Sunday, 1:00
Raiders @ Baltimore(-12)
If it’s possible to look much worse than Oakland did last week, I’m not sure how. The only reason it was watchable at all is that I hate the Raiders and so got some kind of perverse pleasure out of watching them suck. Oh, and the Ravens looked great last week. Overall, it’s pretty scary when 12 doesn’t even seem like that much in week 2. I wonder if the Ravens’ defense alone can cover the spread. Ouch.
Saints @ Green Bay(+2)
I think the Packers are going to be a raging disaster all season. Favre gets so much slack from all the fawning media, and I can’t figure out why. Yeah, sure, he was great once, but he’s horrible now. Packers should have unloaded him.
Texans @ Indy(-13.5)
I really wonder about the Colts’ ability to run the ball. I think the lack of ground game will hurt them this year at some point. The Texans, however, are not that point. I’ve been trying very hard to drink the Mario Williams Kool-Aid but I just can’t seem to quite swallow it down. sigh. On the other hand, it’s not like I expect anyone else will beat the Colts in Indy, at least not until the (choke!) playoffs. Oh, yeah, give the points.
Bills @ Miami(-6.5)
I was completely underwhelmed with the Dolphins last week, and the Bills might have some life. Probably not really, but they might at least stay in a few games this year. I’ll take the points.
Panthers @ Minnesota(+1.5)
Even if Steve Smith plays, he’s not going to be 100%. Look for the Vikings to run 40 times, mostly on the left side behind Hutchinson. I can’t believe I’m actually picking the Vikings. <ducks lightning bolt>
Bucs @ Atlanta(-5.5)
Dang, is there space on the Falcons bandwagon? Yes? One more? Thanks, guys, I’ll take that last seat.
Giants @ Philly(-3)
Yes, the Eagles looked a lot better with McNabb healthy and with Stallworth and all that. People seem to forget that they played the NFL equivalent of a 1AA team last week. Sure, the G-Men didn’t exactly look like worldbeaters against the Colts, but that was the Colts, who are a heck of a lot better than Houston (see above). I will happily take the points.
Lions @ Chicago(-8.5)
Did you hear the nonsense from the Lions’ WR guaranteeing a victory? WTF? I expect the Bears to simply pummel Detroit here. I’d give 10, 12, easy.
Browns @ Cinci(-10)
The Bengals are good. The Browns… aren’t. Seems straightforward, although ten is kind of a lot, I think the Bengals should be able to do it.
Sunday, ~4:10
Rams @ San Francisco(+3)
I’m somewhat surprised that the spread isn’t more, but then again, the Rams didn’t get in the end zone at all last week. I guess I’ll take St. Louis.
Cardinals @ Seattle(-7)
Look, if you need a last-second field goal to beat the Lions and don’t break double digits, there’s a problem. I’m taking the points.
Chiefs @ Denver(-10.5)
Yes, Trent Green is out. But that’s a boatload of points to be giving for a team lead by Jake the Mistake. If I were Plummer’s insurance agent, I’d double his rates—I mean really, how long until some rabid Broncos fan tries to take him out to get Cutler the job? I’ll take the points.
Patriots @ New Jersey Jets(+6)
Yes, they get to be the “Jets” this week because they won last week. I’m picking them to go back to being the Jest next week, though.
Titans @ San Diego(-11.5)
Methinks the Chargers might be miffed at missing the playoffs last year. I thought they did a good job of not asking Rivers to do too much, and I don’t see the Titans as being radically better than the Raiders, so I think the Bolts can cover this.
Sunday NBC
Redskins @ Dallas(-6)
Wheee, the finger-pointing has already started, and people are already calling for Bledsoe’s head. What’s the over/under on T.O. throwing Bledsoe under the bus? And the Skins looked kind of discombobulated last week, too. So much for the NFC East being all that. I hear Portis is supposed to be out, though, so I believe I have to give the points.
MNF
Steelers @ Jax(+1.5)
Good matchup. I wish I knew if Big Ben or Batch were starting. Yes, Batch looked good last week, but this is Charlie Batch we’re talking about here. If I knew Big Ben were starting, I’d take the Stillers for sure. Grr, OK, I’ll take ‘em anyway.
Last week’s record: 7-9. Like anyone picked the Lions, though, sheesh, you can’t blame me for that.
Sunday, 1:00
Raiders @ Baltimore(-12)
Is it possible for the Raiders to get a whole new offensive line in a week? They needed to. And I guess we have to give the Ravens the benefit of the doubt for now.
Saints @ Green Bay(+2)
Wow, the Saints could got 2 and 0. Brees makes a big difference and Bush is sorta fun to watch. And yes, Brett. You’re team just isn’t that good. You should have accepted a trade.
Texans @ Indy(-13.5)
Didn’t the Colts have trouble covering their early games last year? Well, perhaps they didn’t have to play the Texans early.
Bills @ Miami(-6.5)
I had a different take on the Dolphins. I thought they looked ok but got burned on a couple of bad turnovers. They shouldn’t have much trouble with Buffalo.
Panthers @ Minnesota(+1.5)
I think that’s crazy. I like the cool of Brad Johnson, but the Panthers really are a better team and they should come up north with a bit of a chip on their shoulders.
Bucs @ Atlanta(-5.5)
The Bucs are another team that will be fired up after a big loss. Look for this to be a close game. Atlanta in a squeaker, so I’ll take the points.
Giants @ Philly(-3)
I’ll happily give them. I think Philly’s problems are behind them and they’re ready to try for another run. If they can keep Tiki in check, they should win by more than 3 at home.
Lions @ Chicago(-8.5)
Chicago is loving their division this year. I’ll give the points.
Browns @ Cinci(-10)
Is it bad to hope that “K2” Winslow gets hurt in this game? Yeah, probably, but I’ll still chuckle if it happens. He obviously learned nothing because he was spouting off again this week. Look for Cinci to bury them.
Sunday, ~4:10
Rams @ San Francisco(+3)
The Niners are getting a lot of credit for hanging with Arizona last week. Either they’re decent, or maybe Arizona isn’t all that good. For now, I’ll bet the latter, and I’ll give the points and take the Rams.
Cardinals @ Seattle(-7)
There may be a problem, but I like getting Seattle at home. They still have a stout defense and they picked up another receiver this week. I’ll give the points.
Chiefs @ Denver(-10.5)
I’ll give the points. Chiefs won’t muster anything with Huard.
Patriots @ New Jersey Jets(+6)
Ouch. The Pats stumble last week, but clearly nobody’s worried about them. I’m a little worred about their defense, though. I’m tempted, but I’ll pass on these points and take the Pats.
Titans @ San Diego(-11.5)
The Titans may be the worst team in the league. I will again give big points!
Sunday NBC
Redskins @ Dallas(-6)
The Skins looked downright bad, and I’ll go ahead and believe some of the press clippings on Dallas (aside from the soap opera ones). I also think that if they had played the second half as well as the first half last week, they would have crused Jax. I’ll give the points too.
MNF
Steelers @ Jax(+1.5)
This is a really interesting game. Can Batch play that well two weeks in a row? I dont think Ben will play, and I still really like Leftwich. I thought Jacksonville did some inventive things last week defensively with their adjustments. I don’t know how Batch will deal with such changes. I’ll take the points.
Good luck.