Maybe it's because so much emphasis, energy and hype goes into week one games, that it's hard to gauge how much emotion and focus teams have in reserve for week two.
There's also the tendency to over-extrapolate information from week one's performances. (Are the 49ers really that bad? I doubt it, but if you base assumptions on week one, they're the worst team in football.)
In any event, I have cautiously identified a few games I've staked early bets on. I might have more picks for you later in the week, but for now...
Patriots -2 Jets (H)
DeVoodoo's pick: Patriots
Look, the Patriots are just plain good. Wide receiver Wes Welker appears to be fully (and remarkably) healed from a serious knee injury. His health is critical to making this offense work. The Patriots offense destroyed a Bengals defense that I believe is pretty darn good (and will be proven so as the season progresses).
The Jets, on the other hand, are reeling after getting their asses handed to them on Monday night. All of head coach Rex Ryan's bluster may be proving too much for his team to handle. He's put a lot of pressure on his players, and I'm not sure they can handle the load.
The biggest problem with all of Ryan's bravado is that while it may be true his defense is fantastic and loaded with veteran leadership, the one position that it matters most when it comes to leadership is severely lacking — quarterback. Second-year QB Mark Sanchez simply isn't mature enough to be the face of a franchise that emanates such arrogance from the top down.
Look for Belichick and his young but promising defense to confuse and confound Sanchez, forcing numerous turnovers. This will mark the difference in the game. The Jets will fall to 0 -2, and the franchise will enter full panic mode.
Ravens -1.5 Bengals (H)
DeVoodoo's pick: Bengals
As mentioned above, I like this Bengals defense. They'll get it turned around soon enough. I see the Ravens possibly suffering from one of those dreaded 'Monday night hangovers'. They put so much energy into beating the Jets last week that I believe they'll ultimately walk flat-footed into Bengal territory this week unprepared.
Jaguars +8 Chargers (H)
DeVoodoo's pick: Jaguars
Like I said last week, this is a Jaguars team that's getting no respect, and that's a mistake of mass perception. The Chargers are also coming off a Monday night football game (in which they lost to the Chiefs). Can they rebound in time to face an equally if not tougher Jaguars squad? Maybe, but I'm betting they can't do it by more than eight points.
Bears +8.5 Cowboys (H)
DeVoodoo's pick: Bears
What's going on here? 8.5 points? Really? The Bears offense is only going to get stronger and more dynamic as the season progresses and players settle into offensive coordinator Mike Martz's elaborate schemes. Furthermore, as evidenced last week, Dallas has major concerns along their offensive line. Facing Chicago's Julius Peppers and crew will pose a steep challenge.
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