NFL Football Picks for Week 2 (09/17/06 – 09/18/06)
A 9-7 record isn’t a bad way to start the season, but it’s not surprising either. I’ll give it another try for the second week:
Buffalo in Miami – 6 1/2
Neither team looked too good in the first week, but Buffalo gave the Patriots a scare. However, Buffalo’s defense can suffer if Spikes doesn’t play. Miami wins its first game at home after a tough loss in the defensive fields.
SELECTION: Miami – 6 1/2
Caroline at Minnesota+2
The Panthers bounce back after the Falcons made them look like fools. The Vikings won Monday, but they didn’t look that special. The Redskins were just worse. I usually like house dogs, but the Panthers have a history of playing well on the road.
SELECTION: Carolina-2
Cleveland at Cincinnati – 10 1/2
I’m going to make this simple. The Bengals looked good last week and the Browns looked bad. The Bengals have owned this series lately and their defense will shut down a poor Cleveland offense.
TEAM: Cincinnati – 10 1/2
Detroit at Chicago – 8 1/2
Lots of big spreads this week. Green Bay made the Bears look better than they are and I was actually impressed that the Lions last week held the defending NFC champion Seahawks to exactly zero touchdowns. Are the Cowardly Lions proving they can play?
PICK: Detroit + 8 1/2
Houston at Indianapolis – 13
I don’t like to set so many points, but this is just a mismatch. The Colts, playing at home, against a struggling team seems like a block, but I’ve been burned before when things seem so obvious. I’m still debating this, but for now, I’m going with Indy.
TEAM: Indianapolis – 13
New Orleans at Green Bay + 2
I know traditionally, Green Bay doesn’t lose at home. And since they’re getting points here, this is a sure thing, right? Incorrect. The Packers were shut out by the Bears last week, and the Saints didn’t look too bad. Reggie Bush is the real deal, and Aaron Brooks’ stupid decisions no longer haunt this team. They have a pro bowl QB leading them.
TEAM: New Orleans – 2
New York Giants at Philadelphia – 3
Philly looked good last week when McNabb threw three touchdowns and looked like a pro again. The Giants were slightly outclassed by the Colts, but they also looked pretty good. This is one of the best games of the week to watch on TV. I think this one will be close, so I’m going with the team to get some points, plus I think the Giants will do whatever it takes to avoid starting the season 0-2.
PICK: New York Giants +3
Oakland at Baltimore – 11 1/2
Although the Ravens beat the Bucs pretty badly last week, I’m still not convinced. Their defense looked like the Ravens from a few years ago. The Raiders might be the worst team in football, looking like a high school team when they embarrassed themselves Monday night vs. The Chargers. I say the Raiders recover enough to get inside the spread.
TEAM: Oakland+11 1/2
Tampa Bay at Atlanta – 5 1/2
Tampa is expected to bounce back after being blown out by the Ravens last week. Chris Simms finally starts to look like his dad this weekend, as the Bucs have owned this series recently. With John Abraham listed as questionable, I think the Bucs pull this off.
SELECTION: Tampa Bay+5 1/2
Arizona at Seattle – 7
The Seahawks didn’t look too impressive in the last weakness against the Lions, but I think that had more to do with the Lions’ improvement. This week they are at home and have won the last vs. Cardinals Although the Cardinals look better, they’re still beaten on the road this week.
TEAM: Seattle-7
Saint Louis in San Francisco +3
3? Only 3? The Rams are kind of a middle-of-the-pack team and the 49ers are a bad team. The Rams’ defense is better than the Cardinals’ defense, to whom the 49ers added 27 points. Don’t look for a repeat offensive performance from Gore, Bryant or Smith. Steven Jackson, however, has a field day.
SELECTION: St. Louis – 3
Kansas City at Denver – 10 1/2
This is a tough question for KC without starting QB Trent Green, who suffered an injury last week. Larry Johnson will take over as long as the Chiefs at least stay close. Denver can start Cutler sooner than we think if Plummer keeps playing like he did in Week 1.
TEAM: Kansas City +10 1/2
New England at New York Jets +6
The Jets almost looked like a football team last week vs. The Titans, one of the worst teams in the league. Facing one of the best teams in the league, the Jets will fall apart. Pennington is probably the most fragile quarterback in the NFL and it’s only a matter of time before he finishes his season. Look for a great day from Dillon, Maroney, Watson and Brady.
PICK: New England-6
Tennessee at San Diego – 11 1/2
Well, you know how I feel about the Titans, and the Chargers looked good last Monday night. They’re giving a lot, but the West Coast home court advantage is big in this case. Phillip Rivers looked more comfortable than I thought he would and LT is the best running back in the game. They beat the Titans like they beat the Raiders.
TEAM: San Diego – 11 1/2
Washington at Dallas – 5 1/2
Without Portis, the Redskins aren’t worth much. He is listed as questionable, and he would be a fool if he tried to come back quickly from his injury. Dallas looked so-so last week, but Bledsoe will fight like hell to keep his job, which could be in jeopardy. Playing in front of a Texas crowd, Dallas wins.
TEAM: Dallas – 5 1/2
Pittsburgh in Jacksonville chooses them
What about the Steelers and pick em games? The Jags look good, but the Steelers are better. Once again, on national television, the best team wins.
TEAM: Pittsburgh