NFL Week 2: Delhomme's Moonshot

Week 1 saw me go a respectable 10-5 overall and a decent 8-7 against the spread. As far as Week 1’s go, that was one of my best. So let’s roll on with Week 2.

SUNDAY

Oakland Raiders (0-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)(-3)
1:00 pm Arrowhead Stadium
Both of these teams impressed me enough this weekend to make me think the AFC West is tougher than I was led to believe. This is a crucial game for Kansas City. After this one, they play four in a row against the NFC East. A loss here could leave them staring at an 0-6 start.
Pick: Chiefs

Houston Texans (0-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (0-1)(-6.5)
1:00 pm LP Field
The Texans may be that preseason darkhorse team that can’t possibly live up to expectations. There is one every season. I thought that when I picked them to go 9-7 and finish 3rd in the division, that would be a shock. However, several publications had them doing even better. Some had them winning the South. If they lose to a division rival and go to 0-2, I don’t think that will be possible.
Pick: Titans

New England Patriots (1-0)(-3.5) vs. New York Jets (1-0)
1:00 pm Giants Stadium
Something tells me that Bill Belichick will be able to handle a rookie quarterback. He’s probably got lots of illegal film of Mark Sanchez already.
Pick: Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (1-0)(-9)
1:00 pm Lambeau Field
The Bengals were one of two teams to get kicked in the crotch over the weekend. I think it will take them weeks to recover from their loss to Denver. What was lost in the miracle finish was the performance of Carson Palmer. Against one of the league’s worst defenses, Palmer and the offense could only manage seven points. As bad as the Brandon Stokley touchdown was, Palmer’s performance was an even worse omen.
Pick: Packers

Minnesota Vikings (1-0)(-9.5) vs. Detroit Lions (0-1)
1:00 pm Ford Field
Here’s hoping the Lions can somehow pull off the upset so there’s no chance the Redskins can be the team to snap the losing streak next week.
Pick: Vikings

New Orleans Saints (1-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
1:00 pm Lincoln Financial Field
Vegas has WAYYYYYYYYY too much confidence in Kevin Kolb and WAYYYYYYY too much confidence in the Eagles defense stopping Drew Brees. Jake Delhomme is one thing fellas, Brees is another.
Pick: Saints

Carolina Panthers (0-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)(-6.5)
1:00 pm Georgia Dome
Speaking of Delhomme, he is damaged goods until proven wrong. His case is similar to Brad Lidge back in 2005. Previous to 2005, Lidge had been a reliable closer. But it took Lidge three seasons to recover from the Albert Pujols moonshot he gave up in the NLCS. Delhomme seems to be going through the same process. After his 5-interception mulligan against Arizona in the playoffs, who knows when Delhomme will once again be ready to play to his previous high standards.
Pick: Falcons, Panthers cover

Arizona Cardinals (0-1) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)(-3.5)
1:00 pm Alltel Stadium
Normally I wouldn’t touch the Cardinals for a 1pm East Coast game. But they broke that curse last season, so all bets are off.
Pick: Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks (1-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)(-1.5)
4:05 pm Candlestick Park
What is more surprising: that both of these teams are 1-0, or that this is a huge early season game for the NFC West?
Pick: Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) vs. Buffalo Bills (0-1)(-4.5)
4:05 pm Ralph Wilson Stadium
How many heartbreaking losses is it going to take until people realized how horrible a coach Dick Jauron is? I think he’s up to at least four or five stomach-punchers during his time in Buffalo. I see at least two or three more coming this season.
Pick: Bills

Cleveland Browns (0-1) vs. Denver Broncos (1-0)(-3)
4:15 pm Mile High Stadium
Don’t look now, but the Denver Broncos are about to go 2-0. Yes, that’s the same Broncos team I said would go 3-13 and probably be the worst team in the NFL this season. Amazing what having Cincinnati and Cleveland at the beginning of the schedule can do for your record.
Pick: Broncos

Baltimore Ravens (1-0) vs. San Diego Chargers (1-0)(-3)
4:15 pm Qualcomm Stadium
Something tells me that the 38-point output from Baltimore’s offense had more to do with Kansas City’s defense than anything the Ravens did. Let’s give the nod to the team that doesn’t have to travel 3,000 miles to play this one.
Pick: Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)(-2) vs. Chicago Bears (0-1)
4:15 pm Soldier Field
The Steelers defense without Troy Polamalu still has 10 other Pro Bowl-caliber players. The Bears defense without Brian Urlacher is average at best.
Pick: Steelers

New York Giants (1-0) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)(-3)
8:15 pm Cowboys Stadium
Here’s hoping that joke of a scoreboard collapses during the game.
Pick: Giants

MONDAY

Indianapolis Colts (1-0)(-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (0-1)
8:30 pm Land Shark Stadium
Miami’s long fall back to Earth continues. I think the people in the NFL offices that gave Miami five primetime games should start looking for new jobs.
Pick: Colts