The Doc's Week Two Picks
Just like any team in the
NFL, I will never go into a week overconfident about a certain game ever
again. While I had a decent week, my pick on the San Diego-Kansas City
game could not have been more off-base. I said, and I quote, "Really?
Only 4.5 points? Really??? Damn, at least I know I'll win one game this
week." Obviously, I know I'm not the only person who came out on the
wrong side in this game, but still. In addition, I stated how both
Bay-area teams would be much improved this year. While I only picked the
49ers to actually win, I was pretty sure the games would be close. Well,
welcome to week one in the NFL people.
Picks appear
in bold.
Chicago at
Dallas (-7)
After last week's showings, it's not that I'm overly confident in
the Cowboys, but I'm pretty sure that the narrow escape for the Bears
over the Lions is a pretty good measure of their "suckitude factor" this
year. The only thing that makes me think otherwise is the Alex
Barron-Julius Peppers matchup. If the Cowboys' left tackle thought he
had a tough time with Brian Orakpo, this week he'll feel like he's in
hell.
Arizona at
Atlanta (-6.5)
Another team that had a patsy lined up for slaughter in the first
week of the season that disappointed was the Cardinals. They're
extremely anemic offense against St. Louis was pitiful. Also, with the
success that Sam Bradford and all of his no-name, midget wide receivers
had against them, I would look for Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and Tony
Gonzalez to have pretty good days.
Buffalo at Green
Bay (-13)
Do I even need to explain this one? I didn't think so.
Philadelphia
(-6) at Detroit
I found it very interesting that the line in this game went up three
points as the week progressed and it looked more and more like Mike Vick
would be starting instead of Kevin Kolb. I can't say that I'm surprised,
but I found it a little strange that the public thinks that much of a
guy who's played very sparingly in the last three years. Personally, I
think the spread is about right regardless of who is starting.
Pittsburgh
(+5.5) at Tennessee
I don't understand why everyone was so much more impressed with
Tennessee's win over the Raiders than Pittsburgh's over the Falcons.
After all, the Steelers actually beat a team that will probably go to
the playoffs, without their starting quarterback behind a defense that
looked like the Super Bowl defense of a couple years ago.
Baltimore (-2.5)
at Cincinnati
Granted, the young (and poor) secondary of the Ravens will be tested in
this game, but I just don't see the Bengals stopping Ray Rice, either.
So, the deciding factor will be Baltimore putting more pressure on
Carson Palmer than Cincinnati will get on Joe Flacco.
Kansas City (+2)
at Cleveland
OK, I may be setting myself up for another embarrassing moment here, but
how can this line be right? Did anyone watch the games last week? The
Chiefs looked like a team that could challenge for the division, while
the Browns looked as though they'll be challenging for the number one
overall pick in the draft.
Tampa Bay at
Carolina (-3)
I really, really want to pick the Bucs in this game, but Matt Moore
getting better as the week goes on didn't help that feeling. In
addition, I think the two-headed monster of DeAngelo Williams and
Jonathan Stewart will have their way with Tampa's defense.
Miami at
Minnesota (-5.5)
After losing last week's "revenge game" against the Saints, I have a
feeling the Vikings are going to be a tad bit upset and will take it out
on the Dolphins' depleted front seven, which will be missing Channing
Crowder and Jared Odrick. Furthermore, I don't think the Miami's
interior line will be able to get the same push against the Williams
brothers that New Orleans did.
Seattle (+3.5)
at Denver
Maybe I'm drinking too much of the Pete Carroll Kool-Aid. However, when
I went through the schedule, I had Seattle winning this game. I don't
think there's any way you can overestimate the impact that Elvis
Dumervil has on the Broncos' defense. Without him, they're a toothless
dog.
St. Louis at
Oakland (-3)
If the Raiders can't win this game by more than a field goal, they
might as well pack it in for the year and hope for Jake Locker or Andrew
Luck in the draft. Seriously, they are much, much better than the Rams,
and if they lose, it may be a sign that they no longer believe in Tom
Cable.
Houston (-3)
at Washington
Last week, these teams pretty much proved that they are exactly what I
thought they were. The Texans are a much improved team on both sides of
the ball that's ready for the playoffs. The Redskins are an overrated
East coast team that people jumped on because the traded for a good
quarterback and hired a renowned head coach.
Jacksonville at
San Diego (-7)
Honestly, if the Chargers lose this game to a Jaguars' team that
really, really struggles when it travels to the West coast, I will
officially declare that they need a heart transplant, because obviously,
the one they have isn't working. They should have lapped Kansas City on
Monday night, but instead, all we saw was Philip Rivers yelling at his
teammates when he, with his bad decisions and tiny hands throwing
inaccurate passes, was the biggest part of the problem.
New England
(-2.5) at New York Jets
I'm beginning to think I gave the Jets too much credit this preseason
when I predicted that they would barely miss the playoffs. I've seen
high schools run more diverse offenses than what I saw against the
Ravens. On the flip side, I'm pretty sure the Patriots are sick and
tired of hearing how Rex Ryan and company are going to win the division,
and not even mentioning New England as a speed bump.
New York Giants
(+6) at Indianapolis
Please don't misunderstand, the Colts will win this game. However, the
Giants have the pieces to do exactly what Houston did to Indy last week.
I can definitely see Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs getting 40
carries and close to 200 yards. But, in the end, big brother is just too
much better than little brother.
New Orleans
(-5.5) at San Francisco
Unless Mike Singletary can exorcise the "rat" he has in his organization
by Monday night, I don't see any way the 49ers keep this close. With the
aggressive Saints defense, Alex Smith will have the worst day of his
career...and that's saying a lot.
Last Week: 8-6-2
Overall: 8-6-2
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