The OC Blunderguff

It’s that time of year again folks; the moment of truth. This is where it all starts to mean something. The Draft, Training Camp, Pre-Season and Trades; this is where is all starts to count – this is for real.

Each week, The OC Blunderguff is going to make a pick for each and every game during the season and post a pick record on the homepage. Tune in for more each week as we provide you with a summary and a pick for each game.

Most of the time, we will be talking smack so feel free to post all of your whines and gripes under the “comments” section and suck it up.

This is the NFL and we don’t let cry babies in here.

Well NFL, it sure feels great to be home.

Thursday, September, 4th

Washington Redskins at NY Giants (7:00pm EST – NBC)

This rivalry might be the most boring game or the best game of opening week. Last year, the Redskins finished Third in the NFC East with a 9-7 record while the Giants finished second – and winning the Superbowl. The Redskins did have some heavy drafting this offseason with their top 3 picks all in the second round (WR Devin Thomas, TE Fred Davis, WR Malcom Kelley). While the Redskins seemed quite productive in the offseason, the Giants managed to lose Michael Strahan to Television and Umeniyora to season ending surgery…ouch.

Our Pick: Washington Redskins

Sunday, September, 7th

Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (1:00pm EST – Fox)

So Atlanta was pretty bad last year right? I mean we can give them credit for the 4-12 record they had despite losing QB Michael Vick to a dog fighting trial and prison sentence right?

This year, Atlanta picked up QB Matt Ryan from Boston College, RB Michael Turner from the Chargers, OT Sam Baker from USC and iLB Curtis Lofton. So to say the least, we expect more from Atlanta this year – maybe not playoffs but at least a .500 season.

Detroit’s QB John Kitna completed 355 passes on 561 attempts for 4068 yeards with 18 TD’s and 20 Int’s….WOW. None the less, the Lions now have OLB Jordan Dizon, OT Gosder Cherilus, and RB Kevin Smith in addition to RB Kevin Jones and Shaun McDonald in the receiving corps.

Probably not an exciting game but expect the Lions to pull this out out of the bag in <3 INT’s from Kitna.

Our Pick: Detroit Lions

Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills (1:00pm EST – Fox)

Even though Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck has been playing footsie with his injuries this preseason, we still feel like this could be a close game. Last season the Seahawks finished 10-6 with Hasselbeck completing 352 passes on 562 attempts for 3966 yards (28 TD’s and 12 INT’s). But with the release of RB Shaun Alexander – we’re going to have to downgrade the hawks here.

Buffalo finished second place last year in the AFC East (don’t expect that this year with Favre in NY). In the draft, the Bills picked up CB Leodis McKelvin, WR James Hardy and DE Chris Ellis. QB Trent Edwards – no Hall of Famer by any means, put up 151 passes on 269 attempts for 1630 yards with 7 TD’s and 8 INT’s  (How many of those were in the RedZone?). On rushing, we have Marshall Lynch with 280 carries for 1155 yards and Lee Evans in receiving with 55 receptions for 849 yards.

Probably another boring game.

Our Pick: Buffalo Bills

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennesse Titans (1:00pm EST – CBS)

Now this is going to be a great game. AFC South Rivals here will go at it for the number 2 spot behind Indianapolis. Last season Jacksonville owned that #2 spot behind the Colts with a Wild Card birth and a 11-5 record. What we really like about Jacksonville is David Garrard who led the Jags by completing 208 passes on 325 attempts for 2509 yards (18 TD’s, 3 INT’s) VERY respectable. We like the way Garrard moves and scrambles almost like a Roethlisberger/Vick twisted mix.

Tennessee finished 3rd in AFC South, also with a Wild-Card birth and 10-6 record. With a one and done courtesy of San Diego in the Wild-Card round, Tenessee and Vince Young will need to play heavy defense this year in order to even consider being a contender. Anything less from the Titans and Houston takes the #3 spot in AFC South.

Our Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

NY Jets at Miami Dolphins (1:00pm EST – CBS)

This is the game where we really get to see exactly what Bill Parcells has done in Miami. Of course, we all know what the Jets have done to improve their roster; adding that more infamous than famous #4 to the roster…Brett Favre. After the Jets grabbed Favre from the Pack, they sent Pennington to Miami – this should be interesting. While we feel that Brett Favre will have a less than stellar season, we don’t exactly feel like Chad Pennington will be any competition for the 38 year old QB from Mississippi.

The Dolphins get a full makeover and the Jets get…well…Favre. Watch this one for the celebrity appeal alone.

Our Pick: NY Jets

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (1:00pm EST – CBS)

Should we really even watch this game? Tom Brady vs. That Guy From KC…what’s his name? Oh yeah Damon Huard. What kind of name is that anyway? This game will be the one to watch if you are already drunk on the west coast or already passed out on the east coast.

Our Pick: New England Patriots

Tampa Bay Bucaneers at New Orleans Saints (1:00pm EST – Fox)

QB’s Jeff Garcia vs. Drew Brees. We pick Drew Brees not only because he was a Charger – but we shouldn’t have gotten rid of him (No Offense Rivers) and we still like his style. Drew led the Saints to a 3rd place NFC South finish with 7-9 while throwing 440 passses on 652 attempts for 4423 yards, 28 TD’s and 18 INT’s. Reggie Bush had a mediocre season rushing for 581 yards in 157 carries.

Anyone who knows me will understand this: There are two good things about the Bucs: 1. John Gruden has been a caddy for John Daly, 2. There are Pirate Flags on their helmets. This all started when about 3 years ago, I ask my wife what her favorite team was and she replied, “The ones with the Pirate helments”.

The Bucanneers finished 1st in the NFC South with a 9-7 record and weren’t able to make a dent in the playoffs last year which makes for poor execution and lack of follow through. The Saints play with far more heart. 

Our Pick: New Orleans Saints

St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (1:00pm EST – Fox)

Eagles all the way on this one baby. The Rams aren’t quite ready to be a pick from the OC Blunderguff just yet. Last season the Rams finished dead last in the NFC West with a 3-13 record. Picking up DE Chris Long from Virginia, WR Donnie Avery and OT John Greco should beef them up a bit – but they certainly won’t look like anything but a bunch of Raiders in Rams Jerseys. Marc Bulger tossed up some 221 completions in 378 attempts for 2392 yards with just 11 TD’s but 15 INT’s. Ouch. Steven Jackson however managed to eek out 1002 yards in 237 carries to solidify the running game while Torry Holt caught 93 passes from Bulger for 1189 yards.

Donovan McNabb will do BETTER this year - not HOF but BETTER – you’ll see. As long as the Eagles stay healthy I can see a 9-7 or 10-6 season with their momentum. Picking up DT Trevor Laws from Notre Dame and WR DeSean Jackson will help round out the sharp edges on both sides of the field. Brian Westbrook was effective with 1333 yards in 278 carries while here and there QB McNabb threw 3324 yards for 19 TD’s and only 7 INT’s.

Our Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00pm EST – CBS)

The Texans made their season a .500 one last year finishing last place in the hard-core AFC South. We have to give credit to QB Matt Schaub though, passing for 2241 yards in 289 attempts out of 192 passes aint that bad – its just too bad his numbers aren’t higher. The Houston running game is lacking however with Ron Dayne rushing with 194 carries for 773 yards.

The Steelers had an O.K. season last year with QB Ben Roethlisberger throwing 264 passes for 3154 yards with 32 TD’s and 11 INT’s. A big part of the Steelers offense is the combination of the running and passing with Willie Parker rushing for 1316 yards in 321 carries. The Steeler’s could do better of course, but we will give them this game.

Our Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

Cincinnatti Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (1:00pm EST – CBS)

 Ok, lets be serious – this game shouldn’t be any more exciting than watching Ninja Warrior on the G2 Network. Cincinatti finished 3rd place in the AFC North last year with a 7-9 record – nothing spectacular right? In the offseason, the Bengals managed to scoop up WR’s Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson for Carson Palmer to throw to – not to mention DT Pat Sims and OLB Keith Rivers (another USC man). Carson Palmer went 373 for 575 in pass attempts for 4131 yards, 26 TD’s and 20 INT’s. Wow – 20? Really? It’s no wonder why CB Antonio Cromartie was able to clean up against QB’s like this…

Baltimore, placed last in the AFC North last year with a 5-11 record should be praying right now that they can pull this game off and make a run for a title (a divisional title of course). The Ravens did some interesting picking this offseason picking QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, and iLB Tavares Gooden just for good measure. Kyle Boller let the team last yeat going 168 for 275 with 9 TD’s and 10 INT’s for 1743 yards. Hopefully practice made perfect in the offseason boys…

Our Pick: Cincinatti Bengals

Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers (4:15pm EST - Fox)

There is no way that I could pick anyone but the Chargers in this situation. Even with a questionable Merriman and Gates -both key ingredients of the O & D. But let me say that Carolina didn’t do anything worth writing about during the offseason so here is why the Chargers are favored 90% according to an ESPN.com poll.

Phillip Rivers – mouthy but the team looks up to him and his perseverence.

Shawn Merriman – stupid enough to play with an injury – risking his career.

Chris Chambers – will out jump any coverage out there and make that play. It’s no wonder why Miami  gave him up, they didn’t know what to do with him!

Antonio Cromartie – I would be extra sure when you decide to throw that ball because chances are, he’s right there waiting.

Darren Sproles/Jacob Hester – these two have been battling for the back-up position to LT and both of them look phenomenal there and on special teams. Depth never hurt anyone.

Ladainian Tomlinson – I think we all know how dangerous LT is – he finds the crease and takes advantage. Make no mistake; if you leave a hole, he will fill it.

Our Pick: San Diego Chargers

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (4:15pm EST – Fox)

Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart – KURT WARNER. Matt Leinart is too busy catching up on all the snatch that he missed out on at USC – where he was a winner. Now he is a loser – losing to an old man. I watched the 49ers play the preseason games and I watched them suck – but what kept me watching was that it was like a train wreck – the Alex Smith train wreck. That meants its all up to What’s His Face O’Donnell or New Guy or whatever you want to call him. The 49ers still have Frank Gore for the running game and Arnaz Battle on the receiving core – not HOF material but they can be considered the expired glue that holds the 49ers together.

Our Pick: Arizona Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (4:15PM EST – Fox)

With a reality show on HBO, we really need to start taking the Cowboys seriously. Retaining Terrell Owens and gaining a re-instated Adam “Pacman” Jones, and of course Tony Blowmo – Romo – excuse me. As many have said, as long as he is NOT the ball handler, everything could work out. Last year, the Cowboys finished 13-3 at the top of their division and with the help of Marion Barber, made the season worth it – until they lost in the playoffs…

Unfortunately, Derek Anderson and the Browns have no chance against the Cowboys so don’t expect me to write any BS about them.

Our Pick: Dallas Cowboys

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (8:15pm EST – NBC)

Well Rex Grossman got pulled and Griese helped the Bears to a last place 7-9 in the NFC North Division only a year after they were offered the opportunity to win a Superbowl – Fluke? I’d say so. Now obviously the aging but dominating colts will be handing a beat down this weekend, tune in because this is one of those trainwrecks that could keep you up for days – this WILL be ugly folks. Now let’s remember: I am a Manning Hater – regardless, Peyton will give the Bears a beating that will equate them to a couple of cute Teddy Ruxpins from way back when. Will you be my friend?

Our Pick: Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (7:00pm EST – ESPN)

Ah…Tavares Jackson vs. the heir to Green Bay Aaron Rodgers. This divisional game should prove to be an exciting one. With Brett Favre in NY, Aaron Rodgers has some major shoes to fill and if he can’t fill them, Tavares Jackson should certainly take advantages of any hiccups come week 1.

Last season, the Vikings finished with an 8-8 record with QB Jackson completed 171 of 294 for 1911 yards with 9 TD’s and 12 INT’s. RB Adrian Peterson led the running game with 238 carries for 1341 yards while Bobby Wade led in recieving with 54 catches and 647 yards.

What the Packers did last year means NOTHING. Not because Brett Favre is the man but because he was the man in Green Bay – Aaron Rodgers has some work ahead of him so I wouldn’t expect everything to click like it did the last 16 years. Finishing 13-3 is not something that is within reach for Green Bay – I would expect something around 9-7 or 10-6 – factoring in some hiccups for the new heir.

Our Pick: Green Bay Packers

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (10:15PM EST – ESPN)

This will be a boring game and bet me that I’m wrong. You have QB Jamarcus Russell from the Raiders and Jay Cutler for the Broncos – two mediocre quarterbacks who are expected to have their “breakout” season.

Blah-blah-blah. Yackity Shmackity.

Last season the Broncos went 7-9 with a second place finish in the AFC West. The running game lacked as much as the passing game just wasted quite as effective as originally anticipated with Brandon Marshall grabbing 102 passes for 1325 yards – thrown by a questionable Jay Cutler completing 297 passes on 467 attempts for 3497 yards with 20 TD’s and 14 INT’s.

The Raiders went 4-12 last year, being one of the worst teams in the league next to the Dolphins, Ravens and the Chiefs but with Daunte Culpepper out of the picture, all of the pressure is on new QB Jamarcus Russell – will he go all the way? Not with the Raiders – but if he does, he will make the Raiders great, just don’t bet on it.

Our Pick: Denver Broncos