The home team normally has an advantage, but this week is ridiculous. Of the 16 games on display, 15 of them feature home favorites. Ironically, the only home team considered an underdog, the 2-0 Green Bay Packers, play in one of the most venerable, intimidating home stadiums in the NFL.

A road dog is a dangerous temptress, but we’re going with a few in unbeatens Arizona, Carolina and Pittsburgh; winless St. Louis; and the Brett Favre-led New York Jets. After an 8-6-1 week, resident gamer Raisin’ Brant Nelson improved to 19-11-1 in his quest for a .700 season winning percentage.
 
Kansas City at Atlanta (-4.5)
Welcome to one of the least-intriguing matchups of the week. Matt Ryan was able to put up solid numbers against a putrid Detroit defense Week 1, but was brought back to reality when he faced Tamp Bay last week. Luckily for Ryan and the Falcons, they host one of the worst all-around teams in the league.

The Chiefs hope to avoid their 12th straight loss, dating back to last season, should prove to be nearly impossible as they jump on the back of 3rd string QB Tyler Thigpen.
Pick: Atlanta -4.5

Oakland at Buffalo (-9)
Even without starter Justin Fargas, the backfield of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush is as talented as you will find. That alone got the job done last week, but that was against the Chiefs.

Buried behind the storylines of the Pats and Jets in the AFC East, Buffalo is still going unnoticed on a national level. That should change this week when the Bills trounce the Raiders, allowing Al Davis to finally fire Coach Lane Kiffin.
Pick: Buffalo -9

Houston at Tennessee (-4.5)
Even with the week off, the Texans are far from rested. The city of Houston is still recovering from Hurricane Ike, while the team prepares for this week’s game against the Titans. Matt Schaub didn’t exactly shine in his only game of the year, but he still managed to find his favorite target Andre Johnson for 10 completions. Houston will need to keep that going if it is going to have a chance.

Tennessee’s running game will likely be the difference maker here, as LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson figure to pound the Texans’ porfrontline early and often.
Pick: Tennessee -4.5

Cincinnati at New York Giants (-13)
While most thought their high-powered passing attack would keep them competitive, the Bengals have proven nothing should be taken for granted. Sure it’s only been two games, but Carson Palmer has the league’s worst passer rating and has yet to find the endzone.

Meanwhile, the Giants continue their extended pre-season schedule. We all know they are good, but their early competition makes it hard to tell just how good. One thing that stands out so far is Eli Manning’s presence in the huddle and his ability to avoid turnovers, things that haunted him most of last season.
Pick: New York Giants -13

Arizona at Washington (-3)
The Cardinals travel to Washington looking to build on their NFC West division lead behind a rejuvenated Kurt Warner, an incredible receiving corps, and an underrated defense that has given up only 23 points through two weeks.

While the Redskins may be slightly better than Arizona’s first two opponents (Miami and San Francisco), they are not quite the well-oiled machine first-year coach Jim Zorn was hoping for.
Pick: Arizona +3

Miami at New England (-13)
Please don’t be fooled. When Tom Brady was lost for the season, no one in the Patriots organization hit the panic button. Matt Cassel showed he can nickel and dime opposing defenses all day and lead his team to victory. Besides, the last time I checked, most teams can’t cover both Randy Moss AND Wes Welker.

In Miami, Chad Pennington may soon find himself in familiar territory - fighting for his starting job. Going into New England and taking one from the big, bad Patriots would certainly quiet the critics, but I just don’t see it.
Pick: New England -13

Tampa Bay at Chicago (-3)
Defense anyone? With Joey Galloway questionable for Tampa Bay, there may not be a pass completed for more than 15 yards this whole game. Speaking of the Bucs, they are sticking with Brian Griese … at least for this week.

Rookie RB Matt Forte faces his toughest test to date. While he appears to be a beast destined for big things, a meeting with a Monte Kiffin defense could prove otherwise.
Pick: Chicago -3

Carolina at Minnesota (-3.5)
You can call this the NFL’s version of Bizarro World. Carolina comes into this week on the heels of back-to-back come-from-behind wins. The Panthers have found themselves at 2-0 without the help of WR Steve Smith, who is back from suspension this week.

The Vikings, on the other hand, found out the hard way that Tarvaris Jackson wasn’t quite ready to lead them into the playoffs. Off to a disappointing 0-2 start after hard-fought battles with the Packers and Colts, the Vikings turn to Gus Frerotte. To make matters worse, star RB Adrian Peterson is questionable for the meeting with a sore hamstring.
Pick: Carolina +3.5

St. Louis at Seattle (-10)
Normally, St. Louis would be licking their lips for this game. And who could blame them as they prepare to play a Seahawks team decimated by injuries. Unfortunately, the Rams forgot how to play football and are apparently trying a new approach - on-field meetings every Sunday around 1 p.m.

Seattle took the time this week to deal with some of the aforementioned injury problems, signing WR Koren Robinson and trading for WR Keary Colbert. Both new additions figure to see significant playing time. Now, if Matt Hasselbeck’s back holds up, they could be in business.
Pick: St. Louis +10

Detroit at San Francisco (-4)
Despite Jon Kitna’s love for completing passes regardless of the receiver’s team affiliation, the Detroit offense can air it out. Calvin Johnson has started the year with two 100+ yard receiving games, topping it off with two TDs last week. Unfortunately, scoring means your defense has to take the field.

Since his days with the Rams, Mike Martz has been looking for his next Marshall Faulk. Frank Gore, while not an identical match, is close enough to make Martz giddy.
Pick: San Francisco -4

New Orleans at Denver (-5)
By all accounts, this could have been a battle of 2-0 teams. That was until the Saints blew a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter against the Redskins. After rushing for only 55 yards in that contest, New Orleans has talked about working Deuce McAllister back into the mix.

The Broncos are flying high, averaging 40 points over the first two games. QB Jay Cutler has clearly arrived and is happy to have top wide receiver Brandon Marshall back from suspension. Last weekd, Marshall made up for his Week 1 absence by catching an absurd 18 passes.
Pick: Denver -5

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (-3)
The Steelers D has been dominant thus far, shutting down Houston and Cleveland. While they may not shut the Eagles down, look for Pittsburgh to keep Donovan McNabb and company in check. Big Ben says his shoulder is fine, so I have to believe that he and the Steelers offense will be fine.
Pick: Pittsburgh +3

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (-5.5)
The Jags find themselves in an early hole in the race for the AFC South title. Though the defense is holding its own, especially against the run, the offense can’t seem to move the ball down the field. Worse yet, running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew have had trouble getting going behind a banged-up offensive line.

While Indy has lost the heart of its defense with safety Bob Sanders out 4-6 weeks, defense is not the team’s main concern. In the end, the Colts running game is what we need to worry most about. Through two games, they have managed just 78 yards on the ground.
Pick: Indianapolis -5.5

Cleveland at Baltimore (-2)
With as many drops as catches (5), it is an understatement to say Braylon Edwards is off to a slow start. That being said, he is still more of a threat on the field than off, but a shoulder injury may force him out of this matchup. With Guard Eric Steinbach already out, Cleveland’s offense is likely to struggle.

Baltimore’s week off due to Hurricane Ike gave rookie QB Joe Flacco time to take in his solid Week 1 performance and work on improving his game.
Pick: Baltimore -2

Dallas (-3) at Green Bay
The Cowboys had ups and downs, but held on for a big win Monday night against the Eagles. The mental and physical drain of a game against a division rival mixed with a short week could be detrimental to Dallas’ continued success.

General manager Ted Thompson can finally breathe as his Aaron Rodgers Experiment appears to be working out just fine. The Packers are 2-0 and come back home to play the toughest game on their schedule.
Pick: Dallas -3

New York Jets at San Diego (-9)
After all the talk, Brett Favre and the Jets could not find a way to take down the Brady-less Patriots. Now they take their show cross-country to take on AFC powerhouse San Diego.

San Diego is reeling a little bit. Coming off two heartbreaking losses to start their season, things don’t seem to get any easier. The Chargers will likely count on backup running back Darren Sproles to handle the bulk of the carries as L.T. nurses a jammed toe.
Pick: New York Jets +9

Last Week: 8-6-1
Overall Record: 19-11-1