NFL 2009 Week 2 picks

I started out fairly well, considering the number of personnel and coaching shifts in the off-season and preseason.  This week's games look to be much closer, so it's a tougher call.  That said, let's get right to it!

Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars : The Jags defense will make the difference in this game.  If the Cards are as lethargic this week as they were last week, the Jags will wear them down.  If the Cards show the fire that got them to last year's Super Bowl, they may prevail.  JAGS, 20-17

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons:  Do I think the Panthers will be as pathetic as they were last week?  No.  Do I think they'll win this game?  No.  FALCONS, 27-13

Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers:  The Pack squeaked by Chicago, but don't expect Carson Palmer to play as poorly as Jay Cutler did last week.  Palmer wasn't terrific, so the Pack will stay in this game, but I figure a late TD will seal the deal.  BENGALS, 20-13

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans:  Defense will dominate this game, but the Titans offense will be more success at moving the ball than the Texans will.  TITANS, 21-10

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions:  Well, the Lions won't be pathetic, but they won't win, either.  The Vikings have too many weapons for the Lions to overcome.  VIKES, 34-24

New England Patriots at New York Jets:  These games are always exciting, and often offensive showcases.  I don't see any reason why this one will be different.  PATS, 30-24

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles:  Oh, boy, I'd love to pick the Saints for this one, but the Eagles looked good last week, and they are playing at home.  However, if last week proves to be the benefit of a pathetic Panthers performance, then the Saints should win this game.  EAGLES, 35-34

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs:  Hey, the Raiders don't seem to stink!  Of course, they were playing on Monday Night last week, where they always seem to kick into extra gears.  The Chiefs looked really bad, though, so I still favor Oakland.  RAIDERS, 20-17

St Louis Rams at Washington Redskins:  Good news - I don't think the Rams will suffer another shutout.  Bad news - I DO think they'll suffer a second embarrassing loss.  REDSKINS, 24-10

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers:  The Chargers offense will find ways to move against the Ravens defense, but the Ravens offense is potent this year, and the Chargers defense is lacking some strength.  RAVENS, 27-20

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos: Both teams floundered last week, but Cleveland really seems to be suffering.  Unless Mangenius turns that around, the Broncos should continue on the winning track this week.  BRONCOS, 24-17

Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears:  This one will be a defensive battle, but with the absence of Brian Urlacher, that defense will be a bit weaker, a fact Big Ben and the Steelers offense will exploit.  STEELERS, 17-13

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers:  Seattle looked good last week.  If that wasn't completely due to a pathetic Rams team, they should get back a revitalized 49ers squad.  SEAHAWKS, 20-17

Tampa Bay Bucs at Buffalo Bills:  You know, this game was actually tough to pick.  Despite a loss, Tampa Bay looked good, and the Bills were able to chase the Patriots.  Playing at home, I'd usually give the edge to the Bills in a game like this, but this is EXACTLY the type of situation where TO's showboating will hurt the team.  BUCS, 27-23

Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins:  Sorry, Miami, but the Colts are still more potent than you can stop.  The Jags did a great job of slowing them last week, but they know the team and have had success doing so.  In Miami, the Colts should look like the Colts of old.  COLTS, 31-21