Week 2 NFL Picks

SAINTS (-6.5) over Bears

            Expect a solid bounce back game for the Saints in their home opener.

New Orleans 24, Chicago 16

Confidence Score = 12

LIONS (-9) over Chiefs

            I can’t believe that A) the Lions are favored by nine over anyone, and B) that I’m picking them to cover.

Detroit 30, Kansas City 17

Confidence Score = 6

JETS (-9) over Jaguars

            Jacksonville eked out a win over a sloppy Titans team last week, but will have a much harder time moving the ball with any regularity against the Jets defense. You could set Jacksonville’s over/under for points in this game at 3.5, and I would still take the under.

New York 20, Jacksonville 0

Confidence Score = 15

BILLS (-3) over Raiders

            After slaughtering Kansas City last week, Buffalo now gets a team that played until almost 2 am eastern time last Monday. Furthermore, that same team has to fly across the country to play a game that will start 10 am west coast time. I don’t know who makes the NFL schedule, but if this were college football, I would suggest that a Bills booster paid off the schedule guy.

Buffalo 17, Oakland 7

Confidence Score = 11

Cardinals (+4) over REDSKINS

            I refuse to believe that Washington is any good for at least two more weeks.

Arizona 21, Washington 17

Confidence Score = 5

Ravens (-6) over TITANS

            This is a tricky one. Baltimore laid the smack down against the Steelers last week, while Tennessee didn’t find any continuity until it was too late against Jacksonville. I want to pick Tennessee to cover, but the Ravens are not a fun team as it is to establish an offensive rhythm. 

Baltimore 20, Tennessee 3

Confidence Score = 7

STEELERS (-14) over Seahawks

            What’s a good way to recover from a seven turnover performance against the Ravens? How about a date with Tavaris Jackson and the incredibly inept Seattle Seahawks?

Pittsburgh 31, Seattle 0

Confidence Score = 16

Packers (-10.5) over PANTHERS

            People are a little too excited about Cam Newton’s first start against Arizona. I think this line could be 20.5 and I would still pick the Packers.

Green Bay 38, Carolina 13

Confidence Score = 14

VIKINGS (-3) over Buccaneers

            This is a strange day, but Minnesota’s defense looked solid enough against Philip Rivers that they should be able to contain Josh Freeman at home.

Minnesota 20, Tampa Bay 13

Confidence Score = 8

COLTS (+2) over Browns

            Oddly enough, this is the hardest game on the entire slate to pick. After the egg Cleveland laid at home against the Bengals, I can’t vouch for them on the road, even against the Peyton-less Colts.

Indianapolis 24, Cleveland 21

Confidence Score = 1

Cowboys (-3) over 49ERS

            So let me get this straight…a team that nearly won in New York on the anniversary of 9/11 is only favored by three against a team that without two Ted Ginn kick returns, wouldn’t of even covered the spread against a horrendous Seattle team? This line would be 10.5 if Drew Brees were the quarterback instead of Tony Romo.

Dallas 31, San Francisco 17

Confidence Score = 13

Texans (-3) over DOLPHINS

            This is the kind of game that Houston needs to take care of business in to establish themselves as a playoff team. Miami is only 1-9 in their last ten home games.

Houston 21, Miami 14
Confidence Score = 10

PATRIOTS (-7) over Chargers

            If this game were a month later, I would take the Chargers and the seven points. However, San Diego’s struggled at home against the Vikings, and always stinks the first month of the year, so expect New England to take care of business. For over/under junkies, feel free to wager your life savings on the over (only 53.5, which looks high, but we have Brady and Rivers dueling in this game).

New England 38, San Diego 28

Confidence Score = 4

Bengals (+3.5) over BRONCOS

            Cincinnati was fairly inept when Andy Dalton was under center last week. As soon as he was knocked out of the game, Bruce Gradkowski came in and moved the team up and down the field. Naturally, the Bengals are going to start Dalton this week. Surprisingly, I’m still picking them on the road thanks to Denver’s anti-home field advantage (TEBOW! TEBOW! TEBOW! TEBOW! For clarity’s sake, that’s not me cheering for Tebow, just the idiot Broncos fans who apparently really want to see their third string quarterback get some snaps).

Cincinnati 14, Denver 10

Confidence Score = 3

Eagles (-2.5) over FALCONS

            What a juicy game. For those of you in the Atlanta area that are going to this game, here are some creative costume ideas.

A)    Dress up like a dog and bark. A lot.
B)     Wear a Vick Falcons jersey that has red stains all over it and a knife in the back.
C)    Still wear costume B, but wear a dog mask. And make sure you still bark.

           I’m predicting that Vick rises to the occasion, and the Falcons don’t (which seems to be a recurring theme for Matt Ryan and company).

Philadelphia 28, Atlanta 17

Confidence Score = 9

Rams (+6) over GIANTS

            The second hardest game to pick. When all else fails, take the points.

New York 17, St. Louis 14

Confidence Score = 2

Week 1 Record = 9-5-2

Confidence Score = 82 (out of 136)
Record With Top 5 Most Confident Games = 3-1-1