Alex Frank | Sports Director Zach Fries | Staff Reporter Joe Petrosino | Staff Reporter
Ethan Bastian | Staff Reporter Sean McMahon | Staff Reporter
Amidst all the craziness in the first week of the NFL season, one constant still remains; Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers is still the best quarterback in the league.
His performance on Sunday on an injured leg brings to mind those put on Michael Jordan and Willis Reed and the fact that he was able to lead the Packers out of a 20-3 hole in the fourth quarter- the largest fourth quarter comeback in Packers history- was just remarkable to watch.
Here are the standings in the #BattlefortheBoathouse after the first week:
Alex: 4-2 Zach: 4-2 Joe: 3-3 Ethan: 2-4 Sean: 5-1
That means if the season had ended after last week, Sean would be getting a Montgomery Inn Dinner from both Zach and me proving that two really is better than one.
With that, here are our week two picks.
Thursday
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals – 8:20 E.T. on NFL Network (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Kristina Pink)
Alex: Bengals 24 Ravens 17 Zach: Bengals 20 Ravens 14 Joe: Ravens 20 Bengals 17
Ethan: Bengals 20 Ravens 17 Sean: N/A
Joe: I like the Ravens in this one. The Bengals are going to have a tough time moving the ball against this tough defense. As long as Ravens quarterback Flacco has a decent game and limits their turnovers the Ravens win this one due to their stubborn defense.
Sunday
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 E.T. on CBS (Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn)
Alex: Steelers 30 Chiefs 27 Zach: Steelers 28 Chiefs 24 Joe: Chiefs 31 Steelers 27
Ethan: Chiefs 35 Steelers 28 Sean: Chiefs 24 Steelers 18
Ethan: The Chiefs vs the Steelers will be an excellent game. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks like the real deal and without running back Le’Veon Bell again this week, you have to look at the Steelers as vulnerable at best with a questionable secondary that the Chiefs can pick apart. I expect that they will and put up a lot of points in Heinz Field.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers – 1 E.T. on FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver)
Alex: Packers 28 Vikings 24 Zach: Vikings 24 Packers 20 Joe: Packers 28 Vikings 27
Ethan: Vikings 31 Packers 28 Sean: Vikings 24 Packers 20
Zach: A week after an epic Sunday night comeback win against the Bears, the Packers will certainly have their hands full with a talented Vikings team. Newly signed quarterback Kirk Cousins was impressive in the week one win versus San Francisco. The Vikings defense, led by safety Harrison Smith, cornerbackXavier Rhodes and a host of others, is among the league’s best. Aaron Rodgers is incredible, but the Packers offensive line is a concern, and the Vikings will take advantage of that. Minnesota wins a close one.
New England Patriots @ Jacksonville Jaguars – 4:25 E.T. on CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
Alex: Patriots 34 Jaguars 20 Zach: Patriots 21 Jaguars 20 Joe: Jaguars 24 Patriots 20
Ethan: Patriots 28 Jaguars 24 Sean: Patriots 23 Jaguars 20
Ethan: The Patriots vs Jaguars, a rematch of a great AFC championship game, will be another good one. Tom Brady will look to start out fast early unlike he did in that January contest. I love the Jags defense especially at home, but I can’t see them holding back the Pats from a good start to September which could be Brady’s last as the best in the league.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys – 8:20 E.T. on NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsowrth, Michele Tafoya)
Alex: Giants 27 Cowboys 17 Zach: Giants 28 Cowboys 17 Joe: Giants 33 Cowboys 21
Ethan: Giants 27 Cowboys 24 Sean: Giants 35 Cowboys 21
Alex: America’s Game of the Week for week two features two teams searching for their first win of the season. Only one can team win, though, and the losing team could be headed for a very miserable season. That especially holds true for the Cowboys, who looked pathetic offensively in their week one loss at Carolina. With Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon expected to suit up, that will make it tougher for the new-look Cowboys offense to move the ball. Keep in mind, also, that the Giants did play the Jaguars last week which could be the main reason why they didn’t put up a lot of points. I expect them to move the ball assertively and effectively and rookie running back Saquon Barkley to have a breakout game.
Monday
Seattle Sehawks @ Chicago Bears – 8:15 E.T. on ESPN (Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten, Booger McFarland, Lisa Salters)
Alex: Bears 26 Seahawks 20 Zach: Bears 27 Seahawks 23 Joe: Bears 35 Seahawks 31
Ethan: Seahawks 21 Bears 17 Sean: Bears 25 Seahawks 20
Sean: The Seahawks don’t seem to be the looming threat they once were. After Super Bowl XLIX (49), the Seahawks have been on downhill ride to mediocrity. The Bears, on the other hand, seem to be making their way uphill. It may not seem like that after the game against the Packers but Aaron Rodgers is just that good. With a hungry linebacker in Khalil Mack and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at home, I believe the Bears will win.