Week 2
Indy-Patsies
Peyton Manning has more weapons at his disposal than an army brigade. While New England is stellar at taking away the opponent's best guy, Manning could throw for 300 yards and 4 TDs with his only HOFer, Marvin Harrison, catching 4 for 50. If NE plays 6 D backs, look for Peyton to give the depleted LB corps large doses of Edgerrin James up the middle.
Peyton's Clydedales proves they can be mudders too: Indy 35, NE 27
Pitt-NJ
Pennington came alive and Paul Hackett found his long-pass playbook just in time to knock off favored Marty's bag of bones. However, Cowher is the classic overachiever, and Pittsburgh has 3 super offensive weapons to the Jets' one (Curtis Martin). Jets may goad Big Ben into a few more INTs, but Bettis will have his way with the Jets' injured D-line.
Pitt 31, Jets 16.
NFC
Atlanta-Rams
This one goes down to the wire. Rams will be surprisingly strong against Vick's passing game, but Vick and Dunn will run all over the Rams. However, Bulger will throw for 330 yards against the Falcons, whose D-lineman are not used to running around for 35 minutes.
Whichever running back duo is freshest in the 4th takes the show. Here's bettign that's Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson.
Philly-Minny
Culpepper received all kinds of kudos for his performance over the season and especially when outdueling Brett Favre last week in the playoffs. However, Green Bay's defense is fielded by guys who run 5.7 40-yard dashes.
Philly's defense, while not outstanding, is filled with excellent role-players and pass-rush demon Jevon Kears. Culpepper could elevate his status by performing well in this one, but Philly has the home edge.
McNabb, as he has his whole career before Terrell Owens forced a trade to Philly, must go it alone with his weak WR corps. Unlike the Mannings and Marinos of the world who need stellar surrounding casts, McNabb has excelled with weak offensive casts (ala John Elway), thus making more salary cap resources available for the defense. That's the difference between McNabb and Culppepper this weekend. One needs a surrouding cast of stars, leaving the D vulnerable. The other can win alone.
Philly 31, Minny 27
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