Houston at Washington:
The Houston Texans are for real this year. Where the hell did Arian Foster come from? This guy had the second highest rushing yardage total (behind O.J. Simpson) on opening day history. He terrorized the Indianapolis Colts with 231 yards rushing and 3 trips to paydirt. The Texans have so many weapons on offense its silly. Matt Schuab led the league in passing yards last year and his targets include arguable the best receiver in football, Andre Johnson, as well as WR Kevin Walter and TE Owen Daniels. On the defensive side of the ball the Texans defense is very potent and Mario Williams was all over the field last week against Peyton and the Colts. Even without stud linebacker (and perhaps performance boosters abuser) Brian Cushing, the Texans should have no problem containing the weak Redskins offense.
Washington's defense looked very good last week against the Cowboys but a lot of that was due to Jason Garrett's failure to know how to coach offense. I expect Schuab and Co. to meticulously pick apart this Redskins defense with a well balanced attack. I also expect, once again, for Albert Haynseworth to play no substantial role whatsoever.
Final: Texans 31 Washington 17
New York Giants at Indianapolis
I expect this game to play out like the individual commercials that star Peyton and Eli manning respectively. Peyton, whose commercials are quietly funny and entertaining, will exploit every aspect of the Giants defense. Eli, who looks like he's lost in the sauce, or drunk in his commercials,will look baffled and continue to bumble about with the offense. After starting 14-0 last season it was quite a shocker to most everyone that the Colts dropped their first game of the 2010 season to the Texans, a team that had only beaten them once before in the franchises history. I still believe that Peyton is the best quarterback in the league and he has a solid core of formidable receivers to throw the ball to this year. He also has a good running back in Joseph Addai. The Giants defense, although it played well against the Panthers last week, does not have any bit of that intimidation factor that is used to have. They should have some success with that porous Colts O-line at getting to Peyton, but he probably will have already dumped the ball off by the time he is contacted. Dallas Clark has the ability to eat Giants safety Kenny Phillips alive and Peyton will make sure that he does.
The Colts defense was supposed to be greatly improved but there was little evidence of that last week. They've also lost Bob Sanders for the year, but that is routine for them by now. Eli can have a big day if he utilizes Hakeem Nicks, and avoids the pressure from Dwight Freeney. Ahmad Bradshaw must have a good day if the Giants are going to have a chance. Without his check down option in TE Kevin Boss, it is likely that Eli will have another interception laden performance.
Final: Colts 34 Giants 21
Monday Night Game
New Orleans at San Francisco
The defending Super Bowl Champions didn't start off the season with the fireworks offense that we have come to expect from Drew Brees and his comrades but they beat a very good Vikings team and are clearly still the team to beat in the NFC. San Francisco on the other hand was favored by everyone to win the weakened NFC West division. Alex Smith finally gets a consecutive year with the same offensive coordinator, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore are all supposed to be All-Pros, and their defense, led by Patrick Willis, has been ranked # 1 in many fantasy leagues. Then they get absolutely CRUSHED by the rebuilding Seahawks. It doesn't add up. Apparently there were technical difficulties in communicating to the QB and coach Mike Singletary smells a rat. I think the 49ers have too much talent not to get things back on track but this is not the week that they do it. The Saints are too good. Their defense is underrated and their offense is superior to most if not all the teams in the NFL.
Final: Saints 27 49ers 19
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