Look, it doesn’t matter how my picks went or how my fantasy team did, because (a) the Texans won, (b) the Colts lost, and (c) the Cowboys lost. That’s a good week! The Texans game was terrific fun; I’ve never heard Reliant stadium that loud. It was also great to see Manning get knocked around. Yes, he only got officially sacked a couple times, but they got to him a lot more than that. Of course, what was most amazing was the holes that Foster had to run through; the Colts D-line was awful and was completely manhandled. Foster seemed to always get to the second or even third level before anyone made contact. It was quite a thing.
Now, if only the Lions hadn’t gotten jobbed…
Anyway, on to this week’s picks.
Sunday 1:00
Ravens @ Cincinnati(+2.5)
Wow, not even a whole field goal? I’ll give the points.
Dolphins @ Minnesota(-5.5)
Seems like too many points for what could easily be a field goal game.
Bears @ Dallas(-7)
I think Dallas is better than they showed last Sunday and the Bears… aren’t. I’ll give the TD.
Eagles @ Detroit(+6.5)
With Vick starting and Stafford out, I will again give the points. Poor Lions.
Cardinals @ Atlanta(-6.5)
Not sure what to do with this one. I don’t think the Cardinals are very good, but the Falcons sure turned in a stinker last week. I think Atlanta will win this, but that seems like too many points to me.
Chefs @ Cleveland(-2.5)
Dunno, KC played some pretty inspired ball last week. Granted, they did it with smoke and mirrors, but I like getting points here, as I don’t think the Browns should be favored over… well, over anybody other than maybe the Bills.
Bills @ Green Bay(-13)
I’d say that seems like too many, especially with Grant out, but this is the Bills we’re talking about—on the road, no less—but that just seems like too many this early in the season. I think the Bills can actually play a little defense, even if they have no offense at all, so I’m going to take the points. Just too many not to.
Steelers @ Tennessee(-5.5)
Again, this seems like a lot of points in what is usually a close game. However, I still don’t like Dixon, and on the road, I think I have to give these points.
Buccaneers @ Carolina(-3)
Methinks this is a bad, bad game. I have low expectations for both of these teams, and clearly Vegas doesn’t know what to do either with that generic spread. I think Carolina’s defense is a little better, so I’ll give the points? No idea.
Sunday ~4:10
Rams @ Oakland(-3.5)
The Rams are really awful. You simply cannot have a rookie QB throwing that much and expect to win. Outdoors on the road? Yes, I’ll give the points.
Seahawks @ Denver(-3.5)
WTF happened last week in Seattle? I’m baffled. Also didn’t see highlights from Broncos-Jags. Err, were there highlights? Anyway, I don’t see how Denver is favored, so obviously someone knows something I don’t, so I’ll go the other way from what I was thinking and take the Broncos.
Texans @ Washington(+3)
Letdown game for Houston? Man, I hope not. I have to think that the Texans will prevail here, though, because I was really underwhelmed with the Redskins offense. Maybe the Redskins D is indeed pretty good, but I think the good guys will remember to run the ball, and probably won’t try a lateral in the waning seconds of the first half.
Jaguars @ San Diego(-7)
The Chargers looked really out of sync on Monday, didn’t they? They couldn’t run the ball at all and have nobody to throw to except Gates. Yes, Antonio is terrific, but I think they need more weapons than that. I don’t really like the Jags, either, but I’m taking the points and hoping they can keep it close.
Patriots @ New Jersey Jest(+3)
The Jest are going to have to show me some offense before I start picking them. And Rex Ryan better shut his yap until his team actually shows up on both sides of the ball, too.
SNF
Giants @ Indianapolis(-5)
There is no way that I’m going to watch this game. Well, maybe with the audio off or something, but I’m sure the network will make this an insufferable slurping of the Mannings. Ugh. I’ll be rooting for little brother here. But am I picking him? Seems like the Giants are a team that should know how to run the ball, and with Sanders still out, I don’t see how the Colts stop them. The Colts DEnds can rush the passer, but they suck against the run. If I’m the Giants’ coordinator, I run, then run, then run some more. What I worry is that the Colts will get ahead and then New Jersey will stop running. I also have a hard time seeing the Colts starting 0-2. Dammit, I have to pick the Colts again.
MNF
Saints @ San Francisco(+6)
Not sure about this one, either. The Saints are the obvious choice but let’s not forget that they didn’t exactly light it up against the Vikings. Still, with a couple extra days to rest and prepare, I think the Saints should handle this one. I’m sure it’s been a really bad week for the Niners, as the coaching staff cannot be pleased with them. I think they’ll be better this week, but not enough better to hang with the Saints.
Sunday 1:00
Ravens @ Cincinnati(+2.5)
The Ravens are pretty good. And they’ll be ready for vengeance against a team that swept them last year. Give the points.
Dolphins @ Minnesota(-5.5)
I don’t like the Vikings to cover. They shot their wad last week after focusing their whole offseason on that game. They’re toast. Take the points.
Bears @ Dallas(-7)
I think Dallas is better than they showed last Sunday and the Bears… aren’t. I’ll give the TD.
Eagles @ Detroit(+6.5)
I like getting those points. This is the same mediocre QB that led Atlanta all those years ago? No, he’s worse. He seems even less able to read defenses if that’s even believable. The Lions should be hot after getting that game stolen from them last week. They have to show something in this game. Take the points.
Cardinals @ Atlanta(-6.5)
I’ll be at this game. Everybody seems to be way down on the Falcons and Matt Ryan. Yeah, that was a bad INT at the end, but Pittsburgh’s D is really good – and healthy. AZ looked pretty bad against a dismal Rams team. I think the Falcons will handle it at home. Give the points.
Chefs @ Cleveland(-2.5)
No way the Chiefs are able to play like that two weeks in a row. They have some scintillating skill players, but it was the defense that impressed me. And i don’t think it was for real. I’ll give the points and pick the Browns *again*. If I’m burned again, I’m done.
Bills @ Green Bay(-13)
Giving the points. The Packers are gonna kill ’em. They just don’t have a good enough pass rush and their DB’s showed last week they can’t hang. Lots of big pass plays. Give the big number.
Steelers @ Tennessee(-5.5)
The Steelers had their big rally game last week. They needed every bit of it. They won’t be ready for this game. The Titans win big. Give the points.
Buccaneers @ Carolina(-3)
The Buccaneers have an up side. I just didn’t think it would manifest this soon. I was surprised to see how well they shut down the Browns run game. And that’s Carolina’s strength. I’ll take the points and the *gulp* Bucs.
Sunday ~4:10
Rams @ Oakland(-3.5)
The Rams are bad, but Oakland is a joke. They looked pathetic last week. I think the Rams truly want to rally behind a game Bradford. I’ll take the poins.
Seahawks @ Denver(-3.5)
Hell yeah I’m jumping on the Seahawks bandwagon. They came with it against the 49ers who, frankly, probably thought they were just going to walk into the dome and have Seattle roll over for them. It didn’t happen. And Denver shouldn’t impress anyone right now. Sure, I’ll take a gamble and the points.
Texans @ Washington(+3)
Houston looked great last week. And the Redskins are feeling pretty good after making the Cowboys look pathetic. I think this is the most interesting game on the board. And really, I think the line is a bit of an overreaction to how good the Texans looked against the Colts. I think Houston will win, but I like getting that defense and 3 points at home.
Jaguars @ San Diego(-7)
The Chargers looked shellshocked as the Chiefs ran up and down the field against them. I think they’ll bounce back, but that’s too many points against a team that looked ok last week. If Garrard makes no big mistakes, this game will be closer than a touchdown. Take the points.
Patriots @ New Jersey Jest(+3)
The Jets have a fantastic D, but that unit will have to score at least 14 points to win this game. The Pats are insanely hyped for this game. Hell they played base defenses in the second half last week just to ensure they weren’t going to show the Jets anything. It could actually get ugly if the Jets D has to stay on the field 80% of the time again. Give the points.
SNF
Giants @ Indianapolis(-5)
The Giants are good. And Indy doesn’t seem to have the line play to put teams away with big numbers. I like the Giants and the points.
MNF
Saints @ San Francisco(+6)
You better believe Singletary took his team to the woodshed after last week. The question is if they’ll respond. I think they will. But they’ll fall short, and the rhetoric will start to wear thing. Being at home with a good effort and a rowdy crowd will keep the game close. I’ll take the points.