The Crystal Ball

 

Well I survived week one and flushed with success it is time to look into week two.  (I know that the picks went up late but they were submitted on time.)  So I start out in double digits with thirteen wins straight up and nine, five, and two against the spread.

 

For anyone new to this feature the following disclaimer is made.  These picks are for a pick’em league I participate in.  These choices are preliminary for that league and I do make changes later in the week as more information becomes available but I have a deadline for this (usually Tuesday).  This is for amusement purposes only and reflects my opinion only, not the opinion of anyone associated with the site who knows better.

 

Week 2

 

Houston at Carolina – Carolina came out with solid performances on both side of the ball last weekend.  Houston started the season with a home win but they had the advantage of playing a team with more problems than they have, not the case this weekend; Panthers win 24 – 17.

 

Atlanta at Jacksonville – The Jaguars put the ball in the air thirty times last weekend, not a formula for success with that offense.  They get to travel to Atlanta where they should be able to establish their running game, Jaguars win 20 – 10.

 

Indianapolis at Tennessee – The Indianapolis offense is typically formidable, but their defense came out strong also in week one.  Tennessee is a dangerous team but has some weaknesses that are likely to be exploited and will be; the Colts win 35 – 24.

 

San Francisco at St Louis – San Francisco comes off of a short week and travels to St Louis.  The Rams lost the mainstay of their offensive line, Orlando Pace for another season, bad news for their chances overall but they should have enough for this game, Rams win 21 – 20.

 

Green Bay at New York Giants – The Giants are hurting on offense and their defense is exploitable.  Green Bay has a solid and opportunistic defense that can make plays, the offense is no longer the story there, Packers win 20 – 14.

 

Buffalo at Pittsburgh – Buffalo lost a close game at home and now faces a difficult task going into Pittsburgh this week.  The new offense in Pittsburgh seems to be hitting on all cylinders; the Bills defense doesn’t seem up the challenge, Steelers win 24 – 14.

 

Cincinnati at Cleveland – Cleveland has a quarterback controversy brewing but more to the point this week they managed little in the way defense at home last week and now hosts Cincinnati; Bengals win 24 – 14.

 

New Orleans at Tampa Bay – New Orleans had some extra time to prepare for this game and should have their offense tuned up a bit better.  They will see the same defensive principles this week from Tampa but not quite the same offense, Saints 28 – 17.

 

Minnesota at Detroit – Minnesota had a win at home of course their defense did outscore their offense in that outing.  Detroit, a terrible road team, won on the west coast; they have shown enough offense to handle the game this week, Lions win 21 – 17.

 

Dallas at Miami – Dallas displayed a lot of offense in their win but the defense, which was supposed to be their strength.  Miami though has a mediocre offensive line and a self-limiting offense, Cowboys win, 21 – 14.

 

Seattle at Arizona – Seattle is a talented team that historically does not travel well.  Arizona had the late Monday night game but will be back at home with, what looks like, a serviceable offensive line and essence of a run defense enough for the Cardinals to win 21 – 20.

 

New York Jets at Baltimore – The Jets could not keep up with the Patriots offense but face a much more sedate Ravens offense this week.  The bad news for them is they get to also face the Baltimore defense, possibly with their second string quarterback, Ravens win 21 – 10.

 

Kansas City at Chicago – Kansas City could not overcome the Houston defense, now they get to go to Chicago.  If Tomlinson was having problems running against the Bears; Larry Johnson could have a long afternoon ahead of him, Bears win 28 – 10.

 

Oakland at Denver – This is never a friendly game, Denver was lucky to get their win last week and Oakland lost a winnable game.  Expect some intensity in this one; the defense of Oakland just has to spend too much time on the field, Broncos win 24 – 17.

 

San Diego at New England – This game certainly looks to have some postseason significance; possible home field advantage could rest on this result.  The San Diego defense is good but the secondary is suspect and the New England passing game should give Patriots the win 28 – 24.

 

 

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com