The Sports Guru

Week 2 in the NFL couldn’t come too soon for the Guru, still reeling from a 7 win opening week, including a 3 win mess against the spread.  Not to be detered, I am back and

better than ever with my Week 2 picks.  Let’s get it started…

Last Week — 7-9  Straight
Last Week — 3-13 Spread

Overall — 7-9  Straight
    — 3-13 Spread

Carolina @ Minnesota +2 1/2 - My Super Bowl pick for the NFC is in some trouble already.  The injury cloud just doesn’t seem to ever leave Carolina, who was shut down by the Falcons at home last Sunday.  Steve Smith is still questionable with a hammy, and the Panthers lost their starting Left Tackle, Travelle Wharton for the season to a knee injury.  On defense, the news isn’t much better with Dan Morgan out indefinitely after suffering another concussion, and you have to start to wonder if Morgan’s career is in jeapordy.  Things are alot brighter in Minnesota who went into Washington, on the 5th anniversary of 9/11, and beat the Redskins in a highly entertaining game.  Brad Johnson is the fine whie of the NFL, getting better with age, and Chester Taylor is making the most of his first opportunity to be the starting tailback.  On defense, the Vikings are flying around the ball, and just seem faster in those new unis.  At home, in the dome, I like the Vikings, who are going to run Taylor until his legs fall off, to give the Panthers fits without Morgan in the middle.  Take the points in this one, but I am taking the Vikings to win outright in Brad Childress’ debut in the baggy dome.

Vikings 21-18

Detroit +8 1/2 @ Chicago - I don’t like guarantees.  Well, let me take that back.  I like them on my car, or my electronics, or anything else I can break, but I don’t like them from athletes, especially from fottball players.  That dislike quadruples when the player making the claim plays for the Detroit Lions, who scored a whopping 6 points in their home opener last week.  Roy Williams’ claim that the Lions were “so close to scoring 40 points it was stupid” was it self stupid.  The Lions scored 6 points.  Williams went on to guarantee victory in Chicago this Sunday, and if the Bears were over looking the Lions, they certainly not now.  All the happenings had me seriously considering the Bears covering the huge spread, but the fact is I like the Lions defense and think they’ll keep it close.  I am still not sold on Rex Grossman, and the Bears aren’t playing the Packers this Sunday.  Points will be hard to come by, but the Bears stick it right in the face of Roy Williams, beating the Lions by a TD.  Take teh points, Bears win.

Bears 24-17

Houston @ Indianapolis -13 1/2 - For about a quarter the Houston Texans looked great.  They scored 7 quick points against the Eagles and were moving the ball effectively.  Then they rememebred they were the Texans, being outscored 24-3 the rest of the way.  The David Carr sack machine continued, as Carr was sacked 5 times.  Indianapolis struggled offensively at times, especially in the red zone, in their first appearance without Edgerrin James.  The result was still a win in a tough spot at the Meadowlands, and coming back home to face the Texans is just what the doctor ordered.  I like Joseph Addai to start to lay claim to the starting running back position and for Peyton Manning to really get the passing game untracked.  The Texans drafted Mario Williams specifically for this game, to get to Manning, but it’s too soon for that to happen, and the Colts are going to look to put up a good showing to erase the tough loss the last time they played a meaningful game at home.  Dwight Freeney and the Colts D has a field day, and Carr may get sacked 5 more times.  Give the points, take Manning and Co.

Colts 34-13

New Orleans -1 1/2 @ Green Bay - The New Orleans Saints have never started a season 2-0.  EVER!  We are a week away from the emotional return to New Orleans for the Saints, and after slapping the Browns around in Cleveland in Week 1 I think they are primed to return to the SuperDome at 2-0, making an exciting night that much better.  Reggie Bush has shown he can play at this level, and Drew Brees brought steady, if unspectacular, play to the QB position.  The Packers are a mess.  It seems every week the Brett Favre is breaking some some of record, or leading the team to some sort of first.  Last week it was the first shut-out in his 16 year career.  Congrats Brett.  You have single-handedly destroyed one of the proudest franchises in sports for your own selfish, self-serving reasons.  I hope the Packers do run you out there every week, to get slapped around, to throw picks, to lose.  The losing continues this weekend, and the amazing Saints stay undefeated.  Give the Packers the point.  Oh yes the Saints, go marching in, oh yes the Saints go Marching in to Lambeau and beat the Pack.

Saints 17-10

New York Giants +3 1/2 @ Philadelphia - After dealing with the hype machine for 6 months, the Manning v. Manning game is finally over.  I was surprised how well Eli played in the game, with all the pressure to beat his big brother.  He would have, had the Giants DBs held on to about 4 of the ball they had right in their hands during the game.  The Giants come into the game a little banged up, with Jeremy Shockey already suffering his yearly ankle injury.  Tiki Barber looks like he is going to have another solid season, and Brandon Jacobs is a star in waiting.  There are some questions on defense, though, as the G-Men just couldn’t get off the field on third down against the Colts.  Philly, on the other hand, looks to have that swagger back and Donte Stalworth may just be the biggest acquisition for any team this season.  Stalworth will need to prove he can consistenyl put up the numbers he had week 1(6 catches, 141 yards, 1 TD).  After giving up an early TD to the Texans, the Eagles D played solid and looked like the Eagles team that played in 4 straight NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl.  THis game means more to the Giants than the Eagles, but every home opner is special and if the Eagles win they’ll already be two games up on 2 teams in the East.  The Giants make it tough, but the Eagles win on a last second Field Goal.  Take the points, but Eagles win.

Eagles 20-17

Oakland @ Baltimore -8 1/2 - Ya know what?  I need Elias Sports Bureau.  When was the last time a team shut out an opponent 2 weeks in a row?  When was the last time a team was shut ouot twoo weeks in a row?  When was the last time a team was shut out 2 weeks in a row by a team shutting out an opponent 2 weeks in a row.  Wow, now I have a headache.  Until the Raiders prove to me they are more than a high school J.V. team I am going to take their opponent, and give the points.  All Ravens, all the time.

Ravens 24-3

Tampa Bay +5 1/2 @ Atlanta - This game is really stressing me out.  The Buccaneers got embarrassed at home last week, while the Falcons looked unbeatable in their beatdown of the Panthers on the road.  The Buccaneers have won 8 of the last 11 against Atlanta and have been a thorn in the side of the Falcons since both teams moved to the NFC South.  Last season, the Buccaneers were shut out in New England, and came back and beat the Falcons in the dome.  Could the same thing happen again?  The Falcons are a little banged up with Ed Hartwell and John Abraham nursing injuries.  If both play, the Falcons defense are going to be tough to beat.  If they don’t there will be yards to be had for Tampa.  As for the Bucs, they are a little roughed up as well, with Cadillac Williams nursing a bad back.  Chris Simms looked over-matched and confused last Sunday and will need to step up if the Bucs are going to get their season back on track.  The Falcons running game, best in the league last season, looked even better rushing for well over 200 yards.  Warrick Dunn looks like a kid out there and loves playing against his former team who felt he couldn’t be an every down feature back.  The spread is way too high, but I like the Falcons to get a monkey off their back and get one against their division nemesis.  Take the points, but the Falcons win.

Falcons 31-27

Cleveland @ Cincinnati -10 1/2 - My question about the Bengals coming into the season was whether Carson Palmer would be all the way back mentally early in the season.  Physically, his knee is souond, and is probably stringer than his “good” leg.  But I questioned how he would handle it mentally.  Well, after the Week 1 thrashing of the Chiefs, in Kansas City, I am a believer.  Even more impressive was the Bengals defense, that racked up 7 sacks and one K.O. of Kansas City QB’s.  Marvin Lewis finally has the horses on that side of the ball to run the aggressive style of defense he made famous in Baltimore.  The Bengals also seem to have the deepest receiving corp in football, not missing a beat with the loss of T.J. Houshmanzadeh.  The Browns, on the other hand, are still a mess offensively.  Maurice Carthon might be the worst Offensive Coordinator in football, period, at any level.  I think Romeo Crennel is a great coach, but Carthon is keeping this team from making strides.  His play calling last week, in a very winnable game at home against the Saints was laughable, and this O-Line is going to get another quarterback killed.  You’ll hear the “experts” tell you that this series is usually close, but only when the Browns are out of it and the Bengals have clinched.  The Browns can have he points, Palmer, Johnson and Johnson are going to score early and often, and the Browns won’t score enough.

Bengals 31-17

Buffalo + 6 1/2 @ Miami - If week 1 taught us anything, it’s that Daunte Culpepper still makes bad decisions late in games, and that the Buffalo defense is goiong to be pretty good this season.  Buffalo stormed out to a 10 point half-time lead before succumbing to the Patriots in Foxboro.  J.P. Losman cannon get sacked in that situation, for a safety no less, but I give the Bills credit for having enough confidence in Losman to even considering a pass from their own end-zone.  Losman has shown flashes, and with his arm and athletic ability will become a good quarterback in this league, but it is going to take time.  Miami had the Steelers on the ropes until Culpepper starting throwing pick-6’s and will need him to play alot better this week to avoid the upset.  The Dolphins are going to need Ronnie Brown to get started and Culpepper is going to need to get Chris Chambers involved early and often.  Another thing I noticed last week was Culpepper is still favoring his injured leg, and seemed to tire as the game went on.  Culpepper is a big guy and it is going to take time for him to get his football-legs back.  I expect his game to improve as the season goes on but the Dolphins are going to need to get early leads to get off to a good start until that happens.  Take the points, Buffalo, but give the W to the Dolphins.

Dolphins 20 - 14

Arizona +7 1/2 @ Seattle - Arizona was the worst team in football last season socring in the 1st quarter.  That meant they were playing from behind early and often.  Last week, in opening their new stadium, the Cardinals scored 21 points on three straight drives in beating the 49′ers.  There are still questions, though, as Edgerrin James could never get started.  The defense gave up alot of yards to Alex Smith and the 49′ers.  Just a mirage?  We’ll see, as the Cards head on the road to Seattle, and face Shawn Alexander, who has run up and down the field against the Cardinals the last couple of years.  This is going to be a solid litmus test for the Cardinals who want to show the league that they are a playa in the playoff race this season.  Will it happen?  Yes and no.  The Seahawks have one of the best home-field advantages in football, and the Cardinals are lucky to get this one out of the way now.  Kurt Warner is going to be chased all over the field, and if the Cardinals O-Line isn’t careful we may see Matt Leinart alot sooner than anybody thinks.  Arizona has alot of weapons and will score some points, but I like Seattle to bounce back from a moribund offensive performance in week one to win.  Take the points, Seahawks win.

Seahawks 28 - 24

St. Louis @ San Francisco +3 1/2 - Both teams were surprises last week, as the Rams showed their defense is going to be tough for everyone, giving Jake Plummer fits all day forcing 5 turnovers, and Scott Linehan is going to run, then run, then run some more, on the legs of Stephen Jackson.  The 49′ers, and more specifically Alex Smith, who were so inept on offense last season showed some life, especially on the ground, where Frank Gore showed he can handle the load at RB.  Which of these teams will crash back to earth?  Neither, as I think the last week’s performaces for both is an indication of what they are going to be in 2006.  The worry for St. Louis is how disturbing the offense has been in the red zone.  The Rams have yet to score an offensive TD in 2006.  With the talent they have on offense that’s unacceptable.  In San Francisco, the defense got throttled early by Arizona, and it doesn’t get much easier this week.  The home-field is going to help the 49′ers, while the Rams defense will be slowed down a little bit of their home surface.  I do like the Rams in this spot, but in another close, field goal filled affair.  The Rams will score a TD this week, but take the points.

Rams 17-14

Tennessee @ San Diego -10 1/2 - This is pretty simple.  The Titans cannont stop the run, and the Chargers have the best RB combo in football.  L.T. and Michael Turner are a great 1-2 punch and Kerry Collins is a mess at QB for Tennessee.  The Chargers learned a valuable lesson last season, losing key games at home, and missing the playoffs by one game.  Not this year.  Charger roll it up on Fisher’s boys, all Chargers, give the points.

Chargers 34-13

New England @ NY Jets +6 1/2 - You gotta like Tom Brady.  How many superstar quarterbacks would openly admit that what was happening off the field, primarily with Deion Branch, caused a distraction in preperation and thus a lackluster performance on gameday.  Not many, yet Brady did, and even though that CANNOT happen as a professional, I respect his honesty.  Oh, and the Pats still won the game, and head to New York for a metting with former Defensive Coordinator Eric Mangini.  Mangini is coming off a big win himsilf, at Tennessee where Chad Pennington looked solid in his first game back from shoulder surgery.  The Jets have a lot of holes on defense, however, and the Pats are alot better than the Titans.  It will be a spirited Meadowlands crowd, and the Jets will keep it tight most of the way.  It will be one of those games where the score is close, but the Pats are never seriously threatened.  Look for Brady to come back with a strong performance, and with Bruschi supposed to return the defense will be ready as well.  Belichick advised Mangini not to leave, and now will show his pupil why.  Take the points, Jets fans, but the Pats win.

Patriots 24-21

Washington +5 1/2 @ Dallas - Is there such a thing as a must win game in Week 2?  If so, this is it.  Both of these teams have high expectations for 2006, and for one the road is going to get alot tougher, with an 0-2 start.  Both teams have Hall of Fame coaching staff and aging quarterbacks.  Both defenses like to get after the quarterback, and can create turnovers.  I like the “star” power on the Cowboys and they are looking for revenge after the tough loss last season at home to the Redskins when Santana Moss scored 2 TD’s in the last 4 minutes to beat the Cowboys.  T.O. is making his regualr season Dallas debut, and no one loves the Sunday Night Spotlight more than Owens.  Drew Beldsoe needs a big gae to ward off the call by Cowboys fans for backup Tony Romo.  The Redskins offense is in total dissarray, and Mark Brunell doesn’t look like he is taking to quickly to the 700-page playbook brought to town by Al Saunders.  He had better pick it up fast, because the Redskins are teetering on trouble already and the schedule doesn’t get any easier.  This is a rivalry game, however and as we have seen in the past strange things always seem to happen.  I’ll take the points, but the Cowboys take the win.

Cowboys 20-17

Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville +1 1/2 - The Monday Night game should see the return of Ben Roethlisberger, who has made a miracle recovery from an appendectomy only 10 days ago.  To be honest, whether Ben or Charlie Batch plays won’t matter to the Pittsburgh offense.  The Steelers go as far as the defense takes them, and with Troy Palamalu banged up a little but they may struggle.  Bill Cowher has complied an incredible 18-7 record on Monday Night Football, but 2 of those loses are in Jacksonville.  The Jags beat the Steelers as season at Heinz Field and always seem to give Pittsburgh a tough time.  Jacksonville turned a corner last weekend, after falling behind to Dallas 10-0.  They rose up and played inspired football on both sides of the ball, and will come into the game with alot of confidence.  It’s going to be a great game, but I think the Jags squeak it out.  Take the points and the win.

Jaguars 24-20

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This entry was posted on Friday, September 15th, 2006 at 12:19 pm and is filed under Broncos/NFL. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.