Danny's Week 2 Selections

Danny’s Week 2 Selections

Tampa Bay @ New York Giants -7

The Giants have the extra rest here, and coming off a terrible home loss after the Championship ring ceremony I find it hard to believe they won’t get it done today.  Tampa will struggle to run the ball which will hurt them to keep pace with the Giants.

 

Selection – Giants 24 – Bucs 14

 

Arizona @ New England -14

The Patriots will have no problem getting on the board against the Cardinals in Foxboro.  Brady and his tight ends will do work, and expect a big day from Welker.  Welker wasn’t a big part of the game plan last week, but knowing Brady and Belechik, expect Welker to make some noise today.

 

Minnesota @ Indianapolis +3

I really liked the Colts in this game, but then Freeney and Collie were ruled out.  It is hard to say which team will show up and play better.  The Vikings will use AP all day and try to make the Colts front seven pay with the running game.  But, I don’t know how much I trust Ponder throwing the ball when he has too.  The Colts on the other hand, have the home opener and the beginning of the Luck era in Lucas Oil Field.  I think this will be similar to last week with the Viking/Jaguars game, home team wins again in OT.

 

Selection – Colts 23 - Vikings 20

 

New Orleans @ Carolina +3

This is a hard game to pick.  Brees has always played well against the Panthers, but you wonder is this year different.  Cam Newton and the Panthers are coming off a terrible performance against Tampa Bay, and they will look to establish the run game early in order to open up the field for Newton to throw.  This is a close game; edge goes to the better quarterback.

 

Selection - Saints 34 – Panthers 27

Kansas City @ Buffalo -3

Buffalo rebounds at home on Sunday afternoon.  Chiefs make the long trip to Buffalo, play in the time change zone, play in different weather, and play against a more motivated team that can stop the run, throw the deep ball, and have a big weapon in the backfield themselves.  I continue to say the Chiefs will get off to a slow start and then make a late season run at the playoffs.  Don’t trust Cassel today.  Stick with the Harvard grad.

 

Selections - Bills 30 – Chiefs 20

 

Baltimore @ Philadelphia -2.5

What a game in Philly on Sunday.  The Eagles are in a must win situation against the Ravens, if you ask the Philly fans, and I think they will get it done.  No way Vick plays as bad as he did in Cleveland again, and no way Flacco puts up 40+ again.  The Eagles defensive line will put pressure on Flacco and get him off his game.  The Eagles front seven has looked great against the run all preseason and against the Browns as well.  Can the Eagles secondary keep Torrey Smith and Boldin in check?  I believe so, and as long as the Eagles utilize Shady McCoy on the ground, and Vick stays smart through the air, the Eagles get this one and head to Arizona 2-0.

Selections – Eagles 27 - Ravens 23

 

*****Oakland @ Miami +2.5

Don’t give me the cross country travel talk; the Raiders handle their business in Miami on Sunday.  Tannehill will not beat Carson Palmer, Reggie Bush will not outperform Run DMC, and the Raiders defense will shine against a rookie quarterback.  Welcome to the NFL against Tannehill, best of luck next week.

 

Selection – Raiders 20 – Dolphins 7

 

*****Cleveland @ Cincinnati -7

The Bengals are in a “must-rebound” situation here.  They have to bounce back with authority.  20 points wins this game, but they need to post up a donut hole or a 3 spot as a defense.  Expect Weeden to be under duress all game by the Bengals front seven, and expect Gresham and Green to both have TD catches.   Dalton will get back to his routine here, and BenJarvus will stabilize the offense as well.

Selection - Bengals 24 – Browns 6

 

Houston @ Jacksonville +7

Anyone nervous that this line has not moved at all…Me neither.  Texans win again.

 

Selection - Texans 28 – Jaguars 13

 

Dallas @ Seattle +3.5

UPSET ALERT!  Seattle is a tough place to play and the 12^th man will be going crazy to rattle Romo and the Cowboys.  The extra days should have helped the Cowboys get healthy and prepare for this game, the Seahawks are coming off a should-have been-a win game in Arizona last week.  Dallas will sneak out with a win, but do not be surprised if Russ Wilson and his boys pull off an upset here.  Trust me when I say the Seahawks defense is legit and will force turnovers from Romo, I just question Wilson against the Cowboys defense too..

 

Selection Cowboys 17 – Seahawks 16

 

****Washington @ St. Louis +3.5

UPSET SPECIAL Part 2!  Pierre Garcon is likely out for the Skins, the Rams defense offers much more of a challenge than the Saints defense, and RG3 will be under pressure all game.  Jeff Fisher has been in football too long to let a rookie, mobile, quarterback eat up his defense like the Saints allowed him to do last week.  Low scoring game, the Rams will use Steven Jackson and short passes to eat up the clock and put points on the board.  I am high on the Redskins, and high on RG3, but I think he is humbled today and the Rams take down the Skins at home.  Sam Bradford is in his third year behind center, he knows how to win games in the NFL.  He will make smart decisions with the football and the Rams defense will create turnovers.

Selection -   Rams 20 – Redesigns 17

 

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh -5.5

Harrison and Polamalu look to be out again for Pittsburgh, but Revis is out for the Jets too.  It’ll be Cromartie and Wilson taking on Wallace and Brown, Sanchez vs Big Ben, and Rex vs Tomlin.  I give the edge to the home team in what appears to be a must win game.  Jets look like the preseason Jets in this one.

Selections - Steelers 20 – Jets 10

 

Tennessee @ San Diego -6.5

Tennessee needs to rebound, but the Chargers defense was impressive against the Raiders last week.  Kenny Britt to see some action today?  Can the Titans get it done on the road against Phil Rivers without Ryan Matthews?  Advantage home team.  Stop Chris Johnson and the Chargers should win this game.

Selection - Chargers 23 – Titans 20

 

Detroit @ San Francisco -7

Good luck Detroit.  The 49ers at home are very tough to beat.  Harbaugh will not lose this game; I just cannot wait for the post game handshake.

Selection -   49ers 24 – Lions 20

 

Denver @ Atlanta -3

Shootout of the week?!  Peyton and his boys cross the country to play a Monday night matchup in Atlanta.  Matty Ice looked stellar last week and I expect that trend to continue. But Peyton looked sharp too, and Atlanta doesn’t offer much of a pass rush to shut him down, so I expect this game to be pretty high scoring.  Peyton will utilize the no huddle offense to get the Falcons defense tired come the fourth quarter.  But, Ryan has more weapons to use and Michael Turner will bust out for some big runs to ignite the offense and the crowd.  Settle down Peyton bandwagon, plenty of games this season.

 

Selection - Falcons 35 – Broncos 30