NFL Predictions Week 2: Picking Every Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers are ^&$(@ed off. The Ravens are wary of a trap. The Vikings need to consult O-line in the football dictionary. The Chargers need to get nasty. The Colts need, well there's not enough room here to list what the Colts need.

It's Week 2 of the 2011 NFL season. Are teams that won going to drop their guard against the squads that are desperate to avoid the dreaded 0 and 2?

Bring it on!

NFL Pick. Seattle Seahawks at the Pittsburgh Steelers: Are You Scared Yet?

Seattle Seahawks at the Pittsburgh Steelers

Straight Up: Pittsburgh Steelers

Against the Spread:  Pittsburgh (-14)

Over/Under:  Over 40 – but not by much and only because it’s sunny

I think the Steelers would still be reeling after their blow-out loss to Baltimore last week, except that Mike Tomlin wouldn’t let them reel. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, I am betting that Steeler Nation will be furious and ready to kill someone. Someone in teal. Yikes.

Plus, there is the fact that Seattle is traveling east and playing the early game.  The only question here, really, is whether Steel Town will cover. I think that, if at all possible, Tomlin and Ben will want to score whenever possible, and they won’t take the heat off no matter how far ahead they get.

The only interesting aspect of this game is the fact that Seattle held Frank Gore to 85 yards last week. So, Mendenhall may not have a terrific day.  Which means passing from Ben to everyone he can find. As long as the O-line (now minus Colon again) can keep him at least reasonably upright. Rookie Marcus Gilbert takes over on the right side of the line. Gulp.

Incidentally, I saw Tavaris Jackson on someone’s list of the most overrated players in the NFL. Um, I was not aware that anyone thought he was any good.

Don’t let the children watch this contestit won’t be pretty.

Cleveland Browns at the Indianapolis Colts: Defense Anyone?

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts

S/U:  Indianapolis Colts

ATS:  Indianapolis +2.5

O/U: Over 39.5 I just hope that all the points don’t come from Cleveland.

NFL Nation knows that the Colts are in very, very deep trouble. Houston did not punt until the third quarter. And don’t expect much more from the Horses’ defense this week. Both Ernie Sims and Gary Brackett are out with injuries. See, that is a bad thing for the Colts and very good news for Browns’ RB Peyton Hillis. Their only two defensive hopes are the pass-rushing bookends of Freeney and Mathis and a prayer that the secondary will get it in gear.

We all know about Indy’s offensive woes. I expect Collins and the offense to play better—as long as Collins gets some pass protection. I honestly thought that Saturday and company were better than this. Manning’s value to the team continues to skyrocket. Too bad he doesn’t need to lobby for a contract; the team is making his case for him. Can you win MVP from home?

Colt McCoy came out and played like his gunslinging moniker. TE Ben Watson is obviously far from too old to play. And then they lost the game. If this offense starts clicking, the game will be over early. Hillis must get on track from the gun, and then, McCoy can start slinging the rock.

I picked the Colts based on pride and home field. But that’s a thin ledge on which to stand this Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs at the Detroit Lions: Picking the NFL's King of Cats

Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions

S/U:  Detroit Lions

ATS:  Detroit –7.5

O/U:  Under 45

Detroit held off a fourth-quarter rally by Josh Freeman last week.  In 100 degree weather. They should, in theory, have no trouble at home against a pitiful Chiefs’ offense. With Cassel struggling mightily, the only hope for KC is Jamaal Charles rushing the ball.

Enter the Lions’ newly ferocious DTs. They honestly made Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount irrelevant last weekand I didn’t think that was possible. And the Bucs actually have a passing attack.  Hmmmm.

Unless Detroit falls asleep at the switch, they should win easily.

Baltimore Ravens at the Tennessee Titans: Predicting Pain in Nashville

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans

S/U:  Baltimore

ATS:  Baltimore –5.5 (don’t get carried away, the Titans will be fired up at home).

O/U:  I have no idea where the Titans D disappeared to last week, but the Jags’ D shut down Chris Johnson.  How is that even possible?  Under 38 points in isolated thunderstorms.

This is a possible “trap” game for the Ravens after clobbering the hated Steelers in a huge home opener. However, despite a plethora of young WRs and no practice time, Flacco seems ready to prove all of his naysayers wrong.

Plus, Ray Rice should have another awesome day (fantasy owners take note). And how cool is it that this young man, who is still playing for a first contract of $600 thousand, hasn’t said one word about it. Ownership, please fix this soon.

As for the Ravens’ D, Ed Reed needs to be tested for performance-enhancing "Fountain of Youth" juice. It’s simply not human. (It's metaphorical folks, don't freak out.)

It’s a good thing that Matt Hasselbeck has guts; he will need them as he leads a somewhat disjointed Titan’s offense against the Baltimore defense. Scares me just thinking about it. No. 8 and Kenny Britt will need to connect deep, early and often for this to be close. Possible but not very likely.

Raiders at Bills: The Silver and Black Travels East. Uh-Oh.

Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills

S/U:  Buffalo Bills

ATS:  Buffalo -3

O/U:  under 42.5

Now you know that Oakland is happy this game is in September, when the air is crisp and football makes everything right. You know they don’t want to play in upstate NY in the frozen grey landscape of December.  But they still have to fly across country and play at 10AM according to their body clocks.

Fitzpatrick’s four TDs may be the highlight of his season, but home fans can’t wait to see him work out with his three young ballcatchers:  Stevie Johnson (who made some noise both literally and figuratively last year), second-year man WR Donald Jones and third-year TE Scott Chandler. I’m starting to see why the Bills felt that they could trade Lee Evans. Unfortunately, the Bills lost WR Easley due to a heart condition. Get well, Marcus.

The Raiders will get Kevin Boss in the lineup for the first time, but WRs Jacoby Ford and Murphy are doubtful.

Bottom Line:  Oakland’s running game is amazing as long as MacFadden is healthy, and they played very well against a still-suspect Denver D. Meanwhile, Buffalo’s offense looked like the Greatest Show on Turf against the downright pitiful Chiefs. So let’s not get carried away and expect flying footballs Sunday.  I think the Bills win because of the time change and the home-field advantage.

Washington Redskins Take on Arizona Cardinals: Rex and Kevin Take the Reins

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins

S/U:  Washington

ATS:  Washington –3.5

O/U:  Over 44 (The Arizona defense made Cam Newton look like the ’99 Randall Cunningham last week, and I do think that Kolb/Fitzgerald will be able to score some against the ‘Skins. Particularly without Orakpo and Landry.)

Call me a homer all you want, but with the Cards traveling and playing the early game and the Redskins faithful ready to rock the stadium, I feel justified in picking Washington.

Both teams need to move the ball on the ground, or they’ll be straw men as the season progresses. The Redskins have a better chance of doing this with Hightower (who should be fired up against his former team) than the somewhat rudderless rushing attack of Arizona. And, unless I am mistaken, it looks as if Fred Davis has finally learned to catch a football. I forgot he was even still a Redskin!

Watch DeAngelo Hall try to cover Larry Fitzgerald. Hall is talented, but Larry is prime. This could very well be the key to the game.

Minnesota Hosts Tampa Bay: Last Chance, Donovan?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings

S/U:  Minnesota

ATS:  Minnesota –2.5

O/U:  Under 41.5 if the offensive coordinators do what they should do and run the *(&^%^ football!

This may be blind loyalty to a good guy, but I believe that I will single-handedly will Donovan McNabb to a win. Frankly, I’m basing this on instinct and not on facts. Factually I believe that:

1) The Minnesota Vikings have a weak secondary, injuries at linebacker and a non-existent O-line. The departure of Bryant McKinnie on the blind side has done nothing to improve the pass protection—that’s for sure.

2) The Tampa Bay team is still practically in diapers, but they are building a strong core very, very quickly. Good battering ram at RB, very impressive young QB, good WRs, a rapidly improving D-line and some playmakers in the rest of the D.

But I am hoping that Jared Allen (now that his honeymoon year slump is over) will run rampant and get to Freeman. The brothers Henderson (if E.J. can play) need to stop LeGarrette Blount since Kevin Williams will not be on the field for the D-line.

The keys to Minnesota wining this game will be:

1)    Donovan having time to throw the ball

2)    AP being able to run against Tampa Bay’s young DTs.

3)    Tampa Bay was a road warrior marvel in 2010; we’ll see if that can continue.

Jaguars at Giants: Can Mysterious Cats Tear Up Giants?

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets

S/U:  New York

ATS:  New York -9

O/U:  It should be a nice day and both defenses played very well against the run in Week 1. So, I think that over 39 points is very doable, as both teams will probably have to pass.

However, and it’s a big however, Maurice Jones-Drew seems to be back to his unstoppable self in 2011.  But, Bart Scott and company will be much harder to run against than whatever it was that Tennessee fielded last week.

The Dallas defense did not play well last Sunday night whereas the Jaguars’ D flat out shocked the you-know-what out of me against the Titans. Of course, it was the Titans.

Injuries are going to affect the Jags’ offense as both TEs are hurt. And the Jets may be without undersung FB John Connor. I’m not a Greene fan to start with, so I think missing “The Terminator” could be significant. As long as Sanchez has a reasonably good day, Gang Green should advance to 2-0.

Chicago Bears' D Takes on Saints' O: Picking New Orleans

Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints

S/U:  New Orleans

ATS:  Chicago +8

O/U:  Over 47

Don’t miss this one, folks! I clearly underestimated the Bears’ defense if their domination of the loaded Falcons is any indication. Let’s see how they do against the other NFC South powerhouse. Brees and company may have lost on opening night, but it had nothing to do with No. 9’s leadership or accuracy.

Marquis Colston is out with a broken collarbone, so the Saints are down one of their excellent offensive weapons. I’m getting concerned about Payton’s play-calling after losing his last two games, going all the way back to last January, on the same poor goal-line judgment call.

Then there is the mysteriously tame Gregg Williams’ defense. Again, this problem goes back to the Seahawks loss and has got to change. Unfortunately two main DBs are hurt for Week 2.

I honestly hope that Cutler doesn’t care what people think, because he is an excellent QB. He just looks bored and slightly pouty all the time. Maybe he can practice in the mirror? A smile, a frown, something! Now Jay not only has to worry about the lack of pass protection, he has two injured WRs.  Uh-oh.

The Saints’ biggest problem this week will be the emotional fire of the Bears’ defense after the sudden death of Urlacher’s mother. They will be even more motivated than usual.

I believe that Chicago has a stronger team when I look at the whole picture. But the Saints will do anything to avoid going 0-2. And I never underestimate desperation.

Green Bay Packers Come to Carolina Panthers: Hope You Had Fun in Week 1, Cam.

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers

S/U:  Green Bay

ATS: Carolina +11

O/U:  under 45

And Cam Newton comes down to earth. My hat is completely off to No. 1 after his dazzling debut. But I don’t think it will be a total disaster. He has a lot of  “run support” with Williams and Stewart, and Steve Smith is so happy that he has rolled back the clock. And don’t sleep on those two hot shot TEs, either.

But it is the Green Bay Packers’ secondary after all. You know, the one that embarrassed the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half of the Super Bowl. Yeah. I don’t think Cam is quite ready for this.

Lost in the Cam hype is the season-ending injury to Carolina defensive star Jon Beason. Oh dear. He joins star pass-rusher Ron Edwards on IR. Oh dear, dear. Did I mention that Cam will be fending off the Packer blitz without tackle Jeff Otah? Oh..well you get the point.

Cowboys at 49ers, the Once and (possibly) Future Matchup

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers

S/U:  Dallas Cowboys

ATS:  Dallas -3

O/U:  over 42 (Tony and Jason are going to want to reassert their ability against a talented and improved defense that is still less potent than the Jets.)

Remember when this was the NFC Championship matchup almost every year? I admit it; I’m old enough to remember it as a very young fan. Thank goodness that Harbaugh is breathing life back into Candlestick, or this would be very sad.

However, SF LB Patrick Willis can’t stop Romo and Felix Jones and Dez Bryant all by himself. The less said about Alex Smith the better (but on a human level, I hope he isn’t embarrassed).

And that’s the end of the story for this one.

Cincinnati Bengals Face off with the Bruised Denver Broncos

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos

S/U:  Denver Broncos

ATS:  Denver  -3 (but no higher, since this is a home field pick exclusively)

O/U:  over 40 – it’s going to be cloudy and 70’s

Well, Andy Dalton survived his first real game as a starting NFL quarterback with only a bruised wrist and arm. And he wasn’t bad. For a rookie. With a rookie No. 1 WR, second-year TE and slot guy and a suspect O-line.

Of course, we’re still not sure how good that Cleveland D is. Dalton is probable for Week 2, and I’m sure that Cedric Benson is looking forward to trying his luck against a Broncos’ D that gave up 190 yards in Week 1. Ouch.

I am an Orton fan; I think he’s gotten a bad deal in Denver, and the fans should be ashamed of themselves for chanting “Teee-bow” as Kyle was leading them down the field—for a touchdown.

None of it will matter, however, if Knowshon Moreno doesn’t start living up to his draft status. And now Knowshon is hurt. Again. I love McGahee’s triumph over a knee injury that no one thought he could overcome, but he’s too old to be an every-down back.

Now the Broncs will be without Champ Bailey, WR Thomas is out and Brandon Lloyd and Dumervil are questionable. If Denver can win this one to be 1-1, it will go a long way towards righting the ship.

But if Lloyd doesn’t play, switch to the Bengals.

San Diego Chargers Seek To Electrocute New England Patriots

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots

S/U:  San Diego Chargers

ATS:  San Diego +8

O/U:  sunny and 60’s; watch out for flying footballs. But I don’t think I’ll go to 54 points;  under 53.5

Think this one might get some high TV traffic?  Yeah, me too.  I hate being forced to defend Tom Brady, but here it is:  does anyone really think that No.12 was advocating irresponsible drinking? Please.

I am absolutely not a Brady fan, but come on—it was a joke. Bad taste and a frankly stupid thing for a public figure to say, but it’s not the end of Western civilization. That being said, when is the NFL going to take drinking seriously at games and cut off beer sales after the first quarter? Can’t you guys at least pretend that you care about something other than money?

All right, back to the game. The Patriots always have the psychological advantage, especially at home. But Philip Rivers doesn’t back down against anyone and let’s remember that the Chargers are one of the few teams that have been able to go to Indy and Foxboro and win.

And why is everyone waxing poetic about the Brady-to-Welker TD pass? You really shouldn’t even call it a TD pass—it was a short pop over the middle with an almost 90-yard run for Pete’s sake.

I was driving home from work, and when I got home and heard the TV announce a 99-yard TD pass to Welker I said to my husband, “I bet most of it was Welker.” See? It’s not so hard to know these things. Brady is a tremendous winner and captain, but he’s not the second coming for heaven’s sake.

None of these observations will make any difference in this pick if the Chargers can’t generate some kind of ground game—2.9 yards per attempt is not going to cut it in New England. And I’m not even going to mention the Chargers’ special teams except to say that it looks as if Nick Novak will handle field goal attempts.

As always, the only way to shut down the Patriots offense is to dump Brady on his butt. A lot. With Patriot Center Koppen out, the Chargers might have a shot at doing this. IF Norv Turner can muster up some killer instinct.

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins: Smoke and Mirrors or the Real Deal in Texas?

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins

S/U: Miami Dolphins

ATS:  Miami +3

O/U:  under 48

Miami played much better than expected against the New England Patriots—one of the two best teams in the league right now. Houston won as expected against one of the three or four worst teams in the league right now. Let’s not overreact.

Time to be honest; Chad Henne shocked me Monday. He seems to have gotten sick of being a laughing stock and decided to show some fire. I hope it lasts for the sake of Dolphin fans everywhere.

The Dolphins’ biggest problem is going to be who will run the football. Apparently, there are open auditions being held if anyone wants to try their luck. It would be nice if rookie RB Thomas and rookie FB Clay would get their hamstrings healthy and join the party.

Sunday Night NFL Homecoming: Vick in Atlanta

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons

S/U:  Atlanta Falcons

ATS:  Atlanta +2.5

O/U:  over 49 due to a lack of defensive interest on the part of the Falcons.

I have a feeling that Vick might over-amp himself just a tad on Sunday night. There’s a lot at stake, I understand. But when he gets overamped he reverts to type and the scrambler he used to be. That would be a liability if I thought that the Falcons’ defense could stop him.

I’m so bored with pointing out the Falcons’ defensive weaknesses that I won’t even go there. If they try to blitz No. 7 the way that they blitzed Cutler, it will be just as disastrous. The only bright spot is that, despite the loss, the Dirty Birds held Forte to 88 yards in Week 1.

I’m picking Atlanta because they cannot afford to start 0-2. They are very lucky that the Saints lost as well, but they can’t get behind in this division. Here’s a suggestion to Mike White:  remember that Michael Turner is on your football team!

The Eagles gave up 154 yards to a Rams team on a day that Steven Jackson was hurt and ran the ball TWICE.

Matt Ryan is lucky that DE Darryl Tapp is doubtful because the Iggles pass-rusher has been on a tear in 2011. But that won’t be enough if the O-line does not come to play, which is something they didn’t do last Sunday.

Rams at Giants: Predicting the Battle of Attrition

St. Louis Rams at the New York Giants

S/U:  New York Giants

ATS:  St. Louis +7.0

O/U:  Under 44

The weather will be lovely, but Eli and his guys are so out of sync that it’s a miracle they came up with 240 yards through the air in Week 1.

With all of the injuries on the Giants’ D-line, the Rams may be able to complete a few passes. Or at least they might be able to if the WRs will catch them when delivered.

Now will be the time for Cadillac Williams to prove that he’s all better and good-to-go because Steven Jackson is out on Monday night. Good luck with that:  the Giants allowed 74 yards rushing to the Redskins’ last week.

I’m sure on paper the schedulers thought that they had a gold mine matchup here. Too bad injuries have hit both teams so hard. We’ll see how much resolve these squads have as they limp into the Meadowlands. I give the Giants the edge due to veteran leadership—but not by over a touchdown.

The story inside the game here will be on the sidelines:  Super Bowl winning Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is now the head coach of the St. Louis Rams. He and Big Blue offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride could not possibly know each other better. Let the chess game begin.