked up." Tampa Bays young defense allowed 126 rushing yards to Detroit and 431 yards overall last week. Josh Freemans 259 kept the Bucs in the game with a few late scores. Tamba Bay head coach Raheem Morris "thought (they) were getting stronger at the end of the game, but obviously (they) didn't get strong enough." They'll need a much improved effort defensively to stay with Minnesotas ground game. Vikigns win at home. MIN 27 TB 17.
CLE (-3) at IND - The Colts need to face the music and realize Peyton Manning isn't coming back this year. With Kerry Collins set to make 2 million this year, he will continue to get the starts until they've dug themselves into a 0-5 hole. At that point the Andrew Luck sweepstakes will begin. A tough and speedy veteran defense will need to carry the load for the Colts this season if they want to manage respectability. Colt McCoy will need to improve on his 70.1 QBR for the Browns to be competitive in the AFC North this year. The other Peyton (Hillis) will have a solid game and I expect the Cleveland special teams and Joshua Cribbs to play a giant role in this matchup giving McCoy and the Brown short fields to work with. Cleveland wins on the road in a low scoring, boring, pathetic display of football. CLE 13 IND 6.
DAL (-3) at SF - The Lebron James of the NFL needs to have a more complete game to fulfill Jerry Jones lofty expectation for America's team. Tony Romo has vocally claimed responsibility (duh) for their opening week loss to the New York Jets. With a non existant running game Romo and the Jason Garrett led offense will throw the ball 35-40 times against San Francisco's injured defense. The Cowboys are hoping for a healthy Dez Bryant to stretch the field with Miles Austin. Jim Harbaughs 49ers thew up 33 on Seattle last week thanks to 2 return TD's from Ted Ginn Jr. Alex Smith will sturggle against a speedy Cowboy pass rush. Not quite the rivalry this once was, there will certainly be some hardnosed football played with Dallas getting its first win of the year on the road at Candlestick. DAL 30 SF 17.
HOU (-3) at MIA - Chad Henne's best game as a pro unfortunately came against Tom Brady's best game as a pro under the lights in Miami last Monday night. The "White Mike Vick," Brandon Marshall new moniker for Henne also ran for a career high 59 yards. With newly acquired factor back Reggie Bush's role still to be determined expect another pass heavy attack by the Phins. Wade Phillips new 3-4 defense with Mario Williams coming off the edge will look to spoil Miami's passing game. Arian Forster looks to be all systems go as he recovers from a preseason hamstring injury that sidelined him in game 1. The 1-2 punch of Forster and Ben Tate will be a real test for Miami's defense which is looking to rebound from a poor effort last week. I expect both teams to play well in a high scoring shootout. Miami escapes with the win. MIA 34 HOU 31.
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