My Overall Record: 19-14
Houston @ Baltimore
The Ravens were barely able to squeak past the Cleveland Browns last week, and could be without star running back Ray Rice. Houston had their hands full as well, narrowly avoiding an upset at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore is still struggling to find themselves, and even though Houston has to go on the road, I give them the edge this week.
Pick: Houston 24, Baltimore 16
New York Giants @ Carolina
A couple of disappointing 0-2 teams trying to avoid the dreaded 0-3. The Giants have been embarrassed in the first two weeks, while the Panthers have at least been close to winning both of their games. Until Eli Manning has a week where he stops turning the ball over, and the Giants prove that they can play a little defense and run the ball, I can’t pick them to win.
Pick: Carolina 27, New York 20
Green Bay @ Cincinnati
The Bengals will give the Packers a fight, but they just don’t have enough explosiveness to hold down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay aerial attack.
Pick: Green Bay 31, Cincinnati 23
St. Louis @ Dallas
Both teams coming off of tough losses. I give the edge to Dallas at home. The Cowboys have a chance to open up a lead on the struggling NFC East.
Pick: Dallas 23, St. Louis 20
Cleveland @ Minnesota
No Trent Richardson? Brandon Weeden out? This has the potential to be one of the most one-sided games that we’ll see all season.
Pick: Minnesota 31, Cleveland 6
Tampa Bay @ New England
Tampa Bay’s defense did a really nice stop containing Drew Brees and the Saints, and now they’ll face a Patriot offense that has struggled with their depleted receiving corp. I still like New England in this game because of their extended rest, and the fact that they’re at home.
Pick: New England 24, Tampa Bay 10
Arizona @ New Orleans
The Saints survived their trap game against Tampa, and should be able to get to 3-0 against an Arizona team that features a banged-up Larry Fitzgerald.
Pick: New Orleans 31, Arizona 20
San Diego @ Tennessee
The Titans have looked pretty good through the first two weeks, and I think the Chargers are primed to take a bit of a step back after scoring more than 60 points in the first two games.
Pick: Tennessee 21, San Diego 17
Detroit @ Washington
I view the Redskins in a similar light as the Giants. Until Robert Griffin shows that he’s gotten himself right, and until their defense proves that they can stop somebody, I can’t pick them win a game right now.
Pick: Detroit: 31, Washington 21
Atlanta @ Miami
The Dolphins are one of the more surprising 2-0 teams out there, but they’ll have their hands full against the Atlanta Falcons. I expect Matt Ryan and company to knock Miami down a notch or two.
Pick: Atlanta 28, Miami 20
Buffalo @ New York Jets
Geno Smith vs E.J. Manuel. Many expected Smith to be the first quarterback to come off of the draft board last April, and now he’ll have a chance to show the Bills that they made the wrong decision. The only problem is that Smith has been turning the ball over multiple times per game, and Manuel has actually been pretty impressive, leading the team to a come-from-behind win over Carolina last week. I like Buffalo.
Pick: Buffalo 23, New York 16
Jacksonville @ Seattle
Gus Bradley may be rethinking his decision to leave the Seahawks to take on the massive rebuilding headache that he’s stumbled into.
Pick: Seattle 23, Jacksonville 6
Indianapolis @ San Francisco
The Colts celebrated the acquisition of Trent Richardson this week, but San Francisco will be looking to rebound off of their frustrating loss to the Seahawks.
Pick: San Francisco 35, Indianapolis 24
Chicago @ Pittsburgh
The Bears have actually looked pretty good through the first two weeks while the Steelers are struggling to find themselves.
Pick: Chicago 23, Pittsburgh 13
