- Thread starter
- #1
BwareDWare94
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2011
- Messages
- 8,989
- Reaction score
- 140
Keep in mind that this is just me exploring potential upsets for each week. I don't expect them all to happen.
Week 2 Upset #1: Jets over Patriots
Why it could happen:
Danny Amendola is hurt (imagine that). Shane Vareen is already on IR/Designated to return. The rest of New England's receivers are relatively unproven, and Gronk won't be playing (GRONK MAD! [Bware sad, I own him in one league]). Geno Smith is still relatively unknown, and while he wasn't fantastic in week 1, he was good enough to win. However, there is nobody named LaVonte David on New England's roster (to be fair to David, the hit looked much worse in real time than it did on replay). Unfortunate for New England is that the Jets defense is a significant upgrade from that of Buffalo.
Is it actually an upset?
Oh, without question. The Jets come in with an offense that wouldn't scare the FBS's best defenses, and a rookie quarterback.
This one isn't likely, at all, but it's possible.
Week 2 Upset #2: Rams over Falcons
Why it could happen:
The Falcons offensive line is extremely unimpressive, as is their front 7 on defense. While the Rams struggle on the road, they should be able to have some success in the trenches, which could lead to an early stalemate. If Atlanta doesn't take an early lead, the game is unlikely to get out of hand, and the Rams defense is nasty enough in the secondary to give Jones and White some struggles. There are a lot of things that could go wrong for Atlanta in this game, but it's definitely an upset of specific circumstances.
Is it actually upset?
Absolutely. The Falcons so rarely lose at home, and the Rams are probably a year away from real contention, and God knows if Sam Bradford is actually any good. I just don't see Sam Bradford outplaying Matt Ryan in the Georgia Dome, but the Rams do come in with a better defense, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I think this one is definitely possible.
Week 2 Upset #3: Vikings over Bears
Why it could happen:
Jay Cutler isn't exactly consistent, and the Bears defense is going to, at some point, show us what they're missing without Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli. They always seem to struggle with Adrian Peterson, and I don't see how that should be any different this coming weekend. Christian Ponder has to be decent, though--the Bears can't get way out in front, or this game is over. Minnesota's OL absolutely has to play better. This unit is the exact same as last year's, so there's no excuses to not return to form. The Vikings will also get Kevin Williams back, who I thought would have changed last week's game.
Is it actually an upset?
Last Saturday, I'd have said no, but after watching the Vikings lose to Lions, I'm more worried. I think Chicago has a chance to be really good, but won't crown them until they prove to be more consistent.
I won't be surprised if either team wins this game, but Minnesota has to leave last week in the past.
Week 2 Upset #4: Dolphins over Colts
Why it will happen:
The Colts are, wait for it, overrated. Everybody at this site knows it, but needless to say, general fans will be shocked if Miami goes into Indianapolis and wins. I'm about positive that it does happen. I don't believe in Indianapolis' defense, but Miami's sure is good. I think that Cameron Wake and the rest of that defense could give Luck some real trouble, so watch out for Luck's old turnover problems to resurface this week. Ryan Tannehill, while the least impressive of last year's rookie class (I think Weeden has better prolific potential), is good nonetheless. He doesn't turn the ball over too much, but he also doesn't throw for a lot of yards (or touchdowns). I do think he's good enough to win at Lucas Oil with a better supporting cast than Andrew Luck.
Is it actually an upset?
To the general NFL fan, yes. To us, and other studied fans, no.
This one I'm banking on.
Week 2 Upset #5: Cardinals over Lions
Why it could happen:
This is another general fan versus studied fan upset. I doubt I'm the only person who was impressed by Arizona last week. The Cardinals almost always play well at home, and the Lions are facing a superior defense to last week's Minnesota defense sans their most important player in Kevin Williams. While Bruce Arians sucked--absolutely sucked--as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator, he's proven to be more effective in the head coaching role, and I expect him to steal a win from one of the worst established head coaches in Jim Schwartz.
Is it actually an upset?
I guess I think it is. The way Detroit played last week, it looks like they'll be awful hard to stop as long as Bush is healthy and playing well. I don't believe in Reggie's consistency, however, and think that Arizona's defense is better suited to corral his ass. It'll be stopping Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson that will be the difference in this game.
If Arizona's defense shows up, I think this happens.
Week 2 Upset #6: Giants over Broncos
Why it could happen:
After seeing Eli torch a better Dallas defense, I think he could really do some work against the Broncos. Victor Cruz has already shown us all why he's worth the contract, Nicks is healthy, and Randle has shown that he's the real deal. They do have to slow Peyton, though, and I'm not sure that they have the secondary pieces necessary to make that happen, especially without Prince. Peyton needs to attack Ryan Mundy in this game, because he's awful, or the Giants pass rush could get to him. The Giants hold all the tools for beating Denver: A good pass rush and a good passing game. They can keep up with Denver, or hold them down if necessary. I have to believe that Coughlin will have his team ready for this game.
Is it actually an upset?
It has to be. The Giants looked awful last week; the Broncos looked fantastic. Either way, this could be the slugfest of the week, and it'd be foolish not to tune in if your market is playing this game.
This is another one I absolutely expect to happen.
Week 2 Upset #1: Jets over Patriots
Why it could happen:
Danny Amendola is hurt (imagine that). Shane Vareen is already on IR/Designated to return. The rest of New England's receivers are relatively unproven, and Gronk won't be playing (GRONK MAD! [Bware sad, I own him in one league]). Geno Smith is still relatively unknown, and while he wasn't fantastic in week 1, he was good enough to win. However, there is nobody named LaVonte David on New England's roster (to be fair to David, the hit looked much worse in real time than it did on replay). Unfortunate for New England is that the Jets defense is a significant upgrade from that of Buffalo.
Is it actually an upset?
Oh, without question. The Jets come in with an offense that wouldn't scare the FBS's best defenses, and a rookie quarterback.
This one isn't likely, at all, but it's possible.
Week 2 Upset #2: Rams over Falcons
Why it could happen:
The Falcons offensive line is extremely unimpressive, as is their front 7 on defense. While the Rams struggle on the road, they should be able to have some success in the trenches, which could lead to an early stalemate. If Atlanta doesn't take an early lead, the game is unlikely to get out of hand, and the Rams defense is nasty enough in the secondary to give Jones and White some struggles. There are a lot of things that could go wrong for Atlanta in this game, but it's definitely an upset of specific circumstances.
Is it actually upset?
Absolutely. The Falcons so rarely lose at home, and the Rams are probably a year away from real contention, and God knows if Sam Bradford is actually any good. I just don't see Sam Bradford outplaying Matt Ryan in the Georgia Dome, but the Rams do come in with a better defense, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I think this one is definitely possible.
Week 2 Upset #3: Vikings over Bears
Why it could happen:
Jay Cutler isn't exactly consistent, and the Bears defense is going to, at some point, show us what they're missing without Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli. They always seem to struggle with Adrian Peterson, and I don't see how that should be any different this coming weekend. Christian Ponder has to be decent, though--the Bears can't get way out in front, or this game is over. Minnesota's OL absolutely has to play better. This unit is the exact same as last year's, so there's no excuses to not return to form. The Vikings will also get Kevin Williams back, who I thought would have changed last week's game.
Is it actually an upset?
Last Saturday, I'd have said no, but after watching the Vikings lose to Lions, I'm more worried. I think Chicago has a chance to be really good, but won't crown them until they prove to be more consistent.
I won't be surprised if either team wins this game, but Minnesota has to leave last week in the past.
Week 2 Upset #4: Dolphins over Colts
Why it will happen:
The Colts are, wait for it, overrated. Everybody at this site knows it, but needless to say, general fans will be shocked if Miami goes into Indianapolis and wins. I'm about positive that it does happen. I don't believe in Indianapolis' defense, but Miami's sure is good. I think that Cameron Wake and the rest of that defense could give Luck some real trouble, so watch out for Luck's old turnover problems to resurface this week. Ryan Tannehill, while the least impressive of last year's rookie class (I think Weeden has better prolific potential), is good nonetheless. He doesn't turn the ball over too much, but he also doesn't throw for a lot of yards (or touchdowns). I do think he's good enough to win at Lucas Oil with a better supporting cast than Andrew Luck.
Is it actually an upset?
To the general NFL fan, yes. To us, and other studied fans, no.
This one I'm banking on.
Week 2 Upset #5: Cardinals over Lions
Why it could happen:
This is another general fan versus studied fan upset. I doubt I'm the only person who was impressed by Arizona last week. The Cardinals almost always play well at home, and the Lions are facing a superior defense to last week's Minnesota defense sans their most important player in Kevin Williams. While Bruce Arians sucked--absolutely sucked--as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator, he's proven to be more effective in the head coaching role, and I expect him to steal a win from one of the worst established head coaches in Jim Schwartz.
Is it actually an upset?
I guess I think it is. The way Detroit played last week, it looks like they'll be awful hard to stop as long as Bush is healthy and playing well. I don't believe in Reggie's consistency, however, and think that Arizona's defense is better suited to corral his ass. It'll be stopping Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson that will be the difference in this game.
If Arizona's defense shows up, I think this happens.
Week 2 Upset #6: Giants over Broncos
Why it could happen:
After seeing Eli torch a better Dallas defense, I think he could really do some work against the Broncos. Victor Cruz has already shown us all why he's worth the contract, Nicks is healthy, and Randle has shown that he's the real deal. They do have to slow Peyton, though, and I'm not sure that they have the secondary pieces necessary to make that happen, especially without Prince. Peyton needs to attack Ryan Mundy in this game, because he's awful, or the Giants pass rush could get to him. The Giants hold all the tools for beating Denver: A good pass rush and a good passing game. They can keep up with Denver, or hold them down if necessary. I have to believe that Coughlin will have his team ready for this game.
Is it actually an upset?
It has to be. The Giants looked awful last week; the Broncos looked fantastic. Either way, this could be the slugfest of the week, and it'd be foolish not to tune in if your market is playing this game.
This is another one I absolutely expect to happen.
