NFL Picks Week 2: Which Supposed Favorites Will Be Exposed?

Being a Week 2 NFL favorite doesn't always mean much. Just take a look at some of the teams bringing undefeated records into the NFL's second Sunday: Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars.  Think many of those teams will be in that position long? Probably not.

Still, a favorite is a favorite, and picking the early "underdogs" successfully can make you look pretty smart. So, why not go against the odds when the odds are based off only one week? Despite being picked by the experts, here are three favorites likely to limp off the field today.

3. Washington Redskins

The 'Skins are playing at home against a team with youth and a matador's spirit in the secondary, and they threw the ball pretty well against the Giants in Week 1, so seeing them favored over the visiting Arizona Cardinals makes some sense. And, if we could count on Rex Grossman to put together two straight strong weeks, this one might not make the list.

However, Grossman has patented the follow-up flop, and Arizona's offense will only get better as Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald continue to build chemistry. This Washington defense was much more aggressive in Week 1, but another stout day from RB Beanie Wells could do just enough to keep the offense balanced, something New York wasn't able to accomplish. If the Cardinals can force some early turnovers from Grossman, they could put this one away.

2. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings looked awful against San Diego. Sure, they kept the score close, but the offense sputtered to only 187 yards, just 39 of which came from Donovan McNabb's arm. Those types of problems can't be fixed in a week. Even with Adrian Peterson in the backfield.

The Bucs, on the other hand, are coming off a flat performance against the Lions that saw them give up on their ground game and give into a better young team. After sleepwalking through that one, expect Tampa to establish LeGarrette Blount early courtesy of some strong field position delivered by the defense. McNabb doesn't seem to be able to provide the type of balance the Vikes' offense needs, and that should allow the Bucs to load the box and force incompletions toward a rag-tag group of receivers.

1. Cleveland Browns

The Browns were beaten soundly by Cincinnati in Week 1. That's almost enough right there. When your defense has no answer for the forced combo of Andy Dalton and Bruce Gradkowski, you have problems. 

Colt McCoy threw two TD passes, but the Browns never established Peyton Hillis, and looked lost on offense all too often. They'll face a smoother test this week against an Indy team famous for floundering against the run, which should give them some options on offense, but it's their defense that might mangle the game. Kerry Collins will be more comfortable in his second start, and there's no question the Colts have more talent on offense than the Bengals. Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne are still a cut above Jermaine Gresham and AJ Green.

If Indy can keep up the offensive pace through the first half, they should be able to find a few defensive stops in the second, allowing their playmakers ample opportunity to give them the lead. Collins just has to play point guard.