PA Pigskin Picks: Week 2 Published Sept. 16, 2009 By "The Football Czar" Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- *Editor's Note: The 94th Public Affairs office has started a weekly "PA Pigskin Picks" competition. Correctly guess who will win NFL games each week for a chance to win prizes and be named the Pigskin Expert of the Week. Winners will be announced on the Web site each week.* Congrats to Staff Sgt. Ashley Cannon, 94th Mission Support Squadron, who is the Pigskin Expert of Week 1 for only missing two games. Several others only missed two games, but Sergeant Cannon won the tiebreaker for being the closest to actual score for the Dolphins vs. Falcons game. The Falcons won 19 to 7 and she predicted they would win 24 to 7. You go girl! The opening week of the NFL season was a football fans' dream. Seven of the 16 games were decided by a single touchdown or less. The biggest surprise of Week 1 was the San Francisco 49ers defeating the 2008 NFC champions Arizona Cardinals. The expectations as the defending division champions for Week 1 were pretty high. On paper the Cardinals are the better team, but that is why they play the game. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky's defense was well prepared for the Cardinals' pass attack. Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald had only six catches for a total of 71 yards. His longest catch was for 25 yards. The 49ers eliminated the deep pass and forced quarterback Kurt Warner to throw short passes mostly to running back Tim Hightower, who was the Cardinals leading receiver with 12 catches. The Cardinals also had to deal with two key injuries at the wideout position. Steve Breaston was unable to play due to his swollen knee and Anquan Boldin suited up and played with a sore hamstring. In their first victory of the season the 49ers gave credence to the old saying, "Defense wins games." In local news, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Miami Dolphins 19-7 in the Georgia Dome. The Falcons' defense stepped up and held the Dolphins to seven points and 259 yards of total offense. Matt Ryan completed 22 of his 36 pass attempts with two touchdowns. Veteran tight end and Falcons newcomer Tony Gonzalez had five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, which was a great way to start the season. This week the Falcons play host to the Carolina Panthers. Don't forget to turn in your Week 2 entry form by Friday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m. Good luck!
