NFL Picks 2008 – Week 2
Sunday
Oakland Raiders +2.5 at Kansas City Chiefs: This seems like the most gimme spread on Earth. There’s nothing going right in the Raiders organization. The coach hates the owner, the owner hates the coach, they overpaid for a pretty bad starting QB, and they’re playing IN KC. I’ll give the Raiders a few wins this year, but they’re probably going to be at home. Chiefs cover
Tennessee Titans +3 at Cincinnati Bengals: The Titans responded to Vince Young’s ongoing mental problems by signing Chris Simms and creating the Holy Trinity of Suck in Crazy Vince/Chris Simms/Kerry Collins. One of two things happens this week: Crazy Vince continues his meltdown on the road and gets blown out huge or Crazy Vince remembers he’s Vince f’n Young and destroys the Bengals and reconquers Tennessee. As someone who’s dealt with clinically depressed friends… it takes a couple weeks for those meds to kick in. Bengals cover.
Green Bay Packers -1 at Detroit Lions: This is another strange spread. The Packers just decisively beat the Vikings… who are unquestionably better than the Lions. The Lions just lost to the Falcons of all people. Aaron Rodgers seemed like he pretty much answered the “can I slide in to the starter role and not look awful” question last week. I think this is a gimme. Packers cover.
New Orleans Saints +1 at Washington Redskins: Skins: Still overrated. Saints: Somehow still underrated. The Giants backed rushed for 150 yards last week and neither of them are as good as Reggie Bush. Saints outright.
Indianapolis Colts -3.5 at Minnesota Vikings: This is another Bizzaro world spread. Slow down, everyone. The Colts lost last week. Let’s not call the whole thing off yet. Colts cover.
Chicago Bears +3 at Carolina Panthers: It’s the upset special. Both of these teams overcame 9 point spreads to knockoff AFC heavyweights last week. That changes this game significantly. Both of these teams are suddenly playing for an unlikely 2-0 start to take in to their first divisional match-ups next week. I really have no idea. I’ll go with the home team. Panthers cover.
New York Giants -8 at St. Louis Rams: I hate when the Giants are playing against huge spreads because they’re a pain in the balls to pick. They retain their tendency to play down to competition. However, I’m presuming Eli’s going to take advantage of his fresh opportunity to captain Team Ms. L to the promise land of the Mysterious Accounting Giant Bowl. Also: the Rams are frickin terrible. Also: just throwin this out there. The Giants don’t have a particularly hard game until Week 8 vs. the Steelers. At what week will The Worldwide Leader start calling the Giants “a product of their schedule” while ignoring the fact the Cowboys have the same schedule? I call week 6. Giants cover.
Buffalo Bills +6 at Jacksonville Jaguars: I’m starting to feel stupid that I didn’t go with my original gut instinct of the Bills being the team out of nowhere. I mean, the Bills are at least as good as the Titans, right? The six-point spread wouldn’t be enough to get me to take the Bills if they didn’t look SO good last week. The Bills at least are going to keep this close. Bills +6.
Atlanta Falcons +9 at Tampa Bay Bucs: I’m picking way more “X to cover” spreads than I’m comfortable with this week. I usually hate doing that unless I can make a solid argument that the team can win. That said, I’m kind of nervous to think about the “2-0 Atlanta Falcons” and “rookie quarterback on the road.” Then again, it’s Tampa… not Philly. Falcons +9.
San Francisco 49ers +9.5 at Seattle Seahawks: Perennial disappointment Alex Smith continues to disappoint by going on IR for the rest of this year. The question here is: will the power of the CheatinDome be enough to counteract a crippled number of starters in a terrible division? I say that the Seahawks are not nearly good enough at this point to rate a 10 point spread. Niners +9.5.
Miami Dolphins +7.5 at Arizona Cardinals: I unfortunately didn’t see enough of the Jets/Miami game to see what kind of offense Miami was running and, shock and surprise, NFL.com’s game recaps kind of suck just saying “short” and “deep” instead of using those handy lines on the field. It looks like they actually did design the offense around Pennington’s strengths. Although, I was happy to see that Pennington’s ability to throw heart-breaking interceptions in the fourth quarter followed him to a new state. Quick note to Vegas: I’m never taking the Cardinals to win by more than a touchdown. Ever. Dolphins +7.5.
New England Patriots +3(!) at New York Jets: I was trying to remember the last time the Patriots were underdogs. I came up with the Super Bowl vs. the Rams. I am having a hard time turning down the Patriots and points even though I know I should. I mean, Jet fans have to have their souls crushed at least once this year, right? It’s just karma for being happy about the Brady injury. If there’s one absolute about the Jets is they crush your soul just as you get on board. Also, if you’re Bill Belicheck — who goes between reviled and overrated depending on who you’re talking to — isn’t this your chance to erase “overrated” from your resume? I have to do it even though I’ll hate myself in the morning. Patriots outright.
Baltimore Ravens +4 at Houston Texans: I never thought the Ravens would win last week. I figured the Texans would snap back a bit this year. I wouldn’t bet real money on this game in any universe because I have no idea what’s going to happen. Going with the home team. Texans cover.
San Diego Chargers -3 at Denver Broncos: Much like the Indy game… this spread would be a lot different if the Chargers won last week and Broncos didn’t destroy the Raiders. Let’s slow down here, folks. The Broncos destroyed the NFL’s version of the Knicks. The Chargers got surprised, but let’s not call the team out of it after getting shocked by an OK team. They’ll be ready to work this week. On the other hand, if the Broncos win this game, we’ll have to start taking them a little more seriously. Chargers cover.
Pittsburgh Steelers -5.5 at Cleveland Browns: I didn’t buy the Browns last year at home and got burned for it. I can’t pick them this year either. Steelers cover.
Monday
Philadelphia Eagles +7 at Dallas Cowboys: The Eagles are going to continue to be hugely overrated because they crushed the Rams last week. No one will mention that they crushed, you know, the Rams. Giving the Eagles credit where it’s due, though, they looked looser and easier then they did at any point last year. I’m not a huge fan taking NFC East games over 3 points and I think the Cowboys are getting a few extra because of their buzz. Eagles +7.
5 point: Saints +1 over Redskins
4 point: Packers -1 over Lions
3 point: Colts -3.5 over Vikings
2 point: Chargers -3 over Broncos
1 point: Dolphins +7.5 over Chargers
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