NFL Week 2 Sunday Picks

My Overall Record: 10-7

St. Louis @ Atlanta

The Falcons are have to be in desperation mode for this one, they can’t afford to go to 0-2 after already falling to the Saints. Steven Jackson will be primed to show his old team that he still has a lot left in the tank.

Pick: Atlanta 24, St. Louis 14

Cleveland @ Baltimore

The Ravens will be eager to get themselves right after getting dismantled by Peyton Manning and his seven touchdown passes. A date with Brandon Weeden (who threw three picks against Miami) is just what they need.

Pick: Baltimore 27, Cleveland 13

Carolina @ Buffalo

The Panthers came close to upsetting the Seahawks, but couldn’t manage more than seven points against the league’s top defense. Carolina’s defense performed very well against Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, and I expect them to do enough for Cam Newton to lead the offense to a win this time.

Pick: Carolina 17, Buffalo 10

Minnesota @ Chicago

Adrian Peterson scored three touchdowns last week, but Christian Ponder threw three interceptions. The Chicago defense is as good as any unit at forcing turnovers, Solider Field is always a very difficult place to win at, and the Vikings defense is coming off of a week where they gave up 34 to the Lions. All of those factors seem to spell out another win for the Bears.

Pick: Chicago 24, Minnesota 20

Washington @ Green Bay

The Redskins’ defense will get a whole new set of headaches when they go on the road to take on one of the most prolific passing offenses in the game in Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. I think Robert Griffin will be much better this week than he was against the Eagles, but it won’t be enough for Washington to outscore Green Bay.

Pick: Green Bay 34, Washington 24

Tennessee @ Houston

The Titans won ugly against the Steelers last week. The Texans are a much better all-around team, and Jake Locker will need to do much better than his 125-yard effort from last week for Tennessee to have any chance.

Pick: Houston 24, Tennessee 10

Miami @ Indianapolis

The Colts tore up the Miami defense in their meeting last season, and Andrew Luck should be able to post similar results. Miami will try to get offensive weapons Lamar Miller and Mike Wallace more involved after the two combined for just 18 total yards in Week 1.

Pick: Indianapolis 27, Miami 14

Dallas @ Kansas City

The Cowboys were +5 in the turnover ratio against the Giants, and they’ll be the first legitimate challenge for Andy Reid’s Chiefs. Kansas City rolled to an easy win over the lowly Jaguars in Week 1, but they’re going to find the Cowboys to be a much more explosive group. After Alex Smith only up over 170 yards, I don’t think he’s going to do enough to outscore Romo and the Dallas offense.

Pick: Dallas 23, Kansas City 14

San Diego @ Philadelphia

Even if the Eagles come out a little flat in this game, the Chargers just don’t have enough offensive talent to outscore the Eagles’ offense, which still has yet to unveil their entire playbook.

Pick: Philadelphia 28, San Diego 21

Detroit @ Arizona

The Lions offense looked rejuvenated thanks to the presence of new running back Reggie Bush. Arizona is good enough to give the Lions a tough game, but I don’t think they have enough firepower (or defense) to come away with a win over Detroit.

Pick: Detroit 31, Arizona 21

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay

The Saints showed last week that they’re back to being one of the top contenders in the NFC while the Bucs showed that they’ve still got more than their share of issues. The New Orleans offense should torch Tampa Bay.

Pick:  New Orleans 35, Tampa Bay 20

Denver @ New York Giants

The Giants are mistake-prone and have no running game to speak of. Peyton will out-duel Eli one more time.

Pick: Denver 27, New York 20

Jacksonville @ Oakland

Terrelle Pryor actually wasn’t that bad for Oakland last week. They had the lead in the fourth quarter, and came very close to upsetting the Colts in Week 1. I think they get a win at home this week.

Pick: Oakland 17, Jacksonville 7

San Francisco @ Seattle

Colin Kaepernick had an absolutely phenomenal game against the Packers last week. He did all of his damage from the pocket, picking the Green Bay defense apart and using his legs only sparingly. Seattle comes off of an unimpressive showing in Carolina, and I think the 49ers are the much more legitimate team.

Pick: San Francisco 24, Seattle 17