Week 2 Predictions

Here are my predictions for all the games going on in Week 2:

OAK at BUF:  This game is simlar to the Arizona vs. Washington game, in that it's two teams that would be surprises at 2-0, but I give both of these teams more credit than the national media.  I see this being a difficult game for Oakland as they are coming east and playing in the 1pm EST game.  Fitzpatrick was on fire last week against KC and I think at home this week that will continue (maybe not to the same extent), but if the Bills get out to a hot start, it will be hard for the Raiders to continue trying to pound it with McFadden.  I think it ends closer than it begins, but the Bills remain on top.

BUF Wins: 28-23


GB at CAR:  I'm excited to watch this game because I think Rodgers will have "video game type numbers" to quote Chad Ochocinco.  I also want to see if Cam Newton can be just excellent enough to lose two weeks in a row. This game won't be close, but Green Bay needs to prove that their defense can make a stop, and the whole country wants to see if Cam Newton can match his performance against Arizona from last week.

GB Wins: 38-20


KC at DET:  Kansas City didn't seem to take the preseason seriously and it bit them hard last week in the box score and the injury report.  They've lost stud safety Eric Berry for the year and they got blown out by a "weaker" opponent in Buffalo.  I think Detroit will do similar things as they have a high power offense and a great pass rush on defense.  It's going to be an ugly day if Cassel can't hand the ball off to Jamaal Charles 30 times.

DET Wins: 31-14


CLE at IND:  Peyton Hillis is licking his chops for this game.  Indianapolis has the worst run defense in the league and he is ready to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Cinci last week.  I think the Browns will play better on offense and defense and get the Colts one step closer to drafting Andrew Luck.

CLE Wins:  24-13


TB at MIN:  This is going to be a good game. As much as I wish McNabb could continue to play horribly, it just won't happen. The run game will continue to be good and get better, and he'll get into a rhythm.  Tampa Bay played a rough game last week and lost in a close one to an improved Detroit game.  This will send one of these two playoff contenders to 0-2 and have them in a large hole to begin in a competitive NFC.  I see Peterson taking the reigns and running for a couple touchdowns, while McNabb goes for about 200 and another TD.  Josh Freeman will continue to be bad for my fantasy team (as that is tradition), and Tampa Bay loses.

MIN Wins: 24-17


CHI at NO:  This will be a great game.  New Orleans is too good of a team to be 0-2, but Chicago is too mean of a team to let the Saints win.  I believe in Brees, and in the Superdome it will just be too much for the Bears offense to perform like they did against Atlanta.  I still believe it will be a close one with the Chicago defense keeping them in the game, but New Orleans pulls away in the end.

NO Wins: 31-24


JAC at NYJ:  This is my first real upset pick of the week.  The Jets barely beat Dallas last week, and I could see them underestimating Jacksonville.  Maurice Jones-Drew is a strong runner, and Luke McCown played very well last week, so it's a strong possibility that continues.  I think Jacksonville tastes blood in the AFC South and realizes they can compete with the Texans and head to the playoffs.  It will be a close defensive battle, with Luke McCown leading a 4th quarter comeback to win.

JAC Wins: 21-17


SEA at PIT:  This game won't even be close. Pittsburgh is angry they got blown out by Baltimore, and even though Seattle is probably upset they lost last week as well, the odds are stacked against them.  Pittsburgh is better, and they're playing an away game on the east coast at 1pm.  Blow Out Alert!

PIT Wins: 31-13


BAL at TEN:  Baltimore looks good.  REALLY good.  Tennessee looks decent, REALLY average.  I'm immediately regretting my pick to have them make the playoffs, and I can't even force myself to pick them here.  Chris Johnson will continue to struggle even though he has reportedly been promised more carries.  Titans go to 0-2.

BAL Wins: 28-13


DAL at SF:  San Francisco won in a relative snoozer last week against a weak Seahawks team.  Dallas has better special teams and will not allow 2 return TDs.  Romo also won't collapse again so soon.  I see Dallas winning big in what used to be a great rivalry.

DAL Wins: 28-13


CIN at DEN:  Andy Dalton won his first game in an NFL uniform.  I don't think he wins his second.  Kyle Orton is not a bad quarterback at all, and will be able to lead this Broncos team to a winning record in a weak division if his defense can hold teams and get off the field.  The Raiders ran all over Denver last week, and Cincinnati has a good back in Cedric Benson.  This will be a close one, but the Broncos will win in the end, Tebow chants and all.

DEN Wins: 21-17


HOU at MIA:  Both of these teams played well in week 1, but Miami went up against the Madden 12 version of Tom Brady.  If their defense can play more like they did last year, and Chad Henne can play like he did last week this will be a winnable game at home.  However, I don't see both of those things happening against Matt Schaub and Arian Foster.  There will be a lot of scoring in this one with Miami coming up 1 TD short.

HOU Wins: 31-24


SD at NE:  This will be the game of the week in the AFC.  I'm excited to watch both quarterbacks tear apart mediocre defenses.  The Chargers won their first game, which was necessary to avoid talks of them starting slowly again, but the Patriots are going to put up a huge fight at home.  The fans will be "drinking early and getting lubed up" so it should be a great atmosphere in New England.  I see the Patriots playing well, with Ochocinco getting a few more targets but watch out...

SD Wins: 28-24


PHI at ATL:  Vick returns to Atlanta for the first time as the starter.  Atlanta has been a very tough place to play in recent years, and they're mad about a stomping they received from the Bears last week.  There's no way this team wants to be 0-2 in the NFC South.  They strike back, and their pass rush gets after Vick.  Michael Turner should be able to have a good showing as well against a weak LB corps.

ATL Wins: 21-17


STL at NYG:  I would love to simply write down that the Rams will win... but I'd rather explain why it will happen.  The Giants are still injured throughout, may not have Hakeem Nicks, and the Rams love to throw the ball.  Bradford will be ready to go, and have a much better day than he did last week against the Eagles.  I see Eli throwing 2 picks to continue to show that he is, in fact, not in the same class as Tom Brady.  If Steven Jackson is back, it will be less close.

STL Wins: 24-21


ARI at WAS:  Hightower will run for 120+ yards with another touchdown.  Rex will continue to play well, but will have his first pick.  The pass rush will dominate on the edges against a weak Cardinals line, and the Redskins will continue to stuff the run.  Game Over.

WAS WINS: 28-13