Here's the second part of my look at the NFC East, which might be the worst division in the NFL this year. So far, I've looked at the shortcomings of the Cowboys (my favorite team, can't say I'm not hard on them, I'm actually quite hard on all my favorite teams) and the Eagles. Now, I'll look at the Redskins and Giants. After that, I pick 11 NFL matchups. Lots of intriguing games this week.
Redskins: Quarterback Robert Griffin III hurt his knee at the end of last season and proclaimed he would be back to start Week 1 this year. He did that, but he has clearly not been 100 percent so far in Washington's first two games. The Redskins offense has gotten off to historically slow starts in both games, falling behind the Eagles 26-7 at the half in Week 1. It was worst last week vs. the Packers, who took a 24-0 shutout into the locker room. I believe the stat being batted around after those first two weeks was that the Redskins' opponents had 38 combined first downs in the first half while the 'Skins had eight. Washing
ton has done better in the second half of both games, coming back to within single digits against the Eagles (33-27) and outscoring the Packers in the second half to make the final 38-20 in that contest. These second-half surges haven't done much to calm Redskins' fans' fears that their team isn't very good this year. Garbage time touchdowns aren't masking the problems with the offense. RG3 is not himself and the playcalling has reflected that as the team has run the read option a lot less than last year. That was the play in the 2012 season that confused defenses so much and allowed RG3 to run free and lifted RB Alfred Morris to another level as well.
With the offense not being as effective as it was at the end of last season, the defense has been exposed. It hasn't been great for years but the secondary is especially week thus far. The Eagles put up 443 yards on the 'D' while the Packers went for 580. Sunday, the 'Skins host the Lions and get another chance to pick up their first win of the season. The Lions are 1-1 with a win over the Vikings and a loss to the Cardinals. After that, Washington travels to face Oakland and an improved-looking Raiders team. After that, the Redskins get Dallas on the road, Chicago at home, and travel to Denver, a daunting slate for most any team. The Redskins need to get their offense and their first-half performances corrected in a hurry.
Giants: So far, I would say that the Redskins' and Eagles' outlooks are the worst right now in the division. The Cowboys' and Giants' are a little better. Yes, the Giants are 0-2. But if you look at their losses, they are explainable. In Week 1, the Giants lost at Dallas, a place they were due a loss. The had won four straiht games in Big D. In addition, New York committed six turnovers. Even so, the Giants had a chance to win in the end. I think we can say that the Giants won't record that many turnovers again. In Week 2, the Giants lost to the Broncos. No shame in that. I think every division team will lose to the Broncos this season (the entire NFC East is playing the entire AFC West this year). Denver is one of, if not the best, team in the league and will likely blow out many of its opponents this season. The Giants are still trying to get better on defense after an offseason in which they parted ways with defensive end Osi Umenyiora. Jason Pie
rre-Paul, at the other end, hasn't been the same disruptive force after offseason back surgery. The Giants' secondary is still pretty porous.
On offense, the problem has been turnovers and lack of a running game. Eli Manning is putting up good numbers. The Giants are No. 1 in the NFL in passing yards per game with 390.5. He is also putting up bad numbers. He leads the league in interceptions with seven. That is three more than any other QB and he is on pace for 56 this season. Of course, that won't happen and Manning will end up having a pretty good season probably. The Giants had a rough first couple weeks and drew a pair of tough opponents. Manning won't turn the ball over as much from here out. The running game is a concern though. New York ranks last in the league in rushing. The Giants released Ahmad Bradshaw in the offseason. They gave the ball to Virginia Tech graduate David Wilson in Week 1 vs. the Cowboys but he fumbled twice and was benched, eerily similar to to 2012's Week 1 when he did the same at home against the 'Boys. New York has re-signed Brandon Jacobs, who played for the team from 2005-11. Other options include Da'Rel Scott and Andre Brown, who has been hurt but is supposed to be the team's No. 1 option in the backfield. He is on IR but can return in Week 10 against the Raiders. Until then, the Giants will have to make due and rely on Manning. He should be throwing few interceptions any week now ... The G-Men travel to face the Panthers on Sunday in a battle of 0-2 squads.
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WEEK 3 NFL PICKS
I went 6-1 last week, only losing with my Cowboys. I expected a bit too much out of them and they lost at Kansas City, which is looking like a brand new team this season and is 3-0 after Thursday's win at the Eagles. The Chiefs won only two games last season.
Packers at Bengals, 1 p.m. FOX
Packers 27, Bengals 23
Rams at Cowboys, 1 p.m. FOX
The Rams were way down against the Falcons last week in Atlanta but came back and only lost 31-24. The Cowboys missed on opportunities that would have given them a 2-0 start at the Chiefs. They only lost by one and it looks like, like I already said, that Kansas City might be pretty good. If Dallas takes care of the ball, it should be able to beat St. Louis at home, though it will be a close game.
Cowboys 21, Rams 17
Lions at Redskins, 1 p.m. FOX
Washington really needs this win -- teams that start 0-3 rarely make the playoffs -- and I think eventually it will play better in the first half of games. The offense must get on track to help the mediocre defense. If it doesn't, this one could get ugly because Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson are coming to town. If RG3 and the 'Skins offense lays another egg, the Lions could put up some major points.
Lions 30, Redskins 27
Chargers at Titans, 1 p.m. FOX
Chargers 24, Titans 23
Buccaneers at Patriots, 1 p.m. FOX
Patriots 20, Buccaneers 16
Giants at Panthers, 1 p.m. FOX
Giants 31, Panthers 27
Texans at Ravens, 1 p.m. CBS
Texans 24, Ravens 20
Falcons at Dolphins, 4:05 p.m. FOX
Falcons 23, Dolphins 20
Colts at 49ers, 4:25 p.m. CBS
49ers 28, Colts 17
Bears at Steelers, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Bears 20, Steelers 16
Raiders at Broncos, 8:30 p.m. Monday night ESPN
Broncos 34, Raiders 17
Redskins: Quarterback Robert Griffin III hurt his knee at the end of last season and proclaimed he would be back to start Week 1 this year. He did that, but he has clearly not been 100 percent so far in Washington's first two games. The Redskins offense has gotten off to historically slow starts in both games, falling behind the Eagles 26-7 at the half in Week 1. It was worst last week vs. the Packers, who took a 24-0 shutout into the locker room. I believe the stat being batted around after those first two weeks was that the Redskins' opponents had 38 combined first downs in the first half while the 'Skins had eight. Washing
With the offense not being as effective as it was at the end of last season, the defense has been exposed. It hasn't been great for years but the secondary is especially week thus far. The Eagles put up 443 yards on the 'D' while the Packers went for 580. Sunday, the 'Skins host the Lions and get another chance to pick up their first win of the season. The Lions are 1-1 with a win over the Vikings and a loss to the Cardinals. After that, Washington travels to face Oakland and an improved-looking Raiders team. After that, the Redskins get Dallas on the road, Chicago at home, and travel to Denver, a daunting slate for most any team. The Redskins need to get their offense and their first-half performances corrected in a hurry.
Giants: So far, I would say that the Redskins' and Eagles' outlooks are the worst right now in the division. The Cowboys' and Giants' are a little better. Yes, the Giants are 0-2. But if you look at their losses, they are explainable. In Week 1, the Giants lost at Dallas, a place they were due a loss. The had won four straiht games in Big D. In addition, New York committed six turnovers. Even so, the Giants had a chance to win in the end. I think we can say that the Giants won't record that many turnovers again. In Week 2, the Giants lost to the Broncos. No shame in that. I think every division team will lose to the Broncos this season (the entire NFC East is playing the entire AFC West this year). Denver is one of, if not the best, team in the league and will likely blow out many of its opponents this season. The Giants are still trying to get better on defense after an offseason in which they parted ways with defensive end Osi Umenyiora. Jason Pie
On offense, the problem has been turnovers and lack of a running game. Eli Manning is putting up good numbers. The Giants are No. 1 in the NFL in passing yards per game with 390.5. He is also putting up bad numbers. He leads the league in interceptions with seven. That is three more than any other QB and he is on pace for 56 this season. Of course, that won't happen and Manning will end up having a pretty good season probably. The Giants had a rough first couple weeks and drew a pair of tough opponents. Manning won't turn the ball over as much from here out. The running game is a concern though. New York ranks last in the league in rushing. The Giants released Ahmad Bradshaw in the offseason. They gave the ball to Virginia Tech graduate David Wilson in Week 1 vs. the Cowboys but he fumbled twice and was benched, eerily similar to to 2012's Week 1 when he did the same at home against the 'Boys. New York has re-signed Brandon Jacobs, who played for the team from 2005-11. Other options include Da'Rel Scott and Andre Brown, who has been hurt but is supposed to be the team's No. 1 option in the backfield. He is on IR but can return in Week 10 against the Raiders. Until then, the Giants will have to make due and rely on Manning. He should be throwing few interceptions any week now ... The G-Men travel to face the Panthers on Sunday in a battle of 0-2 squads.
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WEEK 3 NFL PICKS
I went 6-1 last week, only losing with my Cowboys. I expected a bit too much out of them and they lost at Kansas City, which is looking like a brand new team this season and is 3-0 after Thursday's win at the Eagles. The Chiefs won only two games last season.
Packers at Bengals, 1 p.m. FOX
Packers 27, Bengals 23
Rams at Cowboys, 1 p.m. FOX
The Rams were way down against the Falcons last week in Atlanta but came back and only lost 31-24. The Cowboys missed on opportunities that would have given them a 2-0 start at the Chiefs. They only lost by one and it looks like, like I already said, that Kansas City might be pretty good. If Dallas takes care of the ball, it should be able to beat St. Louis at home, though it will be a close game.
Cowboys 21, Rams 17
Lions at Redskins, 1 p.m. FOX
Washington really needs this win -- teams that start 0-3 rarely make the playoffs -- and I think eventually it will play better in the first half of games. The offense must get on track to help the mediocre defense. If it doesn't, this one could get ugly because Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson are coming to town. If RG3 and the 'Skins offense lays another egg, the Lions could put up some major points.
Lions 30, Redskins 27
Chargers at Titans, 1 p.m. FOX
Chargers 24, Titans 23
Buccaneers at Patriots, 1 p.m. FOX
Patriots 20, Buccaneers 16
Giants at Panthers, 1 p.m. FOX
Giants 31, Panthers 27
Texans at Ravens, 1 p.m. CBS
Texans 24, Ravens 20
Falcons at Dolphins, 4:05 p.m. FOX
Falcons 23, Dolphins 20
Colts at 49ers, 4:25 p.m. CBS
49ers 28, Colts 17
Bears at Steelers, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Bears 20, Steelers 16
Raiders at Broncos, 8:30 p.m. Monday night ESPN
Broncos 34, Raiders 17
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