Now that week 1 in the NFL is in the books, it’s time to get prepared for week two. As in most cases every year, there are some teams that start off off like a cannonball being shot out of a cannon, then coming crashing swiftly back down to earth. On the other hand, there are teams tripped more than their shoelaces at the starting line, then speedily catch up to speed. Only time will tell this season who individuals teams are.

Final week, I went 11-five in my predictions. Considering that I didn’t make an official article, I’ll recap my Week 1 predictions:
Giants over Cowboys
Bears over Colts
Falcons over Chiefs
Eagles over Browns
Saints more than Redskins
Lions more than Rams
Patriots more than Titans
Bills over Jets
Texans over Dolphins
Seahawks over Cardinals
49ers over Packers
Panthers over Buccaneers
Broncos over Steelers
Ravens more than Bengals
Chargers over Raiders

Right here are my week two predictions:

Packers 31, Bears 27
In a extremely close game that could go either way, I feel the Packers will edge out the Bears. The Bears have enhanced in the offseason, but we require to see them beat a significant contender 1st, as an alternative of a rebuilding Colts group.

Bills 31, Chiefs 29
One more extremely close game that could go either way. Final year, the Bills demolished the Chiefs 41-7 in the season opener, but that was last year. Both the Chiefs and the Bills lost convincingly to their week 1 opponents, and look to redeem themselves in week two.

Saints 38, Panthers 20
Are the Saints one of the week 1 teams that tripped themselves up at the beginning line? That is really feasible. I see the Saints rebounding this week over the Panthers.

Bengals 30, Browns 19
Neither group looked excellent final week. The Bengals had the daunting activity of taking on the defending AFC North division champs, the Ravens on the road in Baltimore, and were beaten soundly in all 3 phases of the game. The Browns on the other hand had been in “the battle of the interceptions” as Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden and Eagles QB Mike Vick had four interceptions every. I like the Bengals at residence on this one particular.

Vikings 27, Colts 23
Each the Colts and Vikings are rebuilding, so this is yet another game that could go either way.

Texans 31, Jaguars 13
Texans are proving that they are a best contender in the AFC, whilst the Jaguars hired former Bills HC Mike Mularkey, who was not too long ago fired as the Falcons Offensive Coordinator (OC). Texans will prove to be too considerably for the Jaguars.

Raiders 20, Dolphins 12
Both the Raiders and Dolphins continue their HC and QB carousel. The Dolphins have lost as well considerably in the offseason and look to have one particular of the worst records in the NFL this year. Advantage: Raiders.

Patriots 40, Cardinals 13
The Patriots have arguably a single of the greatest offenses in the NFL, which will prove to be too a lot for the Cardinals on Sunday.

Giants 20, Buccaneers 17
The Giants look to rebound right after acquiring beat by division rivals, the Cowboys in the season opener. Can the Bucs take benefit of the injuries to the Giants secondary? In a game that could go either way, I’m seeking for the defending Superbowl champs to rebound this week.

Ravens 41, Eagles 10
Anticipate a Baltimore beat down of epic proportions on Sunday. If Eagles fans had issues about their team going into the season, they should be really concerned this Sunday. In a town that booed Santa Claus, expect Eagles fans to be calling for the complete coaching staff and Mike Vick to be fired!!

Cowboys 27, Seahawks 15
Are the Cowboys legit this year? For Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ sake, they better be as Jones place a lot of resources into the group in the offseason.

Redskins 34, Rams 27
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (RGIII) showed in week 1 that he was worth the very heavy investment the group place into him in this year’s draft. Are Rams fans going to be second guessing the trade with Redskins for RGIII? If Rams QB Sam Bradford doesn’t turn out to be a probowl player that leads the group to numerous playoff wins, then Rams fans will commence their grumbling.

Jets 27, Steelers 23
The crucial to this game will come down to whoever can get the most pressure on the opposing QB. I like the Jets in a close a single.

Chargers 20, Titans 18
In a game that could go either way, I see the Chargers squeaking by on this a single.

49ers 31, Lions 20
49ers look to be a single of the a lot more dominating teams in the NFC this year. The 49ers currently beat the Lions division rivals the Packers in week 1, and appear to do the very same against them. I like the 49ers at residence.

Falcons 31, Broncos 27
Both the Falcons and Broncos have created important upgrades in the offseason. The Falcons hired Dirk Koetter as their OC, and Mike Nolan as their Defensive Coordinator. The Broncos acquired arguably a single of the ideal QB’s in the game this offseason, Peyton Manning. In a game that could go either way, I give the edge to the Falcons, only simply because of the restricted quantity of time Manning has had so far with the Broncos. If this game took spot towards the finish of the season, I would lean more towards the Broncos.

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Indianapolis (NFL/Newsfeed) – Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay expects to sign Andrew Luck sooner than later, the Indianapolis Star reports.

“It’s something that must be accomplished swiftly,” Irsay said Saturday evening. “There shouldn’t be a difficult method with that.”

The Colts are expected to ink top-choose Luck to a 4-year, $ 22 million contract, in line with the cash slotted for the prime draft pick.

“The sooner the greater on all the draft picks,” Irsay stated. “We’re going to present all the picks (gives) and say, ‘Here is the deal. Period.’ ”

Luck expects to join the Colts on June 7 immediately after he finishes classes at Stanford, per NFL rules.

It’s not against league rules for players to work out together away from the team Colts receiver Reggie Wayne has reportedly sought to get in touch with Luck.

(About:) This article was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For a lot more NFL news see: Indianapolis Colts expects to sign Luck soon.

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INDIANOLIS (NFL/Florio) – The NFL owner who has repeatedly demonstrated that, when it comes to his Twitter account, he has no impulse contol is asking his customers to not be so quick to turn their backs on his rebuilding team.

“The schedule is out and new era is here . . . in 1998 we went 3-13 and it took us until Jan. 2004, almost 6 years, to win 1st playoff game,” Irsay said Wednesday on Twitter.

His one-word request? “Patience.”

Sorry, Jim. It doesn’t work that way. There’s no six-year plan. There’s not even a two-year plan. It’s win now, or the fans may scatter.

More accurately, the challenge is to remain in contention as deep into each season as possible. Even though Irsay is accurate when he points out that the Colts didn’t win a playoff game until the seventh season of Peyton Manning’s career (a not-so-subtle slap at the team’s former quarterback), they made it to the playoffs under Peyton in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

And so while the fans may not bail on the new regime if the Colts don’t win another postseason game until 2018, they’ll need to get to the playoffs by 2013 or the negative comparisons to the Manning era will begin.

Or, even worse, Colts fans will choose to stay home and watch Manning and the Broncos on TV.

(About:) This article was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For more NFL football news see: Jim Irsay preaches patience for Colts fans.

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INDIANOLIS (NFL/Florio) – The NFL owner who has repeatedly demonstrated that, when it comes to his Twitter account, he has no impulse contol is asking his customers to not be so rapid to turn their backs on his rebuilding team.

“The schedule is out and new era is right here . . . in 1998 we went 3-13 and it took us until Jan. 2004, practically 6 years, to win 1st playoff game,” Irsay stated Wednesday on Twitter.

His a single-word request? “Patience.”

Sorry, Jim. It doesn’t function that way. There’s no six-year program. There’s not even a two-year strategy. It’s win now, or the fans may possibly scatter.

A lot more accurately, the challenge is to stay in contention as deep into every single season as possible. Even though Irsay is accurate when he points out that the Colts didn’t win a playoff game until the seventh season of Peyton Manning’s career (a not-so-subtle slap at the team’s former quarterback), they produced it to the playoffs below Peyton in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

And so even though the fans may not bail on the new regime if the Colts don’t win an additional postseason game until 2018, they’ll need to get to the playoffs by 2013 or the negative comparisons to the Manning era will begin.

Or, even worse, Colts fans will decide on to stay residence and watch Manning and the Broncos on Television.

(About:) This post was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For much more NFL football news see: Jim Irsay preaches patience for Colts fans.

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Former NFL quarterback Blair Kiel dies at 50

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 9, 2012, 7:15 AM EDT

Blair Kiel, a quarterback who played for the Buccaneers, Colts and Packers, died on Sunday at the age of 50.

WISH-Tv in Indianapolis reports that Kiel died Easter morning, apparently of a heart attack, at the residence of a household friend.

After a college profession at Notre Dame, Kiel was chosen by Tampa Bay in the 11th round of the 1980 NFL draft. He would later play as each a quarterback and a punter for the Colts just before finishing his NFL career with the Packers. Kiel played in 25 NFL games, beginning three, and completed 108 of 193 passes for 1,296 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He averaged 37.1 yards on 17 punts for the Colts.

Kiel is the uncle of existing Notre Dame quarterback Gunner Kiel.

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(About:) This write-up was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For more NFL football news see: Former NFL quarterback Blair Kiel dies at 50.

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There would be awkward feelings all around if the Indianapolis Colts don’t wind up picking Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the top rated overall pick in this month’s draft.

Colts owner Jim Irsay, nonetheless, hasn’t guaranteed a issue. He reminded his Twitter followers Saturday the team continues to evaluate the No. 1 choose:

The steady rise of Robert Griffin III prompted the Washington Redskins to sell the farm for the Rams’ No. 2 choice. They believe that will lead to RG3, who spent final Saturday signing his name to Redskins merchandise in the Washington, D.C. location.

The Baylor QB turned down a opportunity to operate out for the Colts — but NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported RG3 decided not to participate in any private workouts.

As we close in on April 26, Indy holds the cards.

In 1998, they chose wisely, selecting Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf with the top pick. By all accounts, both Luck and RG3 seem primed for productive NFL careers, but the Colts — with a new coaching staff in spot and an eye toward rebuilding for tomorrow — are simply going via the process. For Jim Irsay, who prepares to tie himself financially to another lucrative quarterback contract, there is no rush.

Part of the “healthy conversation” Irsay and his men are sitting down to this month could address the already-in-progress union among the Redskins and RG3, but when you choose initial in the draft, you determine the connection — you map out the future.

Everybody else sits and waits.

(About:) This post was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For a lot more NFL news see: Are the Colts sold on Andrew Luck?.

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The ending that most anticipated between the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning will arrive on Wednesday, according to league sources, when the team is expected to release the 4-time NFL MVP.

The team has created preliminary plans for the news conference Wednesday to officially announce the move.

The Colts are awaiting the final word from owner Jim Irsay, who has been out of town at meetings, but the expectation is they will go forward with the release and the press conference. Manning and Irsay will both travel from Florida to Indianapolis on Wednesday, possibly together, according to NFL Network’s Albert Breer.

The move has been widely expected, as the rebuilding Colts owe Manning, the first general pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, a $ 28 million bonus if he is on the team’s roster at the commence of the league year. Manning will grow to be a totally free agent quickly.

As far back as late January, Manning, 35, stated he had no plans to retire immediately after missing the whole 2011 season following 4 procedures to repair two vertebrae in his neck. His most current surgery on Sept. 9, a cervical neck fusion procedure, was intended to repair a damaged nerve in Manning’s neck that brought on weakness in his throwing arm.

Those close to Manning have maintained his desire to continue his career despite issues that nerves in his arm had not been healing and had been prohibiting his throwing. Manning has been throwing considering that December, and four sources with understanding of his rehab process recently told Breer that Manning has steadily regained strength in his grip and triceps.

To that end, Manning took part in an aggressive throwing session at Duke University on Friday in which the quarterback was filmed throwing deep balls in a Colts jersey and helmet.

A video posted late Friday on YouTube was confirmed to be Manning throwing to receivers.

Irsay had publicly stated in February that the team would welcome Manning back, but only on a restructured contract that reflected the uncertainty of the quarterback’s recovery.

The Colts hold the No. 1 general pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and Irsay has stated the team would draft a quarterback no matter whether or not Manning was healthy.

Follow Jason La Canfora on Twitter @JasonLaCanfora

(About:) This write-up was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For much more NFL news see: Colts expected to portion techniques with Manning immediately after 14 seasons.

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INDIAN OLIS — The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning have until Friday just before the deadline hits on any talks for a renegotiated deal, league sources with expertise of the quarterback’s deal told NFL Network inside Jason La Canfora on Tuesday, but the likelihood remains that a final decision on Manning will come by Thursday, club sources said.

The final stage of the method is in the hands of Manning and owner Jim Irsay, and those two alone. It’s not out of the question that the parties could use the extra time, but it’s unlikely that Irsay will drag this out longer, according to sources.

4 sources with information of Manning’s rehab also lately mentioned that he steadily has regained strength in his grip and triceps and that Manning has been throwing the ball “really nicely.”

Comply with Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer.

(About:) This write-up was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For a lot more NFL news see: Thursday remains most likely decision day for Colts, Manning.

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