The Hail Mary - Week 2

Last week I finally got to experience the beauty that is the NFL Red Zone channel. Call me dumb but I took the channel's title as literal. I thought they only started showing games once they were in the red zone. However, I discovered they show every game at some point and usually don't miss a thing. It is dizzying to watch but perfect at the same time. It will change how I watch football from now on. So no more Games That I Will Be Watching header, I get to watch them all now! This weekend my viewing might be somewhat limited as I will be attending a bikini contest in Annapolis. Yes, boobs are one of the few things that could make me miss an NFL Sunday. However, I will be DVRing the Red Zone channel and trying to avoid scores all day.

Week 2

Arizona (1-0) at Atlanta (0-1), Atlanta favored by 6 1/2

I was disappointed that the Falcons were unable to beat the Steelers last week but I still believe in them. The main reason they lost is they could get nothing going on the ground as RB Michael Turner was invisible. I think he will get back to form in this game, and Cardinals QB Derek Anderson will be good for a few interceptions.

Prediction: Atlanta 27, Arizona 13

Baltimore (1-0) at Cincinnati (0-1), Baltimore favored by 1 1/2

The Bengals looked like pussy cats in New England as they had their doors completely blown away. The Ravens defense played inspired football against the Jets but the question is are they still the Ravens defense of forever, or did the Jets just make them look that good? The Bengals defense, the strength of the team also looked terrible last weekend, but I expect them to bounce back and play better against mediocre Joe Flacco.

Prediction: Cincinnati 20, Baltimore 17

Kansas City (1-0) at Cleveland (0-1), Cleveland favored by 2

I was really impressed with the Chiefs in their Monday night win against the Chargers. Their defense looked impressive and they have a ton of exciting rookies including Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster. The Browns are, well the Browns.

Prediction: Kansas City 20, Cleveland 14

Chicago (1-0) at Dallas (0-1), Dallas favored by 8 1/2

The Bears were extremely lucky to come away with a win against the Lions, while the Cowboys awful preseason form carried over to the regular season. The Cowboys offense just seems out of sync and prone to mistakes. Their defense on the other hand, looked fantastic and I think they will harass Bears QB Jay Cutler all day.

Prediction: Dallas 21, Chicago 16

Philadelphia (0-1) at Detroit (0-1), Philadelphia favored by 4

Mike Vick will make his first start since 2006. The Lions will be forced to counter with a backup of their own, Shaun Hill. Vick replaced Kevin Kolb in the second half against Green Bay last weekend and looked like 10 times the quarterback Kolb is. Sure there are some sloppy aspects to Vick's game, but there is no denying the energy he brought to the team. If he plays well against the Lions, it will get harder and harder for Andy Reid to re-insert Kolb into the lineup.

Prediction: Philadelphia 23, Detroit 20

Buffalo (0-1) at Green Bay (1-0), Green Bay favored by 13

Remember last week how I talked about CJ Spiller and how exciting he was? His debut couldn't have been more of a dud. Maybe the stench that is the Buffalo Bills has rubbed off on him and taken away his play making abilities. The Packers lost RB Ryan Grant for the year but I expect their offense to remain potent. They were able to put up 27 points last weekend and that was with Aaron Rodgers not even playing well.

Prediction: Green Bay 38, Buffalo 14

Pittsburgh (1-0) at Tennessee (1-0), Tennessee favored by 5

The Steelers showed a lot of guts in defeating the Falcons last weekend. S Troy Polamalu makes such a difference to their defense and as long as he is healthy, the Steelers will be competitive without Ben Rapelisberger. Winning at Tennessee will be very difficult, but I think the Steelers can keep it close. I expect Titans RB Chris Johnson to have a solid day, but not go off like he did against the Raiders.

Prediction: Tennessee 19, Pittsburgh 16

Miami (1-0) at Minnesota (0-1), Minnesota favored by 5 1/2

Two teams I like go head to head at Mall of American Field. I will be pulling for the Dolphins in this one. LB Karlos Dansby paid immediate dividends against the Bills and the Dolphins could be set at inside linebacker for years. This is a must win for the Vikings, who don't want to fall two games back of the Packers right away in the division. Favre and his receivers have had some extra time over the past week and a half to try to find some sort of rhythm. Maybe Greg Camarillo can make some plays against his former team?

Prediction: Minnesota 24, Miami 20

Tampa Bay (1-0) at Carolina (0-1), No Line

It looks like Matt Moore will start for Carolina, but I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I was on the Moore bandwagon but he looked overwhelmed against the Giants. The Bucs beat the Browns, but that doesn't mean they are good or anything.

Prediction: Carolina 24, Tampa Bay 13

Seattle (1-0) at Denver (0-1), Denver favored by 3 1/2

The Seahawks completely embarrassed the 49ers last weekend. I ripped the Seahawks pretty hard last week and they definitely made me eat my words. The question is, can they be as good on the road? I don't think the Broncos are all that good, but good enough to beat Seattle at home.

Prediction: Denver 27, Seattle 24

St. Louis (0-1) at Oakland (0-1), Oakland favored by 4

What do you know? Even in Oakland, Jason Campbell still sucks.

Prediction: Oakland 9, St. Louis 7

New England (1-0) at New York Jets (0-1), New England favored by 1 1/2

The Patriots looked reinvigorated in Week 1, while Mark Sanchez looked like...crappy Mark Sanchez. I think Sanchez will at least reach 100 yards passing in this one and maybe RB Shonn Greene will do something this week and not kill everyone's fantasy teams. If the Jets lose this game and start 0-2, mass hysteria will ensue in New York. I like Rex Ryan and I don't think there is anything wrong with believing in your team, but man he set himself up to look like a fool.

Prediction: New England 14, New York Jets 10

Jacksonville (1-0) at San Diego (0-1), San Diego favored by 8

I expected the Chiefs to give the Chargers a good game last week but never thought San Diego would lose. Chargers QB Philip Rivers was guh huhing all over the field and might want to work on that. Maybe what ails the Chargers can be cured at home like Vegas seems to think, I don't agree.

Prediction: San Diego 26, Jacksonville 20

Houston (1-0) at Washington (1-0), Houston favored by 3

Houston got the win they were so desperately seeking, as they smacked around the Colts last weekend. The Redskins won a game that they almost certainly would have lost under the Zorn/Campbell regime. Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan faces off against his former team. The question is will he knows the Texans offensive personnel inside and out and give the Redskins an advantage? Or will the Texans know everything about Shanahan's offense, giving the Texans the advantage? This is a really tough game to call. Texans RB Arian Foster may have a huge day, as the Redskins defense has struggled defending the run. A 2-0 start for the Redskins would have fans printing Super Bowl tickets, but I don't think that will happen.

Prediction: Houston 17, Washington 16

New York Giants (1-0) at Indianapolis (0-1), Indianapolis favored by 5 1/2

Manning Bowl II!!!! Peyton took their first meeting in New York four years ago, and Eli will look for revenge on the road. The Giants seemed to be in a malaise for three quarters against the Panthers and then busted loose in the fourth quarter. The Colts defense looked dreadful against the Texans, while the offense looked unstoppable. I think Peyton will outplay Eli and the Colts will right the ship.

Prediction: Indianapolis 35, New York Giants 24

New Orleans (1-0) at San Francisco (0-1), New Orleans favored by 5

The 49ers went to Seattle and laid the biggest turd I think I have ever seen. Our supposed awesome defense let the freaking Seahawks dominate them. Alex Smith looked like the crappy ass quarterback I have watched for years and played like the guy that has me cursing the Niners for passing on Aaron Rodgers. The Saints won in a different way against Minnesota. The offense only was able to put together two scoring drives, and the defense played fantastic. If the Niners get off to an 0-2 start it wouldn't be the end of the world since they play in a dreadful division. However, they need to show some heart and actually be competitive against the defending Super Bowl champions. I want to pick the upset, but I don't want to jinx it.

Prediction: New Orleans 21, San Francisco 17

Overall Record Straight Up: 7-9 (ouch!)
Overall Record Against the Spread: 5-10-1 (ouch!)