Week Two Picks
It’s still way too early in the season for anyone to have any real idea of how things are shaping up in the NFL. But they insist on playing the games, so I insist on making my picks. Seems fair to me. Here, then, are a bunch of ill-informed predictions that no wise person would reasonably expect to have any relation to what might actually occur in week two.
Houston (+6.5) at Tennessee
Can an NFL team’s season end in week two? Well, not technically speaking, it can’t (obviously). But kinda, yeah. If the Texans lose by more than three scores yet again, that’s it. Finito. And that’s where this is headed. The Titans, at home and playing on 10 days rest, win by 17.
Minnesota (-9.5) at Detroit
God damn, but Adrian Peterson just keeps getting more and more impressive doesn’t he? I’ll take the Vikings and give the points.
Carolina (+6) at Atlanta
No, I don’t think Jake Delhomme is likely to turn in a third-straight miserable performance. Nor do I think Carolina will roll over for Atlanta the way Miami did. So, you know, I’m thinking the Falcons only win this one by three.
New Orleans (pick ’em) at Philadelphia
If Donovan McNabb were healthy, I’d have picked the Eagles regardless of how scary the Saints offense appears to be. Because I think Philadelphia’s D is good enough to slow New Orleans down. But McNabb isn’t healthy, and there’s only so long any defense can be on the field before it start to wear down. So I’m taking the Saints and wondering how many points I’d be willing to give if I had to.
Arizona (+3) at Jacksonville
So wait, wait, wait. I’m not remembering this wrong, am I? The Cardinals were in the Super Bowl like seven months ago, yes? And now, I’m hard pressed to come up with a reason to pick them to beat a team that’s in full-on rebuilding mode? Weird. This league is just plain weird sometimes. Because I have no faith in either team, I’ll take the home team to win and the visitors to cover. How’s that for fence sitting?
Oakland (+3) at Kansas City
The Chiefs still have a long road ahead of them. But the Raiders are going nowhere. Kansas City by a touchdown.
Cincinnati (+9) at Green Bay
It’s funny, you know, I had precious little respect for the Bengals going into last weekend and yet I still managed to lose some. Packers by 13.
New England (-3.5) at NY Jets
Forget the idiotic talk. It doesn’t matter. What matters most is whether the Patriots defense, playing without Jerod Mayo, can perform the way a Bill Belichick D typically performs against a rookie quarterback. That really is the long and short of it. Because, look, assertions to the contrary notwithstanding, the Patriots offense had a very good opening week outing. They could have put more points up (or the same points, but somewhat earlier), but that about sums up their need to improve on O. And while the Jets got out to a much better start than most expected, it bears noting that they did it against a perpetual cellar-dweller team. I expect the Pats offense to put up between 24 and 34 points. And as long as New England’s defense has something approaching its normal level of success flustering inexperienced QBs, even the lower end of that range should be enough. It seems to me that while Mayo is undoubtedly a loss, and while the Pats D we saw Monday night clearly has some maturing to do (no surprise there), neither of those things should stop Belichick from getting into Mark Sanchez’s head. I’m gonna take the Pats and give the points.
St. Louis (+9.5) at Washington
I don’t want to think about Washington. And I refuse to think about St. Louis. So take this from where it comes and all, but I’m taking the home team straight up, but the visitors with the points.
Tampa Bay (+5) at Buffalo
If the Bills can come within one boneheaded play of upsetting the Patriots in Foxborough, you have to imagine they’ll have little trouble dismantling the Buccaneers at home. Even on a short week. Buffalo by six.
Seattle (+1.5) at San Francisco
Let’s see, which of these 1-0 teams do I not believe in more? Honestly, I won’t know until Sunday evening. Until then, I’m just picking the home team. And giving the point and a half. Whatever.
Baltimore (+3) at San Diego
So now the Chargers get to face the team that has both a defense and and offense. That should hurt. Ravens, 14-13.
Cleveland (+3) at Denver
I might be nuts here, but I kinda feel like if it were up to me, no matter how much of a jackass he may be, as long as I had Brandon Marshall on my team, I’d be inclined to try to use him. Just a thought. Or, you know, I guess hoping the ball bounces into your other receivers’ hands at exactly the right moment week after week is a strategy, too. Of course, it’s not like any of it matters much this week. Because even without Marshall, you have to think Denver would win and probably cover. Let’s say Broncos by four.
Pittsburgh (-3) at Chicago
You know, if I were Jay Cutler, I’m not sure Pittsburgh’s defense is the unit I’d want to have to try to turn things around against. You get what you get. I don’t expect Cutler to throw four picks again, but I do expect him to have another rough night. Steelers, 20-13.
NY Giants (+2.5) at Dallas
There are plenty of reasons to like the Cowboys here, none of which has anything to do with the team’s new stadium. They start with a lopsided recent history and range up to the fact the Giants come in seriously banged up and even thinner at wide receiver than they were going into the season (that’s not good). And still, somehow, I’m expecting to see the Giants fun the ball down the Cowboys’ throats, and to slip out of Dallas with a very narrow victory as a result. I’m taking New Jersey straight up, Dallas with the points.
Indianapolis (-3) at Miami
Can last season’s 11-5 AFC East Champions really start 0-2? Yes, they really, really can. Colts win straight up. It’s a push with the points.
