NFL WEEK TWO
THURSDAY'S GAME
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.
The Week One performances by both of these teams were very telling: The Bears are a viable threat offensively for the first time in years and the Packers have some issues they need to address. Chicago was very impressive against the Colts last week and the Jay Cutler-Brandon Marshall tandem looks like it never lost a step. Green Bay on the other hand proved that its defense isn't on par with its offense and a lack of offensive balance was costly against the 49ers. A division rivalry older than me will surely bring the best out of both of these squads, but at this stage I trust the Cutler-led offense and their stout defense to be more prepared to take a road win at Lambeau Field. I still believe the Packers will be in the playoff conversation come December, but the short practice week will work in favor of the Bears - I like them by a field goal at the least.
Bears 28, Packers 23

SUNDAY'S GAMES
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Buffalo couldn't have had a rougher start to the season. In addition to getting embarrassed by the Jets last week, they lost key offensive weapons Fred Jackson and David Nelson for some time. The Chiefs got embarrassed at home to the hands of the Falcons, but they are set to get back a star on defense in Tamba Hali and hopefully Brandon Flowers. My head is telling me to pick the Bills, but I'll save myself the headache this week.
Chiefs 23, Bills 16

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
The Saints became a casualty of Robert Griffin III (I'll refer to him as RG3 from this point forward) and couldn't keep up in points last week. I would say this game has the making of a shootout as well, but seeing Cam Newton's performance against the Bucs had me thinking that the rest of the league is more prepared to throw him off his game. While I think Newton and the Panthers will have a better showing on Sunday, Drew Brees has won five of his last six against Carolina. I expect the streak to continue, and New Orleans will get it done on the road.
Saints 34, Panthers 24

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
I remember saying last year that the Bengals would be one of the worst teams in the NFL, but they surprised me and many others by making the playoffs. They played like the team I predicted them to be in 2011 last Monday, but I expect them to bounce back in a big way against division rival Cleveland. The Browns struggled putting points on the board last week and the play of rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden was terrible to say the least, but the worst is yet to come. Cincy wins big.
Bengals 31, Browns 10

Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Andrew Luck's first NFL game wasn't too bad, but he showed the football world that he is many miles away from filling the shoes of Peyton Manning. He will have an easier Sunday against the Vikings defense that has a shaky secondary, but that doesn't mean it will be a cakewalk. Adrian Peterson is back and looks like he never missed a step, and the rest of Minnesota's offense is capable of making big plays. Indy will be considerably better than last week and Luck will get the first win of many for his career.
Colts 27, Vikings 21

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Houston had a dominant defensive performance against the Dolphins last week and I expect them to have their way against a Jags team that is still trying to find its way. If the Texans' offense is on the same page this could get ugly quickly. It will be a while before I pick Jacksonville to win a game, but luckily for them they play the Dolphins this season.
Texans 35, Jaguars 12

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
If the Patriots are able to maintain that level of defense and have an effective running game to complement Tom Brady's air attack like they displayed last week, then they can punch their ticket for a division title at the very least. I honestly don't believe Arizona has enough fire power to keep up with the Pats on Sunday especially on the road, so this game could be decided by half-time. Don't be surprised if New England gets close to 50 points.
Patriots 48, Cardinals 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.
The Bucs were fairly impressive last week especially on the defensive side of the ball, but I would hate to play a Giants team coming off a home loss to the Cowboys. Eli Manning and his offensive unit will be sharper than they were in Week One, and the extended practice time should have given them an opportunity to regain their focus. This game won't be a blowout, but I don't think Tampa Bay will score enough points to keep up with the G-men.
Giants 27, Buccaneers 16

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
This would have been my pick for the game of the week, but Philly's play has me concerned that they will get off to a slow start once again. Michael Vick was far from sharp and room for error is slim against the Ravens' defense. Joe Flacco was the exact opposite and he looks like he's taken a huge step into becoming a top tier quarterback. The Eagles will have to use their speed receivers to their advantage against an older Baltimore defense, but Vick's 67.2 career passer rating against the Ravens makes that a tough task. This game should be close throughout, but Baltimore's ability to make big plays down the stretch will be the difference in this contest.
Ravens 24, Eagles 20

Oakland Raiders at
Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
It's only the second week of the season, but every time I write about the Dolphins I get a mild headache. However, this could be their best chance of getting their only win for the month. The Raiders make my eye twitch when I talk about them, but I could only imagine how fans of these teams feel week after week. As for the game, Miami finds ways to lose.
Raiders 20, Dolphins 16

Washington Redskins at
St. Louis Rams, 4:05 p.m.
RG3 showed the world he is ready for the big stage after taking down the Saints on the road, but a match-up against a surprising Rams team could be a trap game. St. Louis hanged tough against the Lions last week, but gave up the game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds. I like Jeff Fisher as a coach and I believe he will devise an effective game plan to confuse RG3, while his offense will utilize a balanced attack to capture a victory at home. Even though the Redskins may not be considered a contender yet, this is my upset pick of the week.
Rams 23, Redskins 20

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
The Cowboys' defense was as good as I've ever seen it, and their play in the secondary was exceptional last week against the Giants. They turn their sights from a Super Bowl quarterback to a rookie, and I fully expect them to have their way with Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. It shouldn't take a lot of points from Tony Romo and the Dallas offense to get it done.
Cowboys 27, Seahawks 10

N.Y. Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m.
I'm still not drinking the Kool-Aid that the Jets made last week against Buffalo, but if they can knock off a formidable Steelers team then I will be very convinced they can be a playoff team. Mark Sanchez won't have the time nor the clean jersey he had last week, and the day could get very long for him if he makes some bad turnovers. Pittsburgh has a tendency of forcing quarterbacks into making bad mistakes, and they make teams pay for them. The interesting match-up to watch will be Darrelle Revis against Mike Wallace, and whoever has the advantage between the two will be an indicator of what the final score will be. At this point, I like the Steelers winning at home because I trust 'Big Ben' more than Sanchez.
Steelers 27, Jets 17

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
The Bolts finally started off the season on a positive note and played some impressive football on Monday night. I expect their mental focus to remain the same against the Titans, but they are the most unpredictable team in the NFL. The return of wide receiver Kenny Britt should be huge for Tennessee, but I don't think that will be enough to secure a win for the Titans in San Diego.
Chargers 31, Titans 21

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m.
The 49ers by far was the most impressive team after Week One as they went into Lambeau Field and dominated the Packers. They will have another test against a NFC North foe in the Lions this week, but playing at home should greatly work in their favor. I haven't seen a defense as physical as San Francisco since the Ravens in 2000, and their offense is gradually starting to complement the 'D' with Alex Smith leading the way. I just have a feeling that Detroit won't be the same team they were last year and will take some time to find their way, but this 49ers team will steer them in the wrong direction on Sunday night. This could be a competitive game, but don't be surprised if it turns into a blowout in favor of San Fran.
49ers 28, Lions 14

MONDAY'S GAME
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m.
This is my pick for game of the week, and I expect this game to be the most entertaining game of Week Two as well. Peyton Manning had the most impressive individual performance last week in my opinion, and the way he picked apart the Steelers' defense was nothing short of surgical. On the other end, Matt Ryan put on a show in Kansas City last week and his chemistry with Julio Jones was reminiscent of Manning-to-Reggie Wayne. Although both teams have good defenses, I fully expect this to be a shootout that could climb into the 40-point range if both offenses are clicking on all cylinders. However, Atlanta lost its best cornerback Brent Grimes for the season, which will prove costly against Manning who will take advantage of his absence. Even though the Falcons are my team, I have a gut feeling that Manning and the Broncos will have one late drive that will recapture them the lead on the road. I hate to go against my squad, but my respect for No. 18 coupled with the Falcons' injury woes has me leaning toward Denver on this day.
Broncos 41, Falcons 38

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