NFL Week 2: Taking The Points

As I was expecting, last week’s picks weren’t too kind to me. It takes a couple of weeks to really gauge what the season is going to look like. So that 8-7 overall record wasn’t terrible. The 7-8 record against the spread doesn’t look great either, but there are still 16 weeks to recover. I guarantee you, by the end of October, I’ll be so far over .500 that my record may start to resemble the 2001 Seattle Mariners. Anyway, I’ll try to do a little better this week. It won't be easy against the spread because Las Vegas decided to have more double-digit point spreads than I've ever seen before in one week. As always, I alert you to the fact that these picks are merely the inane ramblings of some dope with a webpage and should not be used for gambling purposes.

SUNDAY
Oakland Raiders (0-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)(-11)
1:00 p.m. M&T Bank Stadium
One team wins 27-0 and the other team loses 27-0. Chances that this game ends up 54-0? Anyway, I’m hesitant to take the Ravens minus 11 because their offense is unlikely to put up 11 points from week to week. But did anyone actually see the Raiders last Monday? That may have been one of the worst performances from an NFL team in decades.
Pick: Ravens

Houston Texans (0-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (1-0)(-13)
1:00 p.m. RCA Dome
Houston looked impressive against the Eagles in the first half. Until they realized that they were the Texans. The Colts running game scares me a little…as does another large point spread. This is probably one of the large point spreads that will hold.
Pick: Colts

Cleveland Browns (0-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)(-10)
1:00 p.m. Paul Brown Stadium
I actually watched quite a bit of the Browns-Saints game last week and the Browns looked terrible against a below average team. Their offense struggled in the redzone, their defense couldn’t get off the field…hey, sounds like a certain Washington area team that we’ll talk about tomorrow.
Pick: Bengals, Browns cover

Buffalo Bills (0-1) vs. Miami Dolphins (0-1)(-6)
1:00 p.m. Dolphins Stadium
So did Buffalo look good last week, or is New England just over hyped? Bet on the latter. Look for the Dolphins to get past an embarrassing loss to Charlie Batch.
Pick: Dolphins

Detroit Lions (0-1) vs. Chicago Bears (1-0)(-8)
1:00 p.m. Soldier Field
After playing Green Bay in Week 1, it looks like the first game for the Bears against a NFL team will be next week against Minnesota.
Pick: Bears

Carolina Panthers (0-1)(-2.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
1:00 p.m. H.H.H. Metrodome
I saw none of the Panthers-Falcons game last week, but apparently the Panthers looked pretty bad. Is missing Steve Smith, a wide receiver, that important? Did the Falcons do a really good job of preparation? Are the Panthers simply overrated? Give me one more week to answer those questions.
Pick: Vikings

New York Giants (0-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)(-3)
1:00 p.m. Lincoln Financial Field
Eli Manning on the road? No thank you. Hope the Giants fans enjoy going 0-4.
Pick: Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)(-7)
1:00 p.m. Georgia Dome
So last week, the Bucs looked terrible, losing at home by 27 and failing to score a point. The Falcons, from the looks of the highlights, played very well on the road – in the division no less – and won by 14. So this should be the lock of the week, right? Show me the upset!
Pick: Buccaneers

New Orleans Saints (1-0)(-1.5) vs. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
1:00 p.m. Lambeau Field
When was the last time the Packers were underdogs at home for two straight weeks this early in the season? And this time, they’re down against the Saints. It isn’t like Seattle or Indy is visiting. I just love watching this happen to Brett Favre. Just love it.
Pick: Saints

St. Louis Rams (1-0)(-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (0-1)
4:05 p.m. Monster Park
Ah, the joys of playing in the NFC West. Only in this division could the Rams possibly start 2-0.
Pick: Rams

*The Predictor Game of the Week*
Arizona Cardinals (1-0) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)(-6.5)
4:05 p.m. Qwest Field
My favorite team to watch last season (Seattle) takes on what is quickly becoming my favorite team to watch this season (Arizona). With all the accolades being thrown towards the Cards after last week’s game, everyone has to keep in mind they played San Francisco, at home and only won by 7 in a very close game. Facing Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander is much different than Alex Smith and Frank Gore. The Cardinals aren’t ready for the next step quite yet.
Pick: Seahawks

New England Patriots (1-0)(-6) vs. New York Jets (1-0)
4:15 p.m. Giants Stadium
The Patriots get to take a page from the Bears schedule and face two fringe NFL teams in a row to ease into 2006. Let’s hope for their fans sake that this game goes a little better than the near-disaster against the Bills.
Pick: Patriots

Tennessee Titans (0-1) vs. San Diego Chargers (1-0)(-12)
4:15 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium
For once, Marty Schottenheimer actually made rational coaching decisions last week. Realizing that his quarterback could barely cut it in the pre-expansion ACC, he only let Sidearm Rivers throw the ball 11 times in a 27-0 win. If Marty continues to be smart and lucky, and just continues to ride LaDainian Tomlinson, then maybe the Chargers can win in spite of having Rivers under center. It doesn’t hurt to play the Raiders and Titans to open the season though.
Pick: Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) vs. Denver Broncos (0-1)(-10)
4:15 p.m. Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
So…what idiot had the Chiefs going 10-6? That would be me. On the other hand, I did guarantee a Jake Plummer-Jay Cutler quarterback controversy as early as Week 1. As for this game, I’d rather have the Plummer-Cutler combination over Damon Huard. Up until last week, I didn’t even realize that Huard was still in the league.
Pick: Broncos, Chiefs cover

MONDAY
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)(-1.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
8:30 p.m. Alltel Stadium
Roethlisberger or no Roethlisberger, the Jaguars have a team of destiny feel to them. Who knew that Matt Jones could actually become a number one receiver in this league? Sure looked good last week.
Pick: Jaguars

Man, a lot to cover tomorrow. First I guess we have to talk about the millions of missed opportunities the Redskins had to blow that game open last week. Then I get to slam the defensive playcalling. Finally, I get to enjoy myself and slam the Cowboys. Oh, did I mention that it’s already Dallas week. Yep, time to gear up for sports’ best rivalry.