
Top three games of the week
Cincinnati (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0) (-3.5) 12:00 pm CBS – This game will have some hitting in it if you’re interested in that sort of thing. I’m majorly concerned about the Bengals offensive line. They gave up seven sacks to a good Jets defense and expect Pittsburgh to send the many men at Dalton. A.J. Green and Antonio Brown might have a touchdown contest in this one. Even though these are two good offenses, it’s always close and low-scoring. I’m taking the Steelers. I’m not entirely sold on Cincinnati. PITT 24-17
Kansas City (1-0) at Houston (1-0) (-2.5) 12:00 pm CBS – Looks too obvious, right? Chiefs dominated Texans last year, but now, Houston has more options at quarterback and running back. Yet I wasn’t that impressed with Houston against a bad Bears team last week. Kansas City was a little sleepy, but they came out guns blazing in the second half. We see more of the second half Chiefs as Brock Osweiler has a bad day leading to more short fields for Kansas City. KC 28-24
Tampa Bay (1-0) at Arizona (0-1) (-7) 3:05 pm FOX – Everyone is getting on the Jameis train and for good reason. Arizona played better in the second half but came out slow in the gates. Brandon Williams will be picked on by Winston, and I’m worried about Arizona’s defense with Winston’s feet. Carson Palmer should have an easier time with this secondary, but I still have my doubts of him for the full year. I’m taking the Cards in a close, high-scoring battle. ARIZ 31-27
Packers Preview
Here we go. I would argue this is the second biggest game of the weekend.
The rest of em
Tennessee (0-1) at Detroit (1-0) (-6) 12:00 pm CBS – What did the Lions do to make themselves a six-point favorite? Marcus Mariota should have a better day against a weak Lions defense. Matthew Stafford looks like a guy who just started having sex again after a couple years off. He’s letting it hang right now. This should be a fun noon game with a bunch of scoring. DET 30-28
Baltimore (1-0) (-6) at Cleveland 12:00 pm CBS – This is too obvious. Baltimore-Cleveland games seem to have more meaning when they’re in Cleveland with the whole Art Modell thing. Joe Flacco looked good as well as their defense, but how much stock can we put in a win versus BUffalo? Josh McCown tore up Baltimore, but that was the injured version of the Ravens’ defense. Ravens hold on to win this one. BALT 23-19
Dallas (0-1) at Washington (0-1) (-3) 12:00 pm FOX – After watching what happened with Washington’s defense versus DeAngelo Williams, I shutter to think what Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris could do to them on Sunday. Both will run the ball straight down Washington’s throat, and the whole Dax-Dez hookup being an issue won’t matter. DAL 17-14
New Orleans (0-1) at New York Giants (1-0) (-5) 12:00 pm FOX – ALL OF THE POINTS. Giants look like they’ve improved upfront, but the Saints o-line isn’t bad at all. These two teams couldn’t stop scoring last year in the dome. I would expect more of the same at MetLife. Five points feels high when talking about teams scoring a bunch of points. I like the Giants here. We are going to know more about Sterling Shepherd after this one. NYG 41-38
San Francisco (1-0) at Carolina (0-1) (-13.5) 12:00 pm FOX – Love this game for Carolina. They get 10 days off. Panthers get the Niners on a short week. They have to travel across the country. Give me the Panthers by a large amount. CAR 45-14
Miami (0-1) at New England (1-0) (-6.5) 12:00 pm CBS – Here’s the upset pick of the week. Not only is Miami going to cover but they’ll win this game. There are all sorts of stats regarding the game after Seattle yet I love the Dolphins here. Their defensive line will give Jimmy Garoppolo all sorts of problems, and if Ryan Tannehill can figure his shit out just enough, Miami will hold on and win. Look for Jarvis Landry to play a big factor. MIA 21-20
Seattle (1-0) (-6.5) at St. Louis (0-1) 3:05 pm FOX – JEFF FISHER SPECIAL. Here’s the thing about the Rams… They looked like complete shit last week and everyone will be on Seattle. That’s exactly why the Rams are a great bet. This game is going to be very ugly with not a lot of points. Seattle squeaks this one out, but there will be major injury concerns about Russell Wilson. SEA 16-13
Jacksonville (0-1) at San Diego (0-1) (-3) 3:25 pm CBS – Once again, Phillip Rivers is without Keenan Allen for the season. Rivers did not handle that well last week. They still had issues with the running attack last week as Spencer Ware went crazy. I’m not ready to fully buy into the Jags. Rivers ends up finding Tyrell Williams deep a couple times and has a huge day through the air in a sneaky blowout. SD 30-14
Atlanta (0-1) at Oakland (1-0) (-5.5) 3:25 pm CBS – Maybe I’m buying into Big Balls Del Rio too much but I love the Raiders here. Even with their offensive line issues, Atlanta hasn’t shown the ability to get to the quarterback. Derek Carr can do exactly what Jameis did to this defense last week. Raiders roll through Falcons with ease. OAK 27-17
Indianapolis (0-1) at Denver (1-0) (-6) 3:25 pm CBS – Not really sure where to go with this one. The Denver defense didn’t look dominating last week, but the Colts defense is pure Swiss cheese. C.J. Anderson should control this clock and give Broncos a path to victory. Luck has some interception issues which make it even easier on the Broncos. DEN 23-14
MNF: Philadelphia (1-0) at Chicago (0-1) (-3) 7:30 pm ESPN – Bears defense really wasn’t that bad last week especially up front. Carson Wentz’s first road game is a Monday night affair at Soldier Field and that feels like it could go back. People forget the Eagles defense is still pretty bad. Look for Jeremy Langford to go nuts and Chicago capitalize on Philly’s mistakes. CHI 26-21
Charlie.
6 thoughts on “NFL Picks Week 2: AFC Match-ups Take Center Stage”