Well, my distrust in rookie QBs certainly worked out for me. I’m going back for more.
No picks for the Falcons or Ravens this week either. I’ve also noted which bet is my favorite of the week, and coincidentally for Week 2, it’s the first one on the slate.
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Chadam Takes: Packers (-3) over LIONS
This is my “Rent Money Special.” You guessed it — a spread so good I’m betting my rent money on it.
The Lions got mauled by a Falcons offense — even A.C. Green could score on Detroit. If this game was in Lambeau, I would take out a loan to wager on it.
Nick Takes: Packers (-3) over LIONS
Something is wrong with this line. It’s a crazy trap by Vegas. For some reason, they believe in the Lions and are trying to entice people to pick the Packers.
This gut feeling is the only thing keeping me from betting my entire month’s salary on this game.
Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals
Chadam Takes: Titans (+1) over BENGALS
Who the hell knows? The Bengals look like they’re a 53-person pickup team, and Kerry Collins’ corpse is starting for the Titans. My choice lies with the best defense, Tennessee.
Nick Takes: Titans (+1) over BENGALS
I think the Titans have a better defense then the Ravens. That’s bad news for the Bungholes who cost me a parlay last week. Young is out, but the Titans have had success with Kerry Collins filling in before.
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Chadam Takes: CHIEFS (-4) over Raiders
The Chiefs always play above their heads at Arrowhead, and they just got a huge upgrade at QB. (Anyone who owned Huard in 2006 knows what I’m talking about.)
Nick Takes: CHIEFS (-4) over Raiders
I can’t believe Chadam picked the Raiders last week. Haha. I hope he does it again.
I thought the Chiefs looked good in hanging with the Brady-less Pats. Larry Johnson looked healthy, and Jamaal Charles looked great as a change-of-pace back. This Chiefs squad is another team that doesn’t drop off much with its backup filling in at QB.
New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins
Chadam Takes: Saints (-1) over REDSKINS
That Colston injury came out of nowhere, didn’t it? What a carnage-filled first week.
Anyways, I gotta go with the Saints considering how wacked out the Skins offense looked.
Nick Takes: Saints (-1) over REDSKINS
The Redskins betrayed me last week when I put my faith in Jason Campbell. If they want my trust back, they are going to have to earn it.
Will Drew Brees please throw the ball to my fantasy players Shockey or Colston?! Not that I need it since I was the highest score in the league last week. Suck on that, Jacob! (Ed. Note: I, Jacob, was the second highest scorer. I fear no one — especially now that your Colston is out for awhile.)
New York Giants at St. Louis Rams
Chadam Takes: RAMS (+9) over Giants
This week is the last time I am backing the Rams unless they cover here. If I was either an S-Jax or Holt owner, I would start to get very worried now. Sell for draft day value if you still can.
Nick Takes: Giants (-9) over RAMS
The Rams — another glorious pick by Chadam last week. The Rams are so bad they would have a losing record in the WNBA. If any team is going to change locations soon, it’s them.
I would also like to place a wager that Scott Linehan will be the first coach fired this season.
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Chadam Takes: Colts (-2) over VIKINGS
Does anybody else agree with me when I say that Addai has gained the injury prone label?
He exited last year’s opener early and was a game-time decision half of the time last year. This season isn’t shaping up any differently. (Ed. Note: Nope, I won’t go there yet.)
Whatever. It’s the Vikings — not like the Colts were going to run the ball much anyway.
Nick Takes: Colts (-2) over VIKINGS
No way the Colts get beat two games in a row. Manning will have shaken off the rust by this week, and he will be ready to go.
I’m a little Jewish in thinking “Purple Jesus” is great but not the ultimate savior. The Vikings won’t make it to the playoffs with their schedule.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Chadam Takes: Bears (+3) over PANTHERS
This game would have been my “Rent Money Special” if it weren’t for that ridiculous Packers line.
Until Mike Brown (Bears’ safety) and Tommie Harris (Bears’ nose tackle) have their annual injuries, this defense will be ferocious. Da Bears.
Nick Takes: Bears (+3) over PANTHERS
Don’t act like you’re not impressed. The Bears just put a whooping on everybody’s Midwest favorite, the Colts. Believe me, I’m impressed.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Chadam Takes: Bills (+5.5) over JAGUARS
I put a lot of weight into offensive lines, and the Jaguars only have two of their projected five starters left standing. Besides, the Bills looked downright nasty against the Seahawks.
Watch out for Marcus Stroud’s “revenge game.” He might steamroll the weak Jacksonville interior and actually eat David Garrard.
Nick Takes: Bills (+5.5) over JAGUARS
I still believe in the Jags, but the Bills have done enough to make me believe they can keep it close. The offensive line woes for the Jags will be a real test.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Chadam Takes: 49ers (+7) over SEAHAWKS
Ugh, gimme the points. My pick for the Seahawks to win under 8.5 games is looking better by the second. If you have some spare time and live in the Seattle area, I here they’re looking for receivers.
Nick Takes: 49ers (+7) over SEAHAWKS
I wish I could have seen the Seattle-Buffalo game last week so I could have a better read on the Seahawks. The Seahawks are going to have a lot of trouble scoring, and that’s why I like the points in this game. I don’t trust any team that loses by 24 points…to the Bills.
Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals
Chadam Takes: CARDINALS (-6.5) over Dolphins
I like that Arizona offense, especially since they are utilizing Hightower correctly. People are too high on the Dolphins even though they haven’t done anything — and yes, I threw a crappy pun in there.
Nick Takes: CARDINALS (-6.5) over Dolphins
It’s a shame when a team plays better than they really are and still loses, but it wasn’t a fluke that the Dolphins only won one game last year. I like the Cardinals to bring the heat in the desert this Sunday.
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Chadam Takes: JETS (-1.5) over Patriots
Matt Cassel needs to prove himself before I wager on him. End of story. Also, my condolences go out to Wes Welker owners.
Nick Takes: Patriots (+1.5) over JETS
I love this bet. Chadam loves the Jets this year so, hopefully, he chose them to cover the spread. Bill Belichick would sell his firstborn son to beat Eric Mangini and the Jets. The fact that the Patriots aren’t favored to win this game will only inspire them to show no mercy and run up the score.
On a side note, does Matt Cassel not have the sweetest life in the world? He parlayed his high school career into a scholarship at USC. He spent all his time getting some major USC ass while doing nothing for the football team, but he still gets drafted by Patriots and gets a Super Bowl ring.
So he hasn’t started a football game in nine years, but Cassel has a Super Bowl ring and coed track record that would impress Wilt Chamberlain. Life is unfair.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chadam Takes: BUCS (-7.5) over Falcons
I’m really nervous about giving up that many points to the upstart Dirty Birds, but I’ll give one of my favorite sleepers another week before I change my mind on them.
Nick Takes: BUCS (-7.5) over Falcons
The Bucs are not the Lions. The Bucs will know how to treat a rookie QB. They will force Matt Ryan to beat them and will win the game easily. This game is going to be one of those “Welcome to the NFL” moments for Matt Ryan.
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
Chadam Takes: TEXANS (-4.5) over Ravens
I’m gonna double down against Joe Flacco. If Mario Williams can get to Ben Roethlisberger, he might have six sacks on Sunday. If you need to roll the dice on a waiver wire D/ST, Houston might be an option this week.
Nick Takes: TEXANS (-4.5) over Ravens
The Texans need redemption badly. Super Mario is going to squash Joe Flacco like he is a goomba walking in the wrong direction. Karma is coming back on the rookie QBs this week, and it won’t be pretty.
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Chadam Takes: BRONCOS (+1.5) over Chargers
The Broncos looked phenomenal on the road against a great passing defense without Brandon Marshall; the Chargers lost a close game at home to a team that was missing their only receiving threat. Not only do I think Denver will win this game, I think they can blow it open. L.T. will tear up that soft Denver front line though.
Nick Takes: BRONCOS (+1.5) over Chargers
I don’t know why, but I have a good feeling about the Broncos all of a sudden. The Chargers didn’t do anything impressive until the fourth quarter, and while I expect them to play with inspiration this week, the Broncos truly believe they can beat anybody at home. That confidence will help them greatly in their quest to take back the AFC West division.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Chadam Takes: Steelers (-6.5) over BROWNS
The Browns defense is on par with the Texans’ D, and look at what the Steelers did to them.
For those who have joined me in the Santonio Holmes Fan Club, here’s to hoping he’s not the third wheel again behind Parker and Ward. Maybe we’ll pool some cash and bribe Big Ben to loft one up the middle for Hines this week…
Nick Takes: Steelers (-6.5) at BROWNS
I loved Dallas in this same position last week. The only difference this week: I think the Steelers are better than the Cowboys. I’m betting a lot on this game even though I fear Braylon Edwards will have a solid bounce-back game. The brown is about to hit the fan in Cleveland.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Chadam Takes: COWBOYS (-7) over Eagles
This game was a tough pick because, in my opinion, these teams are the top two in the NFC. At the end of the day, Dallas is a better team, and they’re playing at home, so they get the nod.
Nick Takes: Eagles (+7) at COWBOYS
Both of these teams looked very good last week. Barber’s status is in question with his bruised ribs. These NFL players are straight up beasts. I can’t imagine how bad the bruising must be to keep a starting NFL RB out of a game. I’m pretty sure I would be eating out of a tube if I took the hits these guys take. I expect a close game, so I’m taking the points.
Current Standings after Week 1:
Chadam: 8-8-0
Nick: 8-8-0