Lets get to it:
Kansas City @ Buffalo: The Bills are coming off a disgusting loss to the Jets a week ago, while the Chiefs didn't fare much better at home against Atlanta. Both these teams figure to be in the wild card mix down the stretch, but starting 0-2 would put a serious dent into those aspirations, and with that on the line I'll take the Bills at home in a close one.
Baltimore @ Philadelphia: The Ravens looked poised for a big year in their Monday night blowout win against the Bengals. The offense, led by Joe Flacco, was nearly unstoppable, and the defense was its usual juggernaut self. The real test will come in this matchup, as Michael Vick and the Eagles will be looking to redeem themselves after an ugly week one against the Browns. However, I think the Ravens step up to the challenge, on the road, and really establish themselves in this one as one of the leagues' premiere teams.
Tampa Bay @ New York Giants: The defending champs fell flat in their home opener against the Cowboys 10 days ago, emphasis on the 10, while the Bucs came out victorious in their opening contest against Carolina. However, I don't see them having the same results in this one as the Giants have a bad taste to get out of their mouth, and they've had over a week off to figure out how to get rid of it. It's never good to give a team like this extra days to prepare; like I said, emphasis on the 10. Give me the Giants.
Arizona @ New England: I'll keep it short. Pats at home vs a cross country opponent with shaky QB play. Enough said, Patriots.
Houston @ Jacksonville: The Jags looked like an improved team last week. That defense, combined with Maurice Jones Drew, always gives them a chance, albeit a slight one, to win. However, The Texans have a pretty good defense of their own, and the weapons on that offense will give the Jags fits all day long. Give me the Texans.
New Orleans @ Carolina: Cam Newton looked bad last week, as did the entire Saints defense, so both parties will be looking to bounce back in this one. I think both will play much better, and I could see this one coming down to the final minutes, but when it comes down to it, I just don't see Drew Brees dropping two in a row. Give me the Saints.
Cleveland @ Cincinnati: Is Brandon Weeden playing? He is? That makes it easy then, give me the Bengals.
Minnesota @ Indianapolis: Andrew Luck had his ups and downs in last week's loss to Chicago and is one of four rookies still looking for their first win. On the other side, the Vikings had an improbable come from behind win in week one and look to start 2-0 for the first time since 2009. In what should be a relatively close game, I like the Vikings to hand Luck his second loss, however, the rookie looks better.
Washington @ St. Louis: The Rams nearly pulled off the upset last week in Detroit, and while they couldn't quite do it Jeff Fisher clearly has this team going in the right direction. On the other side of the ball, the Redskins took the entire league by surprise last week in New Orleans, thanks in large part to rookie sensation Robert Griffin III. In what could be one of the more entertaining games of the week, I expect the Rams to slow down the momentum built from last week's win, and take down the Skins.
Dallas @ Seattle: Russell Wilson had an up and down performance last week, and had a chance to leave Arizona with a win but came up about ten yards short. This week they welcome in Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off an emotional week one win in New York. A lot of people expect a letdown for the Boys in this one, I, however, am not one of them. In a game that could come down to the fourth quarter, I like Dallas to leave the West Coast 2-0.
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh: Was that really a Tony Sparano led 48 point outburst last week? A couple of those would of been nice in Miami, no? Mark Sanchez looked good, the defense looked, well, Jet-like, and Tim Tebow was a non-factor. All is well in the Big Apple. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers are coming off a week one loss at the hands of, who else, Peyton Manning, and are coming home with something to prove. In a game that features two of the better defenses in the league, I expect the Steelers to come out with a hard fought, low scoring, victory.
Tennessee @ San Diego: The Chargers didn't look particularly good in their week one win against the Raiders, but hey, a win's a win's a win's. The Titans struggled last week against New England, and if Chris Johnson doesn't get going, four yards rushing a week ago, then that offense is going to become extremely one dimensional and predictable. I don't know why I like the Titans in this one, maybe it's just because I need an upset pick, but I do. Give me the Titans in a game that will be decided on special teams, and more specifically, Rob Bironas.
Detroit @ San Francisco: Harbaugh/Schwartz 2.0 here in week two, as these two coaches go back at it after last years "dicey" ending in Detroit. Both these teams are coming off week one victories, with the Lions having to come from behind against the Rams, and the 49ers looking like the team to beat in the NFC in Green Bay. In what should be a close one throughout, I'll take the Niners at home in a game that Jim Harbaugh has had circled since last October.
Denver @ Atlanta: Peyton Manning was brilliant in his return to the NFL last week against one of the best defenses in the NFL, while Matt Ryan and the Falcons looked in mid season form against the Chiefs. I expect Manning and Ryan to go back and forth in this one, and wouldn't be surprised to see it come down to the final minutes. In another mini upset pick, I like the veteran Peyton Manning to go into the Georgia Dome and knock off the high flying Falcons. I'll take the Broncos.
As for injury news:
DT Tony McDaniel continues to battle a knee injury and has been ruled out out of tomorrow's game, as has WR Anthony Armstrong, who's been nursing a hamstring injury. RB Daniel Thomas has also been ruled out of tomorrow's game. Thomas, if you remember, left last week's game with a concussion, and while he believes the injury to be short term he still will not play. Coach Joe Philbin said Lamar Miller is expected to be active in Thomas’ absence
Remember to check back in tomorrow morning for all the pre-game coverage, and as always, follow the live blog tomorrow starting at the 1:05 kickoff.
Until then, farewell.
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