Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

NFL gameday

By DARRELL FRY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 23, 2001

Bills at Colts

OF NOTE: Indianapolis looks every bit the Super Bowl contender people expected. Quarterback Peyton Manning showed few effects of an injured leg in a season-opening blowout of the Jets. He is throwing well, and Edgerrin James (135 yards againstJets) is running well. That spells doom for the Bills, whose offense is off to a slow start with quarterback Rob Johnson. The last time these teams played (Dec. 11), the Colts scored 44 points. Look for another 40-point afternoon and an another easy victory for the Colts.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Colts 42, Bills 17

Raiders at Dolphins.

THE BREAKDOWN: Miami got a lot of people's attention with its upset at Tennessee in Week 1. The question is: Was it a fluke, or does it signify the Dolphins are an elite team? We'll get a better idea after this tussle with the Raiders, whom the Dolphins say they owe for a 27-0 spanking in last season's playoffs. My guess is quarterback Rich Gannon won't torch the Dolphins secondary for nearly 350 yards the way he did the Chiefs secondary in a Week 1 victory.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Dolphins 23, Raiders 20

Titans at Jaguars.

OF NOTE: Two weeks have passed, but the Titans probably still can't believe they lost to the Dolphins in front of the home folks. Meanwhile, the Jags looked like the Jags of old with quarterback Mark Brunell working his magic. Neil O'Donnell will start for the Titans at quarterback in place of Steve McNair, who hasn't practiced since injuring his throwing shoulder two weeks ago. The Titans are an NFL-best 24-16 on the road since 1996, but the dropoff from McNair to O'Donnell is huge. Still, I can't imagine the Titans falling to 0-2.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Titans 17, Jaguars 14.

Ravens at Bengals

OF NOTE: The defending Super Bowl champions didn't look so super in getting past Chicago in the season opener. If the Ravens were playing anybody else today, they probably would be in for a struggle. But it's the "Bungles," and we all know what that means. In their past three meetings, Baltimore has outscored Cincinnati 86-7. The Ravens could win with defense alone. If Cincy quarterback Jon Kitna could throw for only 204 yards against the weak Patriots, he will be lucky to break 100 against Ray Lewis and company.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Ravens 24, Bengals 9

Panthers at Falcons.

OF NOTE: Carolina shocked the NFL with its opening-week win against Minnesota, perhaps hinting things might not be as dreadful as feared. Sorry, but I'm not buying it. At least not yet. The Falcons are weak again, but for some reason, they have played well against the Panthers. Atlanta is 5-1 at home against Carolina. Rookie quarterback Michael Vick will see action but probably not much. The Falcons should win, but somehow, the Panthers probably will squeak this one out.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Panthers 16, Falcons 14

Lions at Browns

OF NOTE: The only thing that would make this game more tailor-made for Detroit would be if it were at home. As it is, the Lions get the lowly Browns, who are coming off a season-opening loss in which they mustered only two field goals. That's perfect for a Lions team that is 0-1 and desperately looking for help from the bullpen. Backup quarterback Ty Detmer emerges to replace the benched Charlie Batch. If it's any consolation to the Browns (probably not), at least the loss will be another close one.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Lions 12, Browns 10

Vikings at Bears

OF NOTE: Minnesota coach Denny Green has had two weeks to dissect his team's loss to Carolina, and you can bet your last set of earmuffs Green won't let it happen again. Not against the sorry Bears, who have big problems themselves. The Vikings have won seven of eight against the Bears, and there's every reason to believe that domination will continue today. The only thing that keeps this game from being a blowout is Soldier Field's natural grass. That will slow Randy Moss and company. But not much.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Vikings 29, Bears 17

Giants at Chiefs.

OF NOTE: Who knows how distracted the Giants will be after the terrorist attacks. If they are focused, they should handle the Chiefs, who looked good in nearly beating Oakland in Week 1. If not, the Chiefs could steal this one, especially if quarterback Trent Green gets hot. More than likely, the Giants will be motivated. The Giants look to avoid falling to 0-2 after being routed by the Broncos, who were opening their new stadium. The Chiefs had 32 rushing yards against the Raiders, and it will be hard to get many more against the Giants. FRY'S GUARANTEE: Giants 24, Chiefs 10

Chargers at Cowboys

OF NOTE: The Chargers could be one of the surprise teams. Quarterback Doug Flutie appears to fit in nicely along with rookie running back LaDainian Tomlinson (113 yards in Week 1). Dallas is no pushover. Just ask Tampa Bay. The Cowboys are 5-1 all-time against the Bolts. The Cowboys' defense ought to keep this close, which it might have to do with quarterback Quincy Carter sidelined with a sore throwing hand. Backup Anthony Wright is decent but not talented enough to carry the offense.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Chargers 23, Cowboys 14.

Jets at Patriots

OF NOTE: Like the Giants and Redskins, the Jets may have trouble being focused in light of the terrorist attacks. If nothing else, they'll be sentimental favorites. Fortunately for the Jets, beating the Pats doesn't require much concentration. The biggest concern should be keeping Pats quarterback Drew Bledsoe from finding a groove. If New York can't do a better job defensively than it did in a 45-24 loss to Indianapolis and Peyton Manning in Week 1, the Jets are in trouble. If Bledsoe throws for more than 300 yards, the Jets are toast.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Jets 27, Patriots 21.

Rams at 49ers

OF NOTE: The Rams barely won their opener against the Eagles thanks to a field goal in overtime. The 'Niners, though, aren't the Eagles. The Rams trampled the 'Niners' young defense last season, averaging 37.5 points and 488 yards in two games. Tthey have won their past four against the Niners. Still, it won't be easy for St. Louis. The Rams' improving defense is a bit vulnerable against the pass, and 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia ripped the Falcons for 335 yards in Week 1, the fourth time in five starts he's exceeded 300 yards.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Rams 28, 49ers 17.

Eagles at Seahawks

OF NOTE: The Eagles need a gimme like this one after playing their hearts out against the Rams in the opener. The Seahawks simply don't have the weapons to match up. Look for quarterback Donovan McNabb to run circles around Seattle while the Eagles defense holds running back Ricky Watters well under 100 yards. Seattle had 251 yards of offense in its opener. Look for the Eagles to soar and deliver some payback for the 38-0 whipping they got from the Seahawks in their last meeting in 1998.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Eagles 30, Seahawks 6.

Broncos at Cardinals

OF NOTE: The Cardinals finally start their season three weeks after everyone else. All the rest in the world, though, isn't going to help them win this one. As polished as the Broncos looked in their opening win against the Giants, this game may be over by halftime -- even with Terrell Davis sidelined. Look for QB Brian Griese to feast on a Cardinals secondary crippled by the loss of Pro Bowl CB Aeneas Williams, who was traded to the Rams. Then look for Cardinal fans to bolt for the exits early.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Broncos 38, Cardinals 10.

Redskins at Packers

OF NOTE: A national television audience will get to see just how awful the Redskins are, and just how dangerous the Packers can be. This has blowout written all over it. Washington's offense is pitiful, rendering the Redskins powerless against a streaking Packers team that has been on a roll since late last season. Look for Green Bay's defensive front to camp out in the Redskins' backfield the way it did in Week 1 against Detroit. Suffice to say, there will be a lot of Lambeau Leaps in this one.

FRY'S GUARANTEE: Packers 34, Redskins 14.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright