NFL Week 2 Quick Picks: Battles, Locks, And Upsets
Week two of the 2010 NFL season in upon us, and it promises to be action packed.
The first week of regular season play brought a slew of interesting developments, including, but not limited to: The Chiefs sliding into first place in the AFC West, Mike Vick assuming a starting role in Philly, and Peyton Manning failing to lead the Colts past the division rival Texans.
There are some interesting match-ups in week two, so here's a last minute take on who I feel ultimately takes home a victory. I've labeled each appropriately as a Battle, a Lock, or an Upset.
For anyone who may have been wondering, my week one selections record turned out to be a respectable yet highly improvable 11-5. I had Chiefs, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans, and Redskins down to lose.
I also urge all Dolphins fans to follow me on Twitter @DolphinsRuleAll
Buffalo @ Green Bay: Lock
1 of 16
I have to admit, I like the look of the Bills secondary, and I am eager to see what kind of trouble they can cause for Aaron Rodgers' explosive aerial attack, but this one does not look good for the Bills.
Lambeau Field on the day of the Pack's home opener is going to be be an absolute madhouse, and taking a win home to Buffalo would mean getting more than the approximately 1.2 yards per carry out of CJ Spiller, getting the offense into a rhythm early, and somehow holding off Rodgers' passing game.
Even if all of those things happen, I'm still going to give this one to the Packers at home.
Winner: Green Bay
Game Rating: Lock
Miami @ Minnesota: Upset
2 of 16
One of the first things you will gather from this pick is that I am a Miami Dolphins fan through and through, and I am picking them to upset the Vikings in Minnesota, but don't take it simply as homerism; the Dolphins have a legitimate opportunity to go 2-0.
There are several mitigating circumstances that I feel (and genuinely hope) will help Miami to a difficult road win:
Brett Favre looked unsettled against the Saints, and if the Dolphins can generate even half of the QB pressure, he should be forced into making mistakes. Many will argue that he did it against the Saints defense, but do not forget-- the Dolphins scored over 30 points on New Orleans last year.
Adrian Peterson seems like the one person that can ruin the Dolphins trip north, but Miami's run defense is not as soft as many seem to believe, I think he will be a factor, but not one that the Fins can't neutralize.
Everyone seems to think that the Vikings will deal with the Fins handily, but don't expect it to be so cut-and-dry.
Winner: Dolphins
Game Rating: This Week's Upset Special
Kansas City @ Cleveland: Battle
3 of 16
The Chiefs had a great first outing against San Diego, but left me wondering how much of that performance was due to home field advantage, and/or a sputtering Chargers team.
It looks like Seneca Wallace has been unexpectedly thrust into the role of starting QB for the Browns, so it will be on him to make something happen. I'm not so sure if he will be up to the task, even in his own stadium.
All the Chiefs need to do is bring with them the same kind of intensity on defense, and the same solid offensive execution as they exhibited in week one, and they've got 2-0 in the bag.
Who'd have thought KC would start off the season right?
Winner: Chiefs
Game Rating: Battle
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Chicago @ Dallas: Battle
4 of 16
I really can't decide which of these teams had a worse performance in week one, and honestly believe this one could go either way.
My general protocol for these instances is to go with the home team, and I think I will stick with that philosophy for this game.
Dallas was a joke versus the Redskins, but let's face it, if not for a seriously flawed section of the NFL Rule Book, the Bears would have-- no, should have lost that game, and to the Lions, no less. In my mind, they did.
I would say that when it falls to a ridiculous technicality to allow you to beat one of the poorer teams in football, you have a serious problem with which you should be frightfully concerned.
This should be a close one, but at the end of the day I think both of these teams will be 1-1.
Winner: Cowboys
Game Rating: Battle
Arizona @ Atlanta: Lock
5 of 16
I think you can depend on the Falcons to redeem themselves at home after a tough overtime loss to the Steelers last week.
The Cardinals have a sketchy situation at quarterback with Derek Anderson, gave up one of their key defensive players to the Dolphins, and have to travel to the Falcons' turf after only just beating the Rams last Sunday.
This match-up seems fairly self-explanatory. Even if home field advantage were reversed, I believe I'd still take Atlanta in the battle of the birds.
Winner: Falcons
Game Rating: Lock
Tampa Bay @ Carolina: Battle
6 of 16
Another game that promises to be a close one, even though it would seem that the winner could, at best, end up taking 3rd place in the NFC South.
Still, a division game is a division game, and this one should offer quite a bit of excitement.
The Bucs have a slight edge at QB, regardless of whether Matt Moore gets the okay to play after suffering a minor concussion versus the Giants, but the advantage at RB certainly belongs to Carolina. Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart figure to be a huge part of the Panthers' game plan.
Tampa pulled in the win over Cleveland last week, but I think they will stumble on the road.
Winner: Panthers
Game Rating: Battle
Philadelphia @ Detroit: Lock
7 of 16
Michael Vick looked like superman against the Packers last week after Kevin Kolb's concussion forced Philly to call Vick's number. He very nearly pulled off the upset.
Look for Mike to continue that surge against Detroit, as he will be playing to convince the decision-makers that he is the rightful starter whether Kevin Kolb is healthy or not. Incidentally, I am of that opinion as well.
Detroit certainly did improve since last year, and I do think they will get some solid wins this year, but not this week.
I'd be none too shocked to see Vick emerge as this game's leading rusher.
Winner: Philadelphia
Game Rating: Lock
Baltimore @ Cincinnati: Battle
8 of 16
I'm certain I am not the only one looking forward to this game. A division contest between the Ravens, who looked sharp on D in a low-scoring week one victory, and the Bengals, who had some trouble getting into rhythm against the Patriots, but have all the tools to dispose of their AFC North foe.
It is going to be an epic battle, unless I am sorely mistaken. I almost don't know who has the edge.
After much consideration, I have decided that while the Ravens have a significant chance to extend their road wins to two, the Bengals will finally hit their stride, and win the day.
My reasoning is based on a few factors:
1. The Ravens failed to beat the Bengals last year
2. The Bengals will be going all out to avoid dropping the home opener
3. B-more's D' looked solid Monday, but let's face it, what the Jets tried to pass off as offense was a joke.
Winner: Cincinnati
Game Rating: Battle
Pittsburgh @ Tennessee: Battle
9 of 16
We should have one heck of a game on our hands as the Steelers come to Tennessee to play the Titans.
Expect to see the astronomical numbers put up by the Titans' offense in week one dwindle significantly, though I wouldn't think Chris Johnson will be limited to any less than 75 yards.
These teams are going to be pounding the run, and hitting each other in the mouth all day, but with Pittsburgh's QB situation, and how sharp and explosive the Titans looked in their debut, I think I am going to hand this win to the home team.
The Steelers just barely managed to edge the Falcons at Heinz Field in OT on Sunday, and while I believe the scores will only differ by a few points, I have to go with the Titans, who desperately want to prove that the Texans are not the AFC South's only under-the-radar threat.
Winner: Titans
Game Rating: Battle
Seattle @ Denver: Lock
10 of 16
If week one is an accurate gauge of what to expect this Sunday, the Seahawks should have little trouble cruising through Denver and wrapping up a victory.
The Seahawks made the 49'ers look foolish last week, and the Broncos gave up the first game of the year to the Jaguars. We already knew that the Broncos could be in trouble this year, and if theya re to right the ship, it will not be versus the Seahawks.
Seattle's offense looked plenty potent enough to give Denver some serious problems in their first game at Mile High in 2010.
Winner: Seahawks
Game Rating: Lock
St. Louis @ Oakland: Battle
11 of 16
Oakland's week one performance was laughable, but a few lingering doubts about the Rams are keeping this a close game, at least in my head.
Darren McFadden should be a good fantasy choice against the St. Louis defense, but in the end, I don't believe his efforts will suffice.
Bradford is the real deal, and I think he has the tools to take this one to the bank. Jason Campbell does not look comfortable in his new home yet, and Steven Jackson should have another good game, possibly even topping his week one 81 yard performance.
Winner: St. Louis
Game Rating: Battle
Houston @ Washington: Lock
12 of 16
It's time for the fairy tale to take a detour in Washington. Excitement following a week one victory over the division rival Dallas Cowboys is palpable, but it was more luck than skill that allowed that win.
The 'Skins will need a lot more than luck to best a Texans squad that is simply buzzing with joy following their own impressive and unexpected division win.
The Cowboys are not the Colts, thus rendering the Texans opening day feat far more impressive. I don't think Washington has an answer for the Texans offense, or defense for that matter.
The Texans can basically count themselves 2-0.
Winner: Texans
Game Rating: Lock
New England @ New York: Lock
13 of 16
While it's true that AFC East divisional games are never clear-cut, I don't have any problem whatsoever saying that the Patriots will easily dispose of the Jets this week.
The only point on which the Jets looked strong on Monday night versus the Ravens was defense, but don't think for one minute that Tom Brady can't carve up that D' like he would any other. It's going to be a massacre.
Unless Mark Sanchez all of the sudden becomes a good quarterback, the Jets are in for another of what promises to be several losses this year. As I stated in a previous slide, the Jets offense is a joke in its current form, and will be fortunate to bank more than 14 points, a number that I can all but guarantee the Patriots will surpass.
I might add that a Jets win, however unlikely, would be better for the Dolphins, mathematically speaking.
Winner: Patriots
Game Rating: Lock
Jacksonville @ San Diego: Lock
14 of 16
I don't believe that the Chargers could possibly be as bad as they looked against the Chiefs again on Sunday.
Jacksonville is a good team with some very legitimate weapons, but to travel to San Diego and get the win, seems a bit too tall of an order.
I almost chose to designate this game a Battle, because if the Chargers really are in trouble, it could swing the other way, but as is, I think the Bolts have this one under control.
If they do drop this game my some mishap, expect to hear a lot of talk about a changing of the guard in the AFC West; something that may already be taking place.
Winner: Chargers
Game Rating: Lock
New York @ Indianapolis: Lock
15 of 16
Let's be real. It is entirely likely that Manning Bowl version 2.0 is going to play out very much the same as the first time around.
The Colts are faced with an 0-1 record, will be playing at home in one of the NFL's most hostile environments, and are just plain-and-simple the better team.
Not to mention the fact that after receiving some criticism for dropping the season opener to the Texans, there is just no way that Peyton Manning lets this one go to kid brother. Not a chance.
Winner: Colts
Game Rating: Lock
New Orleans @ San Francisco: Lock
16 of 16
I am sorry 49'ers fans, but let's be real.--
If you can't dispose of the Seahawks, good luck with the reigning Super Bowl Champions.
Winner: Saints
Game Rating: Lock
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