NFL Daily Presents- The SOS Week 2 ATS Picks

10-6 is respectable for week 1, but I expect better from myself from here on out.

- Let's use some logic here, shall we. If Cleveland couldn't stop the offense of the Steelers, then they most likely won't be able to stop the vaunted Bengals attack. Though I think Winslow and Edwards could have nice games for the Browns, they don't really have a QB to keep them in the game. Carson Palmer and co. should run wild like stallions in the open field. As beautiful and poetic as that sounds, the result will be just about the opposite for Cleveland. 4.5 is a giveaway for Cincy, and I'll gladly accept. Don't be surprised if Mr. Quinn makes an appearance in the 4th.
- Something tells me that the Titans offense won't rush for 275 yards for a 2nd consecutive week. Just a hunch. And just like Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne stuck it to former Indy starter Jason David last week, they get to do the exact same thing to 2006 Colts starting corner Nick Harper. Peyton Manning still remembers getting upset by Tennessee last year, and revenge will be sweet especially when Bob Sanders gets to VY in the open field. Like Joseph Addai scampering off into the sunset, I'll take the Colts and 7.5 with me to the bank.
- The Niners and Rams is the toughest game of the week in my mind. I've been going back and forth all week, but I believe that the deciding factor in my mind will be that Alex Smith has to go on the road and beat a division opponent. Now that's a tall task for a young QB, and I think that Stephen Jackson will have a nice performance. This game for the Rams offense could be a preview of what's to come for the rest of the season. The young St Louis offensive line will be put to the test to protect Marc Bulger without Orlando Pace. This is a huge game with huge question marks, and the conservative in me will side with the home club, Rams and the 3.5.
- Will the Giants have week 1 stud Eli Manning under center this week against a young and hungry (youngry, just thought of that one) Packers defense? Will it risk further injury to Manning's shoulder, or will it add insult to injury if the team goes to 0-2 with fat camp failure Jared Lorenzen at the helm? These are the questions posed to embattled Giants coach and taskmaster Tom Coughlin against a Green Bay club high off their win over Philly last week. Because of the injuries at RB with Jacobs and Jackson injured on both sides, the contest may turn into an air affair. And when a passing battles ensues, SOS will put his money on the side of the gunslinger Brett Favre. But Cheese Heads should not overlook the talent of Derrick Ward, who will have to be the x-factor if Big Blue wants to even their record. There are too many questions surrounding the Giants for me to side with them, so I'll go with the youngry Packers.
- As impressive as Pittsburgh was last week against the Browns, Buffalo showed me something in defeat last week. They showed me that they can hang with a tough Broncos team and that a 9.5 point spread is inflated like an NBA contract due to the pounding that Pittsburgh put on Cleveland last week. I think that the Bills will hang tough if JP Losman manages the game, and doesn't put out an absolute stinker like he did last week. I'll take Buffalo to cover here.
- If y'all haven't noticed, Tampa Bay's not very good. If you want to jump on the Saints Are Finished Bandwagon, go right ahead. Since I like being correct, I'll stay off of it and point out that the Saints are a lot more then 3.5 points better then the Bucs. That offensive performacne against Indy was a fluke, a one week stroke of utter failure. Don't be fooled by the people who say that New Orleans is in for a down year, Sean Payton will light a fire under their asses and the Saints will romp to victory plus 3.5.
- Carolina-Houston is another interesting game. Matt Schaub impressed me last week, but the Panthers defense did a hell of a job against the Rams O last week. Look for Peppers and Jenkins to have big days with a little Jon Beason on the side. Look for the Carolina running game to continue their good run, and the Panthers should win comfortably plus the 6.5.
- Jacksonville and Atlanta both played really poorly last week, and for some reason I expect the Falcons to cover 10 points. If they can't do that, they'll be the first team on my s-list.
- I'll give Arizona credit for hanging tough with the Niners last week, but Alex Smith was pretty bad and I don't expect Matt Hasslebeck to play that poorly. Alexander will pound the rock, and the new Safety acquisitions of Seattle will pay dividends this week. 'Hawks plus the 3.5.
- I'll take favorites Detroit, Dallas, Denver, Baltimore, Chicago, and New England, and I'll take 'dog Washington to cover the 7.5 against Philly.