NFL Picks Week 2: Betting the Over or Under for Every Game This Weekend

Week 1 is in the books and it's now time to turn the page to the second week of the NFL season as many teams look to keep rolling and others are wondering how they can turn things around.

This week's slate of games features plenty of intriguing contests, particularly in the NFC where the Saints and Bears will meet in a potential playoff preview, while the Falcons and Eagles appear headed for a high-scoring affair.

Defenses struggled in Week 1 as 14 teams eclipsed the 27-point mark, but I believe this week will see a resurgence from defenses throughout the league as they continue to shake off the lingering lockout effects.

Here is a look at the over/under for all 16 games this weekend.

All betting lines are from betus.com and the Monday night contest between the Rams and Giants has yet to be listed so it will not be included in this week's article.

Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints: 47 Points

The Bears opened the season with a very impressive Week 1 victory over the Falcons at home, while the Saints struggled to slow down the defending champs in their Thursday night showdown.

The Saints should be able to put up more than the 12 points that Atlanta mustered against the Bears stingy defense, but they will also likely give up a good amount of points once again.

New Orleans will get the win in this one and pick up their first victory of the young season, 27-17.

Take the under.

Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions: 45 Points

The Chiefs appear to be in serious trouble after losing to the Bills at home in Week 1 and things don't look like they will be getting better anytime soon now that Eric Berry is done for the season.

Detroit scored a big victory in Tampa Bay to start the season and while I'm still not buying them as a playoff contender, they do have a good chance to start 2011 with a 2-0 record.

Look for Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew to have a huge day as the Chiefs will struggle mightily at safety once again without their Pro Bowler on the field.

The Chiefs offense should have more success than it did in Week 1, but still not enough as they fall to the Lions 31-17.

Take the over.

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets: 38.5 Points

Jacksonville managed to net a Week 1 victory over the Titans despite starting Luke McCown at quarterback.

Things will get much tougher for the Jags offense in Week 2 as they travel to New York to take on Rex Ryan and the Jets.

The Jets made an impressive comeback to knock off the Cowboys in Week 1 and they should have little trouble moving to 2-0 in this one as they will roll to a 24-3 victory.

Take the under.

Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills: 42.5 Points

The Raiders were able to hold off the Broncos in Denver to start the season, while the Bills received one of their biggest wins in a long time as they dominated the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

Oakland's defense might miss Nnamdi Asomugha in this contest as the Bills will bring a solid aerial attack to the field.

Buffalo's defense played well against the Chiefs, but Kansas City's poor play calls failed to put much pressure on any portion of the Bills defenders. 

Expect the Raiders to apply more pressure on offense this week, but fall as the Bills move to a surprising 2-0 with a 24-14 victory.

Take the under.

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins: 44.5 Points

It should be considered a minor surprise that one of these teams will start the season 2-0 but barring a tie it's going to happen.

The Cards opened the new campaign with a win over the Panthers, although allowing Cam Newton to throw for over 400 yards has to cause some concern in Arizona.

The Skins' opening game victory came against a reeling Giants squad but was still a big win nonetheless.

This one could go either way but I like the Skins to move to 2-0 to start the season as Tim Hightower continues to roll in a 28-17 Washington win.

Take the over.

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans: 37.5 Points

The Ravens defense was dominant in their huge Week 1 win over the Steelers, while the Titans were less than impressive in their opening game loss to the Jags.

Baltimore should have little trouble picking up another win in this contest as the Titans offense and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck are still looking to gel.

I actually think Tennessee will put up more points against the Ravens than the Steelers did last week, but not by much. Baltimore wins in a blowout for the second straight week, 33-10.

Take the over.

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers: 40.5 Points

Expect the Steelers to come out hitting on all cylinders in their first home game of the season after their disappointing loss to the Ravens in Week 1.

Unfortunately for the Seahawks, there is going to be very little that they can do to stop the Steelers from running away in this one.

Seattle's offensive line is one of the worst in the league right now and even if Tarvaris Jackson gets time to throw, he is still a below average NFL quarterback.

The Seahawks will continue their losing ways east of the Mississippi in this contest as the Steelers get a dominating 34-3 victory.

Take the under.

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers: 46.5 Points

The Packers offense didn't skip a beat in their first regular season game since winning the Super Bowl, while the Panthers offense came to life for the first time in a while.

Cam Newton threw for over 400 yards in the Panthers season opening loss to the Cards, but he will likely encounter a much stiffer test against the Pack.

If Kevin Kolb and the Cards can throw for over 300 yards against the Panthers defense then Aaron Rodgers and Co. should be able to eclipse the 400-yard mark this weekend.

Green Bay will continue their high-scoring ways in Week 2 while the Carolina offense takes a step back, 34-10.

Take the under.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings: 40.5 Points

The Bucs were unable to beat the Lions at home to start the season but they have a very winnable matchup this weekend as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.

The Vikings had their chances against the Chargers but were unable to protect a 10-point halftime lead in San Diego.

The Bucs could use a win in this one with a big Week 3 contest with the Falcons looming and I think they will get their first victory this weekend.

Adrian Peterson may find Tampa to be tough sledding as rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster continues to make a name for himself in the Bucs 20-13 win.

Take the under.

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts: 38 Points

Both of these teams stunk in Week 1 but one of them will likely get their first win this weekend and after seeing the Colts get crushed by the Texans, that team very well could be the Browns.

Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins is wishing that he stayed retired instead of coming back to fill in for an injured Peyton Manning as the Colts appear to be an early favorite in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Indy fans will really have it good if they are able to transition from Manning to Luck in the next few years, but the Browns believe they already have their quarterback of the future in Colt McCoy.

McCoy completed less than 50 percent of his passes against the Bengals in Week 1 and he will need to be better in what promises to be a Week 2 snoozer.

The Browns will ultimately be the better of the two and will walk out of Indy with a 17-10 win.

Take the under.

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers: 42.5 Points

San Francisco may have beaten the Seahawks to open the season but don't let that fool you, they still have a ways to go before they become a contending football team.

The Cowboys on the other hand are looking to bounce back from disappointing 2010 season and should be able to get their first victory of 2011 in this game.

Alex Smith is still the signal-caller for the Niners and as long as that is the case, this Niners team will struggle.

Dallas wins 30-13.

Take the over.

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins: 47.5 Points

The Texans had one of the most impressive wins in Week 1 as they dismantled the Colts and now they look to open the season 2-0 by taking down the Dolphins as well.

Miami is coming off of a Monday night contest against the Pats in which they allowed Tom Brady and Co. to throw for over 500 yards.

Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson have to be counting down the hours before they get to take the field against the Dolphins struggling secondary.

Chad Henne is the Miami quarterback for now but that could change quickly as the Texans win 37-13

Take the over.

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots: 54 Points

The Chargers appeared poised to start the season on a rough note once again this year before they mounted a big second half comeback to defeat the Vikings at home.

New England had no such problem in taking down the Dolphins on Monday night as Tom Brady looks to be in mid season form already this year.

This contest will feature two strong offenses and two underrated defenses as the Pats ultimately get the win in a lower scoring game than expected, 20-17.

Take the under.

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos: 40 Points

Yet another game between two teams who are likely facing a long season as the Bengals travel to Denver to take on the Broncos.

Cincinnati managed to earn a Week 1 win over the Browns last weekend but they may find their Week 2 contest more difficult to navigate as the Broncos appear to be an improved team from last season.

The Broncos were hit hard by the injury bug last season, but they have many of their key players back and the Denver defense will be too much for the Bengals to handle.

Denver wins 23-13.

Take the under.

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons: 49.5 Points

Expect this Sunday night showdown of NFC superpowers to be a shootout in Philly as two high-flying offenses take to the field.

The Eagles looked solid in their win at St. Louis to open the season but the Rams were able to expose some holes in the Philadelphia defense as Steven Jackson broke off a long touchdown run and St. Louis had plenty of success running the football.

The Falcons did not have a very good opening game as they lost in Chicago to the Bears but I expect them to score more points against the Eagles.

This game will be the highest scoring of Week 2 as the Falcons get the victory, 34-30.

Take the over.