Week 2 Pick-Down

Matchup	Adam's Pick	Eric's Pick
Ravens at Bengals	Bengals	Ravens
Dolphins at Vikings	Dolphins	Vikings
Bears at Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
Eagles at Lions	Eagles	Eagles
Cardinals at Falcons	Falcons	Falcons
Chiefs at Browns	Chiefs	Browns
Bills at Packers	Packers	Packers
Buccaneers at Panthers	Panthers	Panthers
Steelers at Titans	Titans	Titans
Rams at Raiders	Raiders	Raiders
Seahawks at Broncos	Seahawks	Seahawks
Texans at Redskins	Redskins	Texans
Jaguars at Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
Patriots at Jets	Patriots	Jets
Giants at Colts	Colts	Colts
Saints at 49ers	49ers	Saints
	Adam	Eric
Week 1 Record / Season Standings	7-9	7-9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.  He also predicts the outcomes for some juicy matchups from the slate of games this Saturday.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

This great matchup features two teams that have to be pissed at the NFL scheduler.  The Bengals played the Patriots Week 1 and then the Ravens, while the Ravens start with the Jets and then go to Cincinnati.  This is a tough one to handicap.  The Pats spanked the Bengals last week, but the Bengal offense started to really move the ball in the second half.  In addition, that Bengals defense is much better than it showed last week.  The Bengals will put much more pressure on an untested Ravens secondary than Mark Sanchez did.  However, the Ravens' offense is much improved.  Ultimately, I don't see the Bengals starting 0-2, but the Ravens are a Super Bowl contender.  I'm conflicted.  Give it to the home team.

Prediction: Bengals 21 – Ravens 20

Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikes have had a long time to recover from their first loss and prepare for Miami.  The Dolphins looked shaky in an opening win against Buffalo.  The Minnesota secondary is not very good and the Dolphins have Jake Long to neutralize Jared Allen's pass rush.  I'm going upset.

Prediction: Dolphins 23 – Vikings 20

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys

Two teams matchup here that could easily have had their records reversed in a nutty week one.  The Bears could hardly beat the Lions at home.  The Cowboys have to get better on the offensive line.  The 'Boys will bounce back, and Jay Cutler will throw at least two picks.

Prediction: Cowboys 28 – Bears 20

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions

The Lions really look like an improved team on defense.  Unfortunately, Matthew Stafford is out for a while and Shaun Hill could hardly move the ball last week.  The Eagles will likely be starting Michael Vick.  He should get the win against Detroit and start a full blown QB controversy.

Prediction: Eagles 27 – Lions 13

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons disappointed last week, unable to beat the Steelers who started their third-string QB.  But they were on the road and Pittsburgh does have a tremendous defense.  Meanwhile, the Cardinals should have lost to the lowly Rams.  Derek Anderson is not the answer folks, and he won't be able to outscore Matt Ryan and company in the Falcons' home opener.

Prediction: Falcons 27 – Cardinals 13

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns

The Chiefs really impressed me last week with their speed and special teams.  Their defense was superb as well.  They won't be feeding off the frenzied Arrowhead crowd this week, but the Browns are undermanned and won't have their starting QB.  I will take the Chiefs to win the field position battle and ultimately the game.

Prediction: Chiefs 23 – Browns 17

Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers

The Packers get a tough break losing Ryan Grant for the year.  He was incredibly underrated despite being wildly productive over the last few years.  Brandon Jackson is not a starting level back in this league.  However, the Packers still have a prolific passing game and a playmaking defense.  The offensive line must do a better job protecting Aaron Rodgers.  Good thing the Bills are in town.

Prediction: Packers 30 – Bills 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

The Bucs have to be thrilled starting their season against the Browns and then Carolina, especially with Matt Moore coming off a concussion.  The Panthers' run game should be enough to hold off the lousy Bucs offense however.

Prediction: Panthers 20 – Buccaneers 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennesse Titans

Ultimately, Vince Young is a better version of Dennis Dixon, and Chris Johnson is doing damage behind a tremendous offensive line.  Both defenses are very good.  Tennessee will be able to score a little more that Pittsburgh in this great, blue collar matchup.

Prediction: Titans 17 – Steelers 13

St. Louis Rams at Oakland Raiders

These two have to be happy to play each other, because each team has a good opportunity to rebound from last week.  I think the Raiders just have more talent and at home will do enough to confuse Sam Bradford.

Prediction: Raiders 24 – Rams 16

Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos

Seattle got a huge win last week despite managing only one first down in the first half.  The Broncos don't have much on offense, but the Seahawks are not a very good football team.

Prediction: Seahawks 20 – Broncos 17

Houston Texans at Washington Redskins

Both teams got huge wins last week with the Texans finally beating the Colts and the 'Skins downing the Cowboys.  The Texans have loads of offense and the 'Skins have a very tough defense.  I'm going with Donovan McNabb to keep his mojo going and give Washington a big 2-0 start.

Prediction: Redskins 24 – Texans 23

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers

The Chargers were really frustrated last week in Arrowhead and in the pouring rain.  The Jags got a win against the lowly Browns.  The Chargers have loads more talent and will rebound at home.

Prediction: Chargers 28 – Jaguars 16

New England Patriots at New York Jets

Here's the flipside of the Ravens-Bengals matchup: two more teams that have to be livid at the NFL schedulers.  The Pats looked great last week and the Jets are going to have to score points to win this game.  I think Tom Brady's licking his chops thinking about putting Rex Ryan in a 0-2 hole.

Prediction: Patriots 24 – Jets 17

New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts

I love the way Eli and the passing game looked last week for the Giants, yet I just can't fathom the Colts going 0-2.  Indy will win their home opener and get things rolling in a very good game.

Prediction: Colts 31 – Giants 27

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

The Saints are coming off a win against the powerful Vikings and have had extra time to prepare.  The 49ers looked terrible last week, getting a whooping put on them by Seattle.  Drew Brees is in a different universe than Alex Smith, and the Saints' scheme should be very tough for Smith to figure out.  All signs point to the Saints, which is why I'm going with the 49ers baby!!!

Prediction: 49ers 27 – Saints 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alabama Crimson Tide at Duke Blue Devils

Mark Ingram is back this week.  Although, shouldn't they just give him this week off as a precaution?  Unless they play half the game on a basketball court, there's no way the Blue Devils can win this matchup.  Alabama's defense is physically dominant.  Duke can throw the ball a bit, but their quarterback won't have any time.

Prediction: Tide 41 – Duke 13

Ohio Bobcats at Ohio St. Buckeyes

In-state rivalry, college football tradition, any given Saturday.  Nope.

Prediction: Buckeyes 38 – Bobcats 9

Boise St. Broncos at Wyoming Cowboys

In a quasi-interesting matchup, Wyoming is an improving program and will be playing at home, but they can't match Boise's athletes or scheme.

Prediction: Broncos 34 – Cowboys 14

Baylor Bears at TCU Horned Frogs

Here's our first compelling matchup.  Robert Griffin is an absolute freak for the Bears at QB.  He runs a 4.3 40 and will be tough for the Horned Frogs to contain.  In addition, I think TCU is a bit overrated.  They are a solid team, but not a top-four team.  Home field will ultimately be the difference.

Prediction: TCU 30 – Baylor 24

Texas Longhorns at Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas is not what they have been in years past, and Lubbock is a tough place to play.  Still, I will go with Mack Brown's superior athletes.

Prediction: Longhorns 31 – Red Raiders 27

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Washington Huskies

Jake Locker may be the top pick in next year's draft, but he doesn't have much help on this team.  The Black Shirts are dominant for the Huskers.

Prediction: Huskers 27 – Huskies 16

Iowa Hawkeyes at Arizona Wildcats

Here's our only matchup of Top-25 teams this week.  Too bad Arizona won't be in the Top-25 after this game.  The Cats have a prolific passing game, but Iowa is underrated at number nine.  They have a dominant defense and a solid offense.

Prediction: Hawkeyes 27 – Wildcats 14