NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 2 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 2 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 2 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | September 14-15

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

SUN., SEPT. 14

Oakland at Kansas City (-3 1/2, 36) 1:00 PM - Battle between two teams coming off 4-12 seasons and opening day losses. Last year, these two traded wins on each other's turf (by 2 and 3 points), so it would make perfect sense to take the Raiders here with more than a 3-point give.

Is anybody interested in this game outside of the players' spouses and immediate family? Will they even watch? Oakland has the talent edge, but they still haven't figured out how to use it. Maybe they will here. Does it matter?

Prediction: Raiders 21 Chiefs 17 Fans 0

Green Bay (-3, 45) at Detroit 1:00 PM - Ah, well, the Pack is Back! Aaron Rogers wasn't perfect or pretty in his debut, but he was effective and efficient. 18-for-22 (81%) a TD, no INTs and no sacks is pretty darn good? The Green Bay defense, however, managed to hold the Minnesota offense to 2 field goals and 2 TDs in their 24-19 win, but that's not very good, considering the Vikings' horrible passing percentage (46%). They also allowed 21 first downs.

The Lions were steamrolled by a hungry Falcons squad in Week 1, but the receiving talent is out there, and if Jon Kitna gets hot, look out. This could - and probably will - turn into a major shootout, and, since we're in Detroit, well, you know...

Prediction: Lions 34 Packers 31

Tennessee at Cincinnati (-1, 37 1/2) 1:00 PM - Well, excuse me for underestimating the Titans last week. They left the Jaguars beaten and bruised and since Cincy took a pretty good licking by the Ravens last week, they're probably not really ready to man up against the aggressive, hard-knocking Titans.

Expect the line to move radically by game time. Really, look at some film. Cincy still has no defense and the Titans might eat a player before the season's out, maybe even here. A little hot sauce on that Ocho Cinco sandwich? Ouch!

Prediction: Titans 28 Bengals 14

Chicago at Carolina (-3, 37) 1:00 PM - Both teams won their openers on the road against top-flight AFC foes. Indy could not match the Bears' intensity on Monday night, and the Panthers just refused to die in their last-play win over San Diego. Now, however, something has to give.

These teams are somewhat mirror images of each other, blessed with competent defenses, somewhat hindered in the wideout department, with strong running games and solid special teams. The Panthers are a bit deeper in experience, plus they're home. The great equalizer may be Devin Hester, Chicago's extraordinary kick returner, but I'll take a stand against just him, trusting that Carolina keeps him in check.

Could be a field goal parade here.

Prediction: Panthers 22 Bears 16

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Buffalo at Jacksonville (-5 1/2, 37 1/2) 1:00 PM - Many of the Jaguar players are still going to be smarting from last week's contest with the Titans when Sunday rolls around. The Bills, meanwhile, had such an easy time at home beating the stuffing out of a lifeless Seattle team that they should come into this game well-rested and ready to get after it.

The Bills were only 3-5 on the road last season, something they'll be looking to improve upon. Jacksonville dropped just two home games last season, to Tennessee and Indy. The Jags are not going to even think about going 0-2, but the Bills are a very solid team and will surprise many this season. Both the offense and the defense are improved over last year.

Prediction: Bills 17 Jaguars 14

New Orleans at Washington (even, 42) 1:00 PM - Not to dispute the idea that home teams should usually be favorites, but after how the Redskins performed in New York last Thursday - basically stinking the place up - they don't deserve favoritism until they actually beat somebody.

Besides, the Saints beat a division rival, one which made the playoffs last season, and they're looking pretty solid. There is one injury issue, and it's a big one. Marques Colston, who happens to be Drew Brees' favorite target, is out 4-6 weeks. Well, a little more Reggie and Deuce, and some of that N'aleans defensive flava out to do the trick here.

Prediction: Saints 23 Redskins 13

Indianapolis (-2, 43 1/2) at Minnesota 1:00 PM - Both teams are in "must win" mode already having lost their openers. The Vikings looked particularly awful in their beat-down at Green Bay, but may be excused for being beaten by a better, readier, home team.

The Colts have no such excuse. Their Monday night debacle - a 29-13 home loss to the Bears - included a safety, a Marvin Harrison fumble returned for a TD and the defense allowing a 50-yard scamper by rookie RB Matt Forte. Other than those slip-ups, they were just fine. Peyton Manning completed 30 of 49 passes for 257 yards and a TD, and was not intercepted. The running game was the Achilles' heel, though, as the Colts only ran for 53 yards on a mere 15 carries. Offensive imbalance: very un-Colts-like.

Look for Indy to fix what's not working right and try to get their running game in gear. It will take some doing against Minny's stout defense, but they are surely the better team, plus it's in a dome, so the Colts should feel almost at home.

Prediction: Colts 23 Vikings 17

NY Giants (-8 1/2, 42) at St. Louis 1:00 PM - This line is so lopsided as to make one wonder just how bad the Rams really are. Being more than a touchdown underdog at home in just the second week of the season speaks volumes. I'm not going to argue, as I've felt the Rams were one of the worst teams in the league since early last season. The Giants weren't all that impressive beating the Redskins last week, but at least they won. They should look even better here.

Prediction: Giants 31 Rams 14

All times Eastern - Click here for late 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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