[Tommy]

Jets (1-1) @ Bills (1-1)- Impressive start by Bills, holding Pats, Miami to 25 points in splitting pair of road games. Play of Losman still concern, as Bills just 7-24 on third down- will be harder to Magahee to find running room if Bills don't have passing threat. Jets have thrown ball for 588 yards, run it for 142 in 1-1 start; they need better balance, but showed spunk scaring Patriots after trailing 24-0 last week. Home side won last seven series games, with Jets losing last three games in Buffalo by 11,5,10 points.

Packers (0-2) @ Lions (0-2)- Both teams off to disappointing starts, with Pack losing twice at home, while Lions have just one TD in two games. Detroit has started 12 of 21 drives 80+ yards from end zone, so up to defense/special teams to create better chances for offense still learning Martz system. Pack allowed 60 points in pair of home losses, giving up 9.0/7.4 yds per pass attempt. Home team won six of last seven series games, with five of last six series totals 37 or less. Lions are 31-24 vs spread after loss last 5+ years, Pack 13-10 last 3+ yrs.

Redskins (0-2) @ Texans (0-2)- Washington's new offense has scored one TD on 21 drives this year, putting up total of just 511 yards; they've been outscored 20-3 in second half. Skins had 11 penalties for 117 yards in Dallas, so second straight trip to Texas becomes huge game for Washington. Houston still struggling on defense, allowing 127.5 rushing yds/game; foes are 18-30 (60%) on third down so far, awful numbers, and Texans have been outgained 956-540, albeit vs strong teams (Eagles, Colts). Skins won only series meeting 26-10 three years ago in DC.

Jaguars (2-0) @ Colts (2-0)- Jags on road after Monday night's physical, emotional home win; they've lost eight of ten vs Colts, but only one of last six series losses was by more than six points. Jax lost four of last five visits to this site, with losses by 29,7,10,7 pts. Indy not as balanced with James gone; they've run ball for only 180 yards, passed for 662 but they'll get stiffer challenge from Jax defense that has five INTs in two games. Colts have converted 20-28 on third down (71.4%) in two games, and are also winning field position battle, with 13,7-yd edges in average starting field position. Jags have also had edge in field position (+9,+17).

Titans (0-2) @ Dolphins (0-2)- Tennessee in desperate straits with Collins at QB and raw rookie Young behind him; with Volek gone, there is no #3 guy yet. Miami ran ball for 192 yards in 24-10 home win vs Titans in Week 16 last year, as Fish forced Titans to go 3/out on seven of 15 drives, but Dolphins not running it well so far in '06, gaining 130 yards on 38 carries (3.4 ypc). Miami only has two TDs on 22 drives this season, hard to lay double digits, even vs Titans squad that covered eight of last 23 after a loss. Titans completing 41.3% of passes, converting 28% on 3rd down.

Bears (2-0) @ Vikings (2-0)- Home side won last eight series games, with Bears losing last five games at this site, by 18,11,5,34 pts. Chicago stepping up in class some here, as they complete opening three-game swing vs division foes, but Bear defense allowed only two of 20 third down conversions (10%) in first two games, as they outscored first two opponents 40-0 in first half. Vikings have pair of FG wins, as defense has held enemy to 7-27 on third down (26%) and two TDs on 22 drives. Bears 11-6 vs spread after a win under Smith.

Bengals (2-0) @ Steelers (1-1)- Carson Palmer tossed long TD pass on first series of playoff game vs Pitt last winter, but blew his knee out on play and Bengals lost. Cincy won two of last three visits to Heinz Field, their only wins in last nine series games; last four totals at this site were all 44+. Steelers on short week after Monday night loss at Jaguars. Bengals had to have this game circled on calendar after home playoff loss; they already have three TD drives of 80+ yards, as Palmer has made amazingly fast recovery from his injury. Steelers 10-5 vs spread after loss last three years.

Panthers (0-2) @ Buccaneers (0-2)- With other NFC South teams at 2-0 and facing each other Monday, loser here is three games behind in race they were supposed to contend, so this is very big September game. Bucs have three points in two games (0 TDs on 22 drives), running ball for 66 yards on 29 carries thus far. Panther run defense has allowed 392 rushing yards in two games (4.9 ypc), but held foes to 6-28 on third down. Carolina won five of last six series games, winning last three visits to this site by 3,17,20 pts. Panthers are 9-5 vs spread after loss last 2+ years, Bucs are 19-13-1 last 6+ years.

Ravens (2-0) @ Browns (0-2)- Baltimore defense yet to allow TD, but facing third anemic offense in row; they've allowed 65 yards on 39 rushes in two games (1.7 ypc). Browns been outscored 26-3 in first half of games; they've allowed 155 rushing yards/game in losing two games they had field position edge in. Cleveland 7-4 vs spread after loss under Crennel, Ravens 13-10 after win last 3+ years. Home team won last four series games, with four of last five series totals 36 or less. Ravens, who used to be the Browns, are 4-3 in their returns to Lake Erie.

Rams (1-1) @ Cardinals (1-1)- St Louis offense struggling in transition to new scheme; in two games, they've scored one TD on 20 drives, are -84 in penalty yardage and just 10-32 on third down. If defense allowed 49ers 10.6 yards per pass attempt, what will Arizona receivers get? Cards are 13-28 on third down (46%) but have run ball for just three yards a carry, so Warner is making plays with his arm. Rams are 6-2 in series since it became division rivalry, winning first meeting all four years; they've won three of last four visits to desert, but Cardinals have home field edge for first time this year, with their new dome.

Eagles (1-1) @ 49ers (1-1)- How will Eagles react after 4th quarter collapse last week cost them home division game? Philly crushed Niners 42-3 in Week 2 last year (with 49ers coming off win vs Rams, just like now), with 583-142 edge in total yardage; McNabb was 33-39/443 passing, as Eagles scored six TDs on ten drives. Norv Turner has improved Niner offense; they've run ball for 117 yds/game, and averaged 7.0/10.6 yds per pass, but blitzing Eagle defense will supply Smith's toughest test so far in '06. 49ers winning field position battle so far, as eight of 21 opponent drives started 80+ yds from paydirt.

Giants (1-1) @ Seahawks (2-0)- Home team won last seven series games, with Seattle winning here 24-21 in Week 12 OT tilt last year, Giants' third straight loss here (by 5,2,3 pts); their last win in Seattle was 25 years ago. Giants gained 490 yards in last year's game, but had kicking issues, missing three of five FG tries. Not sure why Eli plays so much better in 4th quarter than rest of game, but he does; Giants averaging 418.5 yds/game, are 10-23 (43.5%) on third down and have 272 rushing yards in two games. Seattle banged up on OL, but defense allowed only one TD on 22 drives, with enemy getting inside their red zone only one time in two games.

Broncos (1-1) @ Patriots (2-0)- Shaky Plummer (one TD in two games) takes act on road to face revenge-minded Pats. Denver beat Patriots twice at Invesco last year, including playoff win that turned on shaky interference call vs NE. Broncos won four of last five visits to Foxboro; their only loss in last five series games was 30-26 at this site three years ago. Denver ran ball for 178 yards in regular season win last year, with two TD drives of 80+ yards. Patriots 24-12 vs spread after win last 3+ years; they've run ball for 330 yards in two games this year, converting 13-27 (48%) on third down.

Falcons (2-0) @ Saints (2-0)- Superdome re-opens with Saints facing archrival Falcons who lost last two visits here; three of last five series games were decided by FG. Saints have never opened season with two road wins before, so Brees/Bush era off to flying start, scoring 26.5 ppg, converting 15-33 on third down (45.5%). Atlanta 2-0 after wins at Carolina, vs Bucs; they've run ball for third-highest total ever after three games (558 yds) so Saint run defense that held first two foes to 74 ypg will be reated again. Five of last six series totals were 43+. Vick's cousin Aaron Brooks was dumped by Saints last winter.

[Gamehendge]

nice write ups. Good luck!!