NFL Week 2 Picks

All the picks, odds provided by ESPN and westgate.

Sunday September 18

49ers (1-0) at Panthers (0-1)

Bank of America Stadium Charlotte 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Panthers by 14

Last Week Niners defeated Rams 28-0, Panthers lost to Broncos 21-20

Fast Fact Panthers QB Cam Newton rushed for an NFL record 44^th career touchdown, breaking the record held by Niners QB Steve Young

The Niners looked crisper than expected in drilling a Rams team that looks really bad. The Panthers looked uneven in their loss at Denver on Opening night. I don’t think the Niners are that good and the Panthers are not that bad. While Blaine Gabbert looked good, he was playing the weak Rams D. Cam Newton took some hellacious hits against the Broncos defense. The Niners defense is good but not as good as they looked last Monday. The Niners are coming cross country for an early start, on a short week to face a rested Panthers team at home looking for someone to take some frustration out on someone. The Niners are going to be brought down to earth

Pick-Carolina

Ravens (1-0) at Browns (0-1)

FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Ravens by 6 ½

Last Week Ravens defeated Bills 13-7, Browns lost to Eagles 29-10

Fast Fact The Browns area starting multiple quarterbacks for the 15^th straight season, an NFL record

The Ravens won an ugly grinder against the Bills and now face a Browns team that looked absolutely putrid getting drilled by the Eagles. The Ravens like the stretch the field ability of Mike Wallace and he will get plenty of chances to against a Browns defense that got pushed around in Philly. I feel bad for Hue Jackson, hes a good coach being put in an untenable situation…again. The Browns offense need lots of work and they’ll find little traction against a veteran Ravens defense.

Pick-Baltimore

Titans (0-1) at Lions (1-0)

Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Lions by 5

Last Week Titans lost to Vikings 25-16, Lions defeated Colts 39-35

Fast Fact  The Titans recorded zero sacks or turnovers last week while giving up 3 of each.

The Titans couldn’t hang on to the ball and it cost them dearly in a loss to the Vikings they head to Motown to face a Lions squad buoyed by winning a wild shootout in Indy. No Megatron? No problem says Matthew Stafford who threw for 340 yards and three scores. The Titans didn’t lay a finger on Vikings QB Shaun and their so-so offensive line. If they let Stafford stand tall in the pocket, he will shred the Titans young defense. Im thinking that Stafford will have his way.

Pick Detroit

Chiefs (1-0) at Texans (1-0)

NRG Stadium, Houston 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Texans by 1

Last Week Chiefs defeated Chargers 33-27 in OT, Texans deafeated Bears 23-14

Fast Fact The Texans were victim of the first playoff shutout since 2011

The Chiefs looked ragged for a good part fo their matchup last week with the Chargers before mounting a furious comeback to get the win. The Texans looked almost bored in beating the Bears. Im still not real sure if Brock Osweiler is the answer for the Texans long term, but that hellacious D will keep them in most games. The Chiefs are a hard team to figure out, their offense looks pedestrian but they seems to always be around 28-30 points. Jamaal Charles is still a big question mark, though Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West seem to be carrying the load well in his stead. This game is as tough to call as the playoff game matchup was though the Chiefs won in a shutout. Im going to flip a coin and go with the home team, since I think if the Chiefs spot them a lead like last week they wont be able to roll it up

Pick Houston

Dolphins (0-1) at Patriots (1-0)

Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Patriots by 6

Last Week Patriots defeated Cardinals 23-21, Dolphins lost to Seahawks 12-10

Fast Fact The Dolphins have lost 7 straight in Foxboro

The Dolphins surprised a lot of pundits, your humble scribe included with a gutty albeit losing performance in Seattle. The Pats have shrugged off the absecnce of Tom Brady and ground out a win against the Cards in the desert. Im not doubting Bill Beliechick and his ability to get a QB ready. Jimmy Garapolo looked like a cool calm vet against a withering Cards pass rush and got the win. The Fins will likely try to mix up and disguise coverages and there is always the irrepressible Ndomakung Suh luring about. It shard to bet against the Pats in a home opener.

Pick New England

Saints (0-1) at New York Giants (1-0)

MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Giants by 4

Last Week Saints lost to Raiders 35-34, Giants defeated Cowboys 20-19

Fast Fact In the last four meetings the winning team has scored 48, 49, 52 and 52 points the first time in NFL history that two teams have played four straight games where the winner scored at least 48 each time.

The Saints lost a wild shootout with the Raiders, and now face a Giants team that they had a now go on the road to face a G-men squad that won an uninspiring yet satisfying win over a hated divisional rival in Dallas. Pity poor Drew Brees, hes as cool as ever and puts up sick numbers but his defense puts him behind the eight ball. Many don’t think that it wont be the kind of shootout like last year. Im asking why not. Eli Manning has a bushelload of recievers at his disposal and is likely drooling at the prospect of shredding the paper-mache Saints defense.

Pick New York Giants

Bengals (1-0) at Steelers (1-0)

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (CBS/NFLN)

Favorite Steelers by 3

Last Week Bengals defeated Jets 23-22, Steelers defeated Washington 38-16

Fast Fact  Bengals WR AJ Green has 4 100 yards receiving  games against the Steelers, 2^nd most in team history (Carl Pickens, 6)

These two teams don’t like each other and make no attempt to hide it. The problem is the Steelers have the bully hammer on the Bengals and aren’t afraid to lord it over the Bengals. The Bengals picked themselves off the turf multiple times to rally for an impressive win in Gotham. The Steelers looked frighteningly dominant winning easily in Washington. The Steelers don’t have Leveon Bell but having DeAngelo Williams makes that loss moot. It’ll be interesting to see him fare against the Bengals rugged run defense. Meanwhile a hale Andy Dalton has to face the team that he was injured against last year, getting sacked 7 times against the Jets doesn’t bode well against a strong Steelers pash rush.. As much as I like the Bengals and think they are a solid team, they always freeze up against the Steelers, dumb things happen and as always the grinning jeering Steelers end up chortling over another

Pick Pittsburgh

Cowboys (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

FedEx Field; Landover, MD 1:00 (CBS/NFLN)

Favorite Washington by 3

Last Week Cowboys lost to Giants 20-19, Washington lost to Pittsburgh 38-16

Fast Fact Washington looks to avoid their 2^nd home loss this season they were 6-2 at FedEx Field in 2015

Dak Prescott looked rather impressive in a tough loss to the GMen, while Washington looked lost Monday night getting pounded by the Steelers. Why Josh Norman wasn’t assigned to cover Antonio Brown is anyones guess and if Dez Bryant gets the same treatment, Prescott will have an easy afternoon. Im not sold on the Pokes at all, but Washington just looks like they are regressing badly from their division winning form of last year. Kirk Cousins had better get his act together or it will be a long season

Pick Dallas

Buccaneers (1-0) at Cardinals (0-1)

University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 4:05 (CBS/NFLN)

Favorite Cardinals by 7

Last Week Buccaneers defeated Falcons 31-24, Cardinals lost to Patriots 23-21

Fast Fact The Cardinals have not started 0-2 since 2005

The Bucs looked surprisingly sharp in their win over the Falcons while the Cards were a poor snap from beating the Pats last Sunday Night, Jameis Winston is fast developing into a premier QB and it will be interesting to see how his talented cadre of receivers fare against the rugged Cards secondary, meanwhile old vet Carson Palmer put up decent numbers against the Pats defense and I thnk he will do just as well if not better against a young Bucs defense that gave up a ton of yardage.

Pick Arizona

Seahawks (1-0) at Rams (0-1)

Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 4:05 (FOX)

Favorite Seahawks by 5½

Last Week Seahawks defeated Dolphins 12-10, Rams lost to 49ers 28-0

Fast Fact First pro football game in Los Angeles since Christmas Eve 1994, first Rams home game in LA Memorial Stadium since Dec, 16 1979

The Seahawks looked tight in pulling an escape act against the Dolphins, meanwhile the Rams looked putrid in a pathetic showing on Monday Night, Im thinking the Rams will be going with Jared Goff soon, to keepthe Hollywood honeymoon goin. But point blank, the Rams are just not a good team and the Seahawks will show that in spades

Pick Seattle

Colts (0-1) at Broncos (1-0)

Sports Authority Field @ Mile High, Denver 4:25 (CBS)

Favorite Broncos by 6½

Last Week  Colts lost to Lions 39-35, Broncos defeated Panthers 21-20

Fast Fact The Broncos face the second of successive #1 draft pick QB’s

It looks like Trevor Simeian can play on the big stage, outdueling Cam Newton on opening night. He faces another marquee QB in Andrew Luck. But unlike last week, the Colts butter booty soft defense should provide a lot softer resistance. IN the thin mountain air, that will be a double liability. The Broncos will have an easier time containing this top draft choice.

Pick Denver

Falcons (0-1) at Raiders (1-0)

Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland 4:25 (CBS)

Favorite Raiders by 4

Last Week Falcons lost to Buccaneers 31-24, Raiders defeated Saints 35-34

Fast Fact The last time the Raiders 2-0 was 2002 that was also the last time they finished with a winning season, made the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

The Raiders are feeling good after rallying smartly to beat the Saints on the road and face a Falcons team whose defense can be picked on. They didn’t record a sack last week and if they cant pressure Derek Carr it will be a long afternoon at the Black Hole. Matt Ryan is a capable QB and has the offense to put up the points but Im thinking that it might be asking too much for him to keep up with Carr and a Raiders defense that I think will bounce back quicker

Pick Oakland

Jaguars at Chargers

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 4:25 (CBS)

Favorite Chargers by 3

Last Week Chargers lost to Chiefs 33-27 in OT, Jaguars lost to Packers 27-24

Fast Fact Chargers have won 5 straight against the Jags

The Jags get their fill of marquee QB’s as they face Philip Rivers and the Chargers. Rivers has played exceptionally well against the Jags The Jags showed some improvement in hanging tough with the Packers and Blake Bortles is developing nicely. That said, I think that its still asking a bit much for the young Jags to go on the road to get a win. It’ll be another exciting game but it will be another tough loss for the Jags

Pick San Diego

Packers at Vikings

US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis 8:30 (NBC)

Favorite Packers by 1½

Last Week Packers defeated Jaguars 27-24Vikings defeated Titans 25-16

Fast Fact  The Vikings won the inaugural game in their previous two venues in 1961 (37-13 vs Bears) and 1982 (17-10 vs Buccaneers)

The Vikes open their shiny new digs in primetime and with a hated foe as the first opponent. Sam Bradford may get the call at QB after a competent if unspectacular start against the Titans. Aaron Rodgers is off to his usual strong start and is still one of the most prolific QB’s in the game. The Vikings defense cashed in on turnovers that I think the Packers are not likely to make. That said, Im thinking that Adrian Peterson is overdue for a breakout game. He runs well against the Packers and with an amped up home crowd behind him, that might be just enough to get the win

Pick Minnesota (Upset of the Week)

Monday September 19

Eagles at Bears

Soldier Field, Chicago 8:30 (ESPN)

Favorite Bears by 3

Last Week  Eagles defeated Browns 29-10, Bears lost to Texans 23-14

Fast Fact Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz has top online jersey seller

Wentz made quite the splash in his NFL debut but the Bears defense will be markedly better than the soft Browns defense. The Bears played strong in the first half, but wilted under a strong Texans pass rush. I don’t trust Jay Cutler at all, he makes bad decisions and Im puzzled why promising back Jeremy Langford isn’t used more. Wentz will get a fast education on how a defense really works this time around.

Pick Chicago

Last Week 10-6 (Lock correct, Upset Incorrect)