Dallas (+11) over Washington- The Cowboys came up flat and got dominated last week by Green Bay, but should come up firing against a Redskins team that will probably still be without Clinton Portis. Washington got a huge win over Denver last week after Kyle Orton left the game with an ankle injury. Tony Romo should have a huge game for Dallas in a convincing win over their bitter rivals.
Detroit (+3.5) over Cleveland- The Lions failed the last time they played a horrible Rams team at home, but the Browns are a whole other level of bad. Calvin Johnson is back at full strength, Kevin Smith should do very well and Cleveland’s offense is completely inept. Detroit should come away with the win.
Green Bay over San Francisco (49ers cover 6.5 point spread)- The Packers defense was incredible last week against Dallas but their offense only managed 17 points. The Niners defense has been quite strong of late the San Francisco can get some things done in the running game. But the quick slants Green Bay loves to employ should pay huge dividends and get them the win, but not by more than a TD.
Pittsburgh (+10) over Kansas City- If the Steelers want any shot at the AFC North crown, this is a must-win game, and they will play like it in KC, where Jamaal Charles will play the Pittsburgh run defense and have virtually no chance to succeed. Kansas City does play hard at home but Ben Roethlisberger and that offense should be on a mission to avenge their loss to Cincinnati.
Minnesota (+10.5) over Seattle- I’m pretty sure Seattle starting RB Justin Forsett has never played a run defense as good as the Vikings, and the Seahawks will have to rely on Matt Hasselbeck to win the game. Seattle has given up big yardage through the air over the last couple of games and this week against Brett Favre should be no different. Unless, of course, Adrian Peterson gashes them for 150 yards, which is always a possibility.
NY Giants over Atlanta (Falcons cover the 6.5 point spread)- A lot of people, especially around New York, are giving the Giants an easy win since Michael Turner will be a non-factor in the game. But those people have not seen how capable Jason Snelling is as a running back, and he can keep Atlanta in the game and allow them to keep a good run/pass balance. If Eli Manning has time to throw, he can have a very good game against the Falcons secondary, and that’s the reason they’ll ultimately win the game, but it will be close throughout.
New Orleans over Tampa Bay (Buccaneers cover the 11.5)- I’ve picked the Saints to cover games like this before and have lost, so I’m going to change it up and say that the Bucs show something here, especially if New Orleans decides to sit some of their questionable players on defense, which would make things a lot easier for Josh Freeman. Drew Brees should go off as usual, it’s just a matter of how well Tampa will play and hold the ball so the Saints can’t run up the score.
Jacksonville (+9) over Buffalo- While the Jaguars are riding high after a pivotal win against the Jets, Buffalo is in its first week after a coaching change and will bench starting QB Trent Edwards. Maurice Jones-Drew should have a great day on the ground, and those few people who actually show up for Jags home games should be in for a nice win over the Bills.
Indianapolis (+1) over Baltimore- Peyton Manning should be under constant pressure all day from the Baltimore defense, and the Colts may have some problems dealing with a Joe Flacco-led Ravens offense that can fly high if the QB is well protected. But Indianapolis is coming in with too much momentum to lose the game. Baltimore’s last big statement win was over Denver, but the Colts are a couple of levels above that. Indy plus one.
Arizona (+9) over St. Louis- While the Rams showed a lot in covering the spread, and nearly beating the Saints in the process, the Cardinals remain unbeaten on the road and Kurt Warner should feel right at home at the Edward Jones Dome. Look for Warner to have a huge day and for an underrated Arizona run defense to stuff Steven Jackson and blow St. Louis out.
San Diego (+1) over Denver- It won’t be easy, even with Chris Simms at QB for the Broncos, but the Chargers will take control of the AFC West with a win in Denver. LaDanian Tomlinson is the key to this football game, and he seems to be inspired after his performance last week against the Eagles. Denver will need a huge day from the running game with Knowshon Moreno and Correl Buckhalter to stick around, but it will be the San Diego pass attack that wins this game.
Cincinnati (+9.5) over Oakland- This is a risky pick with Cedric Benson out, but the insertion of Bruce Gradkowski at QB should offset that loss pretty easily. The Bengals should be able to stop Michael Bush, Justin Fargas and the returning Darren McFadden and Carson Palmer should play well enough for Cincinnati to cover the spread.
New England over NY Jets (Jets cover 10.5 point spread)- Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses and the teams almost always play each other quite close, so the spread is way too large for this game. But the Patriots did an excellent job on offense last week and should continue to put up points against a Jets team that has had trouble sustaining pressure. New England will employ quick passes to offset the Jets pressure they showed in the first game and will be successful. Mark Sanchez has been making some mistakes with the ball and should make some more this week, but the Jets will find a way to keep it close enough.
Philadelphia (+3) over Chicago- The scheduling gods have been cruel to the Bears, putting Jay Cutler in another prime time game, where he always seems to melt under the bright lights, and the opportunistic Eagles defense, and the big play ability of the Eagles offense should be flying high against a Bears team that will have a coach firmly on the hot seat after another loss.