I am not going to lie; I got absolutely crushed in Week 1. I wasn’t able to get anything going. I had a terrible feel for a lot of teams and a lot of teams really surprised me. Chicago was far, far more impressive than I ever thought they would be. The strong defensive performance wasn’t that surprising but Cutler performance was surprising. Chicago truly looked like a dominant team. It’s possible that I have significantly underrated them.

Additionally, Atlanta was an absolute disappointment. The Falcons looked brutal on all three aspects of the game. They were behind on special teams, defence and offence. The effort was so poor I am concerned about their ability to compete for the rest of the season. I still think they are making the playoffs but I feel a lot less secure about them this week than I did in the preseason.

Pittsburgh performed poorly and Baltimore outperformed my expectations while San Diego did their best to lose a game against the Vikings that they absolutely dominated.

I shouldn’t have bet against New England (they appear to be my kryptonite) and I was correct about Dallas covering the spread even though Romo did his best to throw it away. On the games that I felt the best on, I was 1-4 and for the week I was 5-9-2 so I understand if you disregard my opinion but frankly the real blame lies with the teams who played and not me. So shape up teams I choose and don’t fail me. On to my picks!

Home team is in CAPS and line provided by www.Sportsbook.com

1. Dallas Cowboys (-3) Over SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Dallas looked really good for 3 quarters before blowing up against the Jets but is a far more talented team than San Francisco. San Francisco used special teams Ted Ginn Jr. to beat an exceptionally weak Seahawks team and Alex Smith still looks brutal managing to only throw 124 yards against Seattle. Dallas’ O-line looked acceptable and their defence was able, for the most part, contain the Jets offence. Even if Dez Bryant isn’t available for the game Dallas will still put up the numbers that will dwarf whatever the 49ers can do. This game looks like a lock to me. Special teams won’t be as bad or as good this week for these two teams.

BUFFALO BILLS (-3) Over Oakland Raiders

I think that the Raiders have a very dominating running game while Buffalo’s defence was notoriously porous against the run last year, but Buffalo handled the Chiefs in Week 1 who also have a potent rushing attack. Fitzpatrick will be able to test Oakland’s secondary in a way that Denver couldn’t in the rain as the weather forecast in clear and sunny. Jason Campbell didn’t show anything on Monday to indicate he’s a much improved quarterback (less than 100 yards passing) and Oakland appears to be an undisciplined team (in typical Oakland fashion) recording over a 100 yards (on 15 penalties) in penalties last weekend. Denver didn’t take advantage but the Bills should. In addition, Oakland played a late Monday night game and is travelling east for an early Sunday game. They won’t be able to acclimate quickly enough. Buffalo wins and covers, giving them a 2-0 start for the first time in recent memory.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-14) Over Seattle Seahawks

A repeat of Super Bowl XV will not be nearly as close as that Super Bowl was. Mike Tomlin is an all-star coach and the Steelers need to make a statement. If the Steelers aren’t able to absolutely destroy the Seahawks at home then they have no business being a contender. Pittsburgh’s defence should absolutely destroy Tavares Jackson who has no great targets and Marshawn Lynch is no Ray Rice. Seattle threw for 155 yards while only rushing for 64 yards! Against the 49ers. Mendenhall should rush for 100 yards this game and providing Rothelisberger has a serviceable game then the Steelers should have no problem winning and covering this game. Anything less than an absolute thrashing of the Seahawks would be unacceptable for the Steelers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) Over MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Total passing yards for the Minnesota Vikings last week was 28 yards. If Donovan McNabb isn’t done yet, he’s very close. If I was a Vikings fan, I’d almost, almost wish for Brett Favre to be warming up on his Mississippi ranch. The Bucs ran into a strong Detroit Lions team last week and they usually feast on weaker teams. The Vikings have a good running back and that’s about it. Without an average quarterback they are a weaker team this season. The Bucs will have to use Blount more than they did last game but I expect them to do that while controlling the ball in a similar method to San Diego. Tampa Bay should cruise to victory over a beleaguered Vikings squad that feels like they are going to mail it in for the season.

Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) Over DENVER BRONCOS

Despite the Bengals having not won a game in Denver since 1975 (that’s a long time) I still like the Bengals to win the game this weekend. Denver showed me really little against the Raiders. Only rushing for 38 yards was a large disappointment for the Broncos and while I like Kyle Orton, it appears that Broncos fans do not and I think that will adversely affect his ability to play. Orton is in a more hostile environment at home than when he is on the road. Meanwhile Cedric Benson impressively rushed for over 121 yards and Cincy really controlled possession of the ball. Regardless if Dalton or Gradkowski starts I think that the Bengals will be able to effectively move the ball on the Broncos. Look for A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham to have nice games and the Bengals to win a tight one in Mile High Stadium.

Remaining picks are below:
DETROIT LIONS (-9) Over Kansas City Chiefs
Green Bay Packers (-10) Over CAROLINA PANTHERS
Cleveland Browns (-2) Over INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Chicago Bears (+6.5) Over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) Over NEW YORK JETS
Baltimore Ravens (-6) Over TENNESSEE TITANS
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (-4) Over Arizona Cardinals
Houston Texans (-3) Over MIAMI DOLPHINS
San Diego Chargers (+7) Over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) Over ATLANTA FALCONS
St. Louis Rams (+6) Over NEW YORK GIANTS

Games of the Week

Philadelphia @ Atlanta
I feel like I am the only one who remembers that Vick played in Atlanta two years ago and played well if I recall. But this game will is between NFC contenders and given that Matt Ryan rarely loses at home, it will be interesting to see these two teams duke it out.

Chicago @ New Orleans
New Orleans is coming off a long layoff after a tough week 1 loss while Chicago comes to town having thoroughly whopped the Falcons. I want to see how well Cutler fares against a blitz happy team and to see if the Bears defence will remain elite this season.

San Diego @ New England
Apparently former Patriots hate it when you are a current Patriot and you complement your team. Ochocinco really can’t win. Regardless, if the Chargers want to have the faith of the media to have a breakout season, then they need to at least keep this game close. If Brady goes off once again, then San Diego can expect a long flight back home.