Well, as is his custom, Tony has swung wildly and, in this case, missed. He went 1-3, but missed his two biggest bets, leaving him way down for the week. After a good week followed by a bad week, Andy broke even in week three.
Even is boring. Go big or go home … or go into hiding … again.
Anyway, here are the standings:
| Last week | Last week $ | Overall | Overall $ | Bank roll | |
| Andy | 2-2 | Even | 6-5-1 | +$242 | $10,242 |
| Tony | 1-3 | -$4,137 | 3-9 | -$7,332 | $2,668 |
Andy: This division has been mostly garbage for the last several years, but there might actually be some interesting football to watch here this year. Andrew Luck returns from internal injuries. Blake Bortles looks like a decent prospect. Marcus Mariota showed some promise. Brock Osweiler gets a chance to get out from under the shadow of Peyton Manning. I don’t think there is going to be a lot of greatness coming from the teams in this division, but there should be more competitiveness – and any of these teams on a good Sunday could surprise a more talented team.
Tony: Competitive football in the AFC South I’ll give you…then again, even the NFC East is competitive. Interesting? Well, depends on your angle. The biggest thing I’ll be watching for from this division is likely whether or not Bortles can continue to emerge into a potential top 5 quarterback (fantasy wise) with his receiving corps, improved running game, and a defense that might be able to stop a Division III school this year. If they play up to their potential (and hype), at this point the division should be theirs for the taking. Andrew Luck’s kidney may be healed, but it isn’t going to be stopping opposing offenses. And the Texans aren’t going to be able to replace JJ Watt, if his back injury limits his effectiveness. And the Tennessee Titans…well, they’re building an interesting base of young potential talent, but if I were a fan, I’d be concerned over a head coach whose career as a head coach is about as inspiring as his career as a tight end.
Andy: I think Bortles can continue to develop but not put up the same numbers he did last year. Theoretically this should be a better team, so they should be holding on to a few more leads rather than throwing deep during garbage time. I like the young defensive parts they’re putting in place. It’ll be interesting to see if Chris Ivory and TJ Yeldon can team up to balance the offense a bit.
But Bortles has great potential – and great weapons. It’s the first time in … A long time that the Jaguars have been interesting to me.
Indianapolis added four offensive linemen, including first-round center Ryan Kelly, to help protect Luck’s kidney and the rest of his body. I get why they did that, but they, again, waited until the mid-rounds of the draft to address several defensive deficiencies. And the run game is still led by 78-year-old Frank Gore. So the Colts will be throwing often.
The Texans are interesting. Assuming Watt is healthy, the defense should be solid. Lamar Miller and Osweiler give the offense, theoretically, some balance.
And even Tennessee showed some promise during the preseason. Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray could at least let the team shorten games, which should lead to close, low-scoring match-ups. I think the Titans are the least likely of the four to emerge with the division, but I’m not sure I buy into the conventional wisdom that seems to indicate that as long as Luck is healthy the Colts are the team to beat.
Tony: Osweiler is quite probably the key to the division—if he can play anywhere near the contract the Texans gave him (and they can keep JJ Watt on the field), they can probably hang on to the division. If Osweiler struggles, teams will tee off on Lamar Miller, and he may long for the days of being forgotten in Miami…in the middle of a game…while being the only thing working.
The Titans are probably one more solid draft, and a head coach change, away from truly being competitive, but they’re moving in the right direction, and finally seem to have a plan to get there.
Andy: I think there are three teams in the division that are “one solid draft away” but I think those three teams are on the rise. I suppose it’s possible the Colts hold on to the division one more year, but there is no Super Bowl team coming from this division. In all likelihood, Indy starts to slide a bit and the others start taking their place this year and next.
Andy Predictions:
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Tennessee
Tony Predictions:
Jacksonville
Houston
Indianapolis
Tennessee
Maggio, Tuvey and Bo hook you up with all the news you need to know for Week 1, discuss players still widely available in the critically acclaimed 50/50 segment, welcome their first guest of the season from Dynasty League Football, and will make you laugh at least twice. Not bad for an hour, right?
Quarterbacks
1 Aaron Rodgers at Jacksonville
2 Drew Brees vs. Oakland
3 Andrew Luck vs. Detroit
4 Russell Wilson vs. Miami
5 Matthew Stafford at Indianapolis
6 Derek Carr at New Orleans
7 Ben Roethlisberger at Washington
8 Kirk Cousins vs. Pittsburgh
9 Cam Newton at Denver
10 Brock Osweiler vs. Chicago
11 Carson Palmer vs. New England
12 Blake Bortles vs. Green Bay
13 Eli Manning at Dallas
14 Tyrod Taylor at Baltimore
15 Robert Griffin III at Philadelphia
16 Jimmy Garoppolo at Arizona
17 Andy Dalton at NY Jets
18 Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay
19 Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Cincinnati
20 Jameis Winston at Atlanta
21 Philip Rivers at Kansas City
22 Alex Smith vs. San Diego
23 Dak Prescott vs. NY Giants
24 Joe Flacco vs. Buffalo
25 Marcus Mariota vs. Minnesota
26 Jay Cutler at Houston
27 Blaine Gabbert vs. Los Angeles
28 Shaun Hill at Tennessee
29 Trevor Seimian vs. Carolina
30 Carson Wentz vs. Cleveland
*****
31 Ryan Tannehill at Seattle
32 Case Keenum at San Francisco
33 Sam Bradford at Tennessee
99 Geno Smith vs. Cincinnati
99 Josh McCown at Philadelphia
99 Mark Sanchez vs. Carolina
99 Paxton Lynch vs. Carolina
99 Tony Romo vs. NY Giants
99 Teddy Bridgewater at Tennessee
99 Nick Foles at San Francisco
99 Jared Goff at San Francisco
99 Colin Kaepernick vs. Los Angeles
Running Backs
1 Todd Gurley at San Francisco
2 Lamar Miller vs. Chicago
3 Adrian Peterson at Tennessee
4 Latavius Murray at New Orleans
5 Mark Ingram vs. Oakland
6 Ryan Mathews vs. Cleveland
7 LeSean McCoy at Baltimore
8 DeAngelo Williams at Washington
9 Rashad Jennings at Dallas
10 Eddie Lacy at Jacksonville
11 Ezekiel Elliot vs. NY Giants
12 Devonta Freeman vs. Tampa Bay
13 Doug Martin at Atlanta
14 Spencer Ware vs. San Diego
15 David Johnson vs. New England
16 Matt Forte vs. Cincinnati
17 Christine Michael vs. Miami
18 Frank Gore vs. Detroit
19 CJ Anderson vs. Carolina
20 Giovani Bernard at NY Jets
21 Carlos Hyde vs. Los Angeles
22 Jonathan Stewart at Denver
23 Justin Forsett vs. Buffalo
24 Duke Johnson at Philadelphia
25 Jeremy Hill at NY Jets
26 Isaiah Crowell at Philadelphia
27 James White at Arizona
28 DeMarco Murray vs. Minnesota
29 Ameer Abdullah at Indianapolis
30 LeGarrette Blount at Arizona
31 Chris Ivory vs. Green Bay
32 Jeremy Langford at Houston
33 Arian Foster at Seattle
34 Danny Woodhead at Kansas City
35 Thomas Rawls vs. Miami
36 Melvin Gordon at Kansas City
37 Charles Sims at Atlanta
38 Charcandrick West vs. San Diego
39 Theo Riddick at Indianapolis
40 Derrick Henry vs. Minnesota
41 Matt Jones vs. Pittsburgh
42 Terrance West vs. Buffalo
43 Rob Kelly vs. Pittsburgh
44 TJ Yeldon vs. Green Bay
45 Chris Thompson vs. Pittsburgh
46 Bilal Powell vs. Cincinnati
47 DeAndre Washington at New Orleans
48 Devontae Booker vs. Carolina
49 James Starks at Jacksonville
50 Cameron Artis-Payne at Denver
51 Darren Sproles vs. Cleveland
52 Robert Turbin vs. Detroit
53 Jay Ajayi at Seattle
54 Shane Vereen at Dallas
55 Bennie Cunningham at San Francisco
56 Ka’Deem Carey at Houston
57 Tevin Coleman vs. Tampa Bay
58 Chris Johnson vs. New England
59 Kenyan Drake at Seattle
60 Jamaal Charles vs. San Diego
*****
60 Alfred Morris vs. NY Giants
61 Paul Perkins at Dallas
62 Zach Zenner at Indianapolis
63 Jerick McKinnon at Tennessee
64 CJ Prosise vs. Miami
65 Mike Davis vs. Los Angeles
66 Tyler Ervin vs. Chicago
67 Travaris Cadet vs. Oakland
99 Lorenzo Taliaferro vs. Buffalo
99 Le’Veon Bell at Washington
99 Khiry Robinson vs. Cincinnati
99 Ronnie Hillman vs. Carolina
99 Dion Lewis at Arizona
99 Karlos Williams at Baltimore
99 Darren McFadden vs. NY Giants
99 Tre Mason at San Francisco
Wide Receiver
1 Antonio Brown at Washington
2 Amari Cooper at New Orleans
3 DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chicago
4 Sammy Watkins at Baltimore
5 Odell Beckham Jr. at Dallas
6 Julio Jones vs. Tampa Bay
7 Brandon Marshall vs. Cincinnati
8 Doug Baldwin vs. Miami
9 Allen Robinson vs. Green Bay
10 Brandin Cooks vs. Oakland
11 Michael Floyd vs. New England
12 Eric Decker vs. Cincinnati
13 Dez Bryant vs. NY Giants
14 Jordan Matthews vs. Cleveland
15 Larry Fitzgerald vs. New England
16 AJ Green at NY Jets
17 Keenan Allen at Kansas City
18 Golden Tate at Indianapolis
19 Jordy Nelson at Jacksonville
20 Kamar Aiken vs. Buffalo
21 Michael Crabtree at New Orleans
22 Marvin Jones at Indianapolis
23 TY Hilton vs. Detroit
24 Mike Evans at Atlanta
25 John Brown vs. New England
26 Pierre Garcon vs. Pittsburgh
27 Demaryius Thomas vs. Carolina
28 Donte Moncrief vs. Detroit
29 Willie Snead vs. Oakland
30 Randall Cobb at Jacksonville
31 Allen Hurns vs. Green Bay
32 Mohamed Sanu vs. Tampa Bay
33 Emmanuel Sanders vs. Carolina
34 Alshon Jeffery at Houston
35 Tyler Lockett vs. Miami
36 DeSean Jackson vs. Pittsburgh
37 Anquan Boldin at Indianapolis
38 Markus Wheaton at Washington
39 Torrey Smith vs. Los Angeles
40 Julian Edelman at Arizona
41 Jeremy Maclin vs. San Diego
42 Terrelle Pryor at Philadelphia
43 Michael Thomas vs. Oakland
44 Jarvis Landry at Seattle
45 Stefon Diggs at Tennessee
46 Tavon Austin vs. San Francisco
47 Robert Woods at Baltimore
48 Tyler Boyd at NY Jets
49 Dorial Green-Beckham vs. Cleveland
50 Travis Benjamin at Kansas City
51 Corey Coleman at Philadelphia
52 Rishard Matthews vs. Minnesota
53 Will Fuller vs. Chicago
54 Jamison Crowder vs. Pittsburgh
55 Sterling Shepard at Dallas
56 Mike Wallace vs. Buffalo
57 Tajae Sharpe vs. Minnesota
58 Davante Adams at Jacksonville
59 Chris Conley vs. San Diego
60 Brandon LaFell at NY Jets
*****
50 Steve Smith Sr. vs. Buffalo
50 DeVante Parker at Seattle
50 Jermaine Kearse vs. Miami
60 Kevin White at Houston
60 Eddie Royal at Houston
60 Kenny Stills at Seattle
60 Philip Dorsett vs. Detroit
60 Braxton Miller vs. Chicago
60 Devin Funchess at Denver
60 Vincent Jackson at Atlanta
65 Marquise Goodwin at Baltimore
65 Rashad Greene vs. Green Bay
70 Ted Ginn Jr. at Denver
70 Danny Amendola at Arizona
70 Seth Roberts at New Orleans
70 Breshad Perriman vs. Buffalo
75 Tyrell Williams at Kansas City
75 Victor Cruz at Dallas
75 Nelson Agholor vs. Cleveland
80 Terrance Williams vs. NY Giants
80 Andrew Hawkins at Philadelphia
80 Kenny Britt at San Francisco
80 Quinton Patton vs. Los Angeles
80 Kelvin Benjamin at Denver
85 Cole Beasley vs. NY Giants
85 Albert Wilson vs. San Diego
85 Brian Quick vs. San Francisco
90 Cody Latimer vs. Carolina
90 Chris Hogan at Arizona
90 Laquon Treadwell at Tennessee
90 Justin Hardy vs. Tampa Bay
90 Jeremy Kerley vs. Los Angeles
100 Jarius Wright at Tennessee
Tight Ends
1 Rob Gronkowski at Arizona
2 Jordan Reed vs. Pittsburgh
3 Coby Fleener vs. Oakland
4 Delanie Walker vs. Minnesota
5 Greg Olsen at Denver
6 Gary Barnidge at Philadelphia
7 Travis Kelce vs. San Diego
8 Jared Cook at Jacksonville
9 Eric Ebron at Indianapolis
10 Jason Witten vs. NY Giants
11 Antonio Gates at Kansas City
12 Zach Miller at Houston
13 Dwayne Allen vs. Detroit
14 Julius Thomas vs. Green Bay
15 Zach Ertz vs. Cleveland
16 Kyle Rudolph at Tennessee
17 Vance McDonald vs. Los Angeles
18 Austin Seferian-Jenkins at Atlanta
19 Jacob Tamme vs. Tampa Bay
20 Martellus Bennett at Arizona
21 Clive Walford at New Orleans
22 Jordan Cameron at Seattle
23 Virgil Green vs. Carolina
24 Jesse James at Washington
25 Lance Kendricks at San Francisco
26 Charles Clay at Baltimore
27 Jimmy Graham vs. Miami
28 Will Tye at Dallas
29 Darren Fells vs. New England
30 Crockett Gillmore vs. Buffalo
*****
99 Tyler Eifert at NY Jets
99 Benjamin Watson vs. Buffalo
99 Ladarius Green at Washington
Josh Hill vs. Oakland
CJ Fiedorowicz vs. Chicago
Richard Rodgers at Jacksonville
Tyler Kroft at NY Jets
Maxx Williams vs. Buffalo
Dennis Pitta vs. Buffalo
Luke Willson vs. Miami
Jermaine Gresham vs. New England
Lee Smith at New Orleans
Mychal Rivera at New Orleans
James O’Shaughnessy vs. San Diego
Niles Paul vs. Pittsburgh
Jace Amaro vs. Cincinnati
Dion Sims at Seattle
Larry Donnell at Dallas
Brent Celek vs. Cleveland
Brandon Pettigrew at Indianapolis
Kicker (rank by Vegas implied total, attempts)
1 Stephen Gostkowski at Arizona
2 Mason Crosby at Jacksonville
3 Cairo Santos vs. San Diego
4 Dan Bailey vs. NY Giants
5 Matt Bryant vs. Tampa Bay
6 Randy Bullock at Dallas
7 Blair Walsh at Tennessee
8 Graham Gano at Denver
9 Chris Boswell at Washington
10 Steven Hauschka vs. Miami
11 Wil Lutz vs. Oakland
12 Justin Tucker vs. Buffalo
13 Caleb Sturgis vs. Cleveland
14 Brandon McManus vs. Carolina
15 Mike Nugent at NY Jets
16 Adam Vinatieri vs. Detroit
17 Chandler Catanzaro vs. New England
18 Nick Novak vs. Chicago
19 Nick Folk vs. Cincinnati
20 Matt Prater at Indianapolis
21 Dan Carpenter at Baltimore
22 Connor Barth at Houston
23 Dustin Hopkins vs. Pittsburgh
24 Roberto Aguayo at Atlanta
25 Patrick Murray at Philadelphia
26 Sebastian Janikowski at New Orleans
27 Jason Myers vs. Green Bay
28 Greg Zuerlein at San Francisco
29 Ryan Succop vs. Minnesota
30 Phil Dawson vs. Los Angeles
31 Andrew Franks at Seattle
32 Josh Lambo at Kansas City
Defense (note low implied opponent totals, sacks, opposing QB sack rate)
1 Vikings at Tennessee
2 Eagles vs. Cleveland
3 Broncos vs. Carolina
4 Texans vs. Chicago
5 Panthers at Denver
6 Seahawks vs. Miami
7 Rams at San Francisco
8 Chiefs vs. San Diego
9 Packers at Jacksonville
10 Giants at Dallas
11 Cardinals vs. New England
12 Bengals at NY Jets
13 Patriots at Arizona
14 Steelers at Washington
15 Browns at Philadelphia
16 Titans vs. Minnesota
17 Bills at Baltimore
18 Washington vs. Pittsburgh
19 Ravens vs. Buffalo
20 Jets vs. Cincinnati
21 Raiders at New Orleans
22 Colts vs. Detroit
23 Jaguars vs. Green Bay
24 Lions at Indianapolis
25 Bears at Houston
26 49ers vs. Los Angeles
27 Bucs at Atlanta
28 Falcons vs. Tampa Bay
29 Cowboys vs. NY Giants
30 Saints vs. Oakland
31 Dolphins at Seattle
32 Chargers at Kansas City
Tony: If you’ve got Amazon Prime, and you’re a fan of the NFL (which, if you’re reading this, I assume you are), then I highly recommend you start watching All or Nothing: A Season with the Arizona Cardinals. Now. Seriously, we’ll wait.
The 2015 Cardinals were a great story, and the NFL Films crew did a great job documenting it. And in 2016, there’s no reason in my mind to expect much less. The Cardinals added Chandler Jones by trading a starting guard, replaced the guard with Evan Mathis, and drafted one of the more intriguing names in Robert Nkemdiche, who’s draft stock fell faster than that time he fell out of a hotel window.
Seemingly the only thing that could stop the Cardinals from repeating as division champion would be the Seattle Seahawks, who are probably excited to see if Russell Wilson can keep getting lucky on the field, now that he’s getting lucky off the field. The Seahawks are still suspect on the offensive line, and have questions at running back with Marshawn Lynch retiring, but they still have one of the best defenses in the league.
Andy: I’ll give you a reason why the Cardinals can’t repeat. Brett Favre.
You remember how great he was in 2009, leading the Vikings within a 12-men-in-the-huddle call of a FG to win the NFC Championship game? Most thought when he came back in 2010, it would be the same story. But instead, injuries and age set in, Brad Childress got canned and Favre left the game crumpled and concussed in a heap.
Carson Palmer was fantastic in 2015 right up until the NFC Championship game. But age is catching up with him too. I don’t think the fall will be quite as dramatic with him as it was with Favre. But I do think Arizona takes a step back.
And yes, Tony is right, it is Seattle that will challenge Arizona. And the Seahawks will win. The offensive line is suspect, but it is better than it was at the start of 2015. Thomas Rawls will do a passable Marshawn Lynch impression and he’ll have help from Christine Michael and, eventually, C.J. Prosise. But what has me most intrigued about Seattle this year is the continued emergence of Russell Wilson, who really came on the second half of last season when he was given the chance to start winging the ball a bit more. Watch out for Tyler Lockett this season – he’s a star in the making.
After that you’ve got St. Lou … Err, the Los Angeles Rams returning and, much like before they left, mostly achieving mediocrity. My only questions on the Rams: A) How long will Jeff Fisher keep his job while producing repeated 8-8, 7-9 seasons and B) How long before the Los Angeles fans stop showing up, reminding everyone why two teams left that city within the last 30 years?
Tony: My guess—one season, and two seasons. I think Rams ownership kept Fisher around for the transition because 1) he’d done it before (moving the Houston Oilers to Tennessee), and to have one fewer transitions to worry about while adjusting to their new city. Barring a miraculous turnaround, I suspect they will clean the slate while also announcing a return to their just as ugly blue and yellow uniforms.
And then you’ve got the 49ers, who’s fall from grace has been so amazing that they likely rival San Diego for most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL. Seriously, how did we reach the point where the Oakland Raiders are the model franchise within the state—at least for another year or so?
Andy: I actually like the Rams’ ugly blue and yellow uniforms. Bring them back! Bring them back!
The Rams have some talent, but not nearly as much as Arizona. They do have more than San Francisco. I echo everything Tony said in the last paragraphs.
Tony’s Prediction:
Arizona
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Andy’s Prediction:
Seattle
Arizona
St. Louis, err, Los Angeles
San Francisco
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