NFL Picks Week Two: Giants Looking for First Win This Year
Sep 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The 49ers defeated the Packers 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE
Here are my picks for the games in the second week of NFL play. I was on board with the Chicago Bears after their week one performance, and I underestimated the Packers, so I’m 0-1. Chalk that up as a lesson learned.
Last week: 9-7
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
I’m maybe overreacting to the Chiefs getting their butts kicked by the Falcons, but I like the Bills here. This is an interesting battle of starting running backs, with the Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles and the Bills’ C.J. Spiller. I think that both teams have mediocre QBs and better than average defenses with playmaking ability. I’m going with the home team.
PICK: BUFFALO BILLS
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
The Saints suffered a big opening week loss, but I don’t think Drew Brees is going to lose two in a row very often. This has the look of a trap game, but I think the Saints can make it happen.
PICK: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals looked pretty bad against the Ravens, but there is a huge gap beteween those two teams this year. I think the Browns are in for a very long season, and Cincy is not an easy place to play.
PICK: CINCINNATI BENGALS
Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
Will this be the week Andrew Luck gets his first win, at home in front of thousands of rowdy fans? I say, why not? However, Indy is going to have to be able to stop Adrian Peterson, and I’m not sure they can make that happen. This will be another tough test for Luck, going up against Jared Allen.
PICK: MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is a decent divisional matchup. Will Blaine Gabbert continue to make progress? Is Jacksonville going to be on a big time low after losing a heartbreaker to the Vikings last week? I think this game could be oddly close, but don’t bet against the Texans here.
PICK: HOUSTON TEXANS
Oakland Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill just looked bad last week, and the Dolphins in general don’t look great. The Raiders need to get that long snapper issue figured out. This could be a very sloppy game.
PICK: OAKLAND RAIDERS
Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots
Kevin Kolb vs. Tom Brady. You tell me.
PICK: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants
The Bucs got a nice division win against the Panthers last week, and the Giants couldn’t come back against the Dallas Cowboys. I think the Giants get off the schnide this weekend.
PICK: NEW YORK GIANTS
Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Boy the Ravens looked good last week. The Eagles? Not so much. This is a tough place to play, and if Mike Vick plays the whole game, I don’t think the Eagles have lost many games. Still, I’m going with the smart money here. Baltimore is looking very good.
PICK: BALTIMORE RAVENS
Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle could really struggle with this new-look Dallas D. I think DeMarcus Ware is more than capable of chasing down Russell Wilson, but don’t discredit the 12th man in Seattle, that is one of the best home field advantages in the NFL.
PICK: DALLAS COWBOYS
Washington Redskins vs. St. Louis Rams
The Rams are playing at home, but that has already been proven to not phase Robert Griffin III.
PICK: WASHINGTON REDSKINS
New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Jets looked very good against the Bills in week one. This is an entirely different road contest as well as a very different opposing offense. Plus, they don’t have Darrelle Revis.
PICK: PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Tennessee Titans vs. San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers and the Chargers managed to win a sloppy one on Monday night, and the Titans are rolling with Jake Locker at less than 100 percent.
PICK: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers
This game has the potential to be an NFC Playoffs preview. The Niners looked great against Green Bay in the first week, and if Detroit makes the same mistakes this week as they did last week, they are in big trouble.
PICK: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
This is one of the hardest places for any team to play in the NFL. Peyton Manning doesn’t care about another team’s home record. He is a home wrecker.
PICK: DENVER BRONCOS