Tom Lea
It was only a matter of time until I was blessed with the flu. Heck, I do cover a football team (Wisconsin Badgers) on a daily basis that saw 40+ players get sick last week, so I knew it was coming. As bad as being sick sounds, it has actually shed some light on my week two picks. Call me crazy with some of these, but since I averaged 12 hours of sleep the past few nights, I have had plenty of dreams. And I decided that most of them are trying to tell me something. That they are an omen and I am destined to pick that way.
Oh yeah, just so you guys know, I went 11-5 last week. Not a bad debut. 
OAKLAND over Kansas City:
I know, I know, I saw it too. Jamarcus Russell couldn’t complete a pass to save his life. He looked downright awful. I understand that. But the Raider defense looked pretty good against a tough Chargers squad, so I figured if they can carry that over against a bad Kansas City team, they will surely get the win.
TENNESSEE over Houston:
I thought Houston was supposed to be a high-flying offense that scored a ton of points. That still may be the case, but when you don’t score an offensive touchdown with all the talent the Texans have, there has to be cause for concern. Plus, I kind of like how the Titans handled themselves in Pittsburgh. Yeah, I know they lost, but still, it’s never easy to go into Heinz and leave with a win. So, I will give them the nod over Houston.
NEW ENGLAND over New York Jets:
For all intents and purposes, I pray that Kerry Rhodes is right. I pray that he sees something in that film room that suggests he can use such wording as “embarrass” when talking about an upcoming game against the Patriots. No matter how bad the Pats looked against the Bills, the one thing I have learned over the years is…never say anything to rile them up. When you talk trash to the Patriots, you are just as likely to win the game as you are to see Bill Belichik wearing a suit and tie on the sideline.
GREEN BAY over Cincy:
When I saw Brandon Stokely catch the tip and sprint to the end zone, all I could do was laugh. It was the perfect discombobulated play for a franchise in disarray. Watching the Bengals safety proceed to tackle Brandon Marshall after the ball was tipped and Stokely was 15-yards past him, summed everything up. In short, the Bengals are clueless. Chad Ochocinco may score and jump in the Lambeau stands, but that will be the only thing noteworthy from a horrible team on Sunday. I bet the Packers win by 21 or more.
MINNESOTA over Detroit:
Soon Detroit, soon. Just not when you have to stop Adrian Peterson, because there is no chance you will be able to.
NEW ORLEANS over Philadelphia:
So let me get this straight. McNabb hurts his ribs, so you go and sign Jeff Garcia. Then, though he is an established veteran and has helped the same team to success in the past, you are still going with Kevin Kolb. I don’t get it. Thus, the Saints will win. Brees won’t have as big of a game as he did a week ago, but I can see 321 yards and three touchdowns coming from him.
CAROLINA over Atlanta:
This is where things get whacky. I had a dream last night that I was playing catch with Jake Delhomme. Why? I have no idea. I don’t like him and never will, but I was playing catch with him nonetheless. Then suddenly, before I know it, I am on a yacht with Delhomme and former Panther great Stephen Davis. While all three of us are sipping on Zima’s, (Again, I have no idea) Davis was giving pointers to Delhomme as to how to fix his throw. He then turned and said to me and I quote, “If you want to get back to shore, you better pick the Panthers.” Okay, Mr. Davis of my dreams. I did. Now please stay out of my head. You kind of scare me.
ST. LOUIS over Washington:
Stephen Jackson is going to run all over the Redskins kind of like Brandon Jacobs did last week. It will be close, but Jason Campbell will find a way to screw it up.
ARIZONA over Jacksonville:
The Jaguars nearly upended the Colts in Indianapolis. But they didn’t. And now, with a healthier Anquan Boldin, the Cards offense will be clicking on all cylinders.
SAN FRANCISCO over Seattle:
I don’t know why, but I just can never find a way to trust Seattle.
TAMPA BAY over Buffalo:
The Patriots ripped the heart out of the Bills in the final five minutes of Monday’s game. That takes some time to recover from. So, Tampa Bay will be playing the right team at the right time and steal a win in Buffalo.
DENVER over Cleveland:
Would this game be the equivalent of a four-game series in mid August between the Nationals and Pirates? They have to play the game, but it will have absolutely no effect on the NFL landscape as the season progresses. Neither of these teams are going to make the playoffs and neither are going to be close. But, with the karma train riding along Denver, I have to go with the Bronco’s again.
BALTIMORE over San Diego:
I was not impressed with the Chargers in week one. I’m sure many of you weren’t either. Anytime a horrible Raiders team has you beat only to choke it away in the final two minutes, you can’t feel good about the state of the team. I like how physical Baltimore plays and I like them to beat up San Diego by going across the country and notching a big win.
PITTSBURGH over Chicago:
Donald Driver said it during the summer. Jay Cutler is a big name quarterback, but we’ll see how good he is when he has nobody to throw to. Well, we’ve had that chance and his favorite receivers on Sunday night were dressed in Green and Gold. Still, I don’t understand why ESPN is blowing their load about that performance. I have never liked Cutler, and have never thought he was good.
The Bears will be tough and in games only because their defense looks to be pretty solid. Cutler will cost them more games than he will win for them. Even without Polomalu, I like the Pittsburgh defense harassing Cutler all afternoon. I wouldn’t be surprised if he three or more picks again. If he does, I think Chicago may explode.
DALLAS over New York Giants:
There is no way Jerry Jones will let the Cowboys lose the opener to his new palace. If it’s looking that way, expect him to replace Wade Phillips as the coach midway through the third quarter.
INDIANAPOLIS over Miami:
I picked the Dolphins last week only to be sorely disappointed. So, I vow to pick them on rare occasions throughout the rest of the season.