Week 2 Predictions

Last Week: 11-5  straight up

                     10-6 vs. the spread

Buffalo Bills at

Green Bay Packers

Line: Packers -13

13 points feels like a lot to give, but the Packers defense faces an underwhelming Bills' offense that managed 10 points and 166 total yards. Brandon Jackson steps in for the injured Ryan Grant and rushes for a score to complement the Packers' potent passing attack. Packers: 31-10

 

Baltimore Ravens at

Cincinnati Bengals

Line: Ravens -2

The Ravens are coming off a tough 10-9 win over the Jets on Monday night, but their air attack is too much for the Bengals to handle. Derrick Mason looks like the Ravens' third or fourth option and that does not bode well for opposing secondaries. The Bengals had issues in all facets of the game and those struggles continue. Ravens: 24-17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at

Carolina Panthers

Line: Panthers -3.5

Carolina overcomes their propensity for turnovers (5) and Matt Moore makes better decisions or Jimmy Clausen makes another appearance. The Bucs' winning streak stops at one. Panthers: 27-13

Kansas City Chiefs at

Cleveland Browns

Line: Browns -1.5

The Chiefs opened with a strong performance from it's first-year players, including a punt return touchdown from Dexter McCluster. Jake Delhomme may be out for the Browns and Seneca Wallace hasn't proven he's anyone's answer yet. The Chiefs open the season 2-0. Chiefs: 20-10

Pittsburgh Steelers at

Tennessee Titans

Line: Titans -5

The Steelers are underdogs for the second-consecutive week. The Titans will get their first test of the season after spanking the still disappointing Raiders. The Steelers' Dennis Dixon learned valuable lessons in week 1 and applies them to eke out another win. Steelers: 17-14.

Chicago Bears at

Dallas Cowboys

Line: Cowboys -8

The Cowboys get healthy against the Bears, but it isn't easy. The offensive line struggles once more, but they are able to open enough holes for Felix Jones to have a fantasy-friendly day. Cowboys: 20-14

Arizona Cardinals at

Atlanta Falcons

Line: Falcons -6.5

Atlanta rebounds from an ugly overtime loss to the Steelers.  Michael Turner averages over two yards a carry and the defense keeps Derek Anderson on the run. The Cardinals were lucky to get by a young Rams squad but on the road their luck runs out. Falcons: 17-13

Philadelphia Eagles at

Detroit Lions

Line: Eagles -4.5

Which team will survive with their second-string QB. The Eagles' chosen one is most likely out and the team will be in a dogfight with Michael Vick at the helm. OK-that was a cheap and easy shot. The Lions have Shaun Hill but they also have Calvin Johnson who knows to keep the football off the ground at all costs. Hill is a former Terp and I can't vote against that. Lions: 21-20

Miami Dolphins at

Minnesota Vikings

Line: Vikings -5.5

The Dolphins have a good defense, but luckily for the Vikings it isn't as good as the Saints'. Brett Favre has had another 10 days to get on the same page with his receivers and can you really go wrong with AP in the backfield. Vikings:28-16

Seattle Seahawks at

Denver Broncos

Line: Broncos -3.5

The Seahawks came out flying against the 49ers, but can they keep that momentum going on the road against the Broncos. The Seahawks running game was anemic last week and they will struggle through the air against the Broncos. Broncos: 24-14

St. Louis Rams at

Oakland Raiders

Line: Raiders -3.5

The Rams get their first win in the Sam Bradford era if he doesn't have to pass 55 times-and he doesn't. Steven Jackson rushes for over 100 yards and a late fourth-quarter interception seals the deal. Rams: 21-20

Houston Texans at

Washington Redskins

Line: Texans -3

Both teams suffer a hangover from emotional wins over division rivals, but at home the Redskins find a way to win again. The Redskins fix their issues with run defense and matchup well against the Texans' wideouts. Donovan McNabb gets the Skins in the end zone early and they run the clock out late. Redskins: 24-23

New England Patriots at

New York Jets

Line: Patriots -1.5

Will the Jets overcome their sloppy, mistake-filled performance against the Ravens? No-they go 0-2 and New York goes crazy. It will be more of a contest for the Patriots than it was in their win over Cincinnati, but the Jets offense is still underwhelming. Patriots: 17-7

Jacksonville Jaguars at

San Diego Chargers

Line: Chargers -7.5

The Jaguars get their second-consecutive AFC West opponent, but the Chargers come in out of the rain and their offense clicks. The Chargers struggled against the run and MJD will get his, but the Chargers' resolve is too much for the Jaguars to overcome. Chargers: 20-17

New York Giants at

Indianapolis Colts

Line: Colts -5.5

Last time the two Mannings met was the 2007 season-opener which the Colts won 27-21 en route to the Super Bowl. The Colts and Giants played against teams of different caliber and the mad Colts will even their record with a better effort against the run. The loss of Bob Sanders will hurt, but offensively they turn it up to win a close one. Colts: 31-24 

New Orleans at

San Francisco

Line: Saints -5

The Saints don't suffer a hangover from their week 1 win over the Vikings. The Niners are in disarray and Drew Brees carves up the secondary and the defense makes the ordinary Alex Smith look even worse. The Saints are favored by five, but the 49ers need more help than that. Saints: 30-14