Coming to you from glorious Ennis, TX. Can’t wait to see what kind of redecorating Ike did back home; I hope the banana tree is OK.
So, last week I went 9-7 and Al went 10-6, so at least we’re both off to a positive start. I also won in Fantasy, beating my brother by a whole 2 points, though I lost Nate Burleson for the season. Anyway, on to this week’s picks.
Sunday 1:00
Raiders @ Kansas City(-3.5)
Wow, did Oakland look unspeakably bad or what? Not that the Chefs looked all that great, but wow, man, the Raiders were awful. Give the points.
Packers @ Detroit(+3)
Just how bad will the Lions really be? Hopelessly awful…meaning, the usual. I’m taking Green Bay.
Titans @ Cincinnati(-1)
Hunh? I mean, yes, Vince Young is out, but he’s not been all that great lately and, wow, the Bengals are a mess. I’ll take that point, thank you very much.
Bears @ Carolina(-3)
Last week was a miracle for the Panthers—great game to watch in the second half, though—but the Bears might actually be the real deal if Orton just manages to not throw picks. The Bears D, if they can stay healthy, might just be back. I’m takin’ Da Bears.
Bills @ Jacksonville(-5)
I really, really did not like the look of the Jags offense, but then the Titans’ defense is stout. I think Jax will bounce back and cover this.
Saints @ Washington, pick
Well, New Orleans won’t be quite the same without Colston around, but I’m not sure the Skins offense can stay out of their own way here. I pick the Saints.
Colts @ Vikings(+2)
Indy is better than they showed in week 1 and I’m really not sure if the Vikings are. If Indy scores first, how does Minnesota catch up? During my FF draft, someone asked if Ryan Leaf was still available, and I said he was, but now he goes by Tarvaris Jackson. That’s maybe a little unfair, but only a little. I think I’m staying away from the Vikes until TJ is benched or shows some improvement.
Giants @ St. Louis(+9)
Yes, the Rams are awful, but nine? At home? Too rich for me, I have to take them.
Sunday ~4:10
Niners @ Seattle(-7.5)
I watched a lot of the Bills-Seahawks contest last week, and once Burleson went out, the Seabags completely went south. I know SF is terrible, but I’m still taking these points; Seattle is going to struggle until they get someone who can catch the ball.
Falcons @ Tampa Bay(-7)
That was very nice for Atlanta, but I suspect they won’t move the ball quite so well against an actual defense (as opposed to the Division II train wreck that is the Lions defense). Give the points.
Dolphins @ Arizona(-7)
I will readily admit that I watched very little of the Niners-Cardinals game, but what I saw of it was not good. However, the Fish on the road? I’ll give the points.
Patriots @ New Jersey Jets(-1.5)
Because I fully expect Al to pick his beloved Gang Green, I will take the Brady-less Pats, who will [A] not be as bad as everybody thinks without Brady (I mean yes, there will be a big dropoff, but they aren’t going to suddenly be the Raiders) and [B] still make the playoffs by virtue of a hopelessly easy schedule. What? Yes, I figure they’ll have to win 10 to make the playoffs and they have the Dolphins twice and the entire NFC West—that’s six gimme wins, plus the one they have now— meaning they have to go a mere 3-6 against the rest of their schedule.
Chargers @ Denver, pick
Merriman is out for the season which means the Bolts will be able to summon very little pass rush, I suspect. Cutler will pick them apart… well, OK, maybe not, but it’ll be enough that I’m picking the Broncos.
Sunday Prime Time
Steelers @ Cleveland(+6.5)
Are the Texans bad? Oh yes, the Texans are bad—but they’re not that bad. I think Pittsburgh might actually end up being the class of the AFC when this is all said and done, and I’m giving the points in this rivalry game.
MNF
Eagles @ Dallas(-7)
I’m surprised the spread is that big since both teams looked good last week. However, I still don’t trust the Eagles. McNabb will probably get a hangnail and will have to sit out the second half, and you know TO just wants to light the Eagles up. I’m giving the points.
Ravens @ Houston(-4.5)
Ahh, yes, the bonus MNF game for the Ike-delayed Texans. Look, until the Texans show me something, I am not having them as a favorite, and certainly not in a week where they have a few other things to think about. I’ll be there if I can, though, cheering them on, but the smart money here goes with Baltimore.
Sunday 1:00
Raiders @ Kansas City(-3.5)
Oakland on the road doesn’t inspire me with confidence against a team that absolutely reviles them. Give the points
Packers @ Detroit(+3)
Green Bay impressed me last week. Especially their defense. I’ll give the points.
Titans @ Cincinnati(-1)
Like I said, the Bengals have some real problems. The Titans hung really tough with Jax last week. I’ll take the point.
Bears @ Carolina(-3)
The Bears absolutely handled the Colts last week and Carolina beat the Chargers. Two big wins for teams that sucked last year. I don’t really know anything, so I’ll take the home team. Give the points.
Bills @ Jacksonville(-5)
The Bills looked strong last week and Jax lost. I’ll take the 5 points.
Saints @ Washington, pick
Maybe the changes to Washington’s system were too much to handle in one offseason. It didn’t look like any kinks got worked out in the first game. Maybe Zorn will get it together, but I can’t count on that. I’ll take the Saints.
Colts @ Vikings(+2)
I really think the Vikings have the talent to be a great team this year. Last week, though, TJ looked bad and the defense was porous. Then again, the Colts looked dreadful against a suspect Bears team. But if the Vikings let Aaron Rodgers throw all over them, Peyton should have no troubles. I’ll take the Colts.
Giants @ St. Louis(+9)
The Rams are awful. I’ll give the points. This is easily a 10 point spread.
Sunday ~4:10
Niners @ Seattle(-7.5)
The Seahawks aren’t good, but surely the Niners have absolutely nothing. I’ll give the points.
Falcons @ Tampa Bay(-7)
That’s too many points, in my opinion. If the Falcons can effectively run the ball, and I don’t see why they can’t, they’ll keep it close.
Dolphins @ Arizona(-7)
The Dolphins are bad, but Arizona isn’t that good either. I’ll take the points.
Patriots @ New Jersey Jets(-1.5)
There is no way the Jets should be favored against the Pats here. Yes, Brady is out, but that’s the only position the Jets have a real edge in. I’ll be rooting with all my heart, but I’ll take the points.
Chargers @ Denver, pick
I won’t be suckered into picking the Broncos here. Yes, the Chargers lost, but they still have better personnel than Denver.
Sunday Prime Time
Steelers @ Cleveland(+6.5)
Cleveland ran up against a really good team and the Steelers played a really bad one. I don’t think Cleveland is terrible, but I think the Steelers are really good. I’ll give the points.
MNF
Eagles @ Dallas(-7)
That’s a pretty big spread, but I guess Dallas is at home and that factors in. But gosh the Eagles looked strong. I’ll take the points.
Ravens @ Houston(-4.5)
There’s no way the Texans should be favored here. The Ravens aren’t great, granted, but they still have enough to beat Houston. I’ll be happy to take these points.
Stay safe. Hopefully your house is still standing.