Week 2 NFL Picks and Predictions for Your 2010 Office Pool

Thanks goodness it is time for week two of NFL football picks and predictions. Going into week one NFL picks and predictions, I truly thought I was going to hit a home run. I thought my fellow prognosticators would fall flat and I would be off to the races. I had my upsets lined up and ready to go. What I did not count on was that NFL football can be a fickle friend. What makes sense on the surface may go out the window at the drop of a dime. That said, I have faced adversity before. I will dust off that week one mess and start truly hammering down with week two. Like a defensive back that just got burned, I am moving on and forgetting week one. Week two will make everyone else forget cause I am going for that elusive perfect week.

Without further ado, here are my week 2 NFL picks and predictions in all their glory. As usual, please let me know if you wish to subscribe and get these office pool picks every week. Follow the other AC Sportswriters and their picks here when you finish with mine.

SUN, SEP 19

Arizona at Atlanta

It would be tough to decide which of these two teams was more disappointing in week 2. Atlanta looked as though they were sleepwalking against the Steelers while Arizona struggled mightily to win against St. Louis. In fairness, the Rams are much better than everyone thought they might be. The one thing that the Falcons have going for them over the Cardinals is Matt Ryan. That and a stout defense at home will be enough to get them on track in week two NFL action.

Winner - Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore at Cincinnati

The long awaited Ochocinco and Owens show was a bit of a flop in New England, but it was not because of them. Ocho went off for 100 and Owens filled the role of second receiver perfectly. The problems in Cincy are likely a bit deeper than that, and they are on the defensive side of the ball. Then again, a hot Tom Brady can do that to any team. Baltimore won their game against the Jets on Monday night, but nobody seemed overly impressed. That defense sure looked familiar though. I think that the Bengals will rebound in a big way at home, and the Ravens defense will falter against Carson Palmer. Palmer is not Mark Sanchez after all.

Winner - Cincinnati Bengals

Kansas City at Cleveland

Well, I went and did it again. I picked Cleveland to win on opening day in spite of the fact that they never win on opening day. Again, I was wrong. I do think that they are much improved and that they will make a little noise this season, but I feel that way even more so about the Chiefs. The Chiefs have a real stud in Jamal Charles, and they know how to use him. Expect this to be a dogfight, but the Chiefs will win out in the end.

Winner - Kansas City Chiefs

Chicago at Dallas

Pardon me while I snicker just a bit. For years I have heard the early season Dallas chants of coming Super Bowl glory. Then the Redskins go and sock them in the mouth on national television in week one. Sorry but it was a bit funny to watch Jerry Jones squirm. Chicago went out and stole one from the Lions. It looks as though Jay Cutler is going to prosper under Mike Martz, so offense will not be a problem. The real problem is who is going to stop Miles Austin in the Chicago secondary? Nobody. Dallas will get back a bit of pride in this one.

Winner - Dallas Cowboys

Philadelphia at Detroit

Man, did I think the Lions were going to win that game against Chicago. In spite of the fact that picked the Bears to win, I still could not help but pull for the Lions. What is troubling is that the Lions are without Matthew Stafford. That will be a problem against a fired up Philly team. I think Philly wins this one going away in spite of the strides in Detroit.

Winner - Philadelphia Eagles

Buffalo at Green Bay

The Bills are tough for some teams but they are tailor made to be beaten by the Packers. No chance here for the Bills.

Winner - Green Bay Packers

Pittsburgh at Tennessee

The Steelers got away with one in a fight against the Falcons, but I doubt that it happens again this week. Chris Johnson is that good and the Titans are flying high with Vince Young at the moment. He actually looked pretty good in that blowout. I expect having Chris Johnson can do that for a quarterback. Expect this one to be a pretty tight game, but the Titans will win out at home.

Winner - Tennessee Titans

Miami at Minnesota

The Dolphins are now facing some serious competition and they will have to play better than they did in week one. Favre had his feelings hurt on Thursday night against the Saints, so he will come out ready to make a big impact at the home opener. I think he will do just enough.

Winner - Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay at Carolina

The Bucs squeaked out a week one win over the Browns, and now come in to Carolina to fight against a tough Panthers squad. The Panthers are ready to make a statement and the Bucs are in the way. I assure you this one won't be close and the Panthers will dominate the game. Matt Moore gets better in a big way if his head is okay to start. If it is Claussen, then there will be a ton of surprised fans out there. This kid is good...real good.

Winner - Carolina Panthers

Seattle at Denver

Seattle completely shocked me on this one. I did not see that coming at all against the Niners. Denver is going to struggle this season, but I think they will bring Seattle down to earth this week at home. It will be a good one, but the Broncos will pull it out at home.

Winner- Denver Broncos

St. Louis at Oakland

Sam Bradford looked pretty solid in his first NFL start and nearly pulled out the win. The Raiders looked like..well..the Raiders. I think that the Raiders will improve a great deal this week, but I do think that the Rams will pull out Bradford's first NFL win.

Winner - St Louis Rams

New England at NY Jets

Finally, someone shut up those mouthy Jets. I am all for confidence but they are simply too much. With Sanchez under center, the Jets are not going to be beating the upper echelon teams. Enter New England.

Winner - New England Patriots

Jacksonville at San Diego

This game is more intriguing than I expected going into the season but the Chargers are going to want to get better quickly. They will.

Winner - San Diego Chargers

Houston at Washington

The Houston Texans finally got off the slide against the Colts, and now set their sights on the Skins. The Skins showed that they are much better than advertised. Dallas did kind of run up and down the field on the Skins, and I see that happening again. Still, the crafty Mcnabb will find a way to win.

Winner - Washington Redskins

NY Giants at Indianapolis

Big brother Peyton is going to destroy little brother Eli in a matchup of the first family of quarterbacks. The defenses will be watching helplessly in my opinion. The game is going to be a big win for Peyton though.

Winner - Indianapolis Colts

MON, SEP 20

New Orleans at San Francisco

What first seemed like a great Monday Night matchup now looks like a blowout. Still, the Niners are going to be tougher than thought with Mike Singletary coaching. God only knows what he might have said to this team after Sunday's loss but be certain it scared them straight. The Saints will still pull it out though.

Winner - New Orleans Saints

Final Score of Monday Night Game

New Orleans 34 San Francisco 21

Week One Record - 8-8
Overall Record - 8-8