Week 2 Picks
A great first week of NFL action and an even better week for my picks. Week 2 should not disappoint with some great games on the schedule. Here are my picks.
Week 2 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Pittsburgh over BALTIMORE: I was not impressed with Baltimore last week against Cincinnati and with all the distractions surrounding the release of running back Ray Rice, I expect the Ravens to start 0-2.
Miami over BUFFALO: Both Miami and Buffalo had surprising wins last week against New England and Chicago, respectively, which makes picking this game tricking. I think being at home gives the Bills the advantage, but the Dolphins looked really good against the Patriots, especially in the second half. Beating Tom Brady is not easy, so I'll take Miami in this one.
WASHINGTON over Jacksonville: Almost took the Jaguars here, but the Redskins have the better overall team and they are at home.
TENNESSEE over Dallas: It's only been one week, but the Titans looked really good last week while the Cowboys did not. Tennessee dominated the Chiefs at Arrowhead and if quarterback Jake Locker stays healthy, the Titans could be a sleeper. Dallas on the other hand looked terrible against San Francisco, particularly quarterback Tony Romo. It's been well advertised that Dallas does not have a good defense, but Romo can't throw three interceptions like he did last week.
Arizona over NY GIANTS: The G-Men could do absolutely nothing offensively last week against the Lions. The Cardinals have a much better defense than the Lions and despite the fact that Arizona is a west coast team playing a one o'clock game on the east coast, I think they'll win.
New England over MINNESOTA: Uncharacteristic performance for Bill Belichick's Patriots last week in Miami, but there is no better coach at making adjustments than Belichick. Minnesota looked good in their first game, but no way the Patriots start 0-2.
New Orleans over CLEVELAND: The Saints offense was in midseason form last week; however, their defense gave up 568-yards and 37 points to Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Don't expect the Browns to do the same to the Saints this week.
CAROLINA over Detroit: The Lions looked good Monday night, but with Cam Newton returning to the Panthers and Carolina being at home, I think they will win.
TAMPA BAY over St. Louis: It's going to be a long, long season for the Rams.
Seattle over SAN DIEGO: After watching the Seahawks dismantle the Packers last Thursday night, it's hard to imagine them losing any game this season. San Diego will keep it close, but Seattle is the best team in the NFL. Period.
Houston over OAKLAND: This game is a toss-up. Despite the fact that the Raiders have not been very good in recent years, playing in Oakland is never an easy task. The Black Hole is loud and filled with a bunch of crazy fans, so the Texans will not have an easy time against the Raiders. Houston does, however, have J.J. Watt and I think he will make a couple of big plays that will be the difference.
GREEN BAY over NY Jets: Much like the Patriots, I just don't see the Packers starting the season 0-2. The Jets have a solid defense and a good rushing attack, but it won't be enough to beat the Packers in Lambeau.
DENVER over Kansas City: Other than the Rams, no team looked worse last week than the Chiefs. A trip to Denver to face Peyton Manning won't make things any better for Kansas City.
SAN FRANCISCO over Chicago: San Francisco will be opening up their new stadium, Levi's Stadium, this Sunday night against Chicago, who somehow managed to lose an overtime game to the Bills last week. I think I'll take the 49ers.
INDIANAPOLIS over Philadelphia: Rough start for the Eagles last week at home against the Jaguars, but they found a way to comeback in the second half, so too did the Colts. Indianapolis looked like a different team in the second half against Denver, but ultimately fell short.
BENGALS over Falcons: Apart from not scoring a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter and almost blowing a 15 point lead, I was impressed by the play of Marvin Lewis' team last week. Offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson, called a great game offensively, albeit from a couple of questionable red zone plays.
The key to the Bengals winning this game will be the defense. Atlanta put up over 500-yards against New Orleans last week and quarterback Matt Ryan picked apart the Saints secondary. The Bengals will need to get a constant pass rush on Ryan and they will need a healthy Vontaze Burfict, who suffered a concussion last week. If the defense plays well, I think the Bengals will score touchdowns this week in a close game. Bengals 27, Falcons 24.
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 12-4
Week 2 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Pittsburgh over BALTIMORE: I was not impressed with Baltimore last week against Cincinnati and with all the distractions surrounding the release of running back Ray Rice, I expect the Ravens to start 0-2.
Miami over BUFFALO: Both Miami and Buffalo had surprising wins last week against New England and Chicago, respectively, which makes picking this game tricking. I think being at home gives the Bills the advantage, but the Dolphins looked really good against the Patriots, especially in the second half. Beating Tom Brady is not easy, so I'll take Miami in this one.
WASHINGTON over Jacksonville: Almost took the Jaguars here, but the Redskins have the better overall team and they are at home.
Arizona over NY GIANTS: The G-Men could do absolutely nothing offensively last week against the Lions. The Cardinals have a much better defense than the Lions and despite the fact that Arizona is a west coast team playing a one o'clock game on the east coast, I think they'll win.
New England over MINNESOTA: Uncharacteristic performance for Bill Belichick's Patriots last week in Miami, but there is no better coach at making adjustments than Belichick. Minnesota looked good in their first game, but no way the Patriots start 0-2.
New Orleans over CLEVELAND: The Saints offense was in midseason form last week; however, their defense gave up 568-yards and 37 points to Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Don't expect the Browns to do the same to the Saints this week.
CAROLINA over Detroit: The Lions looked good Monday night, but with Cam Newton returning to the Panthers and Carolina being at home, I think they will win.
TAMPA BAY over St. Louis: It's going to be a long, long season for the Rams.
Seattle over SAN DIEGO: After watching the Seahawks dismantle the Packers last Thursday night, it's hard to imagine them losing any game this season. San Diego will keep it close, but Seattle is the best team in the NFL. Period.
Houston over OAKLAND: This game is a toss-up. Despite the fact that the Raiders have not been very good in recent years, playing in Oakland is never an easy task. The Black Hole is loud and filled with a bunch of crazy fans, so the Texans will not have an easy time against the Raiders. Houston does, however, have J.J. Watt and I think he will make a couple of big plays that will be the difference.
GREEN BAY over NY Jets: Much like the Patriots, I just don't see the Packers starting the season 0-2. The Jets have a solid defense and a good rushing attack, but it won't be enough to beat the Packers in Lambeau.
DENVER over Kansas City: Other than the Rams, no team looked worse last week than the Chiefs. A trip to Denver to face Peyton Manning won't make things any better for Kansas City.
SAN FRANCISCO over Chicago: San Francisco will be opening up their new stadium, Levi's Stadium, this Sunday night against Chicago, who somehow managed to lose an overtime game to the Bills last week. I think I'll take the 49ers.
INDIANAPOLIS over Philadelphia: Rough start for the Eagles last week at home against the Jaguars, but they found a way to comeback in the second half, so too did the Colts. Indianapolis looked like a different team in the second half against Denver, but ultimately fell short.
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| A.J. Green made a speculator, juggling catch to give the Bengals the lead for good last Sunday as they beat the Ravens, 23-16. (The Cincinnati Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
The key to the Bengals winning this game will be the defense. Atlanta put up over 500-yards against New Orleans last week and quarterback Matt Ryan picked apart the Saints secondary. The Bengals will need to get a constant pass rush on Ryan and they will need a healthy Vontaze Burfict, who suffered a concussion last week. If the defense plays well, I think the Bengals will score touchdowns this week in a close game. Bengals 27, Falcons 24.
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 12-4
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