Buffalo Bills @ Green Bay Packers (-13)
The Bills played Miami closer than I expected and were in the game till the final play. I need to send some thanks to Chan Gailey for giving up the safety so that the Bills wouldn’t cover the spread. I don’t think he will be in a position to do that this week. The loss of Ryan Grant for the season isn’t ideal but Brandon Jackson is a good back who can catch the football. Packers need depth though and should be watching Marshawn Lynch, Rodgers former college teammate this week, with a close eye.
Spread: Packers (-13)
Straight up: Packers
Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings (-5.5)
The chemistry between Favre and his new receiving core was a little off last Thursday night and it’s going to take some time to get everyone on the same page. I still expect the Vikings to lean on Adrian Peterson early this season and with the Dolphins being a run dominant team, this could be a low scoring affair. The friendly confines of the Metrodome help the Vikings pull out a close one.
Spread: Dolphins (+5.5)
Straight Up: Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns (-2)
The Chiefs looked like an improved ball club on Monday night against the Chargers. Their defense fed off an energetic crowd and the young speedsters got the job done by breaking off some long touchdowns. The Chiefs still need to protect Matt Cassel a lot better, but the Browns look like a team destined for the basement again. Good chance of a kick being returned for a touchdown in this game with Cribbs, McCluster and Arenas.
Spread: Chiefs (+2)
Straight Up: Chiefs
Chicago Bears @ Dallas Cowboys (-7)
Both teams have problems protecting their star quarterback and this week should be no different with all-star pass rushers Demarcus Ware and Julius Peppers in the lineup. If Alex Barron has to come into the game this week, the Bears would be wise to put Peppers on him every snap. Bottom line is the Cowboys need this one to avoid digging themselves into a hole. They’re at home and will rebound.
Spread: Cowboys (-7)
Straight Up: Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons (-6.5)
The Cardinals struggled to beat a young Rams team in their opener. Derek Anderson may have beaten out Matt Leinart, but he is no Kurt Warner. The Falcons came out on the wrong end of a defensive battle against the Steelers but should rebound at home against a much weaker defense. Oh ya, and Matt Ryan is 13-1 at home in his career.
Spread: Falcons (-6.5)
Straight up: Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers (-3.5)
Whoever starts at quarterback for the Panthers will be handing the ball of most of the time as Carolina will try and get back to their smashmouth brand of football. The Bucs beat the lowly Browns in week 1 but this Panthers team has a lot more talent. Carolina is 8-3 against the spread in divisional games over the last two seasons.
Spread: Panthers (-3.5)
Straight up: Panthers
Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions (+6.5)
In what could be dubbed The Backup Bowl, Mike Vick will face off against Sean Hill. The Lions were held to a league worst 20 yards rushing in their opener. The Eagles defend the run pretty well and Sean Hill will not scare them away from dialing up some Jim Johnson style blitzes. The Lions are improving, but even Vick should be able to throw on their weak secondary and this could be his opportunity to create a QB controversy in Philly.
Spread: Eagles (+6.5)
Straight up: Eagles
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (+2.5)
The Ravens defense embarrassed the New York Jets on Monday night and showed the brash Rex Ryan that they still know how to play D as well. The Ravens are great at stopping the run but without Ed Reed, their secondary has some issues. Carson Palmer threw the ball well vs New England and I expect him throw a lot this weekend. The Bengals need this one at home to stay alive in what will be a tight divisional race.
Spread: Bengals (+2.5)
Straight up: Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans (-5)
Chris Johnson started his quest for 2500 yards on the right foot amassing 150 yard from scrimmage in week 1. The Steelers defense came up big at home against the Falcons. They will need to continue to play well if the Steelers have any hope of weathering the storm until Big Ben returns from suspension. Dennis Dixon will start again, on the road, against an underrated Titans defense. Chris Johnson and Vince Young have too much explosiveness not to come away the victors.
Spread: Titans (-5)
Straight up: Titans
Seattle Seahawks @ Denver Broncos (-3.5)
Pete Carrol’s Seahawks shocked the football world with an opening day blowout of the 49ers. Carrol was a source of energy for his team by showing the same enthusiasm on the sideline as he exhibited at USC. The Broncos laid an egg in Jacksonville but have won their last 10 straight home openers (longest active streak in the NFL).
Spread: Seahawks (+3.5)
Straight up: Broncos
St. Louis Rams @ Oakland Raiders (-3.5)
Having your rookie quarterback throw the ball 55 times is not usually the recipe for success in the NFL. Bradford looked good at times but is not ready to carry the Rams on his back just yet. The Raiders have a good defense and should feed off the home crowd.
Spread: Raiders (-3.5)
Straight up: Raiders
Houston Texans @ Washington Redskins (+3)
Ok, so maybe this is the year we have been waiting for from the Texans. They finally beat the Colts and did so by handing Arian Foster the ball 33 times. The Redskins look much more competitive with Donovan McNabb at quarterback. I guess I’ll ride the Texans bandwagon until they inevitably lay an egg.
Spread: Texans (-3)
Straight up: Texans
New England Patriots @ New York Jets (+3)
On offence, the Jets and Patriots were at opposite ends of the spectrum in week 1. The Patriots moved the ball at will against a good Bengals defense whereas the Jets looked atrocious at home on Monday night. Moss pays a visit to Revis Island, but Wes Welker will still get favourable matchups in the slot. The Patriots looked like a team on a mission last week.
Spread: Patriots (-3)
Straight up: Patriots
Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Diego Chargers (-7)
The Jags got off on the right foot winning the home opener. David Garrard looked like the accurate passer we saw in 2007. The Chargers dropped a divisional game and had a tough time converting yards into touchdowns in Kansas City. Aaron Kampman is clearly better suited for the 4-3 and the Jags D-line as a whole is a high quality unit.
Spread: Jags (+7)
Straight up: Chargers
New York Giants @ Indianapolis Colts (-5)
At least the Colts won’t have to deal with the undefeated issue this season. Peyton Manning did everything he could but ultimately the Colts defense let him down. In Manning Bowl II, Peyton shows that he is still the big brother. Bob Sanders may be lost for the season, again.
Spread: Colts (-5)
Straight up: Colts
New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers (+5.5)
I truly believe the 49ers are a better team than the one that showed up in Seattle last Sunday. Mike Singletary will whip these guys into shape, but the real question surrounds quarterback Alex Smith. If he is going to be the guy to lead this team to the playoffs, he better get started. Expect the Saints to put up points which will force Smith to throw the ball. Until the Niners show me something, I’m sticking with the champs. Is anyone else hoping Reggie Bush gives the Heisman pose if he finds the endzone Monday night?
Spread: Saints (-5.5)
Straight up: Saints
Season Record vs Spread: 6-8-2
Season Record Straight up: 9-7
-Jansen-
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