Best Bet
1. Atlanta Falcons (-6.5) vs Arizona Cardinals – Look for the Falcons to bounce back strong after a tough OT loss to the Steelers in Week 1. Offensively, expect a heavy dose of RB Michael Turner, which will set up the passing game for QB Matt Ryan and Co.
On the other side of the ball, the improved Falcons D will cause fits for QB Derek Anderson and keep the Cardinals scoring low. This will be a Falcons win going away.
Next In Line
2. Philadelphia Eagles (-6) vs. Detroit Lions – The Eagles defensively will impose their will on QB Shaun Hill and keep this unit to 14 points or less. Offensively, with Michael Vick as the starter, look for a heavy reliance on the running game, out of both him and LeSean McCoy, with a few shots down the field to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin when the Lions secondary cheats up. The Eagles win this one easily.
3. Miami Dolphins (+5.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings – With Percy Harvin’s injury now worse than expected, the Vikings passing game is in trouble. Look for Miami to key on RB Adrian Peterson and force QB Brett Favre to beat them… which will be tough.
Offensively, the Dolphins will use the run to set-up the pass, and mix in the Wild Cat to keep the Vikings D off balance. Expect a low scoring game and the Dolphins to keep the final score within a FG.
4. San Francisco 49ers (+5) vs. New Orleans Saints – See money line bet.
Rounding Out the List
Pittsburgh Steelers (+5) vs. Tennessee Titans – S Troy Polamalu’s presence near the line of scrimmage will limit RB Chris Johnson’s effectiveness, and the Steelers front seven will be coming after QB Vince Young. When the Steelers have the ball, expect a very conservative game plan which calls for a lot of runs and short passes.
This game has the look of a 14-10 finish, but it will certainly be less than the five point spread the bookmakers are giving the Steelers.
Oakland Raiders (-3.5) vs. St. Louis Rams – The Raiders, coming off a 25-point loss to the Titans, will win by at least one TD on Sunday. Defensively, they’re nowhere near as bad as they looked in Week 1, and will be all over QB Sam Bradford.
And while they’re certainly not world beaters on offense, beating the Rams by 4 doesn’t require them to be so.
San Diego Chargers (-7) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jaguars are a notoriously poor traveling team and the Chargers feast on lesser opponents at home. Look for a lot of success from QB Phillip Rivers and Co. and at least 27 points from the offense.
Defensively, San Diego will focus on RB Maurice Jones-Drew, and force David Garrard to beat them through the air. History says he won’t be able to (he struggles away from home). Big rebound for the Bolts on Sunday.
Money Line Bet
San Francisco 49ers (+200) vs. New Orleans Saints
Chalk this selection up to the strangeness of the NFL. Did anyone else see the Chiefs win over the Chargers coming last Monday?
In Week 1, the Niners came out and performed horribly against Seattle, getting manhandled 31-6. The Saints on the other hand beat the Vikings 14-9 but in less than impressive fashion.
Look for a vastly different 49ers team to be on the field Monday Night. Offensively, we see the Niners pounding the ball with RB Frank Gore and using the quick passing game to neutralize DC Gregg Williams aggressive blitz package. And once QB Alex Smith has found some success, expect San Francisco to take a few shots down the field, most likely in the direction of TE Vernon Davis.
On defense, the Niners will have their hands full, but the Saints passing game isn’t nearly as effective when on grass and outdoors. LB Patrick Willis and the front seven will stifle the running game, and look for the pass defense to be improved from a week ago. While Drew Brees will definitely have success throwing the ball, expect one big play late in the game from San Francisco which seals the 24-20 win on Monday Night.
