NFL Week 2 Preview

In Week 1, four of the five lowest-rated teams all won, the Bengals, Bills, Redskins, and 49ers. It is no surprise that all my picks bombed last week. But that’s why we love the NFL, it is unpredictable. Anything can happen on any given Sunday. The Law of Averages gives me optimism.

Key Matchups:
1. Patriots vs. Chargers, 4pm on CBS: Besides all the obvious reasons this matchup is interesting because it features the #1 offense in Week 1 (Patriots – 622 yards) against the #1 defense (Chargers, 187 yards allowed). Neither team has much of a pass rush so the air game ought to be bountiful. Over/under on combined passing yards 650? I’ll take the over, like 700 yards. This should be like the Saints/Packers game.
2. Falcons vs. Eagles, Sunday night on NBC: Michael Vick’s first return to Atlanta as a starting quarterback since going to prison. Falcons are a little desperate after getting pounded in their opening game.
3. Saints vs. Bears, 1pm on FOX: Bears coming off a huge home win over the Falcons. Saints get a few extra days after their exciting narrow loss to the Packers.

Upset alert:
(0-2 last week)
Dolphins over Texans
Raiders over Bills

Stone Cold Picks:
(1-3 last week)
- Lions over Chiefs. Chiefs lost their star safety and the Stafford to Megatron connection is open.
- Colts over Browns. This year begins the downfall of the Colts, but even Kerry Collins won’t lose to the Browns.
- Saints over Bears. This game will be a blowout.
- Buccaneers over Vikings. Voting on who bounces back between McNabb and the Bucs, I’ll take the road team.


The Rest of the games:
- Patriots over Chargers
- Eagles over Falcons
- Dolphins over Texans
- Bills over Raiders
- Packers over Panthers
- Giants over Rams
- Steelers over Seahawks (Eliminator Lock)
- Ravens over Titans
- Cowboys over 49ers
- Jets over Jaguars
- Redskins over Cardinals
- Broncos over Bengals

Fact o’ the Day:
The NFC has had 10 different champions in the last 10 years. That trend bodes well for the Cowboys, Lions, or Falcons. (courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter)