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The Harmon NFL Forecast: Week 2
The Harmon Football Forecast is one of the most highly regarded and widely read sports features in the country, published in over 200 newspapers.
It all began when Bob Harmon began predicting college and NFL games in 1957. He devised a mathematical formula that picked winners correctly between 72 and 78 percent of the time; most seasons getting almost 75 percent of his picks right.
Today, Jim Harmon and his staff are the only forecasters who predict exact scores and chart every college and pro team.
Check out previous week's forecasts.
| **Cincinnati 17, San Diego 13 |
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The Bengals ended the Chargers' three-game series winning streak the last time
they met, in 1997. If new S.D. coach Mike Riley has the offense working again,
this pick will be very wrong.
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| Denver 35, **Kansas City 14 |
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Winners of five of their last six against the Chiefs, the Broncos swept K.C.
for the first time since '91 last year, 30-7 and 35-31. The Chiefs are back to
basics; Denver is beyond them.
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| Green Bay 24, **Detroit 21 |
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This result will be an upset: The Lions have all but owned the Packers in
Detroit, beating them five times in the last six seasons--27-20 in '98, as
Barry Sanders scampered for 155 yards.
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| Jacksonville 28, **Carolina 12 |
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In '96, the only time these two clubs faced off, the Jaguars won 24-14--and
that was before Carolina fell on hard times. This will be too big a test too
early for the rebuilding Panthers.
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| **Miami 32, Arizona 17 |
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The Cardinals are 0-for-7 against the Dolphins, getting pummeled by them most
recently three years ago, 38-10. Arizona had a soft schedule last year;
starting this week that all changes.
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| **Minnesota 26, Oakland 19 |
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With a secondary that made one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NFL history
in '98, the Raiders can stay close if the Vikings put the ball up. Minnesota
won last, 16-13 three years ago.
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| **New England 22, Indianapolis 20 |
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This series has been all Patriots since '96. Last year N.E.'s defense picked
off five Peyton Manning passes in 29-6 and 21-16 wins. Manning is learning
fast, though, so this could be good.
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| **N.Y. Giants 20, Washington 10 |
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In their first '98 matchup the Giants turned three late Redskins turnovers
into TD's and won 31-24. In the rematch, Washington's D dominated and it was
21-14 'Skins. N.Y. must run to win.
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| N.Y. Jets 25 **Buffalo 18 |
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After three straight sweeps by the Bills, the Jets turned the tables last
year, beating Buffalo 34-12 and 17-10 as Vinny Testaverde threw five TD
passes. He'll be missed in this one.
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| Pittsburgh 14, **Baltimore 9 |
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The Steelers have lost only once to the Ravens in three seasons. In '98
Pittsburgh took advantage of countless Baltimore mistakes, winning 20-13 and
16-6. The Steelers must throw to win.
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| **San Francisco 34, New Orleans 13 |
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Speaking of series domination, the 49ers have won six in a row and 10 of their
last 11 games against the Saints--31-0 and 31-20 last year, on the strength of
seven Steve Young TD passes.
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| Seattle 19, **Chicago 16 |
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Contests like this one give forecasters fits, because both clubs are
rebuilding and they haven't met since '90. The Seahawks defense, better than
its stats in '98, looks ready to step up.
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| Tampa Bay 21, **Philadelphia 6 |
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At their best on the ground, the Buccaneers will grind it out against the
Eagles, who are at their best when defending against the pass. And don't
expect Philly to score against the T.B. D.
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| **Tennessee 27, Cleveland 14 |
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This series had a 25-year back-and-forth history before it was interrupted at
the end of the '95 season, after the Titans, as the Oilers, won last, 37-10.
Look for balls to fill the air.
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| (Monday) Atlanta 24, **Dallas 17 |
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A battle of confidence: The Falcons want to prove they weren't a fluke in '98,
while the Cowboys still wonder about their late-season collapse last year.
They last fought three years ago.
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Open date: St. Louis
** Denotes Home Team
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