Opening weekend for the NFL was a pretty successful one for Rayonsports in picking winners, as I managed to get 12 correct out of the 16 games played. Here are my picks for the second week:
Chicago at Green Bay – the longest-running rivalry in league history continues at Lambeau Field, where Green Bay was upset by the 49ers last week. I can’t see the Packers losing again, especially at home, so I’ll pick them to knock off the Bears in this important NFC North matchup.
Kansas City at Buffalo – these 2 teams are coming off surprising blowout losses in week one. They’ll both be battling hard to avoid going 0-2, so the game will be close. I’ll pick the Bills to win at home, as their defense, humiliated last week, rebounds and keys a low-scoring victory.
New Orleans at Carolina – another matchup of teams that lost surprisingly last week, this one a battle of division rivals. Cam Newton is due to have big game, and I don’t think the Saints’ defense is strong enough to stop him from having one. The Panthers win in a high-scoring offensive game.
Cleveland at Cincinnati – the Browns’ defense kept Michael Vick in check last week, but they won’t do the same to Andy Dalton and the Bengal attack. Cincinnati wins their home opener.
Minnesota at Indianapolis – the expectation is, after cutting ties with Peyton Manning and mostly dismantling the rest of their roster also, that the Colts would be the worst team in the NFL this year. That might be the case, but I’ll pick them to get a win at home in this one.
Houston at Jacksonville – the Texans, after making the playoffs for the first time ever in 2011, look focused to do even bigger things this year. They should win this game over a weaker division rival.
Oakland at Miami – there shouldn’t be much offense generated in this game, and the Raiders have a few more veterans on their club who should get it done, on both sides of the ball, enough to win on the road here.
Arizona at New England – Tom Brady’s practice sessions this week will be harder than this game. The Patriots put it away early and cruise to their 2nd win.
Tampa Bay at New York Giants – kudos to the Bucs for an impressive opening day win over Carolina, but they’ll be facing a buzzsaw this week against the Super Bowl champion Giants. New York rights the ship and gets their first win.
Baltimore at Philadelphia – the Eagles managed to pull off a last minute win at Cleveland last week, but the Ravens aren’t the Browns. Well, actually they are the original Browns franchise that recently deceased Art Modell moved to Baltimore, but they are looking like the class of the AFC North this year, and will outclass Vick and the Eagles and win this one.
Dallas at Seattle – that was a big win on opening night for Tony Romo and the Cowboys, and the temptation is to pick them to win this game, but the Seahawks have a way of playing big when it’s least expected, and I’ll go with them to win at home.
Washington at St. Louis – the RGIII road show continues, and the Redskins beat the Rams. Griffin has the luxury of starting his career with a team that has a competent defense in Washington, and they’ll surprise a lot of people in the NFC East race this year.
New York Jets at Pittsburgh – after dispatching their patsies – the Bills – on opening day, the Jets come back to earth this week against the homestanding Steelers. Pittsburgh gets the win.
Tennessee at San Diego – the Titans will put up much more of a fight than they did in week one in New England, but I see the Chargers winning again, giving them a rare fast start early in the season.
Detroit at San Francisco – it was a statement on how bad defense is being played in the NFL these days when the 49ers were being praised for “shutting down” Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay on opening day, as they gave up 32 points to the Pack in pulling off the upset. I do think the Niners will win this game, since the Lions are lacking a good enough running game.
Denver at Atlanta – it looks like the Falcons are determined to put their disappointing 2011 season behind them, judging by their big win in Kansas City to open this season. However, it also appears that Peyton Manning is pretty determined to put 2011 behind him also. I’ll go with the Broncos to make it 2 wins in a row.