NFL Week 2 Picks!

Week 2 is panic week in the NFL. After the first game, a lot of fans and analysts overreact to the results from the first set of games. If a team loses, then those fans think that team is done for the year. If a team wins, then everybody feels great and starts to think that this year might the year for that respective team. If you lose Week 1, then your fans start to worry about Week 2, and panic starts to develop. What happens if you lose and start off 0-2? Well, 0-2 isn't the worst thing ever. The 2007 Giants started 0-2 and won the Super Bowl. Although the numbers aren't too high, plenty of teams start out 0-2 and make the playoffs. The reaction to 0-1 is the panic of starting 0-2. Some teams are in that situation this week. The Steelers lost a tough game at Denver last Sunday night, and now they host a Jet team that is coming off a convincing win. If the Steelers lose they go 0-2. That would be bit of shock considering the Steelers are one of the favorites in the AFC. Are they dead? No, but obviously they put themselves in hole at 0-2. There is no reason to totally panic this week, but tell that to fanbases all over the country because that is what will happen if their team falls to 0-2.

After a terrible start to the season for me with my picks last week, I will try to bounce back this week. Week 2 has some really interesting games, but I am not going to over think it too much. There is no reasonto get cute with my picks this week. Hopefully, this week provides better results.

Here's the picks for Week 2....

Last Week's Record: 4-12
Overall Record: 4-12
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

NY GIANTS (-7) over Tampa Bay: Normally, the Giants would keep Tampa Bay in this game long enough and then pull it out late on an Eli Manning comeback. I don't think the Giants will do that this week. They should come out with their best performance after losing the opener to Dallas.

NEW ENGLAND (-12) over Arizona: Mismatch of the day. The Patriots looked really good last week at Tennessee. This week they get the overmatch Kevin Kolb on a platter. Look for the Pats to take care of business and put a whipping on the Cards in Foxboro.

INDIANAPOLIS (+2) over Minnesota: Tough game to call, but I'm going to go with the Colts in their home debut. Andrew Luck played pretty well last week considering he was running for his life. I didn't realize how bad the Indy's offensive line was until I watched them get manhandled by the Bears. The Vikings had a nice overtime win last week, and I wouldn't be shocked if they overwhelmed the Colts, but I'll take Luck and the Colts to pull it out at home.

CAROLINA (+3) over New Orleans: A really interesting game in the early window on Sunday. The Panthers were disappointing last week in a loss at Tampa Bay. They really couldn't get their offense going. The Saints were a disappointment as well in a home loss to Washington. Do you think the Saints will miss Sean Payton this year? I think so, and I am going to take the Panthers getting the points at home to put the Saints at 0-2.

Kansas City (+3) over BUFFALO: These two teams were becoming very popular in the preseason, and many people jumped on their respective bandwagons and predicted both of them would have a big year. Well, both got bombed in Week 1, and this suddenly becomes a must-win game. I have a feeling that KC is a better than what they showed last week in their loss to Atlanta. The Bills were just so bad, but I can't get the visions of Ryan Fitzpatrick's play out of my head. Take the Chiefs and the points.

Baltimore (+2) over PHILLY: How could you not be impressed with the Ravens? They looked great, and Joe Flacco looked like a top-level QB. On the other hand, the Eagles look awful in their 17-16 win over Cleveland. I was tempted to take Philly, but I think the Ravens go on the road and win convincingly.

Oakland (-2) over MIAMI: The Dolphins kept it close last week, but they got blown out in the second half to Houston. The Raiders looked really sloppy in a loss to the Chargers on Monday night. It is hard to like either of these teams right now, but I'll take the Raiders on the road because of Darren McFadden.

CINCY (-7) over Cleveland: The Battle of Ohio features two 0-1 teams. The Bengals are a better team, but you don't know what to expect from them. Brandon Weeden was awful for the Browns last week, and he might have the same kind of game on the road against the Bengals defense. I guess you have to take Cincy at home.

Houston (-7) over Jacksonville: Houston looked really good in the second half against Miami, and now they get to feast on the Jaguars at home in Week 2. Expect a closer game, but look for the Texans to pull away and get off to a 2-0 start.

SEATTLE (+3) over Dallas: This is a good matchup for the late window on FOX. Seattle is always tough at home, and they didn't play well last week in their loss to Arizona. Expect a better showing out of rookie QB Russell Wilson. Dallas won a big one over the Giants in the season opener, but that is a long trip to Seattle, and they are playing a team that is coming off a bad loss. This will be a very interesting game, but the Seahawks pull it out late.

Washington (-3) over ST.LOUIS: Thanks to the Rams, the Redskins were able to trade up and draft RG III. He was terrific last week in the win over New Orleans, and I'm going to ride the hot hand. The Rams played well in defeat to the Lions, but the Skins have RG III and a really good defense. I'll take Washington on the road.

New York Jets (+5.5) over PITTSBURGH: Another interesting game in Week 2. The Jets could be without Darrelle Revis, and if he is out then the Steelers receivers could have a really big day. You know Pittsburgh is going to play all out because they don't want to fall to 0-2. The Jets were very impressive last week in their win over Buffalo, but a lot of people expect them to fall this week. I'm not so sure of that. You are getting over five points, and I have the feeling the Jets will be playing a lot of close games this year. This one will be close too. Don't be shocked if the Jets pull off the upset.

SAN DIEGO (-6) over Tennessee: The Chargers didn't look great in their win over Oakland on Monday, but Jake Locker looked pretty bad in his debut for the Titans last week. This game could go either way, but I'll take Phillip Rivers and the Chargers at home.

SAN FRANCISCO (-5.5) over Detroit: The "Handshake Bowl" between Jim Schwartz and Jim Harbaugh. The Niners were really impressive last week in their dismantling of Green Bay. Now, they get to open their home schedule with the Lions. I don't think Harbaugh will have to do much to motivate his team this week. The Lions pulled one out late last week against the Rams, and this seems like a tall order on Sunday night. Take the Niners at home.


ATLANTA (-3) over Denver: The Broncos and Peyton Manning were impressive in their win over Pittsburgh last Sunday night, but this week presents a new challenge. The Falcons are really good at home, and their defense always plays better in the dome. Matt Ryan and that offense looked sensational in their win over KC last week. Can the Broncos stop Julio Jones and Roddy White? It might be a very tough task to accomplish. If Denver falls behind early, then they are in deep trouble. They have to hope that Manning can play great again for them to have any shot at winning. This is a really tough game to call, but the Falcons will win this game by a touchdown.

Final Score: Falcons-27 Denver-20