Week 2 - NFL games, Survivor picks with bonus fantasy angles!!!
Who will win, step up and get beat down in Week 2 of the NFL season...
These game predictions do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com but just a solo fantasy writer who is still waiting for the replay booth to say Darren McFadden actually scored at the end of that long run...As a reminder, email any questions, be it about lineup fantasy decisions, trades, strategy or free agents, to podcast@fftoolbox.com or send tweets to @benstandig. Also download the weekly FFToolbox.com podcast - hosted by yours truly with guests from the Rotoworld, CBS Sports, NY Times and the National Football Post. Scheduled for Tuesday's and Thursday's at 7 p.m. or anytime via ITunes and that's where you will find this week's fantasy angles...
Home Team in CAPS
NEW ORLEANS 27 (-6.5) Chicago 14 - Consider this more anti-Cutler (or assuming bad Jay shows up on the road in a dome after a solid opener) than pro-Saints. Also hard to see Drew Brees and crew starting 0-2 seeing as I have them reaching the NFC Championship game.
NY JETS 26 (-8.5) Jacksonville 10 - Not actually sure how the Jags get 10 points. I like Nick Folk more than Mark Sanchez this week and Shonn Greene gets 16+ touches.
DETROIT 34 (-7) Kansas City 17 - My crystal ball says Jahvid Best will show off his Jammal Charles impression, specifically on the blowing past defenders with his stopwatch worthy speed for long runs. Classic.
BUFFALO 24 (-4) Oakland 17 - Am I really saying the Bills will go 2-0? I'm saying the Bills will go 2-0, despite Darren McFadden posting 120 total yards and finding the end zone. Twice.
WASHINGTON 24 (-3.5) ARIZONA 20 - Rex Grossman finishes as a top-10 QB play this week, Tim Hightower scores against his old mates and Jabar Gaffney becomes a free agent target after another touchdown,
Baltimore 20 TENNESSEE 17 (+6) - Ravens looked awesome last week against the Steelers. Huge win, for their psyche if nothing else, which is emotional letdown is inevitable, enough to let Titans hang around.
PITTSBURGH 38 (-14) Seattle 17 - Name your score game for the Steelers. Mike Wallace calls for 100+ yards and a score.
Green Bay 31 CAROLINA 22 - Aaron Rodgers and James Starks lead the Packers, but Cam Newton's legs and the home crowd get the Panthers a cover win. And yes, I'm starting Steve Smith if needed.
MINNESOTA 23 (-2.5) Tampa Bay 20 - If Donovan McNabb doesn't look like a professional QB this week, the calls for Christian Ponder will make it seem like the Broncos fans don't even like Tim Tebow by comparison. So the aging vet dials back the clock and throws for two scores.
INDIANAPOLIS 24 (+2.5) Cleveland 17 - No, I'm not saying the Colts are suddenly good. I'm reminding folks the Browns lost to the Bengals last week.
Dallas 24 (-3.5) SAN FRANCISCO 19 - As I feared on Thursday's podcast, doesn't sound good for Dez Bryant this week. Tread lightly on starting him if you have to enter lineup by 1pm.
MIAMI 26 (+3.5) Houston 24 - The Dolphins cover and win as Brandon Marshall keeps on keeping on.
NEW ENGLAND 31 San Diego 27 (+7) - The Chargers have a healthy record against the Patriots and Philip Rivers is poised for a monster game, but I don't go against Tom Brady unless forced. Not the case here, but close.
DENVER 24 (-3.5) Cincinnati 16 - With Knowshon Moreno looking unlikely to go - shocker, I know - here is my bold Willis McGahee's final stat line prediction: 18 touches, 79 yards, two touchdowns.
Philadelphia 31 (-2.5) ATLANTA 28 - I nearly waffled on this pick and took the Falcons until I remembered I think the Falcons are over-hyped and that was before they suffered injuries along their defensive line. As long as Michael Vick doesn't try to be Superman in his return to Atlanta, the Eagles get err done.
NY GIANTS 27 (-6.5) St. Louis 17 - That's my take if Hakeem Nicks is active. If he's out - and especially if Steven Jackson is active - then Rams keep it closer than the experts think.
Last week: Straight (9-7), Spread (6-10); Overall: Straight (9-7), Spread (6-10)
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Survivor picks - Detroit...then Pittsburgh or NY Jets