Last Week: 4-10-1
Season: 4-10-1
If Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season taught me anything it’s that I have a lot of work to do to get back on track for the remainder of the season. Coming off of my worst weekly performance since starting this column I look to bounce back with my Week 2 picks. Home teams are in CAPITALS.
SAINTS (-6.5) over Bears
It will be an emotional day for the Chicago Bears as Brian Urlacher leads the Bears defense into New Orleans just six days after his Mother passed away. New Orleans has had ten days to prepare for this game after losing their season opener against the Packers. I can’t pick against Drew Brees inside of the dome with the Saints looking at an 0-2 start if they are unable to win. I look for the Saints to barely cover the spread.
LIONS (-9) over Chiefs
When was the last time the Detroit Lions were a 9-point favorite? The Lions were impressive in their Week 1 victory in Tampa. On the other side, Kansas City was downright embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills at home. Even though the Chiefs won their division last season it seems that they have come into 2011 as a defeated team that looks like it’s on the verge of quitting on its coach. The Lions are 7-1 against the spread in their last 8 home games. Look for Calvin Johnson to have a big game as Detroit wins outright and covers the spread.
JETS (-9) over Jaguars
The Jets flat-out stole a victory from the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Even though New York started the season with a win, head coach Rex Ryan could not have been too pleased with the Jets performance. New York will look to make a big statement in Week 2 by taking out the Jaguars handily.
Raiders (+4) over BILLS
Nobody saw the Buffalo Bills starting the season with a 41-7 victory on the road against Kansas City. Are the Bills for real? We’ll get a better look in their Week 2 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The key to this matchup will be the running games for both teams. Oakland should have success shutting down the Bills rushing attack which will put pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick to duplicate his strong performance from Week 1. Darren McFadden should have success on the ground as the Raiders control time of possession. This will be a close game that will likely be decided by a field goal either way.
REDSKINS (-3.5) over Cardinals
It feels weird picking Rex Grossman to lead the Redskins to a 2-0 start on the season. That being said, Arizona’s defense is a major work-in-progress. While I like the improvements that the Cardinals have made from last season, Washington’s defense is simply far ahead of Arizona at this early point in the season.
Ravens (-6) over TITANS
The Ravens are coming off of the biggest statement victory of Week 1 by dismantling the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens are 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread in their last five trips to Tennessee. I see the Ravens carrying their success from last week down to Tennessee and leaving with another statement victory to start the 2011 season.
STEELERS (-14) over Seahawks
Even though the Steelers are a two touchdown favorite, I still like Pittsburgh to cover in this matchup. The Steelers will play angry on Sunday as they look to bounce back from their embarrassing loss against the Ravens to start the season. The Pittsburgh defense will be out to prove it isn’t over the hill and Tavaris Jackson simply doesn’t stand a chance in this matchup. Pittsburgh will roll with an emphatic win.
Packers (-10.5) over PANTHERS
What a debut for Cam Newton last week! I’ll admit that I never saw that coming. Newton was incredibly impressive throwing for 422 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. However he has his work cut out for him this week with a much tougher test against the Super Bowl Champion Packers. Green Bay has had extra time to prepare for this game and will come out flying. Packers win by two touchdowns.
Buccaneers (+2) over VIKINGS
From a young quarterback that got off to a great start to a veteran QB that struggled mightily during Week 1. Donovan McNabb threw for just 39 yards in Minnesota’s loss to the Chargers. With the Vikings offensive line in shambles, look for the Tampa Bay defense to have a lot of success. Both teams need this victory to avoid an 0-2 start. I think Tampa wins outright.
Browns (-2) over COLTS
There is no way that Indianapolis is as bad as they played last week… right? The Colts were overmatched by the Texans in Week 1 and until they prove they can do anything without Peyton Manning under center, it will be tough to pick them. Cleveland is coming off of a bad loss to the Bengals and needs a bounce back win to get things back on track. I’ll take the Browns on the road in this matchup.
Cowboys (-3) over 49ERS
Dallas is coming off of blowing a 14-point 4th quarter lead for the first time in franchise history. Even with Dez Bryant questionable for this game I like the Cowboys to bounce back and pick up a road victory against Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers.
Texans (-3) over DOLPHINS
The time is now for the Houston Texans. Coming off of a big victory at home against the Indianapolis Colts, Houston needs to prove they can carry that momentum over to Week 2. Miami is coming into this game on a short week and simply won’t be able to match the Texans on both sides of the football.
PATRIOTS (-7) over Chargers
This one could go either way but I kept coming back to the fact that New England’s offense was downright surgical during their Week 1 victory over Miami. With the Patriots defense is still a work in progress, I can’t see the Chargers slowing down New England’s offensive attack. I’d recommend staying away from this game but if I had to pick I’d take the Patriots.
BRONCOS (-3.5) over Bengals
Cincinnati should have success running the football against Denver’s porous run defense. The situation is an absolute mess for John Fox in Denver right now but the bottom line is that the Broncos need this victory to settle things down and get back on track. I can’t see the Bengals starting the season 2-0. I just hope that 0.5 point doesn’t come back to bite me.
FALCONS (+2.5) over Eagles
The emotion will be extremely high in the Georgia Dome on Sunday night as Michael Vick returns to Atlanta as a starting quarterback for the first time. The Falcons will be looking to avoid an 0-2 start and should come out with a tremendous amount of energy. The key to this game will be how the Eagles offensive line holds up against the Falcons pass rush. If Philadelphia is able to give Vick enough time in the pocket, there will be plays to be made down the field against Atlanta’s secondary. Although the Eagles have had tremendous success against the Falcons over the past several years I see this as a tough spot for Philadelphia. Atlanta simply needs the win.
Giants (-6.5) over RAMS
St. Louis should keep this game relatively close but without Stephen Jackson and Danny Amendola, the Rams simply do not have enough firepower on offense. Eli Manning and the Giants will look to bounce back in a big way on Monday Night Football at home. New York will win by at least a touchdown.
Leave a Reply