The Right Field week 2 NFL picks

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49ers @ Bengals (-1) 

I may be from Cincinnati but for those who don’t know, I am no Bengals fan, so no bias here.  I can count probably on one hand the amount of times I have ever bet on the hapless jungle kittens over the last ten years, but I happen to like them in this spot.  The 49ers have back-to-back east coast games (Tampa Bay last week) and while they won, I was more impressed with the way the Bengals played the Seahawks in Seattle—Andy Dalton threw for 418 yards for crying out loud.  I think this line should really be closer to -3, so I have to roll with the hometown team this time.

Vikings @ Packers (Under 43)

The Vikings showed a very different run-heavy approach last week in their thumping of the Falcons with Kirk Cousins passing only ten times.  The defense gave up a few garbage TDs at the end of the game playing a total prevent, but the game wasn’t as close as even the 28-12 score suggests as the Falcons didn’t score until the fourth quarter.  Green Bay’s defense was also lights-out against the Bears in the season opener.  I do not see this being the 29-29 shootout tie it was last year and with the Vikings committed to toting the rock a lot more and a much more impressive Packers defense, I see a 23-17 type of game.  Who wins?  I have no clue.  This is as tough a game to pick on spread/moneyline as you’ll see this week.

Patriots @ Dolphins (+18.5)

This is the third largest spread of this decade.  The Dolphins are terrible and tanking on purpose.  The Pats, as usual, are an excellent football team.  The Pats could very well destroy this team by 24+ points, but I have to go with history and playing the odds.  When a team loses at home the week prior and is an underdog the following week, they are 105-55 the last two years in covering the next week.  The Dolphins were embarrassed last week and I think will at least try and and play somewhat inspired.  As stated, the Pats could kill them today.  But play the dog in this spot 100 times and you will be in the money.  Period.

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Kansas City Chiefs (-7) @ Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders were a nice story in week 1, overcoming the Antonio Brown drama to beat Denver.  Unfortunately for Raider Nation, this is week two.  Denver will show how bad they are this year and the Raiders took advantage early.  The Chiefs are banged up, but the offense will never be stopped.  Gruden’s offense will be able to squeak out some points, but the Chiefs defense can prevent enough scoring to let the offense do its thing.

Chicago Bears (-2.5) @ Denver Broncos

As mentioned in my prior pick, the Broncos are not a very good team.  Joe Flacco will face-off against an even better defense this week and expect Flacco to see the ground a lot.  The Bears had a dreadful first week offensively.  With more reps and a longer prep for the coaching staff, look to see Trubisky settle in with short completions and a run game.  This one will not have a lot of scoring, but the Bears will pull away for a touchdown lead early and maintain some field goals from the Broncos.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (-8.5)

The Jaguars will look to start fresh with another new QB.  With Foles going down to injury, Gardner Minshew will be taking the snaps full time for the near future.  With not much of a passing game to begin with, the Jags will rely on Fournette to run the offense.  The Texans defense will load the box and force the Jags to win through the air.  This will undoubtedly cause turnovers in favor of Houston.  The offense for the Texans is explosive and will continue to be if Watson stays healthy.  If Watson can elude the Jags rush and stay on his feet, the Texans will win by at least two touchdowns.

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Buffalo Bills (-2) vs New York Giants

This is more about how bad the Giants than it is about how good the Bills are.  The Bills offense can put up points thanks to Josh Allen’s new weapon, John Brown.  The Bills defense isn’t anything to scoff at either.  The Giants defense on the other hand, just got torched by Dak Prescott and deep passes and I believe the Bills will attack the same way.  It’s basically a pick’em at -2, and I think the Bills are just a better team.

Dallas Cowboys (-5) vs. Washington Redskins

Dallas is good and Washington isn’t—it’s that simple.  After losing running back Derrius Guice to a torn meniscus, the Skins will go back to old man Adrian Peterson.  Ezekiel Elliott will reintroduce himself to the NFL with a big game.  Meanwhile, Washington doesn’t have any wide receivers and the Cowboys defense is elite. The Cowboys will win and I’m saying they do so by 21 points.  Take America’s team and win you some money.

Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5) vs. Oakland Raiders (Over 53)

I’m giving you two picks in this game because both just seem so obvious. The Chiefs scored 40 points without their best WR, while also settling for four field goals. Neither team has a defense that makes you believe this will be a low scoring game. The Chiefs being favored by only 7.5 is an insult to Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Chiefs will win large but the Raiders will score points. Take the over and the Chiefs.

FYI - this new sports outlet was founded by a friend of a friend.  They went 8-1 their first week last week and some of you wanted me to post their picks.  Take FWIW.