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In case you didn’t get the news, the Saints are the only division leader in sole possession of first place in either conference (AFC or NFC). All others have at least two teams tied for first place. Even so, we can’t get happy over one week. But then again, if you can win the season opener vs. last year’s division champ and emerge with a “W,” that ain’t bad!

With that, let’s take a look at the contests that have an impact on the 2013 NFC standings:

Thursday September 12th
Week 2, Game 1: Jets (1-0) @ Patriots (1-0)
N/A: AFC opponents
Vegas odds on this game: Patriots by 13 .

Sunday September 15th

Week 2, Game 2: Browns (0-1) @ Ravens (0-1))
N/A: AFC opponents

Vegas odds on this game: Ravens by 7.


Week 2, Game 3: Chargers (0-1) @ Eagles (1-0)

a. Why it is important: Eagles are an NFC rival. Not many figured the Eagles to open the season on the road with as dominating a start as they had vs. the Redskins. They played with great team speed, and looked potentially lethal on offense. Barring injury, and based on the way they looked vs. a very good Redskins team, the Eagles will be a team in the hunt for a postseason spot.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Chargers, who suffered a heartbreaking **choke** performance vs. the Texans for their seasons/home opener. It will be very difficult for the Chargers to be competitive vs. the Eagles, who performed so well last week on the road. Sad to say, this one has blowout written all over it. If Buddy D. were here today, he’d say take the Eagles and lay the points.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 1.5 out of 10.


Week 2, Game 4: Dolphins (1-0) @ Colts (1-0)

N/A: AFC opponents

Vegas odds on this game: Colts by 3.


Week 2, Game 5: Titans (1-0) @ Texans (1-0)

N/A: AFC opponents

Vegas odds on this game: Texans by 9.


Week 2, Game 6: Panthers (0-1) @ Bills (0-1)

a. Why it is important: Panthers are a conference and division rival. Panthers’ defense is very good, and will cause problems for the Bills’ offense. Panthers have a slight advantage in the running game.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bills. Whoever wins the turnover battle will likely win this one.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Panthers by 3.


Week 2, Game 7: Rams (1-0) @ Falcons (0-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals; Falcons are a division rival.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Rams. Don’t be delusional. The Falcons will play inspired ball in their home opener, and Stephen Jackson should run roughshod vs. his former teammates for 100+ yards. Sad to say, but the Falcons should win this one handily.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 2.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Falcons by 7.


Week 2, Game 8: Cowboys (1-0) @ Chiefs (1-0)

a. Why it is important: Cowboys are an NFC rival. Chiefs are a vastly improved team, and play very well at home. Look for the Chiefs to establish the running game, making it easier for Alex Smith to use play action effectively beyond the first quarter. The Cowboys may abandon their running game early, but may be in trouble because the Chiefs’ secondary is good, and their pass rushers are effective. Romo may be running for his life if the Cowboys get behind early. Coach Andy Reid is a master game planner, and knows the Cowboys well (from his many years with the Eagles).

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Chiefs.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Chiefs by 3.


Week 2, Game 9: Vikings (0-1) @ Bears (1-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Vikings facing the tough task of opening the season with two straight ROAD games vs. division opponents. Bears always play well at home. Vikings need to pound the rock with Adrian Peterson if they are to have a chance in this one. They abandoned the run vs. the Lions, despite AP’s 6 ypc average.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Vikings, since the Bears do not yet have a loss. It’s still early in the season, so it’s possible to make an argument going the other way

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Bears by 6- ½ .


Week 2, Game 10: Redskins (0-1) @ Packers (0-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Packers lost a heartbreaker on the road vs. a very good 49’ers team. The Packers should be very energized for their home opener. Redskins can ill-afford to start the season at 0-2 (with 2 conference losses), but that’s what appears to be shaping up.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Redskins because “the Pack appears to be back.”

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Packers by 7- ½.


Week 2, Game 11: Saints (1-0) @ Buccaneers (0-1)

a. Why it is important: Bucs are a conference rival and a division rival. Buccaneers had a PLAYERS-ONLY meeting this week, and appear to be very focused on getting back on track vs. the Saints. This will be their home opener, and the crowd noise will be a huge factor. This is probably NOT a trap game, because Sean Payton won’t let that happen. But there is a concern for the Saints’ running game. If the Saints are unable to establish the run, and the Bucs pin their ears back, things could get ugly real fast. Darrell Revis and the Bucs secondary are among the best in the NFL. Forget homerism: Saints need to have their A-game in all phases in order to emerge victorious in this one.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Saints. A win for the Black and Gold will put them 2-0 in the division and 2-0 in the NFC.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Saints by 4- 1/2 .


Week 2, Game 12: Lions (1-0) @ Cardinals (0-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Lions are a vastly improved team, and are no longer one-dimensional. Joique Bell and Reggie Bush (former Saints teammates) are running well, and Bush is the double threat isolated on a linebacker out of the backfield. The Lions defensive line is stout, and will cause problems for Carson Palmer. Fitzgerald will not have time to get downfield, so short to intermediate routes will have to work, with the ball spread to different receivers. If the Cardinals can call screen plays at the right time, it may be enough to slow down that ferocious Lions’ rush.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Cardinals in their home opener.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Lions by 1- ½.


Week 2, Game 13: Jaguars (0-1) @ Raiders (0-1)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Raiders by 6.


Week 2, Game 14: Broncos (1-0) @ Giants (0-1)

a. Why it is important: Giants are an NFC rival. Broncos have had 10 days to prepare for this road game. But don’t look for Peyton Manning to toss 7 TD’s in this one. This is the Giants’ home opener, and Tom Coughlin will have them ready to play a competitive game. This is once again the “Manning Bowl” (Eli vs. Peyton).

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Broncos.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Broncos by 6.


(SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)

Week 2, Game 15: 49ers (1-0) @ Seahawks (1-0)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. This should be a hard hitting game (literally and figuratively). Last season, Seahawks’ coach Pete Carroll tried to run up the score on the 49’ers. Seahawks got a good test vs. a very stout Panthers’ defense, and the ‘Niners will be just as challenging. Both QB’s (Kaepernick and Wilson) are mobile, and will keep the opposing defenses on their toes. The 12th man factor gives the Seahawks a slight advantage, but this one will probably come down to turnovers.

b. Desired outcome: Toss up. At this point, I’d say pull for the Seahawks, because I just cannot stand the 49’ers.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Seahawks by 2- ½.


Monday September 16th

Week 2, Game 16: Steelers (0-1) @ Bengals (0-1)

N/A: AFC opponents

Vegas odds on this game: Bengals by 7.


News from Enemy Camps (Week 2):

NFC East Leaders:
(Eagles): Philadelphia Eagles Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily
(Cowboys): Dallas Cowboys Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC North Leaders
(Bears): Chicago Bears Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily
(Lions): Detroit Lions Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC West Leaders:
(49ers): San Francisco 49ers Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily
(Rams): St. Louis Rams Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily
(Seahawks): Seattle Seahawks Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

The Dude

Thank you for these. I love these threads. I have a feeling that defensive coordinators are going to figure out the Eagles offense pretty quickly. Washington did, just a little too late.

Rugby Saint II

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

TheOak

You put a lot of work into these, thanks brother!

Euphoria

Its a long season....

homerj07

We bad. They sad. Sucks to be them.

Mr.Riaton

4 1/2 points over the bucks, huh? I wonder how we're gonna get that 1/2 point. Maybe Hartley hits the goal post seriously though, I think we take this game....Payton is focused and the D has some confidence now-or should. Falcons are twice the team the Bucs are. I think our O will struggle a little at first, but adjust at halftime and finish hot.

34-20 Saints

Stealthman

Saints have at least 4 TD's by halftime... I believe the Saints will win big!