Ok Mr.Mitchell you are right, I am going to embellish my picks, sort of. Last week the picks I made here were 9-6, BUT I actually chose one differently on my radio show(cardinals v. Niners) so those picks were 10-5. I think I will own up to the better of the two ledgers.
This week though there will not be an issue as I pre-recorded my program so this will be the only source for the scoop.
Green Bay At Detroit: Brett Farve always dominated Detroit, but he is gone though not forgotten. The Packers did not miss him in game one. However with a short week and Detroit getting back home after being on the road I just have a hunch the Lions will be ready to roar and to pull off the upset. Lions 28 Packers 24
Oakland at Kansas City: The Raiders looked feeble in week one. The Chiefs in spite of hanging with the Brady-less Patriots really didn’t look much better. This is a game which is about pride, it will come down though to who is better prepared to show poise. And even though those two terms are the bedrock of the Raiders traditional mantra it will be the homestanding Chiefs who show those attributes. Kansas City 20 Oakland 13
NY Giants at St.Louis: The Giants looked great on defense though it was against a Redskins offense that is struggling to find itself in a new system. The Rams on the other hand looked light years away from the squad that just a few years ago was ‘the greatest show on turf’ so bad in fact that QB Mark Bulger could end up being benched. Couple that with a defense that is suspect to say the least and you have a recipe for a rout. Giants 28 Rams 13
Indy at Minn: The Colts stuggled on both sides of the ball in week one, especially against the run. The Vikings have perhaps the most electrifying back in football in Adrian Peterson. Peyton Manning though will not have two bad games in a row and he will find a way to produce enough points to pull this out. Indy 24 Minn 23
Titans at Bengals: Appearances would suggest with vet Kerry Collins getting the start and the Bengals just looking plain bad in week one that the Titans will continue their climb. However home openers have a way of bringing out the best in a team. The Bengals find a way. Cinn 26 Tenn 23
Saints at Skins: Look for the Redskins offense to look a whole lot better against the softer Saints defense compared with the rugged Giants. But the Saints have much better consistency and more explosive weapons. Saints in a wild one. Saints 31 Skins 27
Bears at Panthers: The Panthers pulled perhaps the biggest surprise of week one with the dramatic win over the Chargers. The Bears though dominated the Colts in a manner that cannot be ignored. Still pulling off back to back road wins in this league is the exception rather than the rule. Look for the Panthers offense to rally around former Bear (and second time Panther) Mushin Mohhammed as Steve Smith still sits out another game from his suspension. And look for the Panthers defense to make Kyle Ortons life miserable. Panthers 24 Bears 14
Buffalo at Jacksonville; As good as the Bills are at home, they tend to be as bad on the road. Normally this would be one of those spots, however the Jags have a beat up offensive line which is not a good thing against a quality defense like the Bills. Buff 21 Jacksonville 13
49ers at Seattle: The Seahawks were made to look bad in the opener by a Buffalo team that many think will surpirse by seasons end. The Niners on the other hand are just plain bad. Seattle bouncing back in a big way. Seattle 28 Niners 10
Atlanta at Tampa: Matt Ryan looked great in the opener and he has a rushing attack to take the pressure off of him. Tampa stugguled against the run in week one. But this is the road in the NFL, and weaknesses have a way of being shored up when on friendly ground. Plus the Falcons still have issues of their own on the defensive side of the ball. This really shapes up as perhaps a real barnburner. Bucs 30 Falcons 27
Pats at Jets: No tom Brady, Brett Favre looked good in the opener. The trendy pick here would be to take the Jets. but there is something to be said for the hearneat of a champion. Dean Smith was always fond of saying that teams can compensate for the loss of a star for one game, as the season goes the loss of Brady will be felt, just not this week. NE 24 NYJ 21
Miami at ArizonaL Don’t look now but with a win the Cardinals would be off to a rare 2-0 start. And even more rare is that it is not a surprise at this point. Cards 27 Fish 14
San Diego at Denver: Look for the Chargers to bounce back against the Broncos who will coming off a short week. San Diego 21 Denver 17
Steelers at Browns: The NFL’s best rivalry renews itself in front of a national audience. History says that the Steelers roll in this spot. Steelers 31 Browns 21
And on MNF it is another doubleheader, of sorts.
Philly at Dallas: Too many weapons in Big D. Cowboys 34 Eagles 24
Balt at Hous: Look for the Texans to rally in the aftermath of Hurricaine Ike, that is if this game will even be able to get played as the devistation along the Gulf is immense. Texans 20 Ravens 17