NFL Outsider Picks - Week 2

Cal at OSU -17

Me- The Buckeyes showed some chinks in the armor last week, but Cal is down this year, struggling to beat (and giving up 31 points to) Southern Utah last week and losing to Nevada the week before.  17 points at home is about right, but I'm going to go with an angry Urban pushing the over.  Pick: Buckeyes

DJC- Pick: Buckeyes

BT- Super Freshmen Dunn leads the way!  Pick: Buckeyes

TB at NYG - 7.5

Me- Tampa didn't look too bad last week, and the Giants are hurting in the secondary right now.  Hanford Dixon could strap on some cleats and probably get a starting job.  But I think that New York will struggle more against the passing teams, and the Bucs appear to be more of the run-first variety.  Not to mention that Eli & Co. will be seeking their pound of flesh for their nationally televised loss to the Jerries.  Still, I only see Tampa losing by a touchdown.  Pick: Buccaneers

DJC- Pick: Giants

BT- The G-Men bounce back.  Pick: Giants

ARI at NE -13.5

Me- Arizona simply doesn't have the offensive firepower to keep this game on the under.  Pick: Patriots

DJC- I am thinking Bellichick may go with the gray sweatshirt this weekend.  Pick: Patriots

BT- Pick: Patriots

MIN at IND +1.5

Me- I picked the Colts last week and they burned me.  Should I exact terrible revenge?  Nah.  But, like the Browns, the Colts are still young and prone to mistakes, too many to win this game.  Pick: Vikings

DJC- Did you understimate Coby Fleener last week? I didn't.  Pick: Colts

BT- AP is still a god.  Pick: Vikings

NO at CAR +2.5

Me- I want to say that the Saints will be out for blood, but they should've been that way last week in a "Statement to the NFL" game.  And the statement they made was that their Defense isn't very good right now.  Don't think that the Preseason darlings in Charlotte don't want to clear their good names too.  I see this one as very close, close enough to take Carolina with the points.  Pick: Panthers

DJC- Pick: Saints

BT- New Orleans to 0-2.  Ouch. Pick: Panthers

KC at BUF -3

Me- The battle of 2 teams that hoped to be contenders but probably will end up around .500.  Buffalo was supposed to have a dangerous Defense - then they gave up 48 to the Jets (well, the Defense gave up 34).  This one is really hard to call; I have no idea what teams are going to show up, and they'll both be desperate to avoid 0-2.  Let's go with the home team.  Pick: Bills

DJC- Need to get the ground game going and then throw deep to Dwayne Bowe. Yes, Bowe and Hillis are on my fantasy team.  Pick: Chiefs

BT- Uggh.  Glad I don't have to watch this game.  Hail to the Chiefs.  Pick: Chiefs

BAL at PHI -2.5

Me- Philly made a lot of mistakes offensively last week, and Baltimore did not.  I think both these teams are loaded with talent, but the Purple Birds seem to have their act quite a bit more together at this point, and getting points...  Pick: Ravens

DJC- Pick: Ravens

BT- Pick: Eagles

OAK at MIA +2.5

Me- I'm still convinced that Miami is the worst team in the league, and Oakland will (you'd think) clean up their snapping issues.  Pick: Raiders

DJC- Pick: Dolphins

BT- Pick: Raiders

CLE at CIN -7

Me- This one is ripe for the Browns to not only lose by less than 7, but to win outright.  Cincy is way overrated and the Cleveland D will keep them in most games.  However, until I see MUCH more from the Browns' O, I'm not picking them.  Pick: Bengals

DJC- Pick: Bengals

BT- Browns D is good!  Right?  Pick: Browns

HOU at JAX +7.5

Me- Pretty fat home dog here.  Houston is clearly better than Jacksonville and can easily cover the spread, but I think the Jags' ball control efforts will be just enough to only lose by 6 or 7.  Pick: Jaguars

DJC- Looked pretty, pretty good last week... Pick: Texans

BT- Pick: Texans

DAL at SEA +3

Me- 4 of the 5 rookie QB's reminded us last week that they were indeed rookies, and Russell Wilson was one of those.  Knowing Rob Ryan and his attack-mode, he will bring the house against the Seahawks and probably get a few turnovers out of it.  Seattle's D definitely didn't look all that it was cracked up to be last week... I think this one could be a laugher.  Pick: Cowboys

DJC- Pick: Cowboys

BT- Pick: Cowboys

WAS at STL +3

Me- Dag, looks like everyone's buying into the RG3 phenom from the get.  Two teams that were fighting for the bottom of the toilet last year are suddenly quite separate - Washington is a 6 point favorite if they're at home.  Will RG3 walk into St. Louis and make all the Rams fans tear their hair in despair that RG3 isn't theirs?  Maybe.  But I think reality sets in a bit for the Skins this week, and STL might not be as bad as we think.  Pick: Rams

DJC- Pick: Rams

BT- Too early to crown RG3 as the second coming.  Pick: Rams

NYJ at PIT -6

Me- I don't believe in the Jets yet.  I don't believe in the Steelers either, I think they're no longer one of the "elites", but the Jets never were one of the "elites", so Pittsburgh at home wins on their laurels.  Pick: Steelers

DJC- Pick: Steelers

BT- The Jets are for real.  NOT!  Pick: Steelers

TEN at SD -6

Me- Ah, the Chargers, another team I don't believe in.  Tennessee should be able to pressure Phil Rivers into some picks, and they'll at least cover on the wings of those.  Pick: Titans

DJC- Norv is the man!  Pick: Chargers

BT- Executive Lock of the Week - Lightning Bolts to cover.  Pick: Chargers

DET at SF -7

Me- I keep waiting for the 49ers to fail, but they aren't cooperating.  Maybe it's that I just dislike Jim Harbaugh, I keep expecting the other shoe to drop.  But I have to admit that they're good - really good.  Definitely better than Detroit is right now.  Pick: 49ers

DJC- Is Harbaugh ALWAYS pissed or does he just look that way?  Pick: 49ers

BT- Is this really the best game of the week?  2 years ago, no one would have cared.  Pick: 49ers

DEN at ATL -3

Me- An interesting matchup for sure.  These teams seem to be evenly matched, and the line is set up accordingly.  In the end, I think Atlanta has just a little bit more firepower.  Pick: Falcons

DJC- Pick: Falcons

BT- As much as I want to believe in Peyton, I'll take Matty Ice in this one.  Pick: Falcons