NFL Picks: Week 2

Last Week: 7-9
Season Record: 7-9

Hey folks. Don't give up on me after one week! It was a rough one, to be sure, with lots of weird and lopsided upsets. But that's why they play the games, and we have to get our footing. So let's roll into Week 2.....

Oakland at Buffalo--Did anyone think these two teams would be 1-0 heading into this weekend? But they are, both on road wins. I guess I'm going to give this one to the Bills solely on the fact that they racked up 40 points on the Chiefs--and also because they have one extra day of rest. Bills 21, Raiders 14

Green Bay at Carolina--Speaking about rest, the Packers will have had ten days since their opener, while the Panthers had to fly home from Arizona after a tough but encouraging loss, in which Cam Newton threw for a ridiculous 422 yards. He is going to see some pressure Sunday, however--Mr. Newton, meet Mr. Matthews. Packers 27, Panthers 13

Kansas City at Detroit--Man, I wouldn't want to be a Chiefs fan right now. Lions 35, Chiefs 17

Cleveland at Indianapolis--The Colts' fans will get to see just how bad their team is up close. The Browns need to regroup, but I have a bad feeling for them here. Colts 24, Browns 20

Tampa Bay at Minnesota--Just when you thought it was safe to make a pick, you get this quandary. Do you take the young and talented Bucs on the road, or the Donny Mack led Vikings at home? Argh. Bucs 31, Vikings 24

Chicago at New Orleans--For as good as Jay Cutler looked last Sunday, he may struggle against a revamped Saints D, even though New Orleans gave up 42 to Green Bay. I mean, that was the Packers. The Bears' D, however, nearly shut the Falcons out. Saints 23, Bears 16

Jacksonville at NY Jets--How did the Jets get two home games to start the season? Anyway, they will fare a bit better against the Jags and a shutout wouldn't even make me flinch. Jets 17, Jaguars 6

Seattle at Pittsburgh--Poor Pete Carroll, poor Tarvaris Jackson, poor Seahawks' defense. The Steelers are going to take their Week 1 frustrations out and Seattle can't stop them. Steelers 38, Seahawks 10

Baltimore at Tennessee--I lived in Nashville for seven years and they have great fans there. But they will run into a buzz-saw in this one. Ravens 27, Titans 10

Arizona at Washington--Wow, Rex Grossman picked apart the Giants like it was his job, and it is. I'm not sure the Cards are a better team than my Giants, but they might be. Still, the Skins will be 2-0 after Sunday. Redskins 29, Cardinals 22

Dallas at San Francisco--Tony Romo choke alert! Okay, that was low. Or maybe not. Are the Niners improved or did they just face a weak opponent in the Seahawks last Sunday? Cowboys 24, Niners 13

Cincinnati at Denver--Man, another tough call. The young and hungry Bengals can't possibly be 2-0, can they? Nah. Broncos 30, Bengals 20

Houston at Miami--This one could be interesting as well. In fact, I'm picking an upset. Dolphins 24, Texans 20

San Diego at New England--Tom Brady won't throw for over 500 yards against a tough Chargers' pass D, but they will still win. Patriots 23, Chargers 20

Philadelphia at Atlanta--Probably the game of the week. The high flying Eagles bring Michael Vick back to Atlanta, and meanwhile the Falcons have their home opener, and they are always tough in the dome. Falcons 26, Eagles 24

St. Louis at NY Giants--The Giants have to play better in their home opener than they did against the Redskins in Week 1. And can gimpy Sam Bradford will face a heavy pass rush and a raucous New Jersey crowd. Giants 27, Rams 24