NFL Week 2 Picks

With Week 1 complete, there is plenty to talk about. How will the Patriots fair without Brady? What happened to the Colts? Can the Bills be good this year? Will the Jaguars regroup their offense? Will the Packers continue to win without Favre? Will the Jets continue to win with Favre? All questions only a season can answer.

As for my picks last week, I finished with a very weak 9-7 (.563) on my straight up picks and might as well be heading to the poor house with a disgraceful 6-10 (.375) against the spread. Let’s look to improve those numbers this week.

---Picks against the spread in red---

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Sunday, September 14^th, 2008

Chicago Bears(1-0) at Carolina Panthers(1-0) 1:00PM

Bears showed they still have a sign of life and that they can still get it done on defense, but the Panthers showed there is life outside of Steve Smith.

Panther continue to find a way to win

(Panthers -3)

Tennessee Titans(1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals(0-1) 1:00PM

The Titans look solid in their season opener, the only question mark seems to be Young’s impact for this team. Is it good or bad? Could a switch to Collins solidify this team?

Titans take another victory

(Titans +1)

New Orleans Saints(1-0) at Washington Redskins(0-1) 1:00PM

Redskins looked awful on offense in their opener, while the Saints came out on top against a tough division rival.

Saints march out of town with a win

(Saints -1)

New York Giants(1-0) at St. Louis Rams(0-1) 1:00PM

The Rams may be in for a long season if they intend to keep playing the way they opened their season. There shouldn’t be any Super Bowl hangover for the Giants in week two.

Giants dominate in victory

(Giants -9)

Indianapolis Colts(0-1) at Minnesota Vikings(0-1) 1:00PM

The Colts…um, Peyton Manning…um…the Bears…I still don’t know what to make of that game. The Colts looked awful. I’m sure the Colts fans are hoping this is a short term problem, but I’m looking for a second upset with what’s likely to be an unpopular pick.

Vikings take the “W” in their home opener.

(Vikings +2)

Oakland Raiders(0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs(0-1) 1:00PM

After the beating that the Raiders took at home in Week 1 against the Broncos, a trip to Arrowhead Stadium doesn’t forebode well for the Oakland.

Chiefs chop down a Division rival at home.

(Chiefs -3.5)

Buffalo Bills(1-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars(0-1) 1:00PM

The Bills defense was relentless last week and will look to be the same in Week 2. The question is going to be whether or not the Jaguars can match that intensity after the lousy play of their offensive line in Week 1.

Jaguars bounce back with a victory.

(Bills +5.5)

Green Bay Packers(1-0) at Detroit Lions(0-1) 1:00PM

Is it my imagination or did Aaron Rodgers look like he knew what he was doing in that pocket against the Vikings? The Packers are a good team, and although the loss of Favre is painful, Rodgers seems to be a decent pain reliever so far.

Packers show no worries going 2-0 to start the season

(Packers -3)

San Francisco 49ers(0-1) at Seattle Seahawks(0-1) 4:05PM

The Seahawks were dominated last week as they faced off against the Bills, but I’ve always seen the Seahawks as a bad road team. Look for them to bounce back this week.

Seahawks even up their win/lose record

(49ers +7)

Atlanta Falcons(1-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(0-1) 4:05PM

Do my eyes deceive me or did Atlanta actually play a dominating game last week against the Lions? I won’t deny the Falcons look like a much improved team, but against Tampa, in Tampa?

Buccaneers satisfy the home crowd.

(Buccaneers No Line)

New England Patriots(1-0) at New York Jets(1-0) 4:15PM

Upset pick of the week? Before Brady went down this pick would have been just that, but without Brady, this team’s dominance has come into question. Don’t expect the Patriots to be down for longer than a week…maybe two. This team has talent, but this week Favre’s Jets will take advantage of Cassel’s inexperience behind center.

J. E. T. S., Jets, Jets, Jets!

(Jets -1.5)

Baltimore Ravens(1-0) at Houston Texans(0-1) 4:15PM

Texans looked sloppy last week as the Steelers tromped all over them. Look to see them bounce back on their own home turf.

Texans manage to hold onto a win at home.

(Ravens +4.5)

San Diego Chargers(0-1) at Denver Broncos(1-0) 4:15PM

Call me a Homer, but Cutler has been looking fantastic! Subtract Merriman from the Chargers defense, add Brandon Marshall back into the line up along side the rookie wonder who lead the league in receiving yards, Eddie Royal, and the Broncos will shouldn’t have an issue putting numbers on the board. It’s going to be a question of whether or not the Denver defense can contain LT enough to hold onto a win.

Broncos continue to lead the AFC West after Week 2.

(Broncos +1.5)

Miami Dolphins(0-1) at Arizona Cardinals(1-0) 4:15PM

It’s hard to say where both these teams are at this point. Even after losing, the Dolphins looked much improved against the Jets…, but how good are the Jets? Then the Cardinals won against the 49ers…, but how impressive should that be?

Cardinals take advantage of home field and take the win.

(Miami +7)

Sunday, September 14^th, 2008, Sunday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers(1-0) at Cleveland Browns(0-1) 8:15PM

Big Ben and the Steelers looked phenomenal in their season opener. With the lack lust performance of the Colts and the loss of Brady in New England; this team could be the team to beat in the AFC.

Steelers dominate the Browns on their own turf.

(Steelers -6)

Monday, September 15^th 2008, Monday Night Football

Philadelphia Eagles(1-0) at Dallas Cowboys(1-0) 8:30PM

Both teams dominated in their season opener, so this match up should be explosive. Given that the Cowboys have the home field advantage, I’m going to have to lean toward Dallas.

Cowboys win in home opener.

(Eagles +7)

And that about wraps it up for the pick heading into Week 2. It looks to be another weekend full of excitement and non-stop action. Ahh, it’s good to be back in football season!