I wont say much, theres a lot of stats, that favor these three teams right here in this position so let me put that out here for you all to munch on.
Since the start of the NFL era, on a year to year basis there is ON average a 60% turn over rate for teams to miss the following years playoffs. This is pretty well known, and while not always 60% its a very large sample size (many years) and is fairly consistent if you research it yourself..
On top of this. Week 2 brings another interesting stat, Since the NFL era, teams that start out 0-2 after week 2, have approx. 17% chance of making the playoffs that year. Of course, this is approx. but again, a very large sample size and pretty consistent if you research it.
Combine these two situations today, and you get this formula for success. The following games are in BOTH these situations
Saints -6 @ Browns
Jets +8 @ Packers
Patriots -5.5 @ Vikings
These are your three heavy hitters, Great QB's Great Headcoaches and usually in the playoffs (neither team is currently going through a rebuilding phase, with the exception of maybe NE not being as sharp as they can be, but deff. not rebuilding)
Given these two situations you would assume, these three teams are ALL LOCKS to win straight up! But HOLD ON!
Bellicheck + Brady have lost back-to-back games only four times in the past 11 seasons. Also Belichick is 34-4 in regular-season games following a loss.
NOW heres three more teams fitting these two situations.
Seattle -5 @ chargers
Cheifs +13 @ Denver
Eagles +3.5 @ Colts
Chargers,Cheifs,Colts all made the playoffs last year and are all 0-1 heading into this year. What teams are better than they were last year? What teams are deffinitely NOT winning today.
I think its safe to assume, the cheifs, browns, will not be upsetting their opponets, lets add them to the lock list.
+denver + saints
Now.. 6 teams, 4 remaining, 2 locked in. Truly, the colts don't have the offensive weapons to keep up with the eagles, playing at home provides a lot of help bc winning on the road isn't easy, but I think The Colts regress this year, and miss the cut. Adding eagles in a close game.
+eagles
The jets have the defense to stop the packers, the thing is, their offense is not on par with the packers, or aaron rogers experience. Theres a big difference between playing IN SEATTLE and Playing in Green Bay. I expect a 4-6 point game here as well, But packers win it in the end.
+Green bay
Theres now 4 teams added to the lock list, with 2 remaining, and given today's stats, and situations, Thats why I've picked these two dogs to win straight up today!
Chargers ML +175
Vikings ML +180
I'll ignore the bellicheck and brady stats, they arn't the same team, and brady was 11-1 (10-0 last 10) opening day games. That stat went out the window and saw the pats take a hit. I dont THINK they are BETTER than last year, infact they are WORSE on defense, and maybe slightly better on offense, leaving them still in the middle. No doubt the vikings are nothing special, but again brady on the road still waiting to play a home game, I'll take the vikings with an upset and a major ground running game with theri 2nd and 3rd string guys stepping up.
Chargers-- Again russel wilson is 9-7 STAIGHT up on the road as a starter. Proving playing on the road is not an easy task, even for superbowl winning teams. Phillip rivers came very close to beating manning in the PLAYoffs last year, and while Im not sure the chargers have improved much from last year, I think playing at home, after the public saw the live flaying of the green bay packers, and with Denver on deck next week. This is A TREMENDOUS look ahead spot here for the chargers. and an early statement can be made!