NFL Predictions 2011: Picks Against the Spread for All 16 Week 2 Games

Week 2 doesn't present nearly the marquee matchups that Week 1 did, but Vegas certainly offered up some interesting spreads for Week 2.

Let's face it, to make it through the Browns vs. Colts and the Bengals vs. Broncos, you might need to make a wager just to make it interesting for yourself.

There are a few spreads Vegas is way off base on and a number of upsets waiting to happen. Here is how Week 2 will shake out.

Note: Spreads Provided by Bodog

Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints

Spread: New Orleans -7

Pick: Chicago +7

Why the Bears Should Cover

The Bears came out in Week 1 and waxed one of the best teams in the NFC last week, and even Vegas still refuses to give them credit. The Bears looked great on both sides of the ball last week. Clearly, this comes down the the Saints offense against the Bears defense, and you can expect Julius Peppers and the Chicago front to make Brees uncomfortable in the pocket.

What Could Go Wrong

The Saints are at home, and it's tough to see them going down 0-2 to start the season. Drew Brees managed to produce against the Packers and should have no trouble doing the same against the Bears. The Bears may have overachieved last week, and Sean Payton is sure to have his players fired up for this game.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions

Spread: Detroit -8 1/2

Pick: Detroit - 8 1/2

Why the Lions Should Cover:

The Chiefs got dominated at Arrowhead by the Bills last week. The Chiefs look out of sorts without Charlie Weis conducting the offense, and they are terrible on the road. The Lions looked great last week against a tough Bucs team and even managed to win by seven.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Chiefs are better than they looked. Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles aren't going to be held in check all season long. The Lions are an up-and-coming team, but by no means are they dominant. The Chiefs could revert to their old form, as could the Lions.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

Spread: New York Jets -9

Pick: Jacksonville +9

Why the Jaguars Should Cover:

The Jaguars have a solid run game and an underrated run defense. The Jets may have been involved in a shootout last week, but this game isn't going to be nearly as high scoring. A nine point spread with a 39 1/2 point Over/Under usually makes the underdog an attractive pick. Such is the case here.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Jets put their offensive explosiveness on display last week. If they can take advantage of a suspect Jaguars secondary, this one could get out of hand. The Jaguars are sure to try to control the game, with Maurice Jones Drew plugging away on the ground, but might be forced to try to throw their way back into this ball game, which would be a recipe for disaster.

Oakland Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills

Spread: Buffalo -3 1/2

Pick: Oakland +3 1/2

Why the Raiders Should Cover:

The Bills blew away the Chiefs on the road last week, but they only covered by 3 1/2 at home once all last season. Last week sent a huge message to the league, but Darren McFadden should be able to see production against the Bills and dictate the flow of the game. There is also no way Ryan Fitzpatrick picks apart the Raiders' secondary. Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt will keep Stevie Johnson and Co. in check.

What Could Go Wrong:

Even as bad as they were last season, the Bills made a habit of covering. Now they are actually showing signs of being a team on the rise. Jason Campbell is always subject to faltering, and the Bills could capitalize. The Bills are in unfamiliar territory being favored, but after a huge win last week, anything is possible.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins

Spread: Washington -4

Pick: Washington -4

Why the Redskins Should Cover:

The Redskins came out and handled their business against the Giants. The Cardinals allowed themselves to get in a shootout with the Panthers and made Cam Newton look like Joe Montana in the process. Rex Grossman isn't a top-flight quarterback, but the Cardinals' secondary was exposed last week. The Redskins have a better defense than the Panthers and won't let the Cardinals launch an aerial assault on them.

What Could go Wrong:

Betting on Rex Grossman is like playing with fire. It can be fun and exciting, but eventually, you are probably going to get burned. If the Redskins weren't taking on a bottom feeder, it would be hard to take them -4. Essentially, you are betting on Grossman to succeed or fail. The possibility that he fails is always there.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans

Spread: Baltimore -6 1/2

Pick: Baltimore -6 1/2

Why the Ravens Should Cover:

The Ravens looked like the best team in the league last week, dismantling the Steelers and forcing seven turnovers. Chris Johnson is going to have a tough time breaking through Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs and the Ravens' wall of defenders. Matt Hasselbeck isn't exactly going to pick apart their defense and the Titans are going to struggle to bottle up Ray Rice.

What Could Go Wrong:

Chris Johnson could break loose. He's the most electrifying player in the league, and while he may not have much help, he can be a one-man show at times. He was held in check last week, but he's sure to rebound at some point this season.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Spread: Pittsburgh -14 1/2

Pick: Seattle +14 1/2

Why the Seahawks Should Cover:

The Steelers looked terrible last week. There is no telling how they are going to respond, and while a victory is probably awaiting them, it's hard to really say they are going to win by over two scores, even though Seattle is grossly outmatched in this one. 14 1/2 is a huge spread in the NFL, and the gap between these two teams isn't that significant.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Steelers are still a great football team. They are experienced enough to know how to move on from a bad loss and Seattle is downright terrible. Tarvaris Jackson is going to be under fire and could be subject to a miserable outing on Sunday.

Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers

Spread: Green Bay -10

Pick: Green Bay -10

Why the Packers Will Cover:

The Packers are one of the best teams in football. If Cam Newton thinks he's going to get the better of the best secondary in football, he's got another thing coming. He's squaring off against one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and unlike last week, Steve Smith is going to be bottled up. Dom Capers is going to expose Newton for the rookie quarterback he didn't appear to be in Week 1.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Panthers exploded offensively. Newton proved to be as advertised, and Smith reverted back to his old form. The defense left something to be desired, but the Panthers could step up to the challenge this week in Newton's debut at home.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Spread: Minnesota -3

Pick: Tampa Bay +3

Why the Buccaneers Should Cover:

The Bucs struggled last week against Detroit, but they match up well against the Vikings. The secondary isn't going to get picked apart by Donovan McNabb and LeGarrette Blount is bound to improve upon his performance last week. The Bucs won six games on the road last season. They shouldn't be written off just because they are the away team.

What Could Go Wrong:

Clearly Minnesota is one of the toughest places to play at in the NFL. It also doesn't hurt that the Vikings have Adrian Peterson in the backfield. Blount was shut down last week. The Bucs' offense isn't at its best when Blount isn't getting it going on the ground. Another dud of a game is going to put all the pressure on Josh Freeman again, which didn't result in a victory last week.

Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts

Spread: Cleveland -3

Pick: Indianapolis +3

Why the Colts Should Cover:

This matchup just might feature the worst two teams in football. My gut tells me neither will win, though I suppose one has to emerge victorious. The Colts are still adjusting to a Manning-less offense, but they should adapt. They played a talented team last week and have a much more manageable opponent in front of them this week. The Browns couldn't beat the Bengals last week, and the Colts are getting points at home.

What Could Go Wrong:

Peyton Hillis is due for a big day. With how bad the Colts are in run defense, it's tough to see Hillis getting stopped. Then again, it's tough to see the Colts struggling as they did last week against a struggling team like the Browns. This one should come down to the wire. It's a shame none of us will be awake to catch the end.

Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers

Spread: Cowboys -3

Pick: Cowboys -3

Why the Cowboys Should Cover:

DeMarcus Ware stands a great chance of duplicating the two sack performance he put forth last week. Tony Romo clearly has the upper hand at quarterback, and the San Francisco secondary will be tested whether Dez Bryant plays or not.  

What Could Go Wrong:

The 49ers are a team on the rise, and Dallas proved last week that they aren't invincible. If Frank Gore gets going, it's going to blow the entire 49ers offense wide open. The Cowboys can't allow as many points as they did last week if Gore breaks loose.

Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins

Spread: Houston -3

Pick: Houston -3

Why the Texans Should Cover:

The Texans have one of the most ferocious defenses in the game. Mario Williams is going to make Chad Henne's life a nightmare, and the Texans are a significant jump up defensively from the Patriots' defense Henne looked solid against last week. Matt Schaub might not see 500 yards this week, but he's going to further expose the Miami secondary.

What Could Go Wrong:

Reggie Bush is the X Factor in this one. The Dolphins targeted him early and often. He could be the guy the Texans fail to have an answer for. Johnathan Joseph also can't be all over the place. Davone Bess has the advantage on the other side of the field.

San Diego Chargers vs. New England Patriots

Spread: Patriots -7

Pick: Patriots -7

Why the Patriots Should Cover:

Tom Brady threw for over 500 yards last week, and Chad Ochocinco didn't even really get involved. The Patriots are at Foxborough, where losses are rarities. The Chargers have to go on the road against the Patriots, and in a shootout, Philip Rivers can't be expected to be able to hang with Brady.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Chargers have an offense that can put up a lot of points. Chad Henne looked incredible against the Patriots on Monday Night. If Henne can look like a legitimate quarterback, Rivers stands a great chance of ripping the Pats' secondary apart.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos

Spread: Denver -3 1/2

Pick: Cincinnati +3 1/2

Why Cincinnati Will Cover:

At the first sign of trouble, the boo birds are going to be out in Denver. Cedric Benson can really go off this week against a terrible Broncos run defense, and without Josh McDaniels, the Broncos passing offense isn't scaring anyone. It's hard to believe it, but the Bengals might start off the season 2-0.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Bengals are terrible; the Broncos just might be worse. It's hard to feel confident betting on the Bengals, and though Orton doesn't have the support of his home crowd, it's hard to really call the Bengals favorites in this one with any confidence.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons

Spread: Philadelphia -3

Pick: Philadelphia -3

Why Philadelphia Should Cover:

Michael Vick is taking on his old team, and the Eagles appeared to be as advertised in their last game. Roddy White is going to be neutralized by Nnamdi Asomugha, and Asante Samuel has the upper hand on rookie Julio Jones. As long as they can contain Michael Turner, the Eagles should be able to go into Atlanta and feed them another loss.

What Could Go Wrong:

The Falcons remain one of the best teams in the NFL. While the Eagles looked great last week, the Falcons aren't exactly unfamiliar with Michael Vick. The Falcons at home getting points against anyone is an attractive bet. The Falcons haven't lost a regular season home game by more than three since 2009, where fittingly, they lost to the Eagles.

St. Louis Rams vs. New York Giants

Spread: New York Giants -4 1/2
Note: Odds for this game provided by Oddsshark.com

Pick: St. Louis +4 1/2

Why St. Louis Should Cover:

The Giants don't seem into this season. They lost last week to the Redskins, and they appear to be on the brink of falling apart. This game is a shootout waiting to happen, but Sam Bradford should look much better this week than he did against the Eagles in Week 1. The Giants might win, but given the underwhelming fashion in which they took the field last week, it's hard to see them really having the upper hand.

What Could Go Wrong:

Steven Jackson's status is up in the air, and if he doesn't play, it's going to be tough for the Rams to win. The Rams don't have an answer for Hakeem Nicks, and if Eli Manning is able to throw the ball at will, the Giants just might be able to get back on track before it's too late.