Week 2 NFL Picks!

I have never personally gambled on a sporting event, so full disclosure that my weekly NFL picks and analysis are not intended to be used against the betting line.  These are just straight up picks and analysis with a fantasy tidbit or two.  Here we go for week 2!

Patriots at Jets-Brett Favre's first home game in a Jets uniform.  The most interesting dynamic in this match up is that it features one quarterback who hasn't missed a start since 1992(Favre) against a quarterback who hasn't made a start since 1999(Cassell).  I feel that similarities between personal and scheme will end up leaving this game in the hands of the quarterbacks.  I trust Favre more than Cassell.  Fantasy Stud:Jericho Cotchery  Fantasy Dud: Laurence Maroney    Jets 24 Patriots 20

Packers at Lions-After the beat down the Lions received at the hands of the Falcons it is hard to envision any scenario in which they can defeat the Packers coming off their emotional win over the Vikings on Monday Night Football.  The Lions have the talented receivers to move the ball through the air against the Packers, but the Lions defense won't be able to contain a Packers attack that rolled up plenty of running yards against the leagues best rush defense the past two seasons.  Even if Ryan Grant isn't a go, Brandon Jackson will still be effective against a pourous Lions rush defense. Fantasy Stud: Greg Jennings  Fantasy Dud: Kevin Smith   Packers 31 Lions 17

Ravens at Texans-The Texans were flat out embarrassed last week by the Bills, but their wounded defense has to be excited about getting a shot at Joe Flacco this week.  Willis McGahee still isn't close to 100% and the youthful Texans defense featuring studs Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, and Amobi Okoye will be able to shut down the Ravens running attack and force Flacco to beat them through the air.  It won't happen.  Expect a low scoring battle featuring a few turnovers per team.  Fantasy Stud: Texans Defense  Fantasy Dud: Owen Daniels   Texans 17  Ravens 13

Raiders at Chiefs-This is perhaps the most meaningless game of the week.  Both teams are expected to be battling all year for last place in the AFC West.  Kansas City rookie Glenn Dorsey will have to play a big roll in trying to shut down a Oakland running game that will run Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas at the Chiefs all afternoon.  Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson should have one responsibility and that would be to shadow McFadden all afternoon.  Damon Huard is actually an upgrade over Brodie Croyle and I think his chemistry he developed last season with Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez will be the difference in this game.  Fantasy Stud: Tony Gonzalez   Fantasy Dud: Darren McFadden   Chiefs 27  Raiders 20

Giants at Rams-Did any team look worse in week 1 then the St. Louis Rams.  Not only were they blown out by the Eagles, but they truly looked disinterested in even playing the game.  Scott Linehan may have already lost this team after one week.  Giants will get another win behind that strong defensive line that will keep Steven Jackson in check.  Fantasy Stud: Eli Manning  Fantasy Dud: Torry Holt   Giants 31  Rams 14

Colts at Vikings-Who was that in Peyton Manning's jersey last week?  I realize it was the first snaps he has taken since last seasons divisional round playoff loss to the Chargers, but Manning looked lost on the field like he did his rookie season.  Credit the Bears defense.  The key match up in this game will be the Vikings strong defensive line featuring the Williams boys(Pat and Kevin) and Jared Allen against a patchwork Colts offensive line still minus Jeff Saturday and Tony Ugoh.  The Vikings D-line will be looking to atone for last weeks poor performance against the Packers.  And they will.  Home field advantage will also play a roll as the Metrodome is always a tough place to play.  Fantasy Stud: Reggie Wayne  Fantasy Dud: Joseph Addai   Vikings 27  Colts 24

Titans at Bengals-Kerry Collins steps in to replace and injured Vince Young which will add the new dimension of a passing game to the Titans offense.  Expect the Titans to try to punish the Bengals defense with LenDale White and Chris Johnson and then open it up with the passing game.  Justin Gage and Kerry Collins had great chemistry last season, so keep an eye on that pair to hook up throughout the game.  The Bengals offense was totally embarrassed by a tough Ravens defense.  The Titans have a strong emerging defense led by Albert Haynsworth who is virtually unblockable.  Look for Carson Palmer to be pressured early and often.  Fantasy Stud: Chris Johnson  Fantasy Dud: Chad Johnson   Titans 28  Bengals 17

Saints at Redskins-The Redskins still seem to not have fully picked up Jim Zorn's West Coast Offense.  The extra couple days off due to their Thursday night opener may help, but the improved Saints defense wants to show last weeks strong performance against Tampa Bay was no fluke.  Drew Brees lost his biggest weapon in Marques Colston due to an injured thumb, but Brees will continue to air it out.  Keep an eye on Shawn Springs health.  If he can't go, Brees will carve up the Redskins defense even without Colston.  I like the Saints to continue to build on a solid opening week victory.  Fantasy Stud: Drew Brees   Fantasy Dud: Santana Moss   Saints 30  Redskins 20

Bears at Panthers-Both teams got huge opening weekend road victories against supposedly superior AFC powers.  The Bears defense looked just as nasty as they did in their run to the Super Bowl two years ago.  The Panthers may have found a new weapon in their offense while playing without suspended wideout Steve Smith.  Rookie tight end Dante Rosario looked great, especially on his game winning touchdown catch.  Julius Peppers will be able to harass Kyle Orton all night and force Orton to make several mistakes including an interception or two and a fumble.  No way Chicago can win another big road game.  Fantasy Stud: Panthers Defense  Fantasy Dud: Matt Forte   Panthers 20  Bears 13

Bills at Jaguars-Jacksonville couldn't get its vaunted running game going last week against the Titans.  Marcus Stroud is surely licking his chops to be playing his former team, but the Jaguars will be able to get their ground game going again this week.  The Bills played a complete game last week in their victory over the Seahawks.  This game could turn on which dynamic return man makes the biggest play, Roscoe Parrish or Maurice Jones-Drew.  The Jaguars will get back on track at home.  Fantasy Stud: Maurice Jones-Drew  Fantasy Dud: Marshawn Lynch   Jaguars 24  Bills 23

49ers at Seahawks-This game may feature the worst collection of starting receivers in a football game in NFL history.  I mean Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle vs. Courtney Taylor, Samie Parker, and the immortal Billy McMullen.  Yikes!  Whichever receiving corps can drop less passes will be the difference.  I like Matt Hasselbeck to play it safe and target John Carleson all day.  Fantasy Stud: John Carleson  Fantasy Dud: Julius Jones   Seahawks 20  49ers 17

Falcons at Buccaneers-Matt Ryan looked OK against the Lions last week.  Falcons fans will argue that Michael Turner and the Falcons offense ran crazy on a Cover 2 defense last week and can do it again this week.  But Monte Kiffin's Cover 2 is the gold standard compared to the Cover 2 the Lions employed last week.  Keep an eye on Derrick Brooks health this week.  If he can't go the game will be a little closer, but the Bucs win this one regardless.  Fantasy Stud: Bucs Defense  Fantasy Dud: Roddy White   Buccaneers 21  Falcons 10

Dolphins at Cardinals-The Dolphins looked like a much improved team taking the Jets to the wire last week.  They have a young improving team.  The Cardinals took care of business against the 49ers last week and will be looking to make a statement that they are the team to beat in the NFC West this year, not the Seahawks.  Look for Kurt Warner to light up the skies in the desert and the Cardinals to roll.  Fantasy Stud: Kurt Warner  Fantasy Dud: Ronnie Brown   Cardinals 30  Dolphins 19

Steelers at Browns-One of the NFL's best rivalries will be renewed in Cleveland this week.  The Steelers may have become the AFC favorite after the way they played last week and with the troubles/injuries faced by the Chargers, Patriots, and Colts.  The Browns added players like Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to stop guys like Steelers running back Willie Parker.  Parker won't get three touchdowns this week, but will get his yards and a score.  Derek Andersen just hasn't looked the same since about week 13 last season.  He has been an average quarterback since and that Steelers defense is brutal.  Donte Stallworth still won't be able to play, so the Steelers will focus their defense on shutting down Braylon Edwards.  Look for the Steelers to use one of the NFL's best linebacker corps. to bottle up Kellen Winslow.  Steelers will establish their status as the AFC North's best with a victory over Cleveland.  Fantasy Stud: Willie Parker  Fantasy Dud: Jamal Lewis   Steelers 27  Browns 17

Chargers at Broncos-Denver wants this one bad.  Virtually every pundit in America picked the Chargers to win this division, so getting an early two game lead on them in the division would be huge and could springboard the Broncos to a big season.  The Chargers come in banged up both physically and mentally after a last second loss to the Panthers.  Jyles Tucker will fill in admirably for Shawne Merriman and the Chargers defense will be fine.  The Broncos get Brandon Marshall back and can add him to a receiving unit that was surprisingly explosive and effective against the premiere corner tandem of the Raiders last week.  They get another tough assignment this week with Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie.  LT and Philip Rivers will have solid games, but I think Denver and Jay Cutler make a statement that they are the top dog in the AFC West.  Fantasy Stud: LaDanian Tomlinson  Fantasy Dud: Antonio Gates   Broncos 24  Chargers 21

Eagles at Cowboys-What a great Monday Night Football game.  Bitter division rivals coming off impressive opening week victories.  T.O. and Donovan McNabb.  ESPN is loving this match up and football fans should too.  Both teams look like Super Bowl contenders and feature aggressive defenses that like to blitz and put pressure on the quarterback.  The Cowboys are at home and have the advantage in the passing game due to Terrell Owens.  But the Eagles trio of cornerbacks may be the best in the league.  If Marion Barber isn't at full strength I think the Eagles can pullout an impressive road victory.  Barber won't be at 100% and Brian Westbrook will be the difference maker.  Fantasy Stud: Brian Westbrook  Fantasy Dud: Tony Romo   Eagles 27  Cowboys 24