2017 NFL Week 2 Predictions

Week 2 Predictions

Yeah week 1 went about as well as they usually do. I’m sure week 2 will have some radical adjustment the other way, just trying to weather the storm and getting a feel for things.

Ravens -8 over Browns, 20-6

-Unwatchable game with something like 70 carries coming between West, Crowell, and Buck Allen and 30 passes from Soze and Flacco. I’m more than willing to gamble and profit on it though. Again Browns play it tough but aren’t ready, and the Ravens defense marches them forward.

Panthers -7 over Bills, 24-16

-Panthers don’t look exactly right to me, but the Bills are actively trying to not be right. McCoy’s status worries me, and as much as Cam is concerning, it is more likely he improves than he is bad enough to prevent a strong win here. 

Cards -7 over Colts, 20-7

-Cards aren’t perfect. The Colts define imperfect. Glad Brissett is getting the start, but what a mess. Blow it up Indy, accept it and move on. 

Titans -1.5 over Jags, 27-17

-This line would have been unthinkable last week. However, the Titans were the good team who lost and the Jags are the bad team who won (all titles until further notice). I’m taking the generous line before it flips to like 7 by the rematch later in the season once Blake has Bortled all over the place.

Eagles +5.5 over Chiefs, 20-23

-Strange that both teams overachieved and confidently handled superior opponents last week but the line is so large here. The Berry injury is important, and the Eagles aren’t going to let what happened to NE happen to them. KC can still win, but the line is too high to lay. I’m starting to believe in Wentz.

Pats -6 over Saints, 38-30

-It’s under 7 so I am jumping on it. I think this will be crazy high scoring, but the Pats are still the far better team and the Saints are showing signs offensive weakness. Brady has spent 10 days staring at tape and finding new ways to replace Edelman (I think Burkhead plays more of a role there). Take the over though, especially teased down to 49.

Viks +6 over Steelers, 20-24

-Was that Cleveland playing the Steelers hard, or were the Steelers a bit rusty? That Vikings win was thunderous, so I will take these points.

Bears +7 over Bucs, 20-21

-Coming off an oddly timed layoff, without Doug Martin, with new weapons to incorporate, this is an odd time to lay 7. I’ll take the team who has played a week already, just to keep it close enough to cover.

Raiders -13 over Jets, 33-7

-YES. Under 14? Please please please take all my money. Raiders romp.

Chargers -3.5 over Fins, 26-22

-Similar to Bears-Bucs, just a bit unfair that one team is in rhythm and the other is going through so much at home. In this case, the Chargers are even closer in talent to the team they are facing, who have their own instabilities as well. Cutler, you are 16 weeks from retirement.

Cowboys -2.5 over Broncos, 24-16

-At this point, it is hard to take the Broncos with their limited explosive potential on offense over any consistent team. Sorry Trevor, it’s going to take more than 3 to get me interested or confident in supporting you.

Rams -2.5 over Ethnic Slurs, 20-17

-I have been on the Rams for a while, no reason to get off now. The McVay Bowl shows maybe that it was he and not Gruden that was more influential in the team’s success level? Something in general seems off in DC, so honestly this pick was easy for me.

Seahawks -13.5 over Niners, 26-10

-I start to feel very weird about this pick the more it drifts to and over 14 with that Seattle offensive line. However, I’m riding it for now. Um, Eddie Lacy just flat done?

Packers +3 over Falcons, 34-28

-I don’t care where it is, Rodgers getting points is almost an automatic call for me. I’m not sold Atlanta is just back where it was last year on offense either, even if they did get better on defense. Jordy and co. feast in the opening of what does seem to be a legit awesome stadium.

Lions +3 over Giants, 23-10

-No thought needed bets going forward: take the points when available versus the Giants without Odell, and take the under on Giants games. Eli’s decline along with a dearth of weapons may spoil a great Giants defense. Stafford has been awesome, and I wonder if a Matt Ryan year is coming where his prime, contract, confidence, and set up is the perfect scenario for a push in numbers mid-career.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 7-8

By Spread: 6-9

Record in 2016: 

Straight Up: 153-93

By Spread: 129-115

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1104-617
By Spread: 909-797