Last week, Nick and I were on fire. We had identical picks for 12 of the 15 games, and in those games, the two of us went 8-3 with one push.
Sadly, I lost the three picks on which we disagreed. After a sterling 11-3-1 record in Week 2, Nick is now up by three games.
Before we get started, let me explain a bit of what goes on behind the curtain.
While we don’t discuss our picks before we send them in to Jacob each week, Nick and I do watch football together on Sundays with all of our friends and participate in a mutual fantasy football league (with Jacob). It should come as no surprise that our picks and our logic are often similar, but no worries here. I’m going to beat Nick like he owes me money this week.
Here are some stats from the season thus far:
| Home Team Winning Outright: | 16-15 |
| Favorites: | 19-12 |
| Home Team Against the Spread (ATS): | 14-16-1 |
| Favorites ATS: | 15-14-1 |
Nothing out of the ordinary. The favorites are winning roughly two-thirds of the games, and the spread splits are very even. We’ll see if the trends continue in Week 3.
Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons
Chadam Takes: FALCONS (-5.5) over Chiefs
I wonder if Nick is doubling down on the Chiefs after last week. My condolences go out to L.J. owners — the situation in Kansas City has “Moss in Oakland” written all over it.
Nick Takes: FALCONS (-5.5) over Chiefs
I placed my faith in the Chiefs last week, and they tomahawked any hope I had of winning my bet early on. The Falcons are competing, and I expect Michael “The Burner” Turner to have another good game closer to his Week 1 performance than his Week 2 one.
Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills
Chadam Takes: BILLS (-9.5) over Raiders
The Raiders should be getting more points here, especially considering this game is at Buffalo. How long will it be until teams start throwing 11 men in the box against McFadden?
Nick Takes: BILLS (-9.5) over Raiders
The Bills look like they are for real. They’ve beaten two playoff teams from last year convincingly. I don’t expect them to have much trouble with the Raiders while at home. A preemptive congrats to Marshawn Lynch owners in Week 3.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Chadam Takes: BEARS (-3) over Buccaneers
Even with Hester doubtful for this game, I have to go with Chicago. This one won’t be a barn burner. The over/under is 35.5 points, and I’m thinking less than 30 points will be scored in this game.
Nick Takes: BEARS (-3) over Buccaneers
This game will set the tone for the first half of the season for each of these teams. Both these teams have decent running games, great defenses and QBs they wish they didn’t have to start. The Bears are at home, and that makes the difference in my mind.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
Chadam Takes: Texans (+5) over TITANS
Albert Haynesworth is a monster. That being sad, I think people are sleeping on the Texan’s offense after they faced a great Pittsburgh D and took the fantasy back burner with the unexpected bye week.
Nick Takes: Texans (+5) over TITANS
The Titans have looked really good so far this season, but as a Hurricane Ike evacuee who still hasn’t been able to return home, I have to make the homer pick with the Texans. Houston will need some points from their defense and special teams to make this upset happen.
Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
Chadam Takes: Panthers (+3.5) over VIKINGS
The Panthers have looked surprisingly good in the first two weeks. With Adrian Peterson limited and potentially out, this pick is a no-brainer. Here’s the real question: how good is Carolina?
Nick Takes: Panthers (+3.5) over VIKINGS
Talk about no respect. The 2-0 Panthers are underdogs against the 0-2 Vikings. I was liking the Vikings in this one until I saw that, and then I heard they are panicking and starting their backup QB, Gus Frerotte. I remember when I was younger, my dad told me only an idiot would bet on Gus Frerotte. Well, Dad, I’m trying…
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Chadam Takes: PATRIOTS (-13) over Dolphins
I really don’t like giving two TDs, but it’s Chad Pennington for crying out loud. Besides, I am warming up to the underdog role the Patriots are taking. Here’s to hoping the home team dominates.
Nick Takes: PATRIOTS (-13) over Dolphins
The Patriots needed some time to get over their long lost lover, Brady, but now it’s time for everything to click with their newest pretty boy, Matt Cassel. Consider this the honeymoon. I’m expecting the Patriots to put up about 50 points in this slaughter game.
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants
Chadam Takes: GIANTS (-13) over Bengals
Wow, now that is a spread! I’m only laying the points because I really don’t believe in Palmer anymore. Is he even a top-12 quarterback in real life? Look at his stats for last year minus the insane Week 2 Cleveland game, and his line was 3730 yards, 20 TDs and 18 INTs. That’s Philip Rivers in 2007 (3152-21-15) or Rex Grossman in 2006 (3193-23-20). Food for thought.
Nick Takes: GIANTS (-13) over Bengals
I wonder how bad it feels to be a Bengals fan. They must be the saddest, disappointed and perplexed fans in the nation. Is that really Carson Palmer or is his sister filling in for him?
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins
Chadam Takes: Cardinals (+3) over REDSKINS
This is my favorite pick of the week, and I’m debating hitting up a sperm bank this week to get some extra cash. I’m feeling another vintage Kurt Warner game — 392 yards for three TDs and a pick. Those of you who got him late in drafts are looking pretty smart right now — two thumbs pointed at this guy! (Ed. Note: Eighth round of a 16-round, 14-team draft with less than 10 QBs off the board isn’t exactly late, champ.)
Nick Takes: REDSKINS (-3) over Cardinals
I was looking for a reason to believe in Jason Campbell, and the Redskins delivered in a comeback win against the Saints. I question how the Cards will fair versus a playoff-caliber opponent.
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
Chadam Takes: 49ERS (-4) over Lions
What a strange game. I never really know what to do when two crappy teams play against each other. I think that San Francisco has a better chance of stopping Kitna & Co. than Detroit has of stopping Gore.
Nick Takes: Lions (+4) over 49ERS
The Lions might be the most talented perennial loser there is in the NFL. They have some sick receivers in “Megatron” (Calvin Johnson) and Roy Williams. Remember when Roy Williams admitted to stiffing pizza delivery guys? That was awesome. I’m picking the Lions just for that.
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Chadam Takes: SEAHAWKS (-9) over Rams
And I will never back the stupid Rams again. (Ed. Note: Chadam picked the Rams last week.) The only other way you could convince me to take Seattle and give nine points is if they were playing Notre Dame. If I set the over/under for sacks on Marc Bulger at seven, would you take the over? I would.
Nick Takes: Rams (+9) over Seahawks
Does anybody actually want to watch this game? I expect the Seahawks to win, but they don’t deserve to be favored by nine points over anyone. I’m sure Chadam won’t take the Rams three weeks in a row, so I’ll take them for the sake of being different than him. Chadam and I only differed on three picks last week, and I was right in all three cases.
New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos
Chadam Takes: BRONCOS (-5.5) over Saints
Wow, what an offense out there in Denver. Congratulations on making the fantasy playoffs, Cutler owners. I’ll be teasing the hell out of this game.
Nick Takes: BRONCOS (-5.5) over Saints
Is it considered jumping on the bandwagon if I’ve picked them to win their first two weeks? I don’t care, but I’m picking them until they prove me wrong. And will someone please tell Drew Brees to throw Shockey the ball! I reached for Shockey in my fantasy league, and he is not proving me correct so far. (Still, my fantasy team is 2-0.)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
Chadam Takes: EAGLES (-3) over Steelers
This one is the game of the week, and I could go either way with this pick. Considering the minor questions surrounding Roethlisberger’s health, I’m siding with the home team in this one.
Nick Takes: EAGLES (-3) over Steelers
This game is probably the toughest to pick this week. I like both teams, but the stupid Steelers defied normal logic last week and didn’t kick a field goal late in the game that would have covered the spread. That bad karma is coming back to them this week with a loss to an in-state rival, the Eagles.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Chadam Takes: Jaguars (+5.5) over COLTS
With three of the Colt’s O linemen injured and their defense (sans Sanders) looking suddenly mediocre, this game doesn’t look as obvious as it might seem given Jacksonville’s struggles the first two weeks.
Nick Takes: COLTS (-5.5) over Jaguars
Looking over my picks, I like the home teams a lot this week. That’s precisely why I like the Colts to cover in this game. They also get Dallas Clark back, which I think will be a big boost. The Jags will have a hint of desperation in their play calling this week that will backfire on them.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Chadam Takes: RAVENS (-2.5) over Browns
While I think the Browns will bounce back soon, I’ll go against them for one more week. Would people be worried about Braylon Edwards if he hadn’t dropped that 53-yard TD pass in Week 1? I’m buying him. No worries.
Nick Takes: Browns (+2.5) over RAVENS
I don’t like the Browns, but I think they can beat the rookie-led Ravens in this one. The Browns desperately need for Braylon Edwards to break out of his slump in this game.
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
Chadam Takes: Cowboys (-3) over PACKERS
Too bad Rodgers can’t face the Lions every week, huh? This game is another favorite spread of mine. Dallas is for real.
Nick Takes: Cowboys (-3) over PACKERS
This one is going to be a good game to watch. I like the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers a lot, but so far, they have only beat winless teams. The Cowboys have looked unstoppable with Marion the Barbarian and Owens. I think the Cowboys get this one, but I’m guessing we’ll see a rematch of these two teams in January.
New York Jets at San Diego Chargers
Updated: Corrected home team and spread on Jets at Chargers. I won’t point fingers.
Chadam Takes: Jets (+8.5) over CHARGERS
I’m still on the Jets bandwagon, so I gotta take the points in this one. While Sproles is good, he’s not even close to a healthy L.T. The Chargers might win this one but definitely not by nine points.
Nick Takes: Jets (+8.5) over CHARGERS
I’ve been flip-flopping on this pick all week. I like the Chargers to win, but I don’t know what to expect from Brett Favre. His gunslinger attitude will either keep it close or blow it wide open. I’m going to say he does enough in the fourth quarter to keep it close.
Last Week:
Nick: 11-3-1
Chadam: 8-6-1
Current Standings after Week 2:
Chadam: 16-14-1
Nick: 19-11-1
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