Week 2 picks (against the spread)
By Paul Howell
CHI @ GB (-5)
I don’t think GB can cover the CHI WRs and the GB defense can’t create turnovers. Add in the fact that CHI can control the clock and they are following the blueprint to beat GB. CHI wins this game outright.
TB @ NYG (-7)
The Giants typically are a dud the first two games of the year and I really like what TB is doing on offense. I wouldn’t be surprised if TB won but I’m pretty sure they cover the spread.
ARZ @ NWE (-13.5)
Arizona has a very respectable defense but their offense is going to stink so badly this game it’s going to get out of hand quickly. The only reason you’re even going to want to watch this game is to see if Welker is going to destroy your fantasy team or save it.
MIN (-1.5) @ IND
Initially I thought that if the Colts were smart they would attempt to run the ball sparingly and look to air it out on the Minnesota secondary. The two problems with that are: it would leave the Vikings d-line to pin their ears back and go after the QB and the safeties on this team aren’t half bad. I don’t think our secondary is good enough to hold on to INTs they should catch but as long as they keep everyone in front of them the Vikings should win this game. Look for Peterson to have a big game (I don’t even want to think what a healthy Peterson would do to this Colt’s defense) and Ponder to play well.
NO (-2.5) @ CAR
Cam Newton looked bad and I should feel bad. I talked him up as the number 2 fantasy QB earlier this year and so of course Newton would go out and look terrible in week 1. The New Orleans defense looked equally bad so we will find out pretty quick how each team’s season will go.
KC @ BUF (-3.5)
KC looked a little less bad than BUF so I am forced to take them and the points.
BAL @ PHI (-2.5)
A really intriguing game here and I’m excited to see if Philly is as bad as they looked in week 1 and if Baltimore is as good as they looked Monday night. If Cleveland’s defense can do that to Mike Vick, I’m terrified to see how he might look against this Baltimore D. No way should Baltimore be given points but I’ll take them.
OAK (-2.5) @ MIA
Carson Palmer could decide to throw 5 INTs to give the game away but with McFadden there I don’t think he will. I’ll take the Oakland long-snapper over Mr. Lauren Tannehill.
CLE @ CIN (-6.5)
Why has Josh Cribbs never been given the opportunity to play QB for Cleveland? There is no way he could play any worse than Weeden did last week. Cinci only beat Cleveland by 3 last year at home so I’m a little worried about the spread, but then again Brandon Weeden is the starting QB for Cleveland.
HOU (-7) @ JAX
As we saw last week, Blaine Gabbert ain’t that bad. If MJD gets 25 carries the Jags might even keep this game close. There’s also a good chance that Houston is as good as advertised and destroys the Jags so I’m going to go with the latter.
DAL (-3) @ SEA
Seattle is a pretty formidable team at home and I don’t think they’ll be so conservative with Russell this week (but then again we shouldn’t be surprised given who their OC is). Dallas looked really good but take away Murray’s one big run and give the Giants even the Vikings secondary and they still might lose that game. I like Dallas but not by a whole lot.
WAS (-3) @ STL
I admit, I was wrong about RGIII. He looks like the real deal. I also admit that I thought STL was going to be an underrated team, they proved me somewhat right by almost beating Detroit on the road last week. St. Louis is a couple weeks away from getting everything together so I’ll give a slight edge to Washington.
NYJ @ PIT (-5.5)
I still don’t think the Jets are all that good, even though they manhandled a bad Buffalo team. If they win this week I’ll eat my words but I just don’t see it happening.
TEN @ SD (-6)
I think I speak for all Chris Johnson’s fantasy owners when I say “Get your crap together”. Nine yards? Really? I thought he would run hard this year but he still looks like he does way too much dancing at the line of scrimmage. I’m hoping he gets it together this week and leads Tennessee to victory but I know I’m going to be disappointed.
DET @ SF (-6.5)
If the over/under is 4 INTs for Stafford can anyone confidently take the under? If they could make Rodgers looks that bad, I’d hate to see what they do to a QB who has trouble with turnovers already. This game could be really hard to watch if you’re a Detroit fan.
DEN @ ATL (-3)
The “Matt Ryan for MVP” talk takes off after a 5 TD performance on Monday night.
Locks:
NWE (-13.5), BAL (+2.5), TB (+7)
(Picks are bold)
Last Week: 7-7
Locks 0-1
Have any questions or comments? Feel free to email me at vikingagefantasy@yahoo.com or reach me on twitter at https://twitter.com/PHowell02