Week 2 Picks

Week 2 Picks

Josh’s Record:  (7-8)
Jacks Record: (8-7)

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-1) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Baltimore – Baltimore’s offense stuttered in their debut against the Bengals, but I believe the home crowd and the talent on the Ravens is enough to hold down the win. I’m sure Baltimore will want to gain some momentum in the direction away from Ray Rice.

Jack’s Pick- This matchup is so close that it is really tough to pick a winner and neither team looked particularly impressive in week 1.  The last 5 matchups have been decided by 3 points or less so I’m picking Baltimore solely because they are the home team.


Atlanta Falcons (1-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Cincinnati - After both teams are coming off impressive opening weekend wins, it’s hard to pick a clear victor. I’m giving the edge to Cincinnati because they were undefeated at home during the regular season last year and Matt Ryan isn’t the same quarterback away from the Georgia Dome.

Jack’s Pick- Matty Ice, Julio Jones and co. looked great against the Saints last week as Ryan set the franchise record for passing yards in their OT win.  Cincinnati also looked great against Baltimore but I think the Falcons offense is going to be too much for the Bengals to handle even with the advantage of being at home.


Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ Buffalo Bills (1-0) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Miami - Buffalo’s offense is too much of a question mark to rely on at this point, so I think I Miami takes this one. The Fins offensive line will demonstrate how improved the unit is from a year ago. Knowshon Moreno has another big game, and passing lanes open up that the even the sporadic Tannehill can’t miss.

Jack’s Pick- Both Miami and Buffalo are looking impressive coming off of upsets over two upper echelon teams.  Miami was able to frustrate Tom Brady with their pass rush and force some key turnovers to get the W.  I think if they are able to get to Brady they can do the same to EJ Manuel.


Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) @ Washington Redskins (0-1)

Josh’s Pick: Washington - Jacksonville’s secondary was exposed in the second half against the Eagles. If that play continues, RG3 will hopefully be able to get some momentum going in the passing game.

Jack’s Pick- Although Jacksonville looked great against the Eagles in the first half last week, I think that performance was the exception not the norm.  After a look at the Eagles film, the Jags DB’s were unable to stay with the Eagles WR’s, Foles just had a bad day.  I think Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are going to be wide open all day and make some big plays and get one in the win column for Washington.


New Orleans Saints (1-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-1) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: New Orleans - Despite Drew Brees’ noted road struggles, I don’t see a roster as talented and as deep as the Saints starting the season (0-2). Cleveland finished strong playing catch-up against the Steelers last week, but I believe the Saints get the road win.

Jack’s Pick- I don’t think this game is going to really be close, and even though the Saints look slightly vulnerable coming off a loss to the Falcons, Cleveland is not going to be able to match the Saints talent on either side of the ball.


Arizona Cardinals (1-0) @ New York Giants (0-1) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Cardinals - Arizona’s defense seemed as vaunted as last year’s unit despite losing some of their big name players. Larry Foote was everywhere and there were a lot of role players that coordinated the efficient defensive outing. I like this streak of playing good defense continuing against Eli.

Jack’s Pick- Arizona didn’t look particularly great in their comeback win over the Chargers but they still beat a playoff team from last year.  If Larry Foote continues to play at the level he did on Monday night the Cards D is going to be great.  NY looked pretty terrible in their blowout loss to the Lions.  I think Manning isn’t going to have time to throw against the Cards solid front 7 and its gonna be another long day for the Giants O.


Dallas Cowboys (0-1) @ Tennessee Titans (1-0) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Tennessee - Tennessee played a poor man’s version of last year’s (11-5) Chiefs unit. That being said they were still dominant in forcing turnovers and playing with ball control. I look for Tennessee to take the home win and continuing disappointment in Dallas.

Jack’s Pick- This is a tough matchup to choose from but I think that Tennessee holds a slight advantage over the Boys.  With weapons in the passing game like Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter and a solid pass defense the Titans should be able to attack the weak Cowboys defense and limit damage through the air from Romo and co.



New England Patriots (0-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

Josh’s Pick: New England à Based on the previous week, I should really be picking Minnesota. The Vikes have a great run game, co-oped by Adrain Peterson and the explosive Corderelle Patterson (who totaled over 100 yards last week on just 3 carries). The Patriots on the other hand displayed the same bottom-tier run defense that haunted them all last season. I am picking New England purely based on faith and the confidence that Brady (and more importantly the offensive line) won’t falter like they did last week.

Jack’s Pick- This is a bit of a risk as no one would ever expect the Patriots to start 0-2 but I think the Vikings looked great against the Rams and the Pats look vulnerable.  Vikings also are at home and this looks like a formula for an upset.


Detroit Lions (1-0) @ Carolina Panthers (1-0) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Carolina - As much as I want to pick Detroit, the Panthers really impressed me picking up a road win on week one without their starting quarterback, who is also easily their best offensive player. The Panthers defense looked great last week, but it was against a new Bucs offense that may still be working out a lot of kinks. I love Detroit’s offense, but with Carolina at home, where they were (8-0) during the last season, it’s hard not to pick the Panthers.

Jack’s Pick- This game completely depends on whether Cam Newton plays.  Derek Anderson was pretty solid week 1 but that was against the train wreck Bucs team.  Detroit looked fantastic against the Giants but the Panthers are a much better team.  If Newton plays, I give the advantage to Carolina if not Detroit takes this one.

St. Louis Rams (0-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)

Josh’s Pick: Tampa Bay - St. Louis looked like a train wreck in the debut and were the only offensive unit to not score a touchdown. They were dismantled for 34 points by the Vikings and gave me no reason to trust whoever they have quarterbacking their team. Tampa has issues of its own, but are way more of a finishing product then St. Louis, who also just lost Chris Long for 8-10 weeks.

Jack’s Pick- This is a battle of two teams who were incredibly disappointing in their week 1 matchups.  St. Louis got destroyed by the 5 win Vikings and Tampa Bay had an uninspiring performance against the Panthers.  I give the advantage to Tampa because they aren’t starting their 3rd string quarterback.  Poor St. Louis.


Seattle Seahawks (1-0) @ San Diego Changers (0-1)

Josh’s Pick: Seattle As much as I want to pick the Chargers, the Seahawks looked way too dominant not trust them this week, even on the road. If the Chargers want to win this game, the San Diego defense has to force some turnovers.

Jack’s Pick- San Diego didn’t look great, Seattle looked completely dominant.  If Harvin, Lynch and Wilson play at half of the level they played at week 1 they should still pick up the win.  Chargers could pull it off simply because they have home field advantage this game but I still see Seattle winning.


Houston Texans (1-0) @ Oakland Raiders (0-1) 1:00pm

Josh’s Pick: Houston - Houston might repeat last year and start the season (2-0). The Raider’s do not have an offensive or defensive identity at this point and no one on the Oakland roster jumps out as me as a constant potential game changer. Despite inconsistency at quarterback from the Texans, they steal the game in the black hole.

Jack’s Pick- Even with the number one pick Clowney out for 4-6 weeks, Houstons defense is one of the best in the game.  JJ Watt is completely unblockable right now and is going to cause major problems for rookie QB Derek Carr.  Houston may not have a QB but their defense is going to be enough to win games.


New York Jets (1-0) @ Green Bay Packers (0-1) 4:25pm

Josh’s Pick- Green Bay - After getting bruised to an (0-1) start to the season, the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers bounce back at Lambeau and hand the Jets their first loss of the season in the process.

Jack- The Packers are coming off a tough week one loss to the Seahawks and Jets just got a road win against the Raiders but this game shouldn’t be close.  Last week they were able to hide their weak secondary but Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr are two very different QB’s.  As long as the Packers can keep Rodgers upright, I see him having a big day and getting the win.


Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-0) 4:25pm

Josh's Pick- Denver got better and Kansas City got worse. I would be surprised if this isn’t a two touchdown victory.
Jack’s Pick- Kansas City looked terrible in their loss to Tennessee and they aren’t catching a break having to go into Denver this week.  With so many injuries to the defense, Manning is going to have a huge game and dominate KC.  This one probably won’t be close.


Chicago Bears (0-1) @ San Francisco (1-0) 8:30pm

Josh’s Pick: The Niners are definitely a little overrated by the public and this game could definitely be close, but the defense (or lack of) from the Bears allows the Niners to walk away (2-0).

Jack’s Pick- Bears are coming off a pretty big upset against the Bills at home and now they have to go on the road to face one of the best teams in the league.  Even with so many players gone on defense the Niners should have enough offensive firepower to grab this win.


Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-1) 8:30 Monday

Josh’s Pick: Indianapolis - Both teams showed great heart and comeback efforts last week after collectively being down 0-41 to start their seasons. In the second half, the Colts defense was able to hold Manning and the Broncos to only 7 points and really clamped down. If the Colts can plug up Shady and jump out to an early lead they can take away the Eagles biggest weapon and walk the tightrope out to a slim victory. It will definitely make for an exciting Monday night game.

Jack’s Pick- Colts are coming off a good loss and the Eagles are coming off a bad win, this made this game very difficult to decide.  I think the first half of last week for the Eagles was the exception not the norm and their offense should rise to full strength.  Indianapolis’s defense looked good in the second half last week but that was only when the Broncos stopped throwing the ball and turned to their ground game.  This game is going to be very close but I see Philly’s offense getting them this win.