*Big Game
**Game of the Week
Oakland Raiders (1-0) v.s. Buffalo Bills (1-0) (BUF -4)
Both teams had impressive wins last week. The key in this game will be whether the Oakland defense is able to slow down the Bills passing game. The Raider defense really minimized Kyle Orton last week, but Fitzpatrick is a better quarterback than Orton. I think that the Bills have a little bit more mojo going and there fans are going to be amped with a 2-0 start to the season on the line.
Buffalo 20-17
Spread: Oakland
*Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) v.s. Detroit Lions (1-0) (DET -9)
The Lions had a huge win last week at Tampa Bay while the Chiefs had a miserable performance against Buffalo. The Lions have the edge because they can get after the quarterback and Matt Cassel looked indecisive last week against Buffalo. The Chiefs will need to play better defense and get after Matt Stafford in order to win. I think the Lions are too balanced and too stout defensively to lose, but Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs will have a better performance than last week.
Detroit 28-20
Spread: Kansas City
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) v.s. Tennessee Titans (0-1) (BAL -7)
If the Titans couldn't manufacture more than 14 points against the Jaguars, then how are they going to be able to score against the Ravens defense. Obviously the the Titans will need more than 24 yards from Chris Johnson and they will also need to step up their defense because Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin are in synch on offense. Too much Ray Rice, too much Ray Lewis, not nearly enough Chris Johnson, the Ravens win easily.
Baltimore 27-6
Spread: Baltimore
Cleveland Browns (0-1) v.s. Indianapolis Colts (0-1) (CLE -2)
The Colts will try to rebound after a blow out loss to the Texans and the Browns will look to get in the win column after losing to Cincinnati. The key in this game is whether or not the Colts play inspired defense because they looked like they had no idea what they were doing on defense last week. The Colts are going to come out with something to prove against Cleveland and Colt McCoy won't be able to do quite enough to lead the Browns to victory.
Indianapolis 20-17
Spread: Indianapolis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) v.s. Minnesota Vikings (0-1) (MIN -3)
The one thing the Buccaneers struggled with last week was stopping Matt Stafford and the Lions passing attack. Well now they face Donovan McNabb who passed for a mere 39 passing yards last week. The Buccaneers can slow down Adrian Peterson and they should be able to frustrate Donovan McNabb all day. Tampa will put up just enough points to pull out the victory.
Tamp Bay 23-14
*New Orleans Saints (0-1) v.s. Chicago Bears (1-0) (NO -7)
The Bears may have been the most impressive team in the NFL last week in their win against the Falcons. But now they travel to New Orleans where the Saints need a win after falling to Green Bay. Drew Brees and the offense will play just about as well as they did last week and the Saints will force some crucial turnovers to take down the Bears.
New Orleans 30-17
Spread: New Orleans
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) v.s. New York Jets (0-1) (NYJ -9)
The Jets are capable of getting stops and turnovers when it counts. If they can do it to Tony Romo they can certainly do the same with Luke McCown. The Jets will slow down Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jets will take care of business early against the Jaguars.
New York 24-10
Spread: New York
Seattle Seahawks (0-1) v.s. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) (PIT -15)
To put it as simply as I can, if the Steelers want to be serious contenders again, they cannot lose to the Seahawks. And they won't. Seattle is too anemic offensively to give Pittsburgh a run for their money.
Pittsburgh 24-10
Spread: Seattle
Arizona Cardinals (1-0) v.s. Washington Redskins (1-0) (WSH -4)
I was really impressed with the Redskins last week and I wasn't really impressed with the Cardinals. Kevin Kolb will need to find a way to get the ball into Larry Fitzgerald's hand more than last week and they will need to strike early to try to take away some of the balance that the Redskins had last week. I don't see Arizona doing enough to beat the Redskins as Rex Grossman has another impressive performance.
Washington 26-20
Spread: Washington
Green Bay Packers (1-0) v.s. Carolina Panthers (0-1) (GB -11)
Cam Newton was very impressive in his first start last week, but now he is facing a different beast in the Packers defense. I expect Clay Matthews to go off on a weak Carolina offensive line. I also expect Cam Newton to have a tough day because Carolina will not be able to run the ball. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will put this one away early.
Green Bay 34-17
Spread: Green Bay
*Dallas Cowboys (0-1) v.s. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) (DAL -3)
The Cowboys were so close to pulling it out against the Jets but yet they are so far away. They can take a big step with a win in San Francisco today, but the 49ers will not be a push over. They have a good defense but it will come down to whether or not Alex Smith protects the ball and puts points up on the board. The Cowboys come through late and pull out a close win.
Dallas 23-18
Spread: Dallas
*San Diego Chargers (1-0) v.s. New England Patriots (1-0) (NE -7)
Two of the best offenses square off in Foxboro. Last year when these teams met, the Chargers literally gave the game to New England. I think that if the Chargers turn the ball over more than once, the Patriots are so good that they will capitalize and take the Chargers right out of the game just like the Patriots took the Dolphins right out of the game last Monday. San Diego stays in it for a half or maybe even three quarters but turnovers get to them and the Patriots win again.
New England 34-24
Spread: New England
Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) v.s. Denver Broncos (0-1) (DEN -4)
This is one of the tougher games to call. The pressure is all on Kyle Orton because with a loss this week, Tim Tebow may be in week 3. I think that Orton and the offense play alright but the defense steps up and wins a crucial home game against Cincinnati.
Denver 21-14
Spread: Denver
Houston Texans (1-0) v.s. Miami Dolphins (0-1) (HOU -3)
It must be frustrating to watch the Dolphins at home if you're a Dolphin fan. It will probably get even more frustrating if the Dolphins defense isn't up to the task of stopping Matt Schaub. I think that for the Dolphins to win, Chad Henne needs to have another stellar performance and the defense will need to slow down the run first and make the Houston offense predictable in order to force turnovers. I think Miami keeps it close but Houston's offense will be too much for the struggling Miami defense.
Houston 31-28 OT
Spread: Miami
**Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) v.s. Atlanta Falcons (0-1) (PHI -3)
I think the Falcons, at this point in the season, may be the NFL's most overrated team. They are not explosive on offense and their defense doesn't make many big plays. In come the Eagles, who put on a good showing against St. Louis last week. Philly is capable of making big plays from anywhere at any time and those big plays will hurt the Falcons, who will stay in it because of home field advantage and a balanced run-pass attack. Michael Vick and LaSean McCoy will be too much for the Atlanta defense and the Atlanta offense will not put up enough points. Philadelphia, big.
Philadelphia 37-19
Spread: Philadelphia
*St. Louis Rams (0-1) v.s. New York Giants (0-1) (NYG -7)
Both of these teams can use a win, but I think the Giants are much more desperate. This team has chaos always swirling around them and I can't imagine the panic that will set in with an 0-2 start. Luckily for the Giants, St. Louis is banged up and I think Sam Bradford will struggle at times in his first Monday Night start. The Giants will pull it out, but it won't be easy.
New York 23-20
Spread: St. Louis
Last Week: 11-5
Season: 11-5
Last Week against Spread: 11-5
Season: 11-5
Last Week Big Games: 4-1
Season: 4-1
Last Week Big Games against Spread: 5-0
Season: 5-0
Last Week Game of the Week: 1-0
Season: 1-0
Last Week Game of the Week against Spread: 0-1
Season: 0-1
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