JG's Week 2 Picks

The second week in the NFL season can make or break a team's year. Since 2000 only 7 teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-2. Now to the picks.

Carolina (+6) @Atlanta- Jake "Daylight come and you gotta..." throw interceptions? That's certainly how it has looked for the man that was almost the Super Bowl XXXVIII hero. Jake was benched after throwing four picks last week against the Eagles. This was all while Atlanta was making short work of the Dolphins. Atlanta puts away the Cats in this one.
Falcons 28- Panthers 17

Houston (+6.5) @Tennessee- Woeful Houston made the rookie qb lead Jets look like the '72 Dolphins. The Texans had just 183 yds of offense while giving up 462 to Rex's squad. The Titans, who played on Thursday, have had over a week to prepare for this game. The superior Titans

take this one with ease at home.

Titans 24- Texans 14

New Orleans (-1) @Philadelphia- If Donovan McNabb plays in this game, the Saints D, who gave up 27 points to the Lions, has an even longer day against a stout Eagles offense. Unfortunately for Eagles fans it looks like Kevin Kolb will get his first start. The Saint's offense looked great last week as they smashed Detroit in the house that Aaron Brooks built. Even if Kolb has a decent day at the Linc, he won't be able to keep up with Drew Brees and the Saints high flying offense.

Saints 31- Eagles 24

St Louis (+9.5) @Washington- Do not be surprised if the St Louis Rams go into Landover Maryland and take down the Redskins just as they did a season ago. That being said, its tough to pick a team that has only won six games over the past two years. Despite the Redskins atrocious offense, they will win but not cover.

Redskins 17- Rams 10

Oakland (+3) @Kansas City- The circumstances surrounding Matt Cassel's status for the game are still uncertain. This means the status of the Chiefs' offense remains uncertain. With Mr. Alabama Brodie Croyle at the helm, the Chiefs could only muster 188 yards of offense. The Raiders didn't look bad on Monday night against a good team in the Chargers. Jamarcus has a big day and the Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiders get the win.

Raiders 27- Chiefs 24

Arizona (+3) @Jacksonville- Two teams trying to relive great seasons from 2007 and 2008 respectively. Last year in the regular season the Cardinals were 0-5 when traveling to the eastern time zone. That combined with the fact that the every Super Bowl loser except one (2006 Seahawks) has missed the playoffs the following year since 2000.

Jaguars 20- Cardinals 14

New England (-3.5) @New York Jets- This bout between two classic AFC rivals is quietly becoming one of the best matchups of the weekend. Jets safety Kerry Rhodes has certainly given Tom Brady and the Patriots. Rhodes said that the Jets not only want to beat the Patriots but want to embarrass them. The problem for Gang Green is that Tom Brady has gotten the rust off and comes into this game in full form. The Patriots don't blow out the Jets but do enough to win and cover.

Patriots 28- Jets 17

Cincinati (+9) @Green Bay- The Bengals did not look good last week but I really believe that this will be a good offensive day for Esteban's crew. Coming off of a huge win vs. Chicago, this game sets up as a perfect trap for the Pack. The Packers pull this one out but not by much.

Packers 27- Bengals 24

Minnesota (-9.5) @Detroit- If we learned anything from the Vikings shellacking of the Browns last week, it was that Brett Favre has embraced his role as a game manager. He seems to understand that as long as the Vikings are running the football well, he just needs to not make mistakes. Although the Lions played the Vikings close twice last year, this is a different Vikings team under Favre.

Vikings 31- Lions 14

Tampa Bay (+4.5) @Buffalo- Monday Night looked like it would be the start of something special for the Bills. This was until Leodis McKelvin fumbled a kickoff for Buffalo that allowed Mr. Bundchen to finish off a comeback and keep their 12 game winning streak over the Bills intact. This week the Bills take on a Bucs team that gave up 462 yds to the Cowboys. Buffalo will be angry and Dick Jauron will have his guys ready to play.

Bills 17- Buccaneers 10

Seattle (+1) @San Francisco- This week two matchup could go a long way in determining the NFC West. If Julius Jones can get some running room early in the ballgame, Seattle's play action passing game will develop wonderfully and allow John Carlson and TJ Housyourmama to have good days. Sean Hill may show why he had spent most his carreer as a third stringer. Although Matt Hasselbeck's game won't be over until he has his EAS, then he can stand at Candlestick park and say, "Now I'm Done"
Seahawks 24- 49ers 17

Cleveland (+3) @Denver- It seemed to be all over for the Broncos last week. Down 1 point on their own 16 yard line with just second to go. This was when the football gods remembered who they were playing and found a way for the Bengals to blow it. Denver will ride their 1-0 momentum into a matchup with another horrific team. Kyle Orton and the Broncos start a surprising 2-0
Broncos 21- Browns 14

Baltimore (+3) @San Diego- Joe Flacco looked fantastic last week as he threw for 307 yds and 3 TDs and it seems that he is capable of making the jump from game manager to playmaker. The Chargers on the other hand struggled with Oakland. Baltimore makes the long trip out to San Diego and take care of the Super Chargers.
Ravens 30- Chargers 27

Pittsburgh (-3) @Chicago- Crybaby Jay Cutler looked like a deer in headlights against Green Bay's decent Defense. I can't wait to see what he does against the Steelers even without #43. The Steelers coming off a long week can't hurt either.

Steelers 25- Bears 16

New York Giants (+3) @Dallas- A great Sunday night game caps off the second sunday of the year. The game will be the first regular season game in new Cowboys Stadium. The game will come down to who can dominate up front. Both offensive lines looked good in week 1. The Giants D though will be a lot tougher for the Cowboys O line to handle than Tampa Bay's. New York establishes their thunder and lightning attack with Jacobs and Bradshaw which allows Eli to just make the throws he needs to. Remember though, the game could always come down to a do over punt.

Giants 20- Cowboys 16

There are your week two picks, now for some words of wisdom courtesy of Shane Falco, "Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory...lasts forever.