NFL Pro Football 2009 Week 2 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2009 Week 2 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 2 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | September 20-21

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Sunday, Sept. 20

Carolina at Atlanta (-6, 43), 1:00 pm - The Panthers are truly struggling, especially at the most important position, quarterback. Jake Delhomme has not shaken off the effects of last year's playoff ouster, in which he tossed five INTs and added a fumble. Last week against the Eagles, DelHomme was almost as bad, throwing four interceptions and losing yet another fumble. The offense isn't going to get right in Atlanta, as the Falcons lick their collective chops in anticipation of beating up on the team that surpassed them in the divisional standings last year.

Last season, these two teams split their games, each winning, and covering, at home. It may turn out the same way this year, though the hunch is that the Falcons will top the Panthers both times. Start right here with a major win against a division rival, as Carolina's offense sputters and stalls, leaving the defense too much to do against Matt Ryan's troops.

PREDICTION: Falcons 34 Panthers 14

Minnesota (-10, 46 1/2) at Detroit, 1:00 pm - Brett Favre couldn't be happier with the way the season began for his new team. They were trailing the Browns in Cleveland last week, 13-10 at the half, but came out and put up 24 points in the second half before Cleveland eventually added a final TD late in the 4th quarter. The Vikings completely outclassed Cleveland in the second half and won going away, 34-20.

For the Lions, last week's baptism under fire at New Orleans didn't work out too badly for rookie QB Matthew Stafford, as the Georgia grad got 16 completions in 37 attempts, but tossed in 3 INTs. It probably isn't going to get any better at home, even though last year's games were close (Minnesota won both, 12-10 at home and 20-16 in Detroit.).

The Viking defense is ready to take it to another level after a decent effort against the Browns. The Lions will be fortunate to pierce the end zone all afternoon. After giving up 45 points to the Saints last week, don't expect the Detroit defense to put up much resistance, either. Besides, the Vikes have that Peterson guy, who just runs over, around and through defenses.

PREDICTION: Vikings 38 Lions 12

Cincinnati at Green Bay (-9, 42), 1:00 pm - Well, all of those analysts (Boomer Esiason and Shannon Sharpe) who think the Packers are Super Bowl matierial may be rethinking their picks this week after viewing the stumbling start Green Bay had against the Bears Sunday night past. Maybe it was the lights, the pressure, the Bears' defense or the reality of regular season, but the Packers didn't look all that sharp in their home debut. When the time came, though, they got the offense together enough to get the job done with a late TD. Now they have the opportunity to show what they can do against the humble Bengals, who lost in the week's big stunning ending on a tipped pass that went for a winning touchdown and a 12-7 loss.

Other than that play, the Bengals didn't perform badly, especially on defense. They limited the Broncos to 75 yards rushing and no TDs until the end of the game. Cincy was actually leading 7-6 before the roof caved in, but they should be able to come back well. Going out of town may actually be a relief for the players and coaches, not having to hear the jeers of their own fans.

Carson Palmer, who threw two picks last week, will have to be a little sharper against the Packers, but this line seems very much out of whack. Judging from what both teams put on display in week 1, the Bengals actually have a good shot at pulling off the upset. It should be closer than the line indicates.

PREDICTION: Bengals 23 Packers 17

Arizona at Jacksonville (-3, 42 1/2), 1:00 pm - Both of these teams fell victim to a divisional rival last week, and both lost on the road. While Jacksonville almost always loses to the Colts, the Cardinals were well-defensed by a determined 49er squad, a team that is much improved from last season and is likely to challenge Arizona for the NFC West crown.

The question of whether the Cardinals were a one-hit wonder in '08 or the real deal, set to return to the NFC Championship game, seems to be leaning in the direction of the former. Recall that the Cards had serious trouble traveling East in 2008 and only finished 9-7, but got hot during their playoff run. This is a new season, and they just don't appear to have the same spark.

As for the Jags, they're alive and well and maybe worth a look down the road at playoff contention. In last week's 14-12 loss at Indy, the Jags only accounted for 228 yards of offense, despite maurice Jones-Drew rushing for 97 yards on 21 carries. Both Arizona and Jacksonville played well defensively, and will be looking to generate much more offense, though the need is more urgent for the Cardinals.

Taking the safe approach, the Jags may win this one or lose on a late score, but they appear capable of keeping good passing teams in check, so they get the nod at home.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 24 Cardinals 21

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Oakland at Kansas City (-3, 38), 1:00 pm - Was that actually the Chiefs putting up 24 points against the Ravens in enemy territory last week? Well, yes, but one score came off a blocked punt and three more points were courtesy of a 53-yard field goal. Then, when they needed to score, the Chiefs could not and allowed two late TDs for the 38-24 final score.

KC only had 188 yards of offense as compared to Baltimore's 501, so the way the game was playing out had little resemblance to actual offensive capability.

The Chiefs may get Matt Cassell back for their home opener here, but it shouldn't matter. Oakland has improved enough in the off-season that this will be no contest. The Raiders' narrow loss on monday night to the Chargers was no fluke. They actually outgained San Diego, 366-317 and were leading with just over 2 minutes left in the game. Oakland is simply the better team offensively and may explode for multiple scores at any time. Oakland won at KC, 23-8 last year, also in week 2.

PREDICTION: Raiders 30 Chiefs 17

New England (-3 1/2, 45) at NY Jets, 1:00 pm - New England did not look like quite the powerhouse offensively they were in 2007. While the Bills probably played well over their heads, the Pats looked a bit shaky, especially running the ball (only 73 yards rushing vs. Buffalo). They were extremely fortunate to win the game and didn't even come close to covering the spread.

The Jets, meanwhile, looked outstanding on both sides of the ball and are on something akin to a sugar high after downing the Texans, 24-7. Rookie QB Matt Sanchez looked like the real deal, but the story was the Jets' defense, which held Houston to one lonely score and 183 yards of offense, with just 38 coming on the ground. We all know what happens to teams which cannot run the ball effectively. They lose, and despite the New England mystique, if the Jets play their game, they will pound the Pats.

PREDICTION: Jets 21 Patriots 20

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New Orleans (-1 1/2, 46) at Philadelphia, 1:00 pm - Donovan McNabb is not going to get into this game, putting the Eagles at a distinct disadvantage offensively. The Eagles and Saints accounted for the most points in week 1 - 38 by Philly and 45 by New Orleans - and another offensive firecracker is expected here. Drew Brees is simply unstoppable, even though the Eagles have a solid secondary, and should get the win, but it won't be as easy as one thinks. The Saints still have to execute and the defense has to prove itself. The 27 points allowed to a rookie QB and a team that hasn't won since 2007 is not what one would call adequate.

Whatever Philly puts on the field (they don't get Michael Vick until next week) the Saints will be hard-pressed to stop. The Eagles signed Jeff Garcia to back up Kolb Kolb, who will start if McNabb can't go. If the Saints eventually are favored, I'll gladly take the Eagles, but we'll update this when a proper line is available.

PREDICTION: Eagles 27 Saints 24

Houston at Tennessee (-6 1/2, 40 1/2), 1:00 pm - This should be the no-brainer of the week. Houston looked horrible last week losing to the Jets while the Titans looked very solid in their 3-point loss at Pittsburgh. While the Texans actually beat the Titans, 13-12 last season (week 15), the Titans mauled them, 31-12, earlier in the year on Tennessee turf. After seeing both of these teams play in week 1, which do you think will win this game?

PREDICTION: Titans 27 Texans 10

St. Louis at Washington (-9 1/2, 36 1/2), 1:00 pm - The Redskins don't have what it takes to beat the Giants, so they can be excused for their 23-17 opening road loss. St. Louis, however, was the only team in the entire league of 32 to not score a single point and we'll see how long that trend continues as the Redskins are not shabby on defense. If the Rams manage to score at all, it is likely to be on defense or by field goal. The chances of them getting into the end zone in the first half of this game are about the same as Nancy Pelosi becoming a Republican.

It ain't gonna happen, and the Redskins will romp. The Rams actually won here last year 19-17, and then upset Dallas the following week, 34-14, for their only two wins of the 2008 season. Since that Dallas encounter, St. Louis is 0-11. Make it 0-12 after this one's ended.

PREDICTION: Redskins 42 Rams 0

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2009, 2010, 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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