Week 2 Outlook

The spreads being used here are from the Friday New York Daily News. Home Team in CAPS.

Last Week: 6-8-2
Season: 6-8-2

GIANTS (PK) Packers : With no definitive report on Manning yet, most people will tend to side with the Packers. I am not one of these people. The Packers do have a balanced defense that will make it tough on the Giants to score, but I can not see the Packer offense doing anything this year and this week should be no exception. Dallas did burn the Giant secondary last week, but that was with an accurate Tony Romo throwing to T.O. and Jason Witten. Brett Favre has not been solid in two years and his receiving chore is less than desirable. If Manning plays this is a definite win for the Giants. Should Lorenzen start for the Giants, I would not wager on this game, but for the sake of picking I will take the Giants.
Pick -- Giants PKem

RAVENS (-10) Jets: I like that the Ravens only lost by a TD last week even though they had 6 turnovers against a top offense in the Bengals. If Baltimore coach Billick would have run McGahee a bit more last week, especially during the final drive, Baltimore could have pulled it out. Someone remind me why Billick is considered an offensive geneous? McGahee has had some great games against the Jets and the trend should continue. Mangini will have the team ready to play and I like the Jets here getting 10 points. Seems a bit much.
Pick -- Jets +10

STEELERS (-10) Bills: The Steelers were not tested last week at all. The game against Cleveland got ugly real quick. Buffalo will be more of a challenge. Coming off of a good showing against the Broncos I figure the 10 point line is due to the ineptitude of Buffalo’s offense last week. Buffalo will disrupt Rothlisberger and the Bills will show a better offense this week.
Pick – Bills +10

Bengals (-7) BROWNS: The game last week against Pittsburgh was over early so it is tough to tell exactly what Cleveland has. If Anderson struggles early expect Quinn to see some time. The Browns defense will play better than last week. Will they play well enough to win? Probably not, but they will play well enough to give the offense a chance to score and keep the game close. Expect the Browns to run Lewis A LOT this week against a weak Bengal run defense and try to get their emotional leader and playmaker, TE Kellen Winslow, involved early. I think the Browns are better than most people think this year and I can’t jump ship just yet on that thought.
Pick – BROWNS (+ 7)

Colts (-7) TITANS: I have documented how I like the way the Titans play hard and are not scared of any team, but how impressive did the Colts look against New Orleans? Is the spread too high? Maybe, but the Colts offense will outpace Tennessee, who lack firepower.
Pick – Colts (-7)


PANTHERS (-6.5) Texans: The Panther are a much more formidable opponent for the Texans than were the Chiefs last week, but I am on the Texans’ bandwagon until further notice.
Pick – Texans (+6.5)

RAMS (-3) 49ers: The loss of Orlando Pace is huge, affecting the Ram running and passing game. I like the 49er defense this year and they will give the Rams some problems. Frank Gore should be able to run against the Rams. The Rams really need this one because with a loss, they fall to 0-2 with both losses being at home.
Pick – 49ers (+ 3)

JAGS (-10) Falcons: 10 points is too much to give any Jaguars opponent. This is the worst game of the week and outside of Atlanta and Jacksonville, will be the game dropped from viewing if your bar of choice does not have enough TVs to cover all the games.
Pick – Falcons (+10)

Saints (-3) BUCS: This is a fishy line. A Super Bowl hopeful against a team few believe in. Well, I think the Bucs are better than most people think.
Pick – BUCS (+3)

LIONS (-3) Vikings: A road win regardless where is impressive in the NFL so hats off to Detroit for the win in Oakland last week. The Viking defense is solid as is their offensive line which boasts a left side of LG Hutchinson and LT McKinney. They will get lanes for Adrian Peterson to scamper through and for Tavarious Jackson to throw.
Pick – Vikings (+3)

Cowboys (-3.5) DOLPHINS: Another smelly line. Miami will be fighting KC for worst record in the AFC this season so why is the spread not 6.5-7. Regardless, if the Cowboys have Super Bowl aspirations, they need to beat up on inferior opponents like the Dolphins.Pick – Cowboys (- 3.5)

Seahawks (-3) CARDINALS: The Seahawks are my pick to win the NFC West so logic dictates that they should beat the Cards this week. However, logic sometimes makes no sense so in a wide open NFC West, I am taking the Cards here based on nothing more than wanting to see them win in a shootout at home
Pick – CARDS (+3)

BRONCOS (-10) Raiders: The Raiders gave up 36 points at home last week against the Lions. Now they go to Denver most probably with Culpepper at helm. A big spread for a division rival but Denver is the better team. This is a good candidate for a backdoor cover by the favorite.
Pick – BRONCOS (-10)

BEARS (-12) Chiefs: KC is the worst team in the NFL and I would like to see Herman Edwards lose every game this year in miserable fashion. How about a nice 27- 3 final this week.
Pick – BEARS (-12)

PATS (-3.5) Chargers: Videogate 2007 was blown way out of proportion. Every team has people trying to decipher defensive signals. Belichick had the balls to video it. Pundits were calling for more than loss of a 1st round pick next year. Why? Someone explain. This team is built around the draft and astute personnel moves, so the loss of a 1st round pick is huge for them. Dock them a second round pick as well if a first round pick is not enough, but don’t tell me that Belichick is trying to do things no other team in the NFL is doing. As for the game itself, I have the Bolts going to the Super Bowl so I will take them in this game.
Pick – Chargers (+3.5) gotta love the hook in this one.


EAGLES (-6.5) Redskins: Both teams had bad days offensively last week. The Eagles are the better team and they are at home.
Pick – EAGLES (-6.5)