2006 NFL Week 2 Match-Up Picks

Last Week's Record: 10-6
Season Record: 10-6
Locks of the Week: 1-0

A few surprises after week one. Chicago winning was a given, but Rex Grossman looked like a good quarterback? Carolina and Dallas forgot to show up for week one, and Reggie Bush still barely understands the concept of losing. And 11 visiting teams win… that might be the biggest shocker of them all.

Through all that, I went 10-6. I forgot to list New England vs Buffalo last week, but come on, who in their right mind chooses Buffalo? Though to their credit, they almost pulled off the win. Well, here are this week’s picks.

Buffalo at Miami

The Bills looked surprisingly good against New England in Week 1 – for one half anyway. Then they played like the Bills have in recent years. Tease their fans with signs of greatness, and then blow it. Miami is coming off a loss against the Super Bowl Champions. Daunte Culpepper should be more comfortable this week, and the Dolphins are not going to start off 0-2 under Coach Nick Saban.

Pick: Miami Dolphins

Carolina at Minnesota

These two teams cost me a couple of games last week. The Panthers underachieved, where as Minnesota won a tough game that they were capable of pulling out. All logic says that the Panthers win this game, but can the faceless Vikings do it again? The game will be close, and seeing as 11 visiting teams out of 16 will not win again this week, the Vikings get the nod and doubts start to creep into Pantherville.

Pick: Minnesota Vikings

Cleveland at Cincinnati

Carson Palmer looks like a man ready to take his team on a Super Bowl run. The Browns look like a team that don’t want to win a game all year. The Bengals will win this game, the only question is by how much. If the Browns play to their ability, the game will be close. If they don’t, then the will be compared to the Packers and Raiders of last week.

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit at Chicago

Two great defenses at it. Will 15 points total be scored in this game? Probably, but the defenses on both sides might be the ones doing the scoring. The Lions’ defense is capable of helping them pull off the upset, but this is in Soldier Field. Rex Grossman might be the answer – if he can stay healthy. And the Bears running game looks better than the Lions’. Oh, and Roy Williams guarantees victory after losing week 1? Well, then I'll make this a guarantee too.

Lock Pick of the Week: Chicago Bears

Houston at Indianpolis

This game shouldn’t count as a victory for the Colts. It is just not fair. I am not even going to go into details, besides that Indy wins by at least 14. Mario Williams or Reggie Bush? Seems like such an easy answer – but what do a couple of million people know?

Pick: Indianapolis

New Orleans at Green Bay

This is not going to be one of those games that is going to be highly watched on Sunday Ticket. The lowly Saints versus the even more lowly Packers. As much as I hate to see Brett Favre suffer, he asked for this when he decided to come back and play. Drew Brees and Favre are both good quarterbacks, but at least Brees has Joe Horn, Reggie Bush, and the Duece to back him up.

Pick: New Orleans Saints

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia

Are the Eagles that good? Well, probably not, but everyone looks good against Houston. Are the Giants any good? Yes, and this should provide for one of the better games of the week. Eli Manning looked better than his brother last week, and should have come away with the win. Peyton threw about four interceptions that were dropped by the Giant defense. Donovan McNabb won’t make those same mistakes, and with his new pal Donte’ Stallworth, the Eagles will edge out a win.

Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Oakland at Baltimore

Rather than ask the question of who will win this game, there are better, tougher questions to ask. How many sacks will the Raven defense get? How many interceptions will the Raven defense pick-off? How many quarterbacks will the Raiders use in this game alone? How many times will Randy Moss wish he was on another team? All of these questions will be answered Sunday – stay tuned!

Pick: Baltimore Ravens

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

Speaking of teams that looked horrible last week, how about those Buccaneers? Chris Simms looked like a rookie in his first career start. Sure, the Raven defense is top notch, but zero points? Coach John Gruden will surely have his team playing better this week, but the Falcons have two things the Bucs don’t – momentum and Michael Vick. The game will be close, but Vick will find a way.

Pick: Atlanta Falcons

Arizona at Seattle

This game could be interesting. The Cardinals could score 30 points, even on a pretty solid Seahawk defense. But the Seahawks are the NFC defending champions. They wouldn’t possibly let the Cardinals come into their place and steal a win, would they? Shaun Alexander looked like the Madden Curse got him for at least one week. If that continues, then maybe the Cardinals have a chance. This game will be a nail biter, but in the end, the right team comes out on top.

Second Lock Pick of the Week: Seattle Seahawks

St. Louis at San Francisco

I’m sure if you asked any of the Rams players if they would have expected to start off the season 2-0, they would have been lying if they thought there was a good chance. But after the upset win over Denver last week, it should be an easy task now with the 49ers as their opponent. Sure, San Fran scored 24 last week, but that was against the woeful Cardinal defense. The Rams run and throw all over the 49ers in an easy win.

Pick: St. Louis Rams

Kansas City and Denver

No Trent Green? No offensive line? That basically means no hope. Not to mention Denver is bitter after losing their season opener to St. Louis. This game may not be pretty. And for you fantasy owners out there, hope that Larry Johnson gets some receptions out of the backfield this week, otherwise, he won’t likely top 100 yards on the ground.

Pick: Denver Broncos

New England at N.Y. Jets

Yeah, yeah, Chad Pennington looked good last week. Yes, the New England Patriots looked very beatable last week. But the Deion Branch situation is over, and the Patriots are still the Patriots until further notice. The game will be close, but Bill Belichick will find a way to lead his team to victory. Oh and that Brady fellow will help too.

Pick: New England Patriots

Tennessee at San Diego

Can the Charger defense repeat their performance from last week? Will the Titans use three different quarterbacks in the same game? Another game that should just be a gimmie win so no one gets hurt. I won’t be tuning in, and Titan fans shouldn’t bother to either.

Pick: San Diego Chargers

Washington at Dallas

Dallas looked horrible in week one. Having made them my NFC Super Bowl representative, I was quite disappointed in them. I feel bad for Bill Parcels, who continues to have to answer stupid questions from the media. Being a part of the media, I’m ashamed off all the stupid questions he gets every day. The Cowboys will not start off 0-2. If they do, the Tony Romo talks will never stop. Washington has more talent than they know what to do with.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys

Monday Night

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville

Both teams are looking great. This should make great for a great Monday Night Football game. Big Ben still might not play, but does it matter? Charlie Batch looked better than some first string quarterbacks did last week. The game will go down to the wire, but the Steelers, even in unfriendly confines, will run their way to victory.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers