NFL Week 2 Picks

Week Two Picks

Week Two in the NFL can be tricky, because people tend to overreact to a Week One win or loss. When a playoff-calibre team loses Week One it makes them more prepared and fired up to avoid going 0-2. 

Last Week: 4-1

Season: 4-1 

(home team in CAPITAL LETTERS)

1) Saints -2.5 over CAROLINA

This is my Lock of the Week. In an NFC South matchup, the Saints and Panthers both try to avoid going 0-2. Despite how good Cam Newton is, the rest of the Panthers team doesn't scare me. After getting torched by RG3 in the opener, the Saints are going to be fired up to avoid going 0-2. New Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense typically takes a couple weeks to learn. The Saints outscored Carolina 75-44 in two victories last season.

2) EAGLES -1 over Ravens

The Ravens demolished a pretty good Bengals team on Monday night, while the Eagles barely escaped Cleveland with a victory. With a one point spread, Vegas is begging you to take the Ravens. When a line looks too good to be true it usually is. Take the Eagles at home looking to get some of their mojo back.

3) BILLS -3 over Chiefs

The Bills can't be as bad as they looked against the Jets. People were predicting them to be a possible playoff contender before the season started. They come back to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium with a chip on their shoulder, and should play really well against an average Chiefs squad.

4) 49ERS -6.5 over Lions

I'm not making this pick against the Lions despite their weak showing in Week One, but the 49ers may be the best team in the NFC. I knew that their defense was going to be one of the best in the league, but it's their offense that surprised me. New receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham open the field up for the running game.

5) FALCONS -3 over Broncos

Both teams looked good in their first game. Peyton Manning looked comfortable in his first game back, but the Steelers were without James Harrison and Ryan Clark. Brent Grimes is going to miss the rest of the season with a torn achilles for Atlanta. Matty Ice just doesn't lose at home, and the Falcons offense looks explosive. I love them at home giving 3.

Jets-Steelers Week 2 Preview

I'm going to milk the Jets Week 1 win against Buffalo for as long as possible, but the Jets have a tough test going to Pittsburgh in Week 2. This is the team's first matchup against the Black and Yellow since losing the AFC Championship at Heinz Field in January 2011. The Steelers defense played Peyton Manning well Sunday even without James Harrison and Ryan Clark.

When the Jets Have the Ball

The offense looked good against Buffalo, but the Steelers are another story. Pittsburgh has had a top 5 defense for as long as I could remember, and points are going to be at a minimum. Sanchez was very efficient in Week One, and Stephen Hill looks like he could be the deep threat that the Jets lacked last season. I wonder if we'll see a little more Tim Tebow hoping to recapture the magic of the Wild Card Playoff game last season against the Steelers. The Jets struggled rushing the ball against the Bills, and it's going to be a lot harder to get that going against Pittsburgh.

When the Steelers Have the Ball

The biggest question mark of the Jets' D is going to be whether or not Pro Bowl corner Darelle Revis plays. The only tackle Bart Scott had all season was against his own teammate, giving Revis a slight concussion. Considering how anal Roger Goodell is about player safety I find it unlikely that Revis Island finds it's way to Heinz Field. The Steelers have a great pair of targets in Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, and if Big Ben could stay upright then he will be able to find them. Rex is going to dial up the blitzes because of the Steeler's weak line and he'll need to pull a couple tricks out of his bag if Revis is out.  Even if Rashard Mendenhall plays, the Steelers rushing game doesn't concern me.

Prediction:

The Jets are probably not as good as they looked against Buffalo, and Pittsburgh is going to be more desperate for a win, coming home after losing Week 1. In franchise history the Jets are 4-17 against the Steel Curtain.  That being said, it should be a competitive game, but I think the Steelers defense forces Sanchez to make a mistake late in the game that seals their victory.

Steelers 24 Jets 17