NFL Furious Seven – The Week 2 Rankings Are In!
Dirty play? Awesome play? Either way you color, Tom Brady’s unfortunate injury is the single play that will go down as the defining moment of the NFL betting season. It certainly shakes up the standing, regardless of a 17-10 point wing by the Patriots over the Chiefs.
Personally, I feel bad for Brady and I never like to see any athlete go down to injury. But for you football fans, the one thing you should be happy about is this: Brady’s going down completely changes the landscape of the NFL.
The main problem is grading each team now. The Colts were embarrassed by the Bears. The Chargers were stunned by the Panthers. Yes, it’s football season! Let’s see who the new top dogs in the NFL are after Week One!
1. Dallas Cowboys (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
It’s hard to refute the Cowboys at this point. I told you in my Furious Free Picks that they were going to wallop an overrated Browns team, and they did with a 28-10 victory. They allowed only 114.0 yards through the air, and limited Cleveland to 91.0 on the ground.
Beyond that, Marion Barber and Felix Jones are proving already to be a tandem that everyone is scared of. Tony Romo flashed brilliance throughout the match, and linked with playmaker Terrell Owens. Against what was supposed to be a contender in the AFC, the Cowboys emerged as dominant spread killers.
They have a much tougher matchup against a division rival when they clash with the Philadelphia Eagles under the Monday Night Football lights. As far as the NFC goes, the Cowboys are the team to beat. Can anyone challenge them?
Next Game: Philadelphia vs. Dallas -6.5
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
Beating an AFC Wild Card contender by 21 points is one thing. Steamrolling a strong defensive line for 183 yards and three touchdowns is another! The Steelers betting investors were all rewarded when Pittsburgh squashed a laughable NFL betting line by letting Fast Willie Parker prove that his broken league is fully healed. Any more doubters?
Big Ben Roethlisberger chipped in for his usual 137 yards passing, linking up with Hines Ward for two touchdowns. The offense was immaculate as Big Ben completed 13-for-14 passes.
It’s the defense that you should be scared about. Houston has a strategic zone blocking system that should allow them to run the ball efficiently. Totaling 75 ground yards is not efficient. Pittsburgh also picked off Matt Schaub twice, meaning that the defensive unit is as opportunistic as the offensive unit. That’s a dangerous combination in the NFL, especially with Pittsburgh’s coach, Mike Tomlin, having plenty to prove after last season.
Next Game: Pittsburgh -6 vs. Cleveland
3. Green Bay Packers (1-0 SU, 1-1 ATS)
Aaron Rodgers took the leap in to the NFL season, and followed it up with a Lambeau Leap of his own leading the Packers over the Vikings in an exciting Monday nighter. The Pack won 24-19, and Rodgers poured in 178 passing yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Grant continued his amazing play from last year, totaling 92 yards on the ground.
The big deal here was Greg Jennings and Rodgers looking like Favre and Jennings of last year. This Packers team is picking up right where it left off – with win after win against the spread. Oddsmakers will doubt Rodgers ability to continue that NFL betting trend, but don’t get caught in the undertow. Chicago has plenty to prove before they properly nip at the heels of Green Bay. Another playoff appearance appears in the cards for the Cheese Heads…if Rodgers keeps this up.
Next Game: Green Bay -3 vs. Detroit
4. New York Jets (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
Don’t get too excited, Jets fans. The win over Chad Pennington and the Dolphins may have brought you in to the Furious Seven, but the Jets still have to prove that this is a permanent move. A 6-point win over one of the worst teams in the league isn’t convincing, but in the midst of Brady’s injury, along with losses by the Chargers and the Colts, it’s hard to argue against the Jets at this point.
They allowed 228 passing yards against from a guy who normally can’t throw more than five feet. The thing is that Chad knew this defense well. The good thing is that the new rushing defense stepped up huge, allowing a paltry 49 yards on the ground.
Next week they can complete the coronation by destroying the Patriots at home, which is something that the Manhattan crowd has been begging for. The Jets are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games and are on their way to resurrecting a franchise that has been fluttering in turmoil for what seems like centuries.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Next Game: New England vs. NYJ -3
5. New England Patriots (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS)
The Patriots might be one Brady short of a full bunch, but they’re still the Patriots. This might be the ultimate challenge for Bill Belichik, but it’s the ultimate test of a Patriots team that must now prove that there was more to this dynasty than Tom Brady.
Can Matt Cassell be the player that Tom Brady grew up to be after stepping out from the shadow of Drew Bledsoe? He threw for a conservative 152 yards and a score as he let the rushing attack carry on for 126 yards and a score on the ground. This will be his time to prove that he deserves to be The Man in Foxboro. Speaking of Bledsoe, do you think he was checking his cell phone for “the call” after Brady went down?
Next Game: New England vs. NYJ -3
6. Buffalo Bills (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
Yes, that’s right. The Buffalo Bills. After leaving hoof-marks in the Seattle Seahawks in a 34-10 win, which included two special team scores, the Bills look pretty damn good. Granted, the Seahawks are pretty awful, but a win counts in the books, especially against the favorite to win the NFC West.
Trent Edwards was terrific throwing for 215 yards and a score. Marshawn Lynch averaged 4.2 yards per carry, and also added a score.
The difference maker for Buffalo, however, is coaching. Scoring two touchdowns offensively is nice. Scoring two on special teams with two field goals included is amazing. The Bills have a shot to pace the Jets in the AFC East.
What I like most about these guys is that they have no superstars on the team aside from perhaps Lynch. I love underdogs, and they don’t come bigger, or badder, than the Buffalo Bills. Unload those wagons, boys. These upstarts are here to stay.
Next Game: Buffalo vs. Jacksonville -5.5
7. New Orleans Saints
It’ll take me a little more than a squeaker to believe that the Saints are that much better than a rusty Galloway/Garcia combination and the rest of the Bucs. And it’ll take more than one play for me to feel comfortable pushing these guys as consistent spread favorites.
But boy did this team look fast! The speed from Reggie, the receiving corps and others was as fast as we expect. It’s the defense, however, that has my head spinning. Their front-seven is insanely quick to the ball-carrier and can cover the field incredibly well. For a team that went 6-10 ATS last year, this defense might have what it takes to push me in to a believer. That is, of course ,if the secondary can continue to make plays.
Next Game: New Orleans -2 vs. Washington
