Week Two Picks

Since 1990, 160 NFL teams have begun their season with 2 losses. Only 22 advanced to the postseason, while only 10 won their division.

Why am I bringing this up? Historically, starting 0-2 in the NFL has been a recipe for disaster, and half of the league is in danger of going 0-2 this week. It also doesn't help matters that a good handful of these teams are underdogs.

Of course, the 2007 New York Giants might have something to say about all of this. After all, they began their season 0-2 when they hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy two seasons ago.

The 16 teams in danger of going 0-2 are Carolina, Detroit, Cincinatti, Arizona, Jacksonville, Oakland, Kansas City, Houston, Tennessee, St. Louis, Washington, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, and Miami.

Which teams will find themselves in a hole that very few have been able to dig out of? I guess we'll just have to watch the games and find out.

Futher to the above, since the salary cap era began, 78 teams have begun their NFL season 0-3. 2 of those teams made the playoffs. Both of those teams were out in the first round of the playoffs. What does that mean? Well, there's a lot of desperate teams playing this weekend if their Week 3 opponent is someone that should beat them as well. Three teams in particular who came into the regular season with high expectations, have tough Week 3 opponents and could potentially fall to 0-3 at the end of next week: [Arizona (home to Indianapolis), Carolina (at Dallas), and Chicago (at Seattle)].

It's something to definitely keep in mind when watching the games this weekend.


Last week, I went 12-4 with my picks, and I highly doubt that this week will be as good. There's alot of uncertainty this week, and that's why Vegas makes a killing on the NFL (but that's a column for another day).

I didn't put too much research into these picks, and the majority are gut feelings. There's things about each team that I like or dislike this week, and played part in my decision, but in the end, it was a gut feeling. In some cases, a coin flip. So, here it goes.

Week 2 NFL Picks (IN CAPS):



Carolina @ ATLANTA - When your star receiver is caught on tape saying, "I never did really like you as a quarterback," to the quarterback who has turned the ball over 11 times in the last 2 games...that's pretty much a red alert, even if he was joking around and trying to lift his spirits. Not to mention the Panthers could be without right tackle Jeff Otah for this division game. I can't bring myself to pick the Panthers this week, even though if you read Bill Simmons, he might convince you otherwise...

MINNESOTA @ Detroit - Until further notice, the Lions still suck, and Adrian Peterson will rush for over 100 yards and multiple scores.

Cincinatti @ GREEN BAY - Green Bay got a great performance from their defence last week, and Aaron Rodgers will be looking to get that offense moving much better than it did on Sunday night. Offensive problems? In come the Bengals. Problem solved.

ARIZONA @ Jacksonville - I know the Cardinals don't play good when they head out east, and that's why alot of people will pick the Jaguars in this game. This was one of those gut feeling picks. I really have no good reason to pick the Cardinals this week, but here we are.

OAKLAND @ Kansas City - Coin toss. Result: The Raiders.

NEW ENGLAND @ New York Jets - I know people got really excited about the Jets from their performance last week, and the Patriots are working with a short week heading into New York. But this just seems to me like the game where everyone jumps on Jets' bandwagon and New England comes into town and shows why they are still the class of the AFC East. On the road, coaching and quarterback play is vital, and the Patriots are just better in both areas. Period.

NEW ORLEANS @ Philadelphia - Kevin Kolb? Really? No thanks. I'll take Brees and the Saints even though they are on the road. Even though against tough defences on the road seems to be where Brees struggled last year, something tells me that him and head coach Sean Payton have figured out a way to fix that.

Houston @ TENNESSEE - Before the season started, I really liked the Texans. I still do, but not this week going into Tennessee.

St. Louis @ WASHINGTON - If it wasn't for the defensive touchdown by the Giants last week, the 'Skins actually hung in there for most of that game in Week 1. That probably has more to do with their defence, because their offence did not look good at all. But wait! Who comes into town this week? The Rams!!! I wonder how long it takes the Rams to register points on the board this season??

Tampa Bay @ BUFFALO - Coin toss. Result: The Bills. *Funny thing about this game, we'll see how different the Bills' offense looks now that T.O. has already complained about his lack of involvement in the offense. Gee, that didn't take too long...

Seattle @ SAN FRANCISCO - I think this game is going to be very physical, and I liked what I saw from the 49ers' defence last week, not to mention Patrick Willis might just be the best defensive player in the game. Seattle is still getting healthy on the offensive line, and San Fran is going to bring the heat. Either way, one of these teams is going to be 2-0 to start off the year, and both would be deserving. Take the home team.

Pittsburgh @ CHICAGO - No Polamalu for the Steelers, and no Urlacher for the Bears. I think the Bears can cope with that loss better than the Steelers can cope with the Polamalu loss simply because linebacker is the part of the field where the Bears are deepest. That being said, another 4-INT performance by Cutler and that all goes out the window. This game will be decided on which team does a better job of putting pressure on the QB. The Bears have to play desperate, and they are at home. Give me a home team who is desperate and I'll usually take them.

Cleveland @ DENVER - I don't like either of these teams, but I like the Broncos a little less. Are the Broncos really going to start 2-0? Yikes.

BALTIMORE @ San Diego - Injuries to the offensive line and the fact that the Chargers play in the AFC West, leads me to believe that this is one that they can afford to lose. The Ravens look good and will take the lead in the AFC North. Consequently, the AFC West lead will belong to the Denver Broncos...Wow.

New York Giants @ DALLAS - All I'm hearing this week is that the Cowboys can't stop the run. This is true. However, Romo plays great in September, and plays great against the Giants. I think that this Cowboys team is a better "team" than it was last season without Terrell Owens, and this should be one heck of a game on Sunday night. If we all don't already know, I don't think too highly of Eli Manning, but the Giants run the ball well, have the advantage in the trenches, and have the coaching advantage. Still, I like the Cowboys because I think that at home, the defensive line of the Cowboys is going to show up and be the difference, forcing Manning into a couple of turnovers. Once again, it's just one of those gut feelings.

INDIANAPOLIS @ Miami - Miami is going to be one of those teams that starts 0-2. I really thought this team would take a step back this year, and so far it's looking like they will prove me right. There are few quarterbacks that play better on the road than Peyton Manning, and him and Reggie Wayne seem to be poised for huge seasons statistically. Miami will be able to move the ball on the ground with success against the Colts, but the question is at what point will they have to put the ball in the hands of Chad Pennington if they fall behind? The later the better if you're the Dolphins, that's for sure. I know the Dolphins are desperate, and I know they are at home, but it's going to be a long and disappointing season if you're a Dolphins fan.


Deacon's Season Record: 12-4