***SWAMPY SUNDAY - MUCK 5 - WEEK 2***
***CINCINNATI BENGALS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS***
Bengals Vs. Steelers has become one of the best rivalries in the NFL, and this game should be another entertaining chapter as these teams will see each other for the first time since the extremely controversial and heated ending during the playoffs last season. The Bengals practically had the game won when RB Jeremy Hill coughed up the football at the end of the game allowing the Steelers another chance with the ball. Needless to say that next drive led to an illegal hit on stud WR Antonio Brown which then led to a Steelers victory and the suspension of Cincy LB Vontaze Burfict. The Steelers moved on in the playoffs and sent the Bengals home with a bitter taste in their mouths knowing they just gave the game and their hopes of a Super Bowl away to their enemy. Today the 1-0 Bengals get a chance at redemption as they head into Pittsburgh to take on a 1-0 Steelers with both squads looking to stay undefeated and get an early leg up in the AFC North. I am going to back Big Ben and the Steelers here at home as I believe Pitt will hold down Heinz Field in their home opener and will do everything in their power to lockdown Bengals WR AJ Green. After seeing what Green did to Jets CB Darrelle Revis last week, I am sure they will try to limit the deep ball from Green. On the other side of the ball is another prolific WR in Antonio Brown, and I think this game is more about him getting some revenge rather than the Bengals. As good as the Bengals CBs are, I do not think there is a DB in this league who can stop Antonio Brown, especially one with a chip on his shoulder. Rollin with Big Ben and AB to do their thing and get the win at home. STEELERS-3
***BALTIMORE RAVENS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS***
Another AFC North matchup here as the 1-0 Ravens head into Cleveland to take on the longtime bottom feeding Cleveland Browns who have yet again suffered some misfortune already this season. Their new QB Robert Griffin III was looking to make his comeback in Cleveland with a fresh start and clean slate to do so, and after 1 game he is already out for an extended period of time with a shoulder injury, bummer. Insert the wily veteran QB Josh McCown. McCown is an NFL journeyman QB who I respect as a true gamer. This guy is solid and I think will bring enough to the table today to make this an ugly game against the Ravens. I believe the locker room loves this guy and will rally around him today, he has enough talent to make this one a game and I was not too impressed with the Ravens last week at home versus the Bills. Especially after watching how truly bad the Bills are on Thursday night against the Jets, the Ravens definitely have some kinks to workout with some new pieces and QB Joe Flacco coming back from a severe injury last season. I think it might take another game or two for him to get his legs back under him and confidence in the pocket again. I can see this one turning into a back and forth type of sloppy game between two AFC North uglies and the Ravens maybe falling victim to being lulled to sleep a bit facing a backup QB and a depleted defense. The Browns might actually be pretty jacked up for their home opener and being that it is so young in the season why shouldn't they be? I can foresee a nice suprise for the poor Cleveland fans as the Browns come to play today and keep this thing close to the end. BROWNS+4.5
***TENNESSEE TITANS @ DETROIT LIONS***
In a nutshell, I am not sold on what either team showed us in week 1. I believe the Titans are better than advertised and gave that game away last week at home vs Minnesota with some costly turnovers. Also while I am very high on the Lions offense this season, I am just as low on their defense. I can see the Titans using the running game effectively in this one to try and keep Stafford and that offense limited and out of sync. The Viking defense is possibly the best in the league, and the QB Marcus Mariotta should have a much easier time today to run the offense the way he needs to. The Titan defense I also believe is better than most realize and I don't think they will give up points as easily as the Colts secondary did for Detroit last week. The Lions offense can truly be dynamic and I can honestly see Stafford being even better with the absence of HOF Calvin Johnson as crazy as that sounds. Not having a handcuff and being able to just throw to whoever is open may really take this QB to the next level. But that being said, I like the Titans to smack them in the mouth and hang with them today. I see this one being close with possible upset potential. TITANS+6
***SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS***
A lot of mojo will be flying for the Rams today as they open up their home stadium in LA to christen their new/old franchise. Last week they couldn't of had a worse showing on the road in San Francisco when the Niners blanked them 28-0 during the second game of the opening MNF double header. They will be rocking the throwback uniforms and looking to take out their divisional big brother and I think they make things interesting. The Seahawks did not impress either when allowing QB Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins to come into their house and nearly upset them as 10pt+ underdogs. The Hawks were extremely lucky to get out of that game with a win where they pulled off the comeback at the end. QB Russel Wilson is nursing an ankle injury and today is not the day to be hobbled as the Rams defensive front will be foaming at the mouth to get after him. These guys will be feeding off of the adrenaline from an LA crowd while they are hoping to see their team bounce back and open up the Coliseum with a win. Rams QB Case Keenum was abysmal last week but I don't believe he is THAT bad and will have a better game today and I expect RB Todd Gurley to also break loose and be a factor. At the least bit, I don't see a Hawks blowout and think the Rams keep this one close in a feel good game for the brand new franchise. RAMS+6
***JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS***
This game has shootout written all over it at first glance. However, the Chargers actually have a pass defense that is capable of limiting the Jags through the air today. I believe CB Jason Verrett is on the verge of being a top shutdown DB in this league and if they can make it difficult for Bortles to throw into windows, the Jaguars could be in for a long day on the road in San Diego today. Everyone is high on the Jags this year as they should be given the talent this team possesses. However after coming so close to beating the mighty Packers in their home opener, I believe this could be a little deflating and that bad mojo could linger into this one here. The same can be said for the Chargers who looked great on the road against rival Kansas City and then blew a huge lead to lose the game outright in overtime. However I believe this doesn't happen if their top WR Keenan Allen doesn't go down with an injury and is now lost for the season. When this happened last week, it changed the entire game and I believe with a week to prepare for the absence of their best WR, Rivers and offense will adjust accordingly. I like the Bolts defense to step up and right the ship at home today. CHARGERS-3
