NFL Week One: In The Books

Good god – THIRTEEN correct picks? That’s a mighty high bar to set, Mr. Lindemann. (Owner of NYCWHEELBARRELS and a longtime player in the Greeby Time Pick ‘Em.) Here I was, all proud that I’d picked both Monday night games correctly, and I wasn’t even in spitting distance of Erik.

So, props and all. Your check will be sent imminently.

Of all the ways I could have predicted Week One going, three home teams being shutout was low on the list. Hell, it wasn’t on the list. I wouldn’t have guessed three shutouts at all, probably not even one. Should be interesting to see if this will continue and whether this will be a defensively minded year – because really, the Cardinals-49ers game was about the most offensive firepower we’ve seen so far.

How about that Clinton Portis injury? I turned the game on late in the second quarter and saw him scampering around…I really wouldn’t have known he hurt himself at all this preseason, and were I a Redskins fan (which I am certainly NOT) I’d have to be pretty happy about seeing him out there like that.

On the other hand, these are the same Redskins that are owned by Daniel Snyder, who (in his infinite wisdom) just signed Tom Cruise to some sort of contract. I’m pretty sure it’s unrelated to his work with the Redskins but still – huh? On the other hand, Katie Holmes still looks great.

I’m sorry – did this just turn into Us Weekly? Cripes.

Anyhow, congrats to Erik – and here is one last call: If any of you know the owners of the following teams, can you tell them to make picks this week AND send in their check asap? Otherwise, they are out of the league:

Oakland Haters – The Brothers Flop

Spartans – Jonathan Weitz

And so I don’t end on that note, let’s just say that isn’t it great that football has started? I mean, there have been some low-lights already but tons of great plays and I think most teams are still shaking off some rust, so it’s only bound to get better.

I’ll be in Vegas this weekend – with several owners in this league, all torturing me (it’s my bachelor party) so I know I’ll have my picks in early. It should be a good week to see if teams like Seattle are going to get back on track, and whether St. Louis is a real threat or if Denver just stumbled a little. I’ll be interested in seeing how the Chiefs operate without Trent Green (out until Week 4, most likely) and what misinformation we’ll hear about Clinton Portis, Steve Smith and Mike Bell going into the weekend. Should be a doozy.