Week 2 NFL Picks

Every Friday, I'll be calling 'em like I sees 'em for the upcoming slate of NFL games (note: I swear this blog isn't just about the NFL but...the Brewers suck so I stopped caring).

Year to date:
9-7 Straight Up
8-8 Against the Spread

Arizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons (-6.5)
Arizona's win over St. Louis last week doesn't impress me, as a win over an NFC West opponent rarely does. Which, I suppose, means we'll have to wait until week 3 to see what we have in the Falcons, because beating up on Derek and the Dominoes in week 2 won't erase the image of their hapless offensive output last week against the Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens (-1.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals got torched by Brady and the Patriots last week, which isn't a rare occurrence but still cause for some concern. Baltimore got a big win over the AFC East darling Jets in week 1, a 10-9 barn-burner.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5) @ Cleveland Browns
The Chiefs impressed with a big division win over the high-flying Chargers last week on Monday night. The Browns were the Browns. God hates Cleveland.

Chicago Bears (+8.5) @ Dallas Cowboys
I like the Bears to cover but lose this game. The Cowboys looked out of sync last week in a shocking loss to the Redskins, which concerns me, but not as much as the Bears needing a poorly written rule to get a gift TKO against the Lions.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) @ Detroit Lions
Mike Vick makes his big return as a starting quarterback this week, and he couldn't have picked a better opponent to showcase his skills to the rest of the league in hopes of finding a starting gig. Vick should run circles around the Lions defense, meaning he won't need to test his less-than-accurate arm all that much.

Buffalo Bills @ Green Bay Packers (-13.5)
Will the Packers miss Ryan Grant? Does it matter this week? 13.5 is a lot of points to lay, but this has 30-10 written all over it. The Bills are useless.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+5.5) @ Tennessee Titans
UPSET SPECIAL ALERT. Can't understand why the Titans are getting 5.5 in this game. I love the Titans this year, but the Steelers made the Falcon offense, one predicted by many to dethrone the Saints in the NFC South, look terrible. The Steelers to cover and win.

Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings (-5.5)
Brett Favre and the Vikings offense looked all kinds of out of sorts on Thursday night, to the delight of myself and Packer fans everywhere. However, the ageless one has never lost at home in a Vikings uniform, and the Dophins could only muster 15 points last week against the lowly Bills.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5) @ Carolina Panthers
I have the Panthers to win this one, but I'm hedging my bet by taking the Bucs against the spread. Matt Moore looked awful for the Panthers last week...luckily, he's unlikely to play this week. Let the Jimmy Clausen era begin.

Seattle Seahawks (+3.5) @ Denver Broncos
I don't really know what to make of either of these teams, so I'm taking the points. The Seahawks had the surprise of the week in blowing out the 49ers...until the Chiefs KO'd the Chargers on Monday night.

St. Louis Rams (+4.5) @ Oakland Raiders
Oakland, a trendy pre-season sleeper to make the playoffs, was exposed last week against the Titans. I'll take the points, but give the Raiders the win...Bradford hasn't learned how to win in the NFL yet.

New England Patriots (+1.5) @ New York Jets
A big game for early supremacy in the AFC East. The Patriots looked super last week in blasting the Bengals, while the Jets offense sputtered against the Ravens. Remember...before their playoff run, this team was 9-7 last year. 9-7.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Diego Chargers (-7.5)
The Chargers were embarrassed last week on national television in a daunting loss to the Chiefs. The Jaguars are not very good at football. Watch out.

Houston Texans (-2.5) @ Washington Redskins
Two of last weeks biggest upset specials meet in week 2. Arian Foster and the Texans shocked Peyton and the Colts last week, and I think they roll to 2-0 here against the Redskins.

New York Giants @ Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
Was last week a fluke, or are the Colts in trouble? For now, we'll call it a one week anomaly. Oft-injured safety Bob Sanders is once again out for the year.

New Orleans Saints (-4.5) @ San Fransisco 49ers
I'm surprised this line isn't a lot higher. The Saints started their title defense in style last Thursday, while the 49ers were trashed by the lowly Seahawks. A sleeper of a Monday Night Matchup...unless you like blowouts (or have Drew Brees on your fantasy team).