MNF: Cowboys Perspective

Players to watch:

WR Miles Austin – It is amazing how quickly Austin has become one of the best receivers in the NFL. Undrafted out of Monmouth University, Austin finally got his first start 5 weeks into the last years season. Since then he has simply dominated, putting up 100+ receptions 1700+ yards and 12 TD in the 17 games. He is big, strong, fast, and runs great routes. It would be hard for anyone to argue that he is not a top 5 receiver in the NFL right now.

CB Mike Jenkins– Jenkins has been picked on a lot in the last couple of games. The former first rounder out of South Florida has tons of skill but has been a little too aggressive and is often flagged for pass interference. Lets see if he can make some adjustments and make some plays against turnover prone QB Eli Manning.

The Offensive Line – To say the Giants defensive line has been disruptive so far would be a huge understatement. The Giants have 21 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 14 forced fumbles to this point. The Cowboys O-line has done a pretty good job to this point only allowing 7 sacks, but they are really going to be tested tonight.

Key Matchup: WR Hakeem Nicks vs CB Terrance Newman

In only his second year Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is becoming a star receiver in the NFL. He will most likely be matched up against Newman, one of the top corners in the league. Nicks is coming off a hamstring injury so he may be slowed. Fortunately for Nicks his biggest strengths is his great route running ability and hands, he does not rely on pure speed like many receivers so Newman may still have his hands full. Nicks has showed that he can go off and single handedly win a game for the Giants, so if Newman can shut him down, it will go long way in helping the Cowboys win.

Why the Cowboys will win: The Cowboys really need this win. All the talent is there for the Cowboys and even though they are 1-4, they have been in every game losing by 7 or less. If the Cowboy team that showed up against a great Texans team on the road, can show up tonight I have no doubt they can win this game. There has been so much scrutiny and so many people bad mouthing the Cowboys, I think they cannot wait to show up to this game and prove everyone wrong. I think they will come in front of a huge home crowd and play with a chip on their shoulder. Look for Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware, Keith Brooking, Bradie James and the other leaders on the Cowboys to come out and have big games.

Prediction: Cowboys 31 Giants 17

Keith's NFL Picks

Giants -3 at Titans

The Pick: Titans +3, I can see CJ2k going off against a week Giant line backing core.

Bills at Patriots -14

The Pick: Patriots -14, honestly if the Pats don’t win this game by 14 I think a lot of people would be disappointed.

Browns at Ravens -12

The Pick: Ravens -12, I think the talented Ravens defense could score a couple of touchdowns in this game.

Steelers -2.5 at Buccaneers

The Pick: Steelers -2.5, I like the Bucs but they have not faced a defense like the Steelers.

Bengals -3 at Panthers

The Pick: Panthers +3, This is a game that the Panthers must win, and I think they will find a way to do so.

Saints -3 at Falcons

The Pick: Falcons +3, The Saints are 2-0 but have not looked real sharp, I think the Falcons can pull out a tough game at home.

49ers -3 at Chiefs

The Pick: Chiefs +3, I like the way the Chiefs are playing. If they stop Frank Gore, and I think they can, they will win this game.

Lions at Vikings -12

The Pick: Lions +12, I thought this might be an upset game, so a 12 point spread seems too much.

Cowboys at Texans -2.5

The Pick: Texans -2.5, this is an easy pick. Texans have a very balanced attack on offense and should give the Cowboys defense fits.

Redskins -5 at Rams

The Pick: Redskins -5, could be a big upset game, but QB Donovan McNabb has looked too good to pick against.

Eagles -3 at Jaguars

The Pick: Eagles -3, QB Michael Vick is a gamer, I think they pull this one out.

Colts -5.5 at Broncos

The Pick: Colts -5.5, in my mind the Colts are still the top team in the AFC.

Chargers -4 at Seahawks

The Pick: Chargers -4, I don’t think that the Seahawks are that talented of a team, the Chargers should be able to take this one.

Raiders at Cardinals -5

The Pick: Cardinals -5, tough pick, I’m going with the Cardinals simply because they are at home.

Jets at Dolphins -2.5

The Pick: Dolphins -2.5, I can’t wait to watch this game. It comes down to QB Mark Sanchez , and I don't see him having another great game.

MNF: Week 2 Saints vs. 49ers

49ers' Keys to the Game:

RB Frank Gore – Gore is one of the best backs in the NFL, and the 49ers are going to need him to play much better than his 38 yards on 17 carries in week 1 against the Seahawks. It is clear that Alex Smith is not an elite QB in this league, so having him attempt 45 passes like last week is generally not a great idea. The offense, and really the whole season, may lie on RB Frank Gore’s shoulders.

Emulate the Vikings' Defense – The Vikings may have lost to the Saints, but they held them to just 14 points. In the first 13 games last year the lowest point total any team held the Saints to was 24 points, done by the Jets who had the number one defense. After letting up a quick touchdown, the Vikings were able to hold the Saints to a 3.2 yards per carry average and created long third down situations, where they were able to get the Saints off the field (Saints were 3-11 on third downs). Look for the 49ers to copy the Vikings game plan on defense.

Players to watch:

LB Patrick Willis – One of the best defensive players in the NFL, if not the best. I predicted him to win the Defensive Player of the Year award; we will see if he can have a big game against a great offense.

TE Vernon Davis – Davis is a playmaker at the tight end position, and nightmare for defenses to match up against. He is 6’3” 250 lbs and can run in the 4.4’s in the 40. He had a good first game with 8 receptions and 73 yards. It will be interesting to see how the Saints try to take away the 49ers biggest receiving threat.

WR Michael Crabtree – Crabtree held out for the first five games of his rookie season, but still had a nice season, with 48 receptions and 625 yards. I want to see what he can do with a full year.

Saints Keys to the Game:

Attack down the Field – Last week the 49ers made an average Seahawks offense look very good in their 31-6 loss. The Saints have a lot more weapons than the Seahawks and have QB Drew Brees under center.  They should have no problem moving the ball on the 49ers' defense.

Get up early and make the 49ers one dimensional – If the Saints can get up early on the 49ers, it could be a long day for the 49ers. Taking the ball out of the hands of RB Frank Gore and making QB Alex Smith try his luck against the Saints' talented defensive backs  plays right into the strengths of the Saints. The Saints did a good job last week of making Adrian Peterson, one of the best running backs in the game, irrelevant. I expect them to do much of the same this week.

Players to watch:

DE Will Smith – Smith is one of the top defensive ends in the game, but had a pretty quiet game against the Vikings. It should be an interesting match-up between the 49ers young offensive tackles and Smith, who can be very disruptive.

RB Pierre Thomas – A really hard runner and a fun back to watch, Thomas is a lot better tailback then Reggie Bush but does not receive nearly the same attention.

WR Robert Meachem – Meachem is a big play threat for the Saints. Last year he had only 45 receptions but averaged 16 yards per catch, and had 9 touchdowns.

The Pick: Saints -5.5, this game may be closer than people think, but I think the defending super bowl champs should have no problem beating the 49ers by at least a touchdown.

Thursday Night Football: NC State Vs. Cincinnati

NC State vs. Cincinnati

Cincinnati players to watch:

WR Armon Binns – 6’3” receiver that hauled in 66 receptions and 11 TDs last year. Product of the spread system or a top prospect?

TE Benjamin Guidugli – Only a 6’0 tight end but can still make plays.

NC State:
LB Nate Irving – Had 80 tackles and 11 TFL in 2008, he did not play at all in 2009 because of a 2008 car crash. It will be interesting to see how he does.

WR Jarvis Williams – 6’4” WR that is a threat in the red zone, had 11 TDs last year.

WR Owen Spencer – Another tall receiver at 6’3” may have more talent then Williams.

Overview: The ACC has really been struggling with some of the top contenders already being beaten badly (Virginia Tech, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Georgia Tech...). NC State is one of the ACC’s most underrated teams. QB Russell Wilson is very good and is one of the most underrated QB’s in the country; he’s thrown for an amazing 53 TDs and only 11 INTs in his career. Cincinnati lost many of its key players last year to the draft including QB Tony Pike and leading WR Mardy Gilyard. The loss of those leaders may have contributed to upset loss in their season opener.

The Pick: NC State -1.5 – I think an underrated N.C. State team at home will take this one.