NFL Week Two picks

After a long vacation from the blog, I've decided to try doing quick blurbs about each NFL game over the upcoming weekend and pick the winner. Let's have a go, shall we?

Buffalo at MIAMI -- The Bills put up a surprising performance against the Pats last weekend, nearly snatching a victory from the highly-touted Pats in Foxboro. But this weekend the Dolphins will be on a mission and I think last weekend was a fluke for Buffalo. They are still one of the five worst teams in the NFL. Dolphins by a touchdown.

Carolina at MINNESOTA -- I think the Panthers were cursed by the "This team is definitely going to the Super Bowl" chatter before the season even kicked off. The Vikings looked good AT Washington on Monday night, and I think they'll be just as good at home. Call it Vikings by three.

Cleveland at CINCINNATI -- Even though I liked Charlie Frye's performance for the Browns last weekend, everything else looked awful. The Bengals dominated Kansas City despite a mediocre performance statistic-wise by Carson Palmer. Cincinnati wins by two touchdowns.

Detroit at CHICAGO -- Did ya see Chicago's defense last week? Sure, it was against Brett "I still think I'm a gunslinger even though I should've retired in 2004" Favre, but the Bears suffocated them. Detroit struggled a bit on the offensive side of the ball, so they'll need to improve if they think they can even touch the Bears. They can't. Bears by 10.

Houston at INDIANAPOLIS -- Has there ever been a more unappealing game than this one? Houston is terrible and already regretting their drafting Mario Williams (who?) over Reggie Bush (Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!). The Colts will steamroll for points and win easily. Let's say Colts by 14.

NEW ORLEANS at Green Bay -- The Saints looked OK at Cleveland. Now put them at Lambeau against the worst QB in the NFL, and what do we have? Another Saints victory. 2-0! Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! OK, OK, Saints by a couple of field goals.

New York Giants at PHILLY -- I'm taking Philly at home. The Giants are good and they will win between 10-12 games, but playing in Philly is never easy -- especially when the Eagles are riding high. The Giants will beat Philly at Giants Stadium, but Philly beats the Giants at Lincoln Financial by three.

Oakland at BALTIMORE -- I am going to pick against Oakland every week and take the one or two wrong picks. Any team with Aaron Brooks as their quarterback is in trouble, but did you see them on Monday night? Worst team ever. And I mean ever. Meanwhile Baltimore was busy Sunday killing the Bucs at Tampa Bay. Call me crazy, but I think the Ravens will be even better at home. Baltimore by 24.

Tampa Bay at ATLANTA -- Did you see the Falcons' running game last week against the Panthers? It was dominant to say the least. I think the Bucs are in troublee and this week will prove so. Atlanta wins by a touchdown.

Arizona at SEATTLE -- I don't get why everyone thinks Arizona is some big sleeper team that will shock everyone and make the playoffs. Kurt Warner is not the second coming of Christ. And everytime a team is touted as a sleeper pick by everyone and their kid brother, they turn out disappointing. I'm taking Seattle at home (even with Deion Branch in jeans) by a touchdown.

ST. LOUIS at San Francisco -- The Rams looked good last week despite only scoring field goals. How crazy is that? The 49ers are in for another tough year. Call it a 10-point win for the Rams.

Kansas City at DENVER -- Let's see: You lose your franchise quarterback in the first week thanks to a blistering hit, then spend the whole week wondering how the hell you are going to win. Add your most bitter rival. Mix in some road trip. And what do you get? Denver wins by 10.

NEW ENGLAND at the New York Jets -- The Jets pumped out a decent performance last week before almost blowing the game. The Pats barely beat the Bills. But I fully expect the Pats to recover and win on the road against the weak Jets running game. Chad Pennington can't beat Belichick if Peyton Manning can't. Pats by three.

Tennessee at SAN DIEGO -- Duh. The Chargers might be my sleeper pick for Super Bowl Champs. We'll see. In the meantime, LT will run all over the Titans. Vince Young and Kerry Collins aren't going to win many games this early in the season. Chargers by two touchdowns.

Washington at DALLAS -- As much as I want to take the Redskins in this game, I gotta go with the home team. I hate picking anything that involves my trusting of Drew Bledsoe or T.O., but at home I think they can take care of business. Let's see how the Redskins bounce back after a tough loss Monday night. 'Boys by three.

Pittsburgh at JACKSONVILLE -- Remember when these guys played two years ago? It was incredible. It was physical, smash-mouth, take-no-prisoners football. But the Jaguars are good, and they're at home. Jags by three.

That's it for this week. If you get a chance, check out www.pittsburghpanthers.com and look over Pitt basketball's schedule, you will shout for joy. Also, check out www.pittnews.com for great sports coverage of Pitt sports. Take 'er easy.