Week Two - NFL Picks

Bears +7 at Saints

The Bears came out in week 1 and simply manhandled an Atlanta team that many picked to go deep into the playoffs.  Expect Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams will try to overwhelm the Bears young tackles with different looks.  With the emergence of Henry Melton, the Bears are getting pressure from the interior line and their front seven has looked dominant.  There is no doubting Drew Brees is a stud, but expect some picks to be thrown (see last year) when you combine Olin Kreutz and non-Colston fill in WR's.  Crowd noise is going to play s huge role in this game, but I am going with the Bears to make it five in a row against the Saints.

C-Murder - Bears

Sef Sam Holy - Saints

Chiefs +9 at Lions

In week 1, the Chiefs lost their pro bowl safety Eric Berry and made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like a star. Expect Matt Stafford to put up monster numbers. Chiefs will look to pound the ball with Jamal Charles and keep their Berry-less pass defense off the field as much as possible. The Lions fans can finally take those bags off their heads as they win this one and cover.

C-Murder - Lions

Sef Sam Holy – Lions

Jags +9 at Jets

On one hand, the Jets should have lost last week. On the other hand, I think Luke McCown will lose his job before I ever find out who he is. There are too many strengths for the Jets that won't be offset by an above average Jag defense and good running back (that will consistently face an 8 man front with a mystery man at QB). I have to go with the Jets here.

C-Murder - Jets

Sef Sam Holy – Jets

Raiders +3.5 at Bills

Fantasy implications led to me being one of the few to sit through the Raiders late Monday night game.  What did I take away?  Their run defense is sick, McFadden is a top 3 fantasy back if healthy, their offense is going to be creative (Jacoby Jones), and they have absolutely no discipline.  Not only that, but the weather conditions (Orton fumble when Lloyd was wide open and the fact that crowd had no energy) seemed be the deciding factor. I like Fitzpatrick continuing his efficiency against the Asumongu-less Raiders defense and the Bills winning at home in a close game.

C-Murder - Bills

Sef Sam Holy – Bills

Cardinals +4 at Redskins

Remember in 2006, when Sexy Rexy was the front runner for NFL MVP through 6 weeks?  Yes, it was a long time ago, but the reality is that he can definitely be above average in the right system. Look for Sexy to expose the same defense that Cam Newton tore apart in week 1. Not only that, I'm also sold on that Skins defense agaisnt Kolb learning a new system, especially when you bring crowd noise into the mix.

C-Murder - Redskins

Sef Sam Holy – Redskins

Ravens -6.5 at Titans

Believe it or not, I think the Titans could pull this one out. Reports are that CJ should be seeing 25+ carries and I am sensing an emotional letdown after the Ravens destruction of the rival Steelers. Science of the day I heard on the radio yesterday: The Ravens are 1-5 following wins against the Steelers.

C-Murder - Titans

Sef Sam Holy – Ravens

Seahawks +14.5 at Steelers

Unrelated but kind of related science: Big Ben has a 10-3 record in the playoffs. Totally

inappropriate stat (given that playoff games are against good teams), but I think it means that this team gets up when they need to. Something about Tavaris Jackson is hard to trust, and that something happens to be that he really, really sucks at quarterback. Expect dominance from the Steel.

C-Murder - Steelers

Sef Sam Holy – Steelers

Packers -10 at Panthers

The Packers will win this game by a lot of points because they are good.  It will be interesting to see how bad Cam Newton plays.  Don't get me wrong, I really like what he did last week, but rookies typically don't fare to well when facing a Dom Capers defense.  Any hope for the Panthers D to contain Aaron Rodgers and James Starks is now on the IR (Jon Beason).

C-Murder - Packers

Sef Sam Holy – Packers

Bucs +3 at Vikings

I'm going with the experienced QB and experienced/worlds best running back.  The Vikings were able to keep it close last week even when they only got 39 yards from the passing game.  Look for them to play with a lead at home and for Donovan McNabb to return to being below average (as opposed to the worst ever).  The Vikes win by 10+.

C-Murder - Vikings

Sef Sam Holy – Bucs

Browns -3 at Colts

Hillis will be the top fantasy RB this week unless something that I dont predict ends up

happening. Not only that, but if my two hardcore Colt fan friends are any indication, that

stadium is going to be quiet and deeply depressed from start to finish. Random thought: I'm still surprised the Colts didn't go after Kyle Orton.  The Colts will lose again, but not in a blowout as we see Collins start getting better with more reps.

C-Murder - Browns

Sef Sam Holy – Browns

Cowboys -3 at 49ers

The Cowboys should be 1-0 and coming off a huge win against the New York Jets. Instead Tony was a Romo and we saw their entire team meltdown. That said, the 49ers can't move the ball.  The Cowboys are going to be a 10+ win team, and do you really think that an offense led by Alex Smith can pace with weapons like Austin Miles, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Felix Jones? I'm going Cowboys, big.

C-Murder - Cowboys

Sef Sam Holy – Cowboys

Texans -3 at Dolphins

This is the year for the Texans. Sounds like Mario Williams made the transition to standup lineman with ease, their running game clicks regardless of who’s playing (Tate is good sick), they have the best WR in the game, and Matt Schaub is an extremely underrated QB. Expect monster numbers for him against the same D that Brady torched last week.

C-Murder - Texans

Sef Sam Holy – Texans

Chargers +7 at Patriots

Science of the day: Tom Brady has won 27 straight regular season home games. The Chargers had a hard time keeping up with Minnesota (who threw for a whopping 39 passing yards), Brady is bound to throw for at least twice that. Ok, maybe 13x that. Pats by 14.

C-Murder – Patriots

Sef Sam Holy - Chargers

Bengals +3.5 at Broncos

Yes, the Bengals beat the Browns but don't forget this is still the same team that many thought could go 0-16. I am still convinced that the crazy rain last week in Denver played a huge role in their week 1 loss. Big win for Broncos with a reenergized crowd.

C-Murder - Broncos

Sef Sam Holy – Broncos

Eagles -3 at Falcons

Mike Vick won't be stopped, and LeSean McCoy will have similar success Matt Forte had for the Bears in week 1. Tough task for the Falcons facing what could be two of the top NFC defenses in consecutive weeks following the abbreviated preseason.

C-Murder - Eagles

Sef Sam Holy – Falcons

Rams +6 at Giants

You've heard it before, this NYG team really is not the same when they are playing from behind.  That won't happen in week 2. Expect for the Bradshaw/Jacobs combo to close in on 40 carries and for the Giants to run away with this one. Life will be made difficult as the pressure on Sam Bradford will increase without the threat of S Jax running the ball.

C-Murder - Giants

Sef Sam Holy - Rams