NFL Pro Football 2008 Preseason Week 2 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Preseason Week 2 Picks

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

Rick Gagliano | August 14-18

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

THU, AUG 14

Pittsburgh (-1 1/2, 33) at Buffalo 7:30 PM - The Steelers got off to a great start with a win over the Eagles last week and look like a potential playoff team in the fall. As it was last season, the Steelers made the playoffs and the Bills didn't, which may happen again this year. The Bills are improving, however, and at home, so they'll be putting on their best efforts. They are a very young team and are capable of beating most of the teams in the league. They should prove that in this game.

Prediction: Bills 23 Steelers 17

Carolina at Philadelphia (-3 1/2, 35 1/2) 8:00 PM Fox Lincoln Financial Field - The Panthers looked solid in their 23-20 win over the Colts last week and should continue to improve on both sides of the ball. Conversely, the Eagles lacked any offensive punch and their 2nd and 3rd units were sloppy and will need more playing time in order to be competitive. That's why I am taking the overly generous 3 1/2 points, which probably won't even be necessary. Carolina should be able to defend the Eagles predictable offense with ease.

Prediction: Panthers 24 Eagles 10

FRI, AUG 15

Oakland at Tennessee (-5, 35) 8:00 PM Fox LP Field - The sharpies in Vegas have this one already figured out and are going to take as much of that Oakland faithful sucker money (lots of it out West) as possible. The Titans are at least a TD better than Oakland whether they play indoors, out, home, away, in a blizzard or hot sun. Lock it up, and roll with the Titans.

Prediction: Titans 31 Raiders 14

SAT, AUG 16

Washington at NY Jets (-3, 35 1/2) 7:00 PM Giants Stadium - At last, we will get to see Brett Favre in action. Sadly for Jets fans, he is not the "Messiah" sent from football heaven (Green Bay) to lead the Jets to the promised land (playoffs). The Redskins have a very fresh look an egotistical owner who always likes his team to make statements, and this one will be a message to Brett: "Enjoy the lucrative ad money you'll get this year in New York because it's all you're going to get."

The Redskins may come up with a couple of picks while the Jets desperately try to get their offense all on the same page. The points are just gravy.

Prediction: Redskins 30 Jets 16

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Miami at Jacksonville (-3 1/2, 34 1/2) 7:30 PM ALLTEL Stadium - another all-Florida game for Miami, but does anyone believe that after being pasted by Tampa Bay last week, the Dolphins are going to beat the Jags? This one looks just too easy.

Prediction: Jaguars 21 Dolphins 6

Minnesota at Baltimore (-2 1/2, 33 1/2) 7:30 PM M&T Bank Stadium - Same old Ravens - lots of defense, not much offense. Let's see how many touches Adrian Peterson gets here before the Minny brain trust decides to save him for the regular season. Maybe, like last week, none, but probably a few, but not enough to make a dent.

After what Seattle did to the Minnesota secondary last week, even Baltimore's Kyle Boller has to be licking his chops waiting for the opportunity. Until the Vikings get their pass defense roles figured out, they're sitting ducks, even for the Ravens.

Prediction: Ravens 17 Vikings 13

Indianapolis at Atlanta (-3, 37 1/2) 7:30 PM Georgia Dome - If this were the regular season, the Colts would be 6 point favorites, even without Peyton Manning, who is still nursing his injury. Atlanta put up a good fight in their 20-17 loss to the Jaguars last week, and they are very hungry for a win. Could Indy actually go 0-3 this early in the preseason? Ask Tony Dungy what he thinks of preseason games and there's your answer. The Colts are all about evaluating talent, not winning, but the Falcons have a different agenda.

Prediction: Falcons 21 Colts 16

San Diego at St. Louis (-3, 37) 8:00 PM Edward Jones Dome - Despite the Chargers not really caring much about this game, I have one set rule: Don't take the Rams under any circumstances until they win a game. The Rams could easily qualify as the worst team in the league, as evidenced in last week's bludgeoning by Tennessee. The idea that they are 3-point favorites here is, well, ridiculous.

Prediction: Chargers 31 Rams 0

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

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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