Week 2 NFL Pick'em: Lance Bets Me a Steak

Free steak! What i gotta do? Beat
the Saints you say? Oh I'm suiting
up for this one...

Alright Ladies and Gents, Week 2 of the NFL is upon us and its time for some weekly picks. This time the "steaks" have been raised as good friend of the Sports Rant, Lance, has wagered a free one on this weeks battle against the defending Super Bowl Champion Saints. Little did he know that last weeks tank job against the Seahawks was all part of an elobrate hustle that roped him into this idiotic bet. At least, thats what i thought the plan was. Right?.....Guys?

Is this thing on?



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NFL Pick'em Leaderboard:

April's Picks: 11
Dre's Decisions: 10
Vick's Picks: 10
Sledge's Selections: 10
Wright Choice: 7
King's Commands: 6

Bubba: 15
DPLsuphi: 9
Dbossier: 8
Bryan: 8
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Dolphins @ Vikings -5.5

I like Miami to cover on the road. The Vikings have numerous issues to deal with right now, primarily the abscence of top playmakers Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin. Last week the offensive line looked old and Bret Farve looked rusty. As for the Dolphins, they looked flat as well against the Bills last week. Going up against Minnesota i think they just might have the offensive line to control studs Jared Allen and Pat Williams, and just enough playmakers to keep it close and possibly win.  

The Pick: Dolphins

Steelers @ Titans -5

I got burned last week by betting against "Coach's Best Friend" Chris Johnson, and part of me wants to play the redemption angle and go with the Titans in this one. But the objective side of me is pointing out that the Titans played the Raiders last week, who are terrible, and the Titans are giving up five points this week to a team that won the Super Bowl just two years ago. The Steelers are reshaping their identity without Ben Roethlisberger and returning to their smash mouth ways. Similiar to their Super bowl season, they pound opponents with a superior run game and shut opposing offenses down with their devestating defense. This will spell trouble for the Titans, who are weak in the run defense department and dont have playmakers in the passing game to sneak a big play by the Steelers D. I like the Steelers to cover and win.

The Pick: Steelers

Cardinals @ Falcons -6.5

The Cardinals have some serious issues and I hate that I have two of their starters on my fantasy team. Beanie Wells returns this week and Larry Fitzgerald looks to continue to see double coverage with no one to throw to him. I dont like that Arizona has to travel across the country for this one, and if I am Arizona, I dont like that the Falcons will be hungry after a tough overtime loss to Pittsburgh. I'm going with the Falcons by a large margin.

The Pick: Falcons

Buccaneers @ Panthers -3.5

Ughh. Who cares. Tampa didnt look terrible last week against the Browns, and I think the Panthers continue to be over-rated. With three relevant fantasy players and a recent Super Bowl trip still in the back of everybody's mind, the Panthers appear to be better than they actually are. In reality, nearly all members of that Super Bowl team are gone or injured, leaving in their wake a young inexpierenced group. Ill take the Bucs, only becuase I think the Panthers suck.

The Pick: Tampa Bay

Ravens @ Bengals +1

Im riding the Bengals this year. They have a balanced offense with bruiser Cedric Benson and a solid passing attack to go along with its a tough defense and possibly the NFL's best secondary. The Patiots exposed them a little bit last week, but i think they bite back this week, especially  sicne they gain a point at home. The Ravens are good, but the public is buying into them a little to heavily after they beat the Jets on Monday Niight. Quarterback Joe Flacco did not look sharp by any means, Boldin is already banged up and the team is playing on on a short week for a second consecutive road game. Ill take the Bengals in a grinder.

The Pick: Bengals

Chiefs @ Browns -1

The Chiefs are for real! Every year there is some team that starts hot out of the gates. Last year it was the Jets and the 49ers, this year its the Chiefs. Two things I love about KC, first the BBQ, which is tops in the world, apologies to Memphis, and second the stock pile of SEC talent! Love former LSU studs Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson along the defensive line, love Dexter McCluster and Dwayne Bowe making plays in the passing game and love the Cheifs against the Browns this week on the road!

The Pick: Kansas City SEC All Stars

Bears @ Cowboys -9

Cowboys are still my Super Bowl pick this year and I'm not jumping off that bangdwagon against the Bears, who are just terrible. Big D rights the ship against da Bears, and lays down a whoopin in their home opener.

The Pick: Cowboys

Eagles @ Lions +4.5

At first glance I thought to myself, "Love the Lions at home gaining four and a half points!" At second glance, and after rememebering that Matt Stafford is out, I thought, "Wait, who in the world is the Lions backup Quarterback?" And finally, with my final thought, I rememberd that it was none other than former 49ers castoff Shaun Hill. Hells yea im taking the Lions! Mini-Ewing theory in effect with Stafford out, Mike Vick with a letdown after playing well against the Packers and... hell, i dont have to justify this. Go Lions. They are going to cover, just you watch.

The Pick: Detroit

Bills @ Packers -13

I can actually see the Bills covering this one. For all their ineptitude, the Bills acutally fare well against the pass, which is all the Packers have after loosing Ryan Grant for the aeason. I could see Buffallo hanging around in this one and staying within ten points, covering the spread.

The Pick: Buffallo

Seahwaks @ Broncos -3.5

I like the Chiefs as upstart team numero uno and the Seahawks as numero dos. Furthermore, the only way I can justify the 49ers tank job last week is by convincing myself that the Seahawks are a legitmatily good team. (Which they are probably not.) So there you go, Seahawks to cover and my delusions about the 49ers greatness continue.

The Pick: Seahawks

Rams @ Raiders -3.5

At first glance I thought to myself, the Rams are terrible, of course the Raiders. Than I thought about it a little more and realized, the Raiders are terrible AND they are giving away three points! Additionally, staying true to my offensive lineman philosophy, the Raiders have the worst o-line in football, and its not even close. The Rams on the other hand, have one of the best defensive ends in the league in young Chris Long, and that has to count for something right?  I like the Rams to embarass the Raiders at home in this one.

The Pick: Rams

Patriots @ Jets +1

Im picking against the Jets all year, and its certainly not going to stop here. As Jason Whitlock frankly put it, "This may be one of the most overated teams in history." Second year quarterback, banged up o-line, no featured back and no recieving threat. Why are they being treated like a Super Bowl contender? As for the Patriots, they are still sharp in each facet of the game except for pass defense, a weakness that the Jets will be unable to exploit.

The Pick: the Pats

Jaguars @ Chargers -7

I am just not a fan of the Chargers this year. I think they are over-hyped after years of regular season sucess. This is not the same team as the ones that went 14-2 and 13-3 in consecutive seasons. New running back Ryan Williams is good for at least one turnover and their are holes along the defensive line and in the secondary. Also, beware of the Norv Turner third year curse! Everywhere he goes, his teams begin to tank in his third season. Just ask Redskins fans, Cowboys fans and future Chargers fans.

The pick: Jags

Texans @ Redskins +2.5

The wind lets out of the Redskins sails and the Texans steal this one on the road. Love the new identity as a running team to go along with aerial studs Schaub, Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels. Their defense is improved as well, achored by Mario Williams and I like them to win, and cover, this one on the road.

The Pick: Texans

Sunday Night: (Two Points)
Giants @ Colts -5

Both I, and Colin Cowherd, love this pick. The fact is, the Colts dont loose at home in the regular season. With Peyton Manning at quarterback they are 25-1 in their last 26 at home. The Giants are traveling to Indy after an ugly win against Carolina and are currently dealing with identity issues. Are they a running team or a passing team? Are they going to rely on Eli's arm or the strength of their offensive line? Its being billed as the "Manning Bowl," but we all which Manning is in total control of his team. Colts should handle this game easily, cover the spread, and possibly blow this game wide open.

The Pick: Colts

Monday Night: (Two Points)
Saints @ 49ers +5.5

49ers are going to be pissed off after last week embarassment agasint the Seahwaks, Jimmy Raye is no longer calling plays in with string and a cup, and dammit, I want a steak! These are all perfectly valid reasons to go with the 49ers this week. Saints fans, get your grocery bags ready, because this game is going to take you back to the 90's like a 90210 rerun.

The Pick: 49ers of course!