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NFL Predictions: Picking Week 2 against the spread

By Michael Burke

Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) reacts to a play in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) reacts to a play in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Game: Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)

Pick: Dallas (+3.5)

I’m not so sure that the Cowboys aren’t significantly better than most seem to think they are. Their defense, which was historically bad last season and which is supposed to be historically bad again this season, looked pretty decent last week, when it held San Francisco to only 319 yards of total offense and just 21 points.

The big difference in that game, of course, were Tony Romo’s three interceptions. Unless his back still isn’t healthy, I would seriously caution anyone from believing he’ll repeat that performance this week.

Yeah, I know: the Titans were in complete control for four quarters last week against a 2013 playoff team. But the Chiefs suck. I honestly don’t believe they’ve recovered from their collapse against the Colts in the Wild Card round. So, sorry Tennessee fans, but I’m taking your team’s Week 1 win with a grain of salt.

Also worth noting: the Cowboys have started each of the past three seasons 1-1. They’re 0-1 right now, so you know what that means.

Game: Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) at New York Giants

Pick: Arizona (-2.5)

I don’t feel at all good about this pick, mostly because the Cardinals are traveling East for an early game (it will essentially be a 10:00am start for them) on a short week. But the Carson Palmer I watched last Monday night — the one who, on football’s second-biggest stage, outplayed Philip Rivers and led Arizona back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit — is a Carson Palmer I can believe in. If Palmer, who was often Arizona’s achilles heel in 2013, has suddenly morphed into 2005 Carson Palmer, the Cardinals could easily sneak into the playoffs.

Oh, and the Giants might secretly be one of the league’s five worst teams. Their defense is terrible. Their starting running back is Rashad Jennings. Their quarterback looks, as he did all last season, like a shell of the one who won MVP of Super Bowl XLVI.

Yeah, I’ve convinced myself. The Giants can’t stay within three points of the Cardinals, regardless of the circumstances.

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