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By Mike Ivcic, UltimateCapper Contributing Writer
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers
Thu, 8:20pm, NFLN
Line: Packers by 6
Chicago looked fairly impressive in dismantling what I still think will be an under-the-radar-good Colts team, while Green Bay’s offense looked shaky and the Packers defense looked worse. Not sure the Pack want to fall two back of the Bears this early, but they may not be able to help it. Cutler, Forte, Marshall, and that steady “D” are more than enough reasons to call the upset outright here.
Pick: Chicago 24, Green Bay 20
Arizona Cardinals @ New England Patriots
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Patriots by 14
Kevin Kolb, Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick, dinner. Enjoy!
Pick: New England 44, Arizona 7
Baltimore Ravens @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Eagles by 3
All I’ve heard all week is that the Eagles aren’t as bad as they looked last Sunday, that a win is a win, and that they’ll have a much better game plan in place for Baltimore. All of which may happen. But I keep coming back to one simple axiom here â the Ravens are the better team. Period.
Pick: Baltimore 20, Philadelphia 17
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Bengals by 7
The Browns defense actually proved themselves as a somewhat legitimate unit against Philly, with the exception of the final drive of each half. That’s still a huge problem, but it will certainly help Cleveland hang around against most teams â including the Bengals. Maybe Marvin Lewis can take some defensive pointers from watching game film of the Browns, because Cincinnati certainly didn’t look capable of hanging with just about anyone on Monday night. Let’s just go Bengals win, Browns cover, and then cheer because I no longer live in Ohio and thus won’t be forced to watch this train wreck.
Pick: Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 17
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Texans by 7.5
That line could say 17.5 and it still wouldn’t be high enough. I’m very high on the Texans and think the Jags are the team most likely to wind up with the number one overall pick this next draft, so yeah, Houston wins this one going away.
Pick: Houston 34, Jacksonville 13
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Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Bills by 3
Not a good start for the Bills defensively last week, but there are two good things about this coming Sunday. One, they’re home, and two, they’re facing an offensively challenged team in Kansas City. This is usually what we like to call a “get-well game.” The key for Buffalo is actually getting well without a healthy star running back.
Pick: Buffalo 21, Kansas City 10
Minnesota Vikings @ Indianapolis Colts
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Vikings by 1.5
Look, I understand that Indy got their doors blown off by the Bears and the Vikings are 1-0, but really? Minnesota favored on the road? Please.
Pick: Indianapolis 24, Minnesota 17
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Saints by 3
Memo to Carolina â when people pick you as a sleeper team in the NFC, it’s not advised to go blowing games against Tampa Bay. Things are about to go from bad worse, though, because now they get to play an angry Saints team. Something tells me Drew Brees is about to have a field day â and if he doesn’t, just write off the Saints now because they’re toast.
Pick: New Orleans 39, Carolina 31
Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Raiders by 3
After watching the Raiders look downright atrocious on Monday night, this line tells you all you really need to know about what type of season this is going to be for the Miami Dolphins.
Pick: Oakland 20, Miami 14
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Giants
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Giants by 9
This starts off a trio of blowouts by the NFC East. The Giants have had plenty of time to stew about dropping a winnable game on opening night to the hated Cowboys, and now get an inferior team in their own building. If the Giants want any shot at repeating, this is a must-win, statement-type game â and everyone in that locker room knows it.
Pick: New York 33, Tampa Bay 16
Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks
Sun, 4:05pm, FOX
Line: Cowboys by 3
Eleven days off to prepare for Russell Wilson? The guyâs going to be a very good quarterback someday, but not this Sunday.
Pick: Dallas 41, Seattle 20
Washington Redskins @ St. Louis Rams
Sun, 4:05pm, FOX
Line: Redskins by 3
I donât care that the Rams kept last weekâs game with the Lions close. Robert Griffin III just outplayed Drew Brees. How in the world does that make them only a three point favorite? If he can lead Washington into New Orleans and win by 8, how will he not do even better in a city thatâs too panicked by the Cardinals collapsing to even realize footballâs started?
Pick: Washington 37, St. Louis 17
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sun, 4:25pm, CBS
Line: Steelers by 6
Iâm not buying into the Jets just yet either, but based on the performances of these two teams last weekend I find this line to be a bit high. Iâm not saying the Steelers wonât win â the Jets have won just one game in their history in the state of Pennsylvania â but I think this is ultimately a field goal game.
Pick: Pittsburgh 27, New York 24
Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers
Sun, 4:25pm, CBS
Line: Chargers by 6
Sure, they only beat Oakland, but a divisional road win is a divisional road win. Norv Turner certainly isnât on the short list for any coach of the year honors, but he has a chance to get this group started off 2-0. Itâs been games like this, however, that heâs been known to lose, so Iâm at least taking a Tennessee cover just to be safe.
Pick: San Diego 24, Tennessee 21
Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49âers
Sun, 8:20pm, NBC
Line: 49âers by 7
Whatâs Detroitâs reward for barely squeaking by the Rams? How about a visit west to be San Franâs home opener? Not so sure Matthew Staffordâs going to be able to play as poorly as he did Sunday and still pull this one out at the end. Last week made me a firm believer in the 49âers chances at representing the Super Bowl this year⦠you know, since they went ahead and beat the team I picked in the preseason.
Pick: San Francisco 30, Detroit 17
Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons
Mon, 8:30pm, ESPN
Line: Falcons by 3
Atlantaâs getting the requisite three points for being the home team, meaning Vegas has this as a virtual wash. Everyoneâs been making a big deal about Peyton Manning having to play outside in the high altitude⦠but this is a dome. Something tells me heâs going to light up this Falcons defense in his favorite timeslot â Monday night.
Pick: Denver 38, Atlanta 27
Straight-Up: 9-7
Against Spread: 5-11
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