NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 2-preseason Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 2-preseason Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 2-preseason Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | Thursday, Aug. 16 - Monday, Aug. 20

All times Eastern - Click here for late Saturday, Sunday and Monday night games.

Thursday, Aug. 16

Miami at Kansas City (-3, 34 1/2) 8:00 pm (ESPN) - Trent Green makes an early visit to his former team, and this week he may hear boos, though they won't be from his own fans as they were last week. Green struggled mightily, picking up only 4 first downs in a full 1st half of action. Miami won last week courtesy of a late missed field goal by the Jaguars.

On the flip side, the Chiefs were humbled by the Browns and now return to Arrowhead for their fans' first look at the two-headed monster known as a quarterback controversy. Both Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle threw an INT last week, so nothing has been settled in that department. Larry Johnson continues his holdout, so expect to see more Michael Bennett and maybe even a Priest Holmes appearance. Neither of these teams are anywhere near settled at numerous positions, so subs will get long looks and Miami just may have better ones. Expect Green to be a little sharper and give Miami the edge.

PREDICTION: Dolphins 23 Chiefs 20

Friday, Aug. 17

Minnesota at N.Y. Jets (-4, 35) 8:00 pm (FOX) - The Vikings are searching for identity... and a QB, while the Jets are pretty well along in their preparation. Don't expect NY starters to play much more than the first quarter, though that should be enough for them to establish a working lead as the Vikes try to find themselves. Lots of talent in Minnesota's backfield and on defense, but no continuity. Should be an entertaining game.

PREDICTION: Jets 21 Vikings 13

Atlanta at Buffalo (-3, 34) 7:00 pm - The Bills did some positive things in beating the Saints last week and are rewarded with a home game against a very unbalanced Atlanta squad. The Michael Vick saga will sap this team's energy all season. My advice is to bet against the Falcons until they beat you, then bet against them some more. They will struggle to win games this year - even in preseason - and two in a row will be a major accomplishment. After the Jets pounded them last week, Buffalo will be better prepared (especially in their running game), and really put a sting on the Falcons.

PREDICTION: Bills 31 Falcons 16

Carolina at Philadelphia (-3, 35) 7:00 pm - Donovan McNabb didn't play in Philly's humiliating loss to Baltimore and now must turn around on a short week. McNabb will start, but he's likely to be pretty rusty and the rest of the Eagles didn't look particularly good in their 29-3 beating. They gained less than 2 yards per rush and only converted 11 fist downs. Of course much of that had to do with Baltimore's preparation. They look good to go already.

Carolina nipped the Giants, 24-21, all three QBs threw TD passes and the backs got plenty of work. This week's practice was likely focused on the defense, which was a bit sloppy against New York. Still, you have to like the way the Panthers looked in their opener and they should handle the Eagles here.

PREDICTION: Panthers 24 Eagles 14

Tennessee at New England (-5 1/2, 35) 8:00 pm - This line may see some movement by game time, as Vince Young will play, catching up on time lost last week. The Pats didn't look very interested against Tampa Bay and that's probably OK with the coaching staff. They want the starters to get some reps and then look at a few players without revealing much of their game schemes this early.

While this may be a walk-through for the Pats, the Titans have something to prove. If the points stay on the generous side, meaning 3 1/2 or more, go with Tennessee

PREDICTION: Titans 17 Patriots 14

Saturday, Aug. 18

Houston at Arizona (-2 1/2, 36) 4:00 pm - Here are two teams with plenty of upside, and lots of players looking to impress. The Cardinals may want to get the ball in the air a little more than they did last week, and see if Matt Leinart can do a little better than his 5-11, 50-yard performance against the Raiders. He may play well into the 2nd quarter here. The QB situation is still unsettled in Houston, though Matt Schaub is supposed to be the starter, though you couldn't tell that by the play of backup Sage Rosenfels (16-26-138, 1 TD) last week against the Bears. A little entertainment, though I doubt the Texans' defense will be able to keep them in here.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 24 Texans 10

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Detroit at Cleveland (-2 1/2, 35 1/2) 7:00 pm - Look for some fireworks in this game. Both teams are coming off wins and for perennial losers, that's big. Detroit has the guns, but Cleveland has more guts and more motivation to win in front of the home crowd. It may come down to 3rd stringers late in the game, and while the Lions put up 489 yards passing against the defenseless Bengals, they won't have quite as much success against Cleveland.

Romeo Crennel may finally have the defense where he wants it. Last week the Brownies limited KC to 200 yards of offense and all the Chiefs could muster were an interception return for a TD, a safety and a field goal. Detroit will be a good test in a fun matchup.

PREDICTION: Browns 21 Lions 17

New Orleans at Cincinnati (-3, 38) 7:30 pm - If you think the Saints' players are a little disgusted with themselves after losing their first two games, you'd likely be correct. Coach Peyton will probably let the starters play until they've put multiple scores on the board. Last week against Buffalo, the Saints settled for field goals too often and actually had their first attempt blocked. Cincy's bend-and-break defense won't be able to hang in here at all. A complete wipeout.

PREDICTION: Saints 35 Bengals 10

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville (-4, 33 1/2) 7:30 pm - It's probably not a lot of fun being a Buccaneer, even though you've just upset the New England Patriots. Coach "Chucky" Gruden has probably been reminding players of last year's debacle and the fact that the win was at home and it was preseason. So, maybe they'll be out to prove something more this week.

Can Jacksonville actually lose consecutive games to the other Florida teams? Not likely. Both Brian Leftwich and David Garrard looked sharp in the opener and the defense may be a little stiffer this time around. Jacksonville makes amends.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 20 Buccaneers 10

All times Eastern - Click here for late Saturday, Sunday and Monday night games

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