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Handicapped Spaces: Week 2
Yeah, I know, it’s week two and there was no picks column from week one. I blame Daniels for not thinking of this in time. Either way, over the next 16 weeks the good folks here at IP have entrusted me, Mike Hulse, with picking every single NFL game. My qualifications for this? Nothing at all, besides a foolish belief that I can outpick Vegas. I do have a couple of guidelines that I hope to follow, but even I can get sucked into hype from time to time.
I’ll be picking both winners and picking against the spread for you, so don’t fret if your office pool doesn’t go by the spread or anything. You should fret if you’re relying on a novice like me to help you, but hey, you could do worse. Anyway, I’m rambling. On with the show.
(Home team in CAPS)
NY Giants vs. PHILADELPHIA (-3.5)
For the record, I’m a die hard Giants fan. I make no excuses for this. I refuse to act neutral. I love the Giants, and I feel like they’re very under the radar. Even in their loss last Sunday against Indy, the Giants looked good. They abused Indy with the run and stayed right with a team that everyone is (once again) picking to win a Super Bowl. The Eagles also looked excellent…against Houston. This game is always a war, and this week will be no different. I’m picking the Giants to win outright, so you better take the points.
Outright winner: NYG
Winner against the spread: NYG
Detroit vs. CHICAGO (-8.5)
The Bears looked absolutely great last week in Green Bay, shutting out the pack in their house. However, the vaunted Seahawks won a 9-6 shootout in Detroit. If I had to pick which team looked better, I’d actually say I was more impressed with the Lions shutting down Seattle than the Bears thumping an inferior team. However, that Chicago D isn’t going to let a whole lot of points up against an offense featuring Jon Kitna under center. I do think this is going to be low scoring, and I’m taking the points, but Chicago should win the game.
Outright winner: CHI
Winner against the spread: DET
GREEN BAY vs. New Orleans (-1.5)
The Packers are abominable. It may be heresy to say it, but Brett Favre is about done. They have no line, they have no defense, they have marginal skill players, and that’s about it. They’re going to get some very friendly lines when they’re home because people still believe in the Lambeau Mystique. I don’t buy it, and I plan on taking advantage of it when it happens. This is a joke of a line, because while the Saints aren’t exactly world class, they’re a much better team, and their explosive offense is going to shred the Pack up. Lay the points, NO walks outright.
Outright Winner: NO
Against the spread: NO
MINNESOTA vs. Carolina (-2.5)
I refuse to even touch this game until I know if Steve Smith is going to suit up. He makes such a huge difference on the field that without him, Carolina could get steamrolled on the road. Of course, if he plays, he’s angry, and when he’s angry, he doesn’t get stopped. Ever. I can’t wait any longer, Smith is Questionable (the NFL’s version of 50/50). I will say that Minnesota is still underrated, they just impressed me with a gritty win on the road in Washington, holding that offense down all night. Steve Hutchinson is a difference maker on the line, and Brad Johnson just wins. I’ll take the Vikes and the points.
Outright: MIN
Against the Spread: MIN
Tampa Bay vs. ATLANTA (-5.5)
Tampa looked awful against Baltimore, but I think they’re better than they showed. Baltimore’s defense is a monolith again and they kept the Bucs off balance all day. They should bounce back. Conversely, the Falcons beat Carolina, but it wasn’t really Carolina. They won convincingly, but Vick didn’t have a great game and Tampa isn’t letting Warrick Dunn run amok. Tampa also, historically, contains Vick better than anyone. I see a 3 point game, I’ll take the points, but the falcons eek it out on the scoreboard.
Outright: ATL
Against the Spread: TB
Buffalo vs. MIAMI (-6.5)
Buffalo looked excellent against the Pats last week…for 30 minutes. And they were at home. I’m not sold on the one week where they showed something, especially considering they didn’t win. Couple that with Miami seething for 10 days, a superior coach, superior talent, and it’s their home debut. This is gonna be a romp. Lay the points.
Outright: MIA
Against the Spread: MIA
Houston vs. INDIANAPOLIS (-13.5)
You’re kidding, right? I really did think about this. I was thinking about how the Colts lack a running game, and how that might hold down their offense. I was thinking about how the Texans didn’t look AWFUL against the Eagles. I was thinking how 2 touchdowns is a lot of points to cover.
Who am I kidding? I’m putting the Colts down for a slick 45 points. They cover. Easily.
Outright: IND
Against the Spread: IND
Cleveland vs. CINCINNATI (-10.5)
Another huge spread (one of four this week). If I was recommending you to bet one things, I’d tell you stay away from this game at all costs. Of course, this is for entertainment purposes only, and we don’t encourage gambling. So I’ll take a shot. I’m sure Cincy will win the game, but it’s a divisional game, and Cleveland looks pretty scrappy. I think they’ll take it against the spread.
Outright: CIN
Against the Spread: CLE
Oakland vs. BALTIMORE (-11.5)
Ok, here’s the deal with the Raiders. They’re the most horrific thing in football. They have a putrid quarterback. Aaron Brooks should be bagging groceries or playing for the Rhein Fire. But because he has some athleticism and looked good 4 years ago, he has a job. Randy Moss is extremely talented, but hey, if you can’t get him the ball, he’s useless. Art Shell…well, he hasn’t coached since 1992. Can you think of anything that stopped in 1992 that could make a comeback? Nope, neither can I. They can’t make a spread big enough for this game. Oakland might get shut out twice. Baltimore’s D is scary, and Steve McNair bring a level of confidence to them. Add a healthy, non prison dwelling Jamal Lewis, and this is a joke of a game. I’d take a 20 point spread. Lay ‘em.
Outright: BAL
Against the Spread: BAL
Arizona vs. SEATLLE (-6.5)
I love division games with a spread like this. I especially love them early on, when Vegas isn’t all that sure what each team has going for themselves. Here’s what I know. Seattle just laid an egg, a bad one, and is lucky they’re not 0-1 today. And that was against a Lions team that has very little offensive firepower. The Cardinals have a LOT of firepower, and they’re going put up their points. The Seahawks are interesting. I think they miss Steve Hutchinson a lot more than people realize. I also think this is going to be a close game, and in a close game I’ll take the home team to win…but I’ll also take the points.
Outright: SEA
Against the spread: ARI
SAN FRANCISCO vs. St. Louis (-2.5)
The Rams are grossly underrated here. They have a fireworks display for an offense, they showed last week they can stop a good offense when they made Denver look bad for 4 quarters. San Fran looked very gritty against the Cards on the road last week, but I think they’re outgunned. Home or no home, I’m laying the points with perhaps the most underrated team in football.
Outright: STL
Against the Spread: STL
NY JETS vs. New England (-5.5)
Before the season I thought the Jets were prime 0-16 candidates. I thought the Pats were going to be better than anyone expected. What a difference a week makes. The Jets reminded me of the Jets of a few years ago, those guys who were playoff level players. I’m not saying they will be contending for much, but they’re somewhat underrated. Meanwhile, the Pats looked flat and uninspired against the Bills last week, and they Deion Branch trade isn’t going to help that. I think this is a dogfight, a 3 point game. Eric Mangini knows the Pats very well and will keep the Jets in it. I think New England takes it, but barely. I’ll take the points.
Outright: NE
Against the Spread: NYJ
Tennessee vs. SAN DIEGO (-11.5)
The Titans just lost to a weak Jets team in their own field where they were outplayed for a good ¾ of the game. They’re not all that talented, and now they go on the road to face a very good San Diego team on the road, and I don’t see it. They don’t have much of a defense, and LDT is the best player in football. Chargers win outright. As far as the spread, I can see the Chargers covering it, but I’m not willing to bet on it.
Outright: SD
Against the Spread: TEN
Kansas City vs. DENVER (-10.5)
Losing Trent Green is a major problem. The KC offensive line isn’t as good as it used to be. The Broncos are simply better, and they’ll win the game. That said, AFC west games are always wars, no matter who’s playing who (unless it’s the raiders this season, of course). KC is gonna play their hearts out in Denver, and I think they’ll keep it close enough to beat the spread.
Outright: DEN
Against the Spread: KC
Washington vs. DALLAS (-5.5)
Both of these teams looked like hell last week in losses. Dallas looked good for about 10 minutes against Jacksonville before the wheels came off. The Redskins didn’t even look that good. This game is very evenly matched, both teams have a lot of talent and just enough weak spots to lose. I can see a scenario where the Skins hound Bledsoe, get out to an early lead, and the Drew factor kicks in at the perfect time for a game crushing interception. However, it’s also possible that the Dallas D is too much for the Skins offense, which looked very out of sync on Monday, and they abuse the Skins on the way to a win. Basically, I think it’s a tight game, the 5.5 points Dallas is giving up is WAY too high, so I’ll take the points. In the end, I’m calling a 3 point Dallas win.
Outright: DAL
Against the Spread: WAS
Pittsburgh vs. JACKSONVILLE (-0.5)
In essentially a pick ‘em, I’m taking the best team. The Steelers should have Big Ben back, and their D is going to be way too much for the Jacksonville offense. I think the Steelers will walk in this game, period.
Outright: PIT
Against the Spread: PIT
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