Week Two Picks

Wow. I did not see a few of those losses coming last week. And neither did the Jets, Bengals, Chargers, Colts, or 49ers. (Nor did the Lions foresee losing their QB Matt Stafford for a few weeks due to a separated shoulder or losing the game because Calvin Johnson set the ball down too soon therefore "not completing the pass").

Anywho, the crap game of the week goes to:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are playing at home and they put up 18 points against Eli Manning and the Giants last week. The Bucs won last week against... the Browns. Both teams will be 1-1 at the end of this game. Panthers win.

Better than craptastic but not fantastic:
Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns
The Browns are the Browns and Mangenius stumbles on his own words. They are hosting the KC Chiefs who are showing up to town with some new muscles, new attitude, and a completely new look. Not only is the AFC West a little frightened, so are the Browns. Chiefs win.

St. Louis Rams @ Oakland Raiders
This is a difficult game for me to call. The Raiders talked big for losing big to the Titans last week, and the Rams stayed competitive with the Cards till the end. I think the Rams are a better built team especially with Sam Bradford-but he can't carry them all the time. The Rams are also playing in the Black Hole, but I think they're hungry enough for a win on the road.

Chicago Bears @ Dallas Cowboys
The Bears got lucky last week against the Lions with the call on Calvin Johnson not completing the pass and taking out QB Matthew Stafford. While Dallas appears to still be confused about being a competitive football team, they were also embarrassed at FedEx field last week and won't let that happen at home. Boys win.

Arizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons
The Cards won last week against a Rams team that's still fighting its way up from the bottom of the barrel. The Falcons kept pace with a Steelers team missing their franchise QB and are playing at home. I think Matt Ryan will outplay Derek Anderson. Falcons win.

Seattle Seahawks @ Denver Broncos
The Seahawks surprised the hell out of me last week in their pummeling of the 49ers. I was also greatly disappointed in the Broncos loss to Jacksonville. I'm also not sure how the Seahawks will play without their 12th man, and Mile High is a somewhat difficult stadium for away teams to win in. I'll take Kyle Orton and his Broncos at home even though their 12th man's fickle loyalty is second only to the Eagles fan base.

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers
This may have been a high caliber game except for the fact that the 49ers absolutely imploded last week. The Saints come to San Fran with their experienced receiver corps at the ready and the 49ers will be happy if they can get their plays called on time.
Saints win.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Diego Chargers
The Jags fought hard last week to win their home opener and to keep Del Rio as their coach. The Chargers usually start slow in September, and they kept that trend as they slogged through the rain at Kansas City Monday night. However, I don't believe that starting with an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs will have them slow at home against the Jags. Chargers win.

Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings
While Favre still loves football-he is also awfully tired as he couldn't bounce back to form in the second half against the Saints last week. The Dolphins are coming to town, and while it looks as though they are improving in every way, they also have to compete against Minnesota's defense at home. I don't think they get it done. Vikings win.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions
The Lions suffered a heartbreaking loss of game and QB last week. The Eagles lost at home to a very good Packers team and also lost their starting QB. The big difference here is that the Eagles have Michael Vick in to sub and the Lions have... who again? Still, I think the Lions' Defense is strong enough to keep Vick in the pocket and force him to throw and therefore make some mistakes. I pick the Lions to win at home.

Buffalo Bills @ Green Bay Packers
I still think the Pack could go all the way this year, and the Bills just aren't that strong of a team. (Read: they lack receiver depth.) The Pack has an easy win at home.

Now for the fantastic games! (Or fantastic competition and the really hyped up ones. Yay.)

New York Giants @ Indianapolis Colts
I still think the Colts' glory days are slowly fading. I also still think that the Giants haven't played as great as they did when they beat the Pats in the Super Bowl. Still, this game gets all the hype because of THE MANNING BROTHERS dun-dun, dun.... Let's see, the Colts are playing at home, Peyton has more MVPs, and he doesn't start 0-2. Colts, er... I mean big brother wins.

New England Patriots @ New York Jets
Tom Brady still hates the Jets, but he thinks their fan base is more loyal. Rex Ryan and the Jets talked a lot of smack in the off season but their offense was shut down by the Ravens last week. Even with the Jets playing at home and not wanting to start 0-2 at home I still think actions will speak louder than words. Pats get it done in the Meadowlands.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
While the Bengals are playing at home and they most certainly have the offensive weapons to win, they didn't demonstrate last week that they could get it done. The Baltimore Defense has a great white shark in Ray Lewis who smells the blood of whoever is handling the football and will eat them alive. Lewis and the D will be all over the offense and will effectively shut it down enough so that the middle-of-the-line Ravens offense can put up a few more points for the win.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans
While the Steelers have one of the best defenses this season, and they are seemingly operating just fine with Dennis Dixon at the helm-they are also facing Jeff Fisher, QB Vince Young, and Chris Johnson on their home field. I think the Titans will be able to pull out a win.

Houston Texans @ Washington Redsk!ns
This game got a lot more interesting with the offensive minds of Head Coaches Kubiak and Shanahan going head-to-head. Kubiak has been building his team for years while Shanny just showed up in D.C. The Texans are also effective in their passing and running game and defense. Arian Foster will also run all over the Redsk!ns who quite honestly had a few of their TDs handed to them by the Cowboys last week. Texans win.