Week 1 picks (Penguins vs. Live)
It’s time to break down the match-ups for week one. We will start with the Defending Champions of course.
Champion Juiced Penguins vs. Steve Live Domination
QB – The Penguins are bringing out Brady @ Miami and Hasselbeck @ JAC. Live is bringing Cassel vs. Buffalo and Fitzpatrick @ K.C. to the table. I can’t see any reason that Brady doesn’t light up the Dolphins. I expect the Tenn/Jax game to be low scoring, so that does not bode well for Hasselbeck. The Bills defense looks somewhat improved. With an injury to Cassel I expect the Chiefs to run the ball even more than normal, although I do expect them to run it effectively. That should put the Bills behinds forcing Fitz to throw the ball. If I had to pick one QB in this game I would go with Fitz. All that being said I will take Brady to outscore both of the LIVE QBs. It’s quality over quantity. I’ll take Bollins mom over LIVE’s three mutated looking sisters every day of the week and twice on Sunday, which by the way is an annual tradation for me at the Bollin household. Penguins 32 – LIVE 22
RB – Charles, Hillis, and Bradshaw (Penguins) vs. Rice, Thomas, and Bess (flex WR) (LIVE). I like all the match-ups for the Penguin backs this week. Although I do think the Cincy and Bills defenses have improved I am not sold on them stopping Charles and Hillis. Pierre Thomas had a decent game against the Packers. He would have had 6 more points if he was used at the goaline instead of stupid Ingram. Bess should be in line for a big game against the Patriots. The Dolphins should be behind forcing them to pass. Rice looks primed for a big year but I will expect great things to happen when he doesn’t have to go up against the Steelers defense. Advantage Penguins here. Penguins 58 – 45
WR - Bowe, Jones, and Meachem (Penguins) vs. Johnson, Boldin, and Edwards (LIVE). Meahem had a very nice game against the Packers. He racked up 18 big time points with a TD. I like the Jones match up at Chicago. The Bears secondary is as week as Lance’s QB situation this year. Andre Johnson should have no problem getting open this week against Indy. I would like Johnson more if Peyton were the QB and the game looked like more of a shoot out but he should still produce here. Before the big game by Meachem last night I would have given the advantage here to LIVE but I am going to call it a draw. Penguins 42 – LIVE 42
Other - Finley, Crosby, Lions (Penguins) vs. Winslow, Ravens, and Grotkowski (LIVE). Finley and Crosby didn’t do much in week one combine for about 14 points. The Lions match-up at TB this week, which doesn’t look to be great. The Ravens have to play at Pit so I don’t love that one either. Winslow has a nagging injury that caused him to miss some practice and I expect Grotkowski to get more extra points than field goals. I will call a draw here as well. Penguins 20 – LIVE 20
Penguins 152 LIVE – 129
