NFL Handicapper Week 2

HANDICAPPER!

Wow last week was hard to predict. It was also definitely not my best week in picking games, but hey, I cannot be expected to do well with this lockout. I looked as rusty as the Miami Dolphins secondary (zing!).

Sunday 1:00 PM

Raiders at Bills (-3.5)

Both teams won their opening game on the road, so props to them.  The Bills got their first win before mid-November this year, and the Raiders broke their entirely too long streak of starting 0-1.  I’m not sure what either team does for an encore…maybe kick 64-yd field goals?

Pick: Bills

Bears at Saints (-7.5)

The Saints took the defending champs to the very last play, but the Bears were even more impressive in completely dominating the NFC South champion Falcons.  I’ve said the NFC South was the best division in the NFC, but they are 0-4 and the NFC North is 3-1 (4-0 against the spread).

Pick: Saints

Browns at Colts (+2.5)

Two teams that did not look good on week 1.  One team lost at home to Andy Dalton and the Bengals, while the other just laid a duck against Houston.  Peyton Manning for MVP!

Pick: Colts (and to win)

Chiefs at Lions (-8.5)

Last week, Kansas City was favored by more than a touchdown.  This week, they are getting 8.5… against the LIONS.  Matthew Stafford and Detroit did look impressive in their win over the Bucs.

Pick: Chiefs (Lions win)

Packers at Panthers (+10.5)

The most impressive individual performance in my mind from week one belonged to Cam Newton.  I know Tom Brady is amazing, I know Sebastian Janikowski can kick really far, and I know that Brian Urlacher is a ball hungry animal.  I did NOT know however that Cam Newton would be able to come right in and gel in the NFL.  I understand it was just the Cardinals, but don’t lie, you had a hunch that Newton would end up in the Jamarcus Russell path.

Pick: Panthers (Packers win)

Ravens at Titans (+5.5)

Most impressive team performance? Baltimore Ravens, hands down.  The way they manhandled their biggest rival in all three phases of the game was remarkable.  Now they get the Titans, who last week must have forgotten they resigned Chris Johnson.

Pick: Ravens

Bucs at Vikings (-3.5)

Donovan McNabb did not have his best game on Sunday.  He did, however, rush for only 7 less yards than he threw. Scrambling QB’s FTW.

Pick: Bucs

Jaguars at Jets (-10.5)

Both these teams are 1-0 thanks to the opposing QB’s that they both faced.  Matt Hasselbeck threw a game clinching pick, and Tony Romo saw that and said “I can do you one better, Matt”.

Pick: Jets

Cardinals at Redskins (-4.5)

The Cardinals defense made Cam Newton look like he was still going against SEC defenses.  After picking apart the Giants defense, Rex Grossman must be licking his chops.

Pick: Redskins

Seahawks at Steelers (-14.5)

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this is one of the first times that a team that lost by 4 touchdowns the past week is now favored by more than two touchdowns.

Pick: Seahawks (Steelers win)

Sunday 4:05 PM

Cowboys at 49ers (-2.5)

Ted Ginn Jr. returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the fourth quarter last week against the Seahawks.  One might say the Seahawks special teams are the Tony Romo of special teams. 

Pick: Cowboys (and to win)

Sunday 4:15 PM

Bengals at Broncos (-5.5)

The Broncos looked really bad on Monday; much worse than the 23-20 final score would indicate.  Many are wondering when the Tim Tebow era is going to begin, and while the whole team looked awful, Kyle Orton was definitely part of it, and needs to play better if he still wants my vote of approval. Which of course is what all players strive for.

Pick: Bengals (and to win)

Texans at Dolphins (+2.5)

The Dolphins defense gave up 517 yards to Tom Brady last week, and now they get the team that put up 34 at the half.  I’m beginning to think that the Texans are going to be better than I originally thought.  Of course, since I haven’t gotten an AFC preview up to compliment MY AWESOME NFC PREVIEW, you don’t know how I felt about the Texans, do you? (evil laugh)

Pick: Texans

Chargers at Patriots (-6.5)

Tom Brady told Patriots fans to “start drinking early” because it’s a 4:00 game.  Confession: I’ve always liked Tom Brady despite my dislike for the Patriots, and it is comments like these that reaffirm his bro status.  Now he goes against the definition of “BRAH” quarterback in Philip Rivers.  This game should be a total brofest, and when it’s done, we’ll all go to the bar, order Jagerbombs and hit on some 7’s.

Pick: Patriots (and to win)

Sunday 8:15 PM

Eagles at Falcons (+2.5)

Mike Vick versus his former team at his former place.  This game is particularly important for the Falcons more so than the Eagles though because no team has ever won the Super Bowl after starting 0-2. And, I’m guessing that’s the goal. So yeah. Numbers.

Pick: Eagles

Monday 8:30 PM

Rams at Giants (-6.5)

Steven Jackson went down against the Eagles and Sam Bradford left but is expected to go on Monday.  It will be interesting to see if the Rams can still win the 8 games needed to win the West without these two guys.

Pick: Giants                

                                        

RECORDS!

Romo

Vs. spread: 6-10

Straight up: 7-9

Liam

Vs. Spread: 6-10 (He took the Cardinals -7 so he should be 5-10-1, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt with my -5.5 line)

Straight up: 7-9

So we both had a horrible start. Oh well.  Let’s call it a mulligan.  I have a feeling we will both do better this week.

(Check out Liam's blog here .. I imagine it sounds something like "waht the faack, broken baat, Scutarooo, gahddaammit")