NFL Week 2 Picks: Costly Injuries In Week 1 Could Influence Many Games

Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers

The Buffalo Bills have a strong defense, which most people underestimate.  Last season, they only allowed 20.4 points a game and had the second best pass defense.  In 2009, they only allowed +30 points to teams with strong rushing attacks.  I do not see many teams hanging more than 30 points on them this season, either.  The Packers are a team built to pass.  With the loss of Ryan Grant, I see them struggling to score three touchdowns against the Bills secondary.

The Green Bay defense should have no problem holding the Bills offense to only a couple scores.  Coming off a win against the Eagles, the defense looked well tuned.  I see the Pack dominating average and below average teams like the Bills and playing close with elite teams.

PICK: Green Bay Packers

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens looked impressive against the Jets.  Defensively, they were stout against both run and pass plays.  Offensively, they struggle with the run, but found they could pick apart the Jets with the pass while picking up the blitz effectively.  This is a bit deceiving with such a low score and so many penalties by the Jets.  I think they are good, but I don't see a lot of points coming against a defensively sound Cincinnati team.

The Bengals looked very bad on offense, as they only managed points after the Patriots had secured the win.  I'm not sure the Bengals understand their offensive identity yet, which means drawing a strong defense in Week 2 will be trouble for them. 

PICK:  Baltimore Ravens

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

This is one of those games which you think you'd have to cringe to watch, but as a divisional game, it could be exciting.  Can Josh Freeman to Mike Williams succeed against a tough secondary?  Will Matt Moore bounce back from a dreadful performance?  Will either team rely on their rushing attack to carry them as they should?  Can either of the young defenses have a break out game?

I see Carolina having the edge with a much better rushing attack, the ever dangerous Steve Smith, and a few key studs on defense.

PICK: Carolina Panthers

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns

The Chiefs won ugly against division rival San Diego.  They look like they could challenge for the division , but not if they continue to play ugly.  You cannot rely on long runs and special teams to win games. 

The Browns are another team threatening to improve upon their 2009 record.  They played a sound first half against the Lions, but abandoned Jerome Harrison for some odd reason.  If they go to Harrison 20 times, then they can win against the Chiefs, but I'd wager Jake Delhomme wants a shot at destroying a Kansas City pass defense that ranked 29th in points allowed with 25 passing TDs against.  If Delhomme is ruled out with his ankle injury, the Seneca Wallace will lead the offense and the Chiefs will expect the run.  It is lose-lose for the Browns.

PICK:  Kansas City Chiefs

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson had his way with a weak Raiders defense.  The Steelers are not about to let that happen to them.  Vince Young will need to be effective throwing the ball early to get the Steelers defense on their heels for CJ to have another 150 yard day.

Pittsburgh's offense is shaky without Ben Roethlisberger behind center.  Tennessee will hold the Steelers to field goals much like the Falcons did.  It will be a tough game for Mendenhall and Dixon.

PICK:  Tennessee Titans

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys

Considering the Bears only beat the Lions because they knocked out Stafford forcing the ineffective Shaun Hill into the game, I'd wager that the Dallas Cowboys will present a number of mismatches which the Bears will not be able to handle.  Better running backs and receivers should put up a fair amount of points against a porous Chicago defense.

PICK:  Dallas Cowboys 

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

It is too early to tell whether Derek Anderson will fall on his face, or whether his skill set is good enough to succeed with the Cardinals.  I do know that the Atlanta Falcons will give him plenty of trouble if he is indecisive or inaccurate.  The Cardinals should focus on the ground game, but without Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower is not effective enough.

Matt Ryan and Michael Turner present a similar match up for the Cardinals defense as the Rams did, but the Falcons receiver and offensive line are much better than the Rams.  I believe the Cardinals defense is in for a long season.

PICK:  Atlanta Falcons

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions

Michael Vick appears ready to make is first NFL start since being jailed.  His draw is the Detroit Lions, which based on last season was a push over.  The revamped Lions show a lot of strength on defense, so they could be unpredictable. 

Shaun Hill is starting on the opposite side so neither team instills a lot of confidence.  And neither do their running games.  At least the Eagles defense performed well enough against the Packers for me to like the Eagles to win.

PICK:  Philadelphia Eagles

Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings

The Dolphins struggled to score points against Buffalo last weekend.  Now they face a much stingier defense in the Vikings.  Unless Brandon Marshall has a big game, Miami is in trouble here.

Favre looked his age against the Saints in the opener as he faded down the stretch of the game.  He needs to be handing the ball to Peterson in the second half more, especially in close games.  I like the Vikings here, but Favre will kill this team this season.

PICK:  Minnesota Vikings

Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos

What a surprise the Seahawks were!  Who knew that their offense could light up a strong defense?  This is a real treat, because the Broncos are weak against the run, but strong against the pass.  We will get to see if it is Pete Carroll's evil genius or just Week 1 unpredictability at work in Seattle. 

The Broncos are going to have trouble finding good match ups for their offense this season.  The Seahawks have some key players who were real difference makers against Frank Gore. 

PICK:  Seattle Seahawks

St. Louis Rams at Oakland Raiders

The Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford threw 55 passes in Week 1.  If St Louis expects to get their first win, then against the Raiders they'll need to rely on the finally healthy legs of Steven Jackson.  He's a strong, punishing runner who can wear the defense down and set up the pass in the second half.  The Oakland defense was slashed for 150 yards by Chris Johnson.  With the right game plan, I expect similar results for Jackson.

PICK:  St Louis Rams

Houston Texans at Washington Redskins

Houston will face a talented defense this weekend.  I doubt Arian Foster can repeat his Week 1 performance.  In fact, I doubt he gets 100 yards.  The Texans will need to be successful through the air to be the Redskins whose defense tends to be very stingy at home.

The Redskins offense looked below average against the Cowboys, but they did enough to win.  I think they'll do better against an up and coming Texans defense, but I don't think it will be enough to win.

PICK:  Houston Texans

New England Patriots at New York Jets

When these two teams meet early in the season, the Patriots usually win, but against Rex Ryan's attacking defense (and without Wes Welker) gave Tom Brady happy feet and beat New England.  In the second meeting, Brady was ready and had Welker back.  They scorched the Jets for 15 connections and 2 scores coming away with the W. 

After the Week 1 games, New England has the edge as they look to be clicking on all cylinders on offense with an improved defense while the Jets were inept on offense and displayed big holes on defense. 

The Jets will take away Randy Moss with Darrelle Revis, but what is their solution to Welker?

PICK:  New England Patriots

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers

David Gerrard had his best game of his career last week.  Can he repeat against a softer San Diego defense?  I think he will as he finally has two talented route runners with great hands in Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas.  Mercedes Lewis is also finding himself down field more with more targets.

The Chargers are threatening to start 0-2 here.  Unless their defense and running game shape up, they'll be in for a long year.

PICK:  Jacksonville Jaguars 

Sunday Night Game:
New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts

Night game for Peyton Manning at home... he always seems to win those.

The Colts defense was putrid against the run last week.  Luckily, they have time to fix it as they face a Giants offense with a beat up offensive line.   I expect their woes to continue throughout the season with the loss of Bob Sanders.  The Colts offense will have to compensate by scoring early and force their opponents to be one dimensional.

PICK:  Indianapolis Colts

Monday Night Game:
New Orleans Saints at San Fransisco 49ers

The New Orleans Saints look like the same team that won the Super Bowl back in February.  The 49ers do not stand a chance with Alex Smith and a defense which gave up 28 points to the Seahawks.

PICK:  New Orleans Saints