NFL Week 2 Picks From The John Report: Pats Vs. Jets Face Off

John: Welcome to week two of the NFL season. Joining me again is my buddy Pat Lamorte. We each went 10-6 last week straight up. Week two's always interesting because a lot of first impressions are made after one game and sometimes it leads to people dumping on a team because they lost a game they were favored to win (just ask the Colts, Niners and Chargers). To me, week two is a chance for redemption for a lot of those teams that lost the first game. I'll be picking a lot of 0-1 home teams this week. At least the ones I believe in. Let's hope I'm on the right track.

Pat: Thanks to JC for welcoming me back for week two even though I picked the Rams to lose (and they did), he’s a swell fella.   I’m coming off a 10-6 week one, not too shabby, and I’m ready for week two, should be as exciting as 1996 Superstars match featuring The Goon.  I’ll try to mix in one obscure wrestling reference per week for my own entertainment and if you like it, well that’s dandy too.  Remember; send fantasy questions to me on twitter @RotoRant or my personal account @Plamorte.

Last week:
John 10-6
Pat 10-6

All times are Eastern.

Baltimore at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
Pat: I’m glad Ray Lewis and Ravens shut up the Jets (and their fans in the comments section) last week, though the Jets D still held up well.  The Ravens now get to visit Raw Guest Host Star Chad Ochocino and the Bengals.  How about Ocho on Raw?  I thought he was pretty damn bland for being so flamboyant on twitter and on the football field.  Anyway Cincy got trounced by the Patriots last week and though I think it’ll be a close one, they’ll come up short again. Ravens 24, Bengals 17
Fantasy pick: Hard to pick a Bengal vs. the Ravens' D, so after a quiet week vs. the Jets, I like Flacco to utilize all his weapons this week.

John: Tough game, but since the Ravens are my Super Bowl pick I need to roll with them in tough game situations. Plus, I think they're the better team. I don't care that the Bengals have loudmouth WRs like Ochocinco and Owens. Their offense isn't explosive. Defensively they are a solid team, but the Ravens are better on that side of the ball whether they're at home or away. If Baltimore wins this game and goes 2-0 after two tough road games they are looking pretty going forward. Ravens 23-17

Tampa Bay at Carolina 1:00 PM
Pat: I went back and forth on this one, first going Bucs before settling on the Panthers.  They have issues in their passing game but ultimately the running combo of Williams and Stewart should be able to get it done vs. a poor run D.  Bucs won last week but remember it was the Browns. Panthers 24 Bucs 17
Fantasy pick: After a dud last week, I’m going with Jonathon Stewart.   Williams is the feature back IMO but I like Stewart to find holes after Williams tires out the d-line.

John: I doubt I'll watch much of Tampa on Sunday Ticket all season. They don't intrigue me at all. The Panthers went into a tough environment last week against the Giants and took a beating. I think home cooking cures all pain. I think it'll be a big game for RBs DeAngelo Williams & Jonathon "Daily Show" Stewart while WR Steve Smith should rack up some good yardage too. A comfortable win here. Panthers 37-13

Buffalo at Green Bay 1:00 PM
Pat: This is my lock of the week.  Packers will be fine even without Ryan Grant.  Bills offense looks really bad.  I have them with a FG and one TD, prob on a return, that’s how bad the O is.  Fudgepack wins. Packers 31, Bills 10
Fantasy pick: Go with new starter Brandon Jackson, he’ll get it done on the ground and help you PPR’ers.

John: I already bet on the Packers to destroy them when I saw the spread at 13.5 here on Tuesday (it's now 13). I do think the Packers will miss RB Ryan Grant long term, but not in this game. It should be easy for them. Bills, you have a lot of problems. This game will show you that. This is the Survivor pool pick for sure. Don't worry about it. You're safe. (Blame me if you lose!) Packers 37-10

Miami at Minnesota 1:00 PM
Pat: The much heralded matchup as Greg Camarillo finally faces his old team!  What?! I’m trying to make it interesting.  Don’t see Ronnie Brown or Ricky having much luck vs. Vikings run D and that one guy who retired and unretired a few times shouldn’t be as rusty in Week 2. Vikings 28, Dolphins 17
Fantasy pick: It seems when that one guy who retired and unretired a few times plays, he and TE Visanthe Shiancoe connect.  Roll with him.

John: This is the poster child for my "team bounces back at home after a week one loss" theory because after the Vikings looked poor against the Saints the thinking seems to be that maybe they're not that good. Don't look at me. I'm not thinking that. I think they're a very scary team that has been festering at home for over a week waiting for this game. The Dolphins strength is running the ball. The Vikings have the best run defense in football. Nobody runs on them. I don't expect Chad Henne to throw it very well in this game. I get the feeling that the Vikes destroy them here. That Brett Favre guy? He'll be just fine. Vikings 41-20

Chicago at Dallas 1:00 PM
Pat: My 0-1 Bears, wait, that wasn’t TD? Ok my 1-0 Bears shouldn’t be much of a problem for the Cowboys.   Look for Romo and Co. to respond nicely to last week’s disappointing loss. Cowboys 24, Bears 13
Fantasy pick: Mr. EIU Tony Romo.  Last week Shaun Hill led the Lions to what would have been a game winning drive; I think Romo will do ok then.

John: I REALLY like Dallas in this game. The spread came out at 9 points. I already put a bet on the Cowboys. They played terribly in week one on the road against a divisional opponent. Now they go home, they lick their wounds and they play a Bears team that should have lost last week. It's not going to be easy to move the ball against the Cowboys and we know Jay Cutler likes to throw picks. I think he will throw a few in this one. This is the game where Dallas reminds everybody they are a Super Bowl contender. Cowboys 33-14

Philadelphia at Detroit 1:00 PM
Pat: Eagles had a few key injuries last week, including QB Kevin Kolb, in their loss to the Pack.  Luckily for them they get to visit the Lions, who just lost their young QB Stafford for several weeks.  Eagles fly over the Lions here. Eagles 26, Lions 13
Fantasy pick: If Kolb is out, I really like Vick, through the air and on the ground.

John: For point spread watchers this was interesting. The line started at 3 for the Eagles. It is now 6 points as I write this on Friday morning. That's a significant jump. It means people believe in Michael Vick. Andy Reid should because he had that offense moving and he's probably better than Kevin Kolb, even when he gets healthy. I'll let the talking heads talk about the controversy. If Matt Stafford was playing maybe the Lions win. I don't think Shaun Hill is very good, so the Eagles win largely because of their defense although Vick should be solid too. Eagles 24-13

Arizona at Atlanta 1:00 PM
Pat: It’s the battle of the birds in Atlanta.  Falcons held their own in Pittsburgh before falling in OT.  The Matt Ryan-Tony Gonzo-Roddy White triangle should thrive at home. Falcons 34, Cardinals 21
Fantasy pick: Falcons RB Michael Turner, not much luck against the Steel Curtain last week, should fare better vs. ‘Zona.

John: How valuable was Kurt Warner to the Cardinals offense? And how bad must Matt Leinart have been if he couldn't beat out Derek Anderson? He was brutal last week. It's like they beat the Rams in spite of Anderson. The Falcons are one of those teams that is elite at home while they are decidedly average on the road. In Matt Ryan's two year career he has only lost once at home. Thanks to a healthy dose of RB Michael Turner and a balanced offense I think it will be an easy win for the Falcons. Falcons 31-16

Kansas City at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Pat: Chiefs got a huge win on Monday night and the Arrowhead fans were buzzing, I was happy for KC.  This week they get to visit the Browns, who may be without Jake Delhomme, leaving Seneca Wallace as the QB.  I like the Chiefs chances this week. Chiefs 21, Browns 16
Fantasy pick: Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe.  He didn’t get in on the action last week vs the Chargers, so look for him to rebound and show why he’s KC’s #1 WR.

John: Last year when they played in week 15 the Browns won 41-34 in KC thanks to Browns RB Jerome Harrison running for a ridiculous 286 yards. Yes, I did research on Chiefs vs. Browns. That's thorough. This year? Let's give them each one TD less and go with the road team again. Chiefs 34-27

Pittsburgh at Tennessee 1:00 PM
Pat: Steelers are 1-0 in the Dennis Dixon era (that should last about 3 more weeks) but it’ll be a tough test for him on the road vs. the mighty mighty Titans.  I think I’ve been even a little generous with the score for both; it’s going to be a hardnosed football game with Titans prevailing. Titans 17, Steelers 13
Fantasy pick: For PPR leagues I’m going to go with Hines Ward who might not score but he’ll help move the ball down the field with plenty of catches and yards.

John: They both won at home in week one, so my "team bounces back in week two" theory doesn't apply. In this case I simply have to roll with who is better. The Steelers beat them on opening night last year, but they had Ben Roethlisberger in that game and the Titans had Kerry Collins, who is terrible. The key thing is can the Titans great RB Chris Johnson run on the Steelers, who are notorious for having one of the best run defenses ever? I think he can do enough to get the win. Plus, I don't like Steelers QB Dennis Dixon on the road against a good defense. It should be a physical game that the Titans end up winning in the end. Steelers fans will really be missing Roethlisberger after this one. They'll be asking: "Why couldn't you just pay for a hooker like a real man?" Dumbass. Titans 24-17

Seattle at Denver 4:05 PM
Pat: This matchup just doesn’t seem too appealing, like screams boring (sorry to you Seahawks and Broncos fans), but I think the Seahawks aren’t as good as they showed last week and will have trouble containing neck beard Orton on the road. Broncos 28, Seahawks 16
Fantasy pick: Former Bears neck beard Kyle Orton, he’ll spread it around and have much more success against the Seahawks pass D then 49ers did.

John: An ugly game that I don't have much interest in betting on or watching, to be honest. Let's go with the home team because bad road teams that play the other conference in a tough environment do not give me much hope. Broncos 20-14

St. Louis at Oakland 4:05PM
Pat: Matchup of the week!  Two strong playoff contenders battling it out early in the year, this is why we love football! Oh wait its Raiders and Rams.  Ummm hey maybe the Rams and Sammy B will win one. Rams 17, Raiders 14
Fantasy pick: Besides S-Jax, do I have to?  Sebastian Janikowski anyone? Nah I’ll go with Raiders WR Louis Murphy. Cardinals managed almost 300 yards and a TD vs. Rams pass D last week and Murphy lead the Raiders in looks in week one.

John: If the Rams weren't my favorite team I would have little interest in watching this one too. However, I am interested simply because part of being a superfan is living with your team through the ups and downs. Last week's loss was painful despite the fact that Sam Bradford looked good at times, though he did have 3 interceptions (the last one was a hail mary). This week? Another heartbreaking loss…even though I think the Raiders are just as terrible. Raiders 24-23

New England at New York Jets 4:15 PM
Pat: If the Jets had a better offense this would be closer.   Sanchez and his O looked horrible vs the Ravens.  The Jets D is good but Revis can only cover one man and the loss of Kris Jenkins won’t do them any favors either.  Patriots comfortably cruise. Patriots 28, Jets 17
Fantasy pick: With Randy Moss visiting Revis Island, Welker will probably have a monster game.

John: I think this is the game of the week. The Jets are the cockiest team in the league (despite being 9-7 a year ago) even though they have an unproven QB in second year man Mark Sanchez, but they do have an elite defense. I think the Pats problem this year is they will be one dimensional – too pass heavy. Their running game is bad. When that happens a team is easier to defend. Still, they have weapons and QB Tom Brady looks like he's back to 100% again. For whatever reason I like the Jets as home dogs. Why? Their running game. I think they'll have more success against the Pats this week than they did against the Ravens last week. That should earn them the victory. If it doesn't? Good luck getting into the playoffs after a 0-2 start. Last year no 0-2 made it in it. It doesn't usually happen. Jets 20-17

Houston at Washington 4:15 PM
Pat: Both these teams came away with surprise wins in week one but one in more convincing fashion than the other.   Texans finally got past the Colts whereas the Redskins would have lost if not for a time expiring holding penalty on the Cowboys.  Even though the Redskins D will be very tough especially at home this year, I’m siding with the Texans on the road this week but wouldn’t be surprised to see it go the other way. Texans 20, Redskins 17
Fantasy pick: Texans QB Matt Schaub, should find Andre Johnson early and often, as usual.

John: The Texans are three point favorites playing in Washington. It was a hard spread to set because a lot of people were impressed with the thumping they gave the Colts while the Redskins didn't score an offensive touchdown in beating the Cowboys. I'm going with the home dog, though. I think the Texans won't have as much success running the ball against a tough Redskins defense. Offensively Washington has to be able to score TDs or else it's not going to be a pretty season. I think they do enough to get the win, though. Redskins 23-20

Jacksonville at San Diego 4:15 PM
Pat: Chargers have to be itching want to let loose offensively at home after a tough road loss to open the year. Rivers and Gates will be too much for the Jags D. Chargers 34, Jaguars 13
Fantasy pick: With more attention on Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates, look for Chargers WR Legedu Naanee to have a nice game again after his breakout week one game.

John: The Chargers probably should have won last week. They're going to be mad. However, I don't see them as a team that is going to come home and destroy the Jags like some of these home teams I picked. Instead, I think it will be a much closer game than some people think with the Jags fighting hard to keep it close. I'll go with the Chargers winning thanks to their strong passing game, but the Jags will be in it right until the end to cover the spread. Chargers 30-27

New York Giants at Indianapolis 8:20 PM
Pat: BROTHER VS BROTHER! It’s Kane taking on the Undertaker! Oops I mean Peyton vs. Eli! We’ll predictably hear about this all week as the media soaks up the cutesiness of the brother angle.  I will admit, I think it’s pretty cool both have a Super Bowl rings and it should be a great matchup but Colts at home coming off a loss, Peyton takes it out on ‘lil brother. Colts 27, Giants 21
Fantasy pick: After not doing much in week one, PPR machine Steve Smith of the Giants will be a great play in what should be a high scoring game.

John: Ah yes, the Manning Bowl. Every four years. The Colts won the last time in 2006. Since then they've both won Super Bowls (Peyton in the 2006 season, Eli in the 2007 season) playing on quality football teams again. Could you imagine if the Colts went 0-2, though? That hasn't happened since Manning's rookie year in 1998. They are usually quick out of the gates. I don't want to say a loss here would be devastating, but it would be humbling. I just think they're too good to be 0-2. Sometimes gut feelings beat out stats, though I believe the Giants should have a very healthy running game against the Colts. We'll see. Colts 27-20

New Orleans at San Francisco 8:30 PM (Mon)
Pat: 49ers really hurt some survivor pools last week, I for one thought they were a lock for a W.  But they were a mess, so lucky them they get the defending Super Bowl champs as a rebound game!  I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they came out and won this game after what I assume will be a hellish week of practice at the hands of Coach Singletary.  But it comes down to this- 49ers are facing Drew Brees and countering with Alex Smith.  Saints win. Saints 24, 49ers 20
Fantasy pick: Drew Brees, 300 yards and 2 TD’s at least.

John: This is a tough game for my "team bounces back in week two" theory because I'm not sure how comfortable I am picking the Niners after they pissed me off last week in laying an egg against Seattle. I could have won $300 on a six team parlay, but instead they got crushed by a bad team. Very frustrating. The Saints are coming off a nice win while getting a couple of extra days of rest. I still think the Niners will win this division somehow even after what I predict to be a 0-2 starts, but the Saints are winning this game the skin of their teeth. In the end, Drew Brees > Alex Smith by way too much. Saints 24-20

JC Against The Spread
John: Every week I'll pick four games against the spread or using the over/under. These are my best four picks of the week. I use pinnaclesports.com for this.

Last week: 2-2

PACKERS -13 over Bills - Like I said in the open this will be a blowout.
VIKINGS -5.5 over Dolphins - They will bounce back big.
FALCONS -6.5 over Cardinals - Same like the Vikings. I like 'em at home.
PANTHERS -3.5 over Bucs - Another homer. Only 3.5 here? Come on. Tampa sucks.

I'll say this and I promise I won't say this every week. I REALLY like these picks. Home field advantage is big and in three cases these are better teams being favored by less than a touchdown. Good luck to my fellow bettors out there.

We'll see you next week.

John Canton - or Twitter.com/johnreport
Pat Lamorte - Twitter.com/plamorte