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Don's Crystal Ball Week 2 Picks

[center][color="#0000FF"][size=5][b]THE DON'S
Crystal Ball[/b][/size][/color][/center]

[color="#FF0000"][size=5][b][center]WEEK 2 PICKS [/center][/b][/size][/color]
[center]By [color="#FF0000"][b]DonCanabis/TheDon[/b][/color]
Analyst/Godfather
[img]http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/atw217/brando.png[/img][/center]

[color="#FF0000"][size=4][b][center]CONGRATS TO THE 2010 DON’S PREDICTION LEAGUE CHAMPIONS[/center][/b][/size][/color]
[center] [color="#FF0000"][size=3][b]*** [/b][/size][/color] [color="#0000FF"][size=3][b]Mlmpetert [/color] [/b] from [b]thewarpath.net[/b][/size] [color="#FF0000"][size=3][b]*** [/b][/size][/color]
[color="#FF0000"][size=3][b]*** [/b][/size][/color] [color="#0000FF"][size=3][b]Sparty [/color] [/b] from [b]detroitlionsforum.com [/b][/size][color="#FF0000"][size=3][b]*** [/b][/size][/color] [/center]

Ok week 1 is done. We had a few surprises none bigger in my mind that the Pittsburgh loss against Baltimore. Not only because is the first time Flacco beats Pittsburgh with Ben as QB but the way they won. These games usually ended close with low scores and this time it was completely one sided.

[B]Quick Hits[/B]

[LIST]
[*]It was a good start of the season for my 2011 surprise team with al winning and going 3-0. Also my upset pick won and looked good doing so. Jacksonville was a nice surprise also after dropping Gerard midway into last week I expected them to look more, like the Colts did against the Texans.

[*]A huge surprise last week was how well Cam Newton did against the Cardinals. They still lost but were close the kid threw for 422 yards in his first game and look good doing it . It doesn’t matter if the Cardinals secondary isn’t what it used to and is young for a rookie QB to come out and perform like that, to use his arm and not so much his legs pretty great debut.

[*]I went 9-7 against the spread last week and won over $500.00 overall a great week for me to start the season. Over all for the season I’m at 54% not the place I like to be but got hurt with all the Over scores of last week and tied in 14th place in the league definitely not the place I like to be.

[*]So much for the new Kickoff rule hurting the return game, I still don’t like it, too many touchbacks especially in the Oak-Den game I don’t seem to recall if one was taken out. But still with 8 kicks return for touchdowns last week it’s hard to complain that it has hurt the return game. Maybe we will keep seeing this or maybe it had to do more with the lockout and Special teams not being ready.

[*][FONT=&quot][b]The Goat of the Week [/b] award has to go to Tony Romo hands down. He played a perfect game for 3qts had a 14 point lead and well we all saw the meltdown. To let a win slip through your fingers so easily it was hard to watch.[/FONT] [/LIST]

[B]On to the games [/B]

[b]Kansas City at Detroit [/b] -8.5 Ovr/Und 38.5
Like I said last week the chiefs lost apparently more than an Offensive Coordinator with Weiss leaving this team just look unprepared, can’t game plan or find the opposition weaknesses. That Oline is hurt, they’re playing on the road against a team feeling motivated that this is their year. The chiefs lost their best defensive weapon. I don’t have an issue picking who’s going to win this game what I don’t know is can I count on Kansas City to score more than 7 points to take the Ovr. Right now Suh is getting doubled and even tripled teamed and this is opening up space to the rest of the team but if he can’t beat those coverage’s which I saw him having trouble with last week. Teams will eventually adjust.

[b]Straight: [/b] DET
[b]Spread:[/b] DET
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b]Oakland at Buffalo [/b] -4 Ovr/Und 42.5

Both teams looked good last week playing on very hostile environments. They both stack up really well against each other. They have good aggressive defense run the ball well but I have to give the edge to buffalo with the QB and WR add to that that they play at home. Take Buf to win but not cover.
[b]Straight: [/b] Buf
[b]Spread:[/b] Oak
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b]Baltimore at Tennessee [/b] 6 Ovr/Und 37.5
Last Week the Tennessee defense couldn’t stop a small built like a horse HB, say welcome his twin brother. I believe Hasselbeck will play better as the season goes on but Baltimore is an aggressive defense and Matt still doesn’t have a good rap with his teammates. Take the ravens on this one.
[b]Straight:[/b] BAL
[b]Spread:[/b] BAL
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b]Jacksonville at New York Jets [/b] -9.5 Ovr/Und 38
The Jets had trouble last week against Dallas and it wasn’t until the 4th quarter when Dallas lost all their starting CB’s and Dez Bryant got hurt that they started moving the ball and taking control of the game. Sanchez was off for most of the night and continues making bad mistakes. Jacksonville played really well despite all the changes and drama I like their defense and running game if it doesn’t have to come down to McCown to win the games late, Jack del Rio’s move might not turn out that bad after all.
[b]Straight: [/b] NYJ
[b]Spread: [/b] JAC
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: UND

[b]Cleveland at Indianapolis [/b] 2 Ovr/Und 38
Did anyone expected to leave through the day when Cleveland was once again the favorite against the Colts? This is the game that is giving me more trouble than all. It completely looks like a trap game. Both teams looked bad last week but Indianapolis completely got dominated. Cleveland had ups and downs but at the end suffered a complete meltdown. If I go with logic the browns would be the easy answer. The Colts lost their HOF QB probably for the season last week and with that almost everyone’s playoffs dreams. But if I go with my gut the Colts have a lot of proud veterans that got pushed around last week and want the next team that it faces pay. Going with the gut
[b]Straight:[/b] IND
[b]Spread:[/b] IND
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: UND

[b] Arizona at Washington [/b] -4 Ovr/Und 44
Washington surprised me last week. I didn’t expect them to do to good this year but they looked solid in both areas of the field. Rex played good overall but if they can’t give him solid protection we will see feet happy Rex. Many expected Kolb being the biggest problem for Arizona but it’s starting to look like the defense could be their Achilles heel. Washington has more weapons than Carolina and has a more solid defense.
[b]Straight:[/b] Was
[b]Spread:[/b] Was
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b]Tampa Bay at Minnesota [/b] -3 Ovr/Und 40.5
[b]UPSET OF THE WEEK [/b]
In the same week that we saw a Rookie QB and Chad Henne throw for over 400 plus yards, McNabb had 39. Tampa Bay will play better than last week and if they can find were Blount was hiding last week they should take this win. Tampa has a young fast defense perfect for playing on turf (except barber) if they can stop AP they shouldn’t have much trouble.
[b]Straight:[/b]TB
[b]Spread:[/b]TB
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]:UND

[b] Green Bay at Carolina [/b] 10 Ovr/Und 46
Sorry I’m not ready to crown Newton as he has arrived. He played really good in week 1 against a bad defense; let’s see how he looks playing against the Super Bowl Champs. After winning a close game and the defense holding on when it matter the most Green Bay looks ready to make another push, Aaron Rodgers looked great last week and made a lot of FF players happy.
[b]Straight: [/b] GB
[b]Spread: [/b] GB
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: Ovr

[b]Chicago at New Orleans [/b] -6.5 Ovr/Und 47
Last week Payton’s gambles didn’t payoff. It’s funny how the media can call the same guy genius when he pulls an onside kick in the Super Bowl but, rip him off when he goes for it in 4th in short on FG game and didn’t get it. I wonder if sometimes the media or so call analyst watches the games or just the highlights. Payton went for it because he couldn’t trust his defense Rodgers was simply ripping it apart if they went for a FG and Green Bay scored again they wouldn’t be able to recover from that. They call I didn’t like was the last play of the game he helped Green Bay’s defense by stacking up and running through the middle when they hadn’t been able to run the ball all day. If you want to run in that spot and play spread the defense give your HB a chance.
Cutler looked good last week but he’s still getting hit way too much, Forte it’s really playing for that contract and it looks like the Cowboys trio are 1 and done. New Orleans at home after a tough loss and a must win game. Take the home team.

[b]Straight:[/b] NO
[b]Spread:[/b] NO
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: Ovr

[b] Seattle at Pittsburgh [/b] -14.5 Ovr/Und 40
I hate 3 score Spread lines in the NFL. Even if you know the other team is awful, one return kick, block punt or miss tackle and screws those lines. Pittsburgh didn’t look closed to the AFC champion; its funny how last year that defense gets praised but six months later they’re suddenly too old. The reality the Steelers have had Baltimore’s number for so long that just that game meant more to them. I guess Seattle fans won’t shout off to me again for calling out on T. Jackson. Winning by 15 is hard to do in the NFL but we saw 3 teams do it last week and one of them played Seattle.
[b]Straight:[/b] PIT
[b]Spread:[/b] PIT
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b]Dallas at San Francisco [/b] 3 Ovr/Und 42.5

Dallas had a complete 4th qt meltdown last week in a game that they had no business winning but should have won. The losses in the secondary became too troublesome and the lack of depth at all positions has always been the Cowboys biggest problem. One sight of comfort is that the team looked prepared and focused in the most hostile environment they could face, they managed to stop the Jets biggest weapon the run and let Sanchez beat them. They will repeat the same formula this week. I expect Dallas to finish what they couldn’t last week.

[b]Straight:[/b] DAL
[b]Spread:[/b] DAL
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b] San Diego at New England [/b] -7 Ovr/Und 52.5

San Diego found a way to win last week but they need to use all their weapons this time. If you have Tolbert in your fantasy team I would sit him this week expect Belichick to game plan for that guy. San Diego’s defense lost a key guy last week and didn’t look great in the first place. I expect NE to win this game but keep it close.
[b]Straight: [/b]NE
[b]Spread: [/b] SD
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: UND

[b] Cincinnati at Denver [/b]: -4.5 Ovr/Und 40
Both teams looked sloppy in their debuts. It’s weird to think that the best thing that could happen to the Bengals was Dalton getting hurt. He wasn’t awful but he got stuck and couldn’t move the ball. Denver’s defense is really hurt and my dynamic duo of Miller and Dumervil didn’t last 1 week. I can’t see Denver losing back 2 back at home especially against the Bengals take the home team.
[b]Straight:[/b] DEN
[b]Spread:[/b] DEN
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: Ovr

[b] Houston at Miami [/b]: 3 Ovr/Und 47
Houston played like a contender for three quarters then they took their feet from the gas pedal. That has been their trouble for many years and even if they had a huge lead I didn’t like what I saw there if you let a team pull up when they’re down you might not recover. Miami looked good, way better than I expected and played head to head against the Patriots. It’s tough to believe Miami will start 0-2 again at home but this isn’t a great matchup for them.
[b]Straight:[/b] HOU
[b]Spread:[/b] HOU
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: OVR

[b] Philadelphia at Atlanta [/b]: 2.5 Ovr/Und 50
[b]UPSET OF THE WEEK [/b]
One game and the dream team talk started again even though I saw other teams play way better against tougher competition. Still it looks like Michael Vick will get praised even when he poops. The Falcons are almost unbeatable at home and they need this win badly. Atlanta will be able to put pressure on Vick which usually turn out in 2 ways big run or fumble. Take Atlanta to kill the dream at least for 1 week.

[b]Straight:[/b] ATL
[b]Spread:[/b] ATL
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: Ovr

[b] St. Louis at New York Giants [/b]: -4.5 Ovr/Und 43.5
Both teams are hurt and lost key players. The difference the Rams lost their top HB and they have a banged up QB. NY might not have corners but they do have a pass rush. Tuck come back this week and I expect them to be on Sam’s face all day. Take the Giants at home
[b]Straight:[/b] NYG
[b]Spread:[/b] NYG
[b]Ovr/Und[/b]: UND

[FONT=&quot][b]The Hot Picks [/b]
Record 4-2 66%[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Baltimore (league)
Dallas (league)
New Orleans (league)
Atlanta
Green Bay
Houston[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][b]Don’s Prediction League Leaders [/b]
[LIST=1][*]JohnJet 34 -14 71% [forums.newyorkjets.com][*]BrrsColts 33-15 69% [coltfreaks.com][*]Memnoch 32 -16 67% [blackandgold.com][/LIST]
[b]14.- TheDon 26-22 54%[/b][/FONT]