Football Picks: Week 2

Well I didn't get off to quite the start that I wanted to last week losing four head to head matchups with Brian in our two man league and getting bounced from an elimination pool. But they say that the first week is always the toughest to predict because not everyone is in shape yet or playing at their peak levels. Hopefully, the second week will play out truer to form. Here's what the Shames-o-Matic Prediction Meter came up with for week 2 in the NFL:

Ravens over the Titans - The Ravens defense looked great against the Colts in week one, until Peyton Manning came on strong in the second half just like I predicted. The only problem in picking the Ravens from here on out is that their offense is god awful. Hopefully with Anthony Wright replacing Kyle Boller at QB they can finally get something going. Either way the Titans aren't the same team that almost won the Super Bowl a few years ago. They'll be lucky to win four games this year. Ravens all the way.

Buffalo over Tampa Bay - The bucs looked surprisingly good in beating the Vikings last week but I can't see them playing that well two weeks in a row. It's more likely that the Vikes were just unprepared for them. Buffalo won't be. I saw them earlier this week on Outside the Lines on ESPN talking about how their coaches put in 20 hour work days. They're probably the most prepared coaching staff in the league and they'll have upstart Buffalo ready to go.

Detroit over Chicago - Chicago might have a chance if this game was being played in December but without the weather being a factor expect the Lions offense to tear it up again especially the passing combo of QB Joey Harrington and WR Roy Williams. Lions in a blow out.

Colts over Jacksonville - Jacksonville's got a nice young team and could win 7-9 games this year. But the Colts are thinking nothing but Super Bowl and after nearly shutting out the Ravens is their defense catching up to their offense?

Minnesota over Cincinnati - We'll call this rebound week. Anybody who sucked in week one bounces back and wins in week 2. Cincinnatti's got a good team but I gotta believe that Daunte Culpepper carries Minnesota to the win here.

New England over Carolina - Carolina's got a solid team but if they couldn't even beat the Saints they probably can't beat the unbeatable Patriots. Close game decided by either an Adam Vinateiri field goal or a missed one by John Kasay.

Saints over the Giants - The Giants looked good in week one but after the Saints upset the Panthers I think it's safe to say that you can't beat against the Saints this year. Saints all the way.

Pittsburgh over Houston - This game is the upset special of the week. Houston could very easily win but Pittsburgh's defense is just too good and I don't see an inconsistent David Carr putting it all together this week.

Phladelphia over San Fran - It's tempting to take San Fran bc of the possibility that the Eagles will be without Donovan McNabb but even still the Eagles are mad about losing to the Falcons and will take it out on the 49ers. Expect a huge blowout.

Atlanta over Seattle - I liked Atlanta's swagger in beating the Eagles. That could be your NFC championship game preview right there. Until then expect the Falcons to rattle over 12 or 13 wins starting with win #2 against the underacheiving Seahawks.

Arizona over St. Louis- Remember how I said this would be rebound week? It still is but the Rams don't get an invitation. The Cardinals looked impressive against the Giants, even in losing in a blow out, so I'll take my chances with their young defense stopping the Rams offense.

Cleveland over Green Bay - I might be the only person in the world picking Cleveland here but I'm more picking against the Packers than I am picking the Browns. Basically the Packers without WR Javon Walker and with a banged up QB in Brett Farve don't stand a chance this year. The Browns could get one of their 3 wins right here.

Jets over Miami - The Jets looked awful against KC and the Dolphins like world beaters against the Broncos. So take Miami right? Wrong. Take a hungry Jets team to pull it out behind their defense and the running game of Curtis Martin.

San Diego over Denver - The Chargers get TE Antonio Gates back and the Broncos fall to 0-2 in what could be head coach Mike Shanahan's final year in Denver.

Chiefs over the Raiders - The Raiders looked impressive against the Patriots but the Chiefs looked like their old selfs against the Jets. If Larry Johnson plays the Chiefs win. If he doesn't they lose. Bet on him playing and tearing it up.

Washington over Dallas - That's right I said Washington over Dallas in Dallas. Mark Brunell gets the start for the skins and could shock the world. Plus Dallas is overrated after beating a Chargers team without Gates. Expect the upset in an ugly field goal kicking contest that probably doesn't see a single touchdown scored by either team.