By Ed Morrone
Wow. Seems like the luck of my Eagles rubbed off on my picks last week, as I dropped a 5-11 egg in my first week as the new picks columnist. Here are a few things I learned last Sunday:
1) Never rest on your laurels, no matter how big of a lead you have. Yes, I’m talking to you Philadelphia.2) The Jaguars are very, very good.3) Tom Brady is the most valuable player to his team in the NFL.4) The Panthers have no shot without Steve Smith.5) Picking against the spread is a lot harder than it looks.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Jacksonville (2-0) +7 at Indianapolis (2-0): The Colts are an offensive juggernaut, but after watching the Jags bully the defending champs on Monday night, how can you pick against them? Pick: Jaguars
Chicago (2-0) -3 at Minnesota (2-0): This game is big for both teams. Chicago has looked dominant against two league doormats, but if they can run the table in Minnesota then they are a legit title contender. If the Vikes can put up a fight and derail that awesome Bears defense, then send in early votes for Brad Childress’ Coach of the Year award. When all else fails, go with defense. Pick: Bears
N.Y. Giants (1-1) +3.5 at Seattle (2-0): Nobody, including myself, can underestimate Eli Manning anymore after last week. However, Seattle’s defense will not make the same mistake the Eagles did. Pick: Seahawks
Cincinnati (2-0) +2 at Pittsburgh (1-1): Hey Chad Johnson, that chicken dance touchdown celebration was lame. Luckily, he’ll have plenty more opportunities. Pick: Bengals
THE REST
Carolina (0-2) -3 at Tampa Bay (0-2): Considering how bad Chris Simms has been for the Bucs, things can only get better, right? Not when Julius Peppers is coming to town. A must win for Carolina. Pick: Panthers
Green Bay (0-2) +7 at Detroit (0-2): The Williams duo needs to shut up-playing for the Lions is nothing to brag about. Pick: Packers
N.Y. Jets (1-1) +5.5 at Buffalo (1-1): Coming off a dominating win in Miami and a game they should’ve won in New England, watch out for the Bills. Maybe J.P. Losman isn’t the huge tool everybody thought he was. Pick: Bills
Washington (0-2) +4 at Houston (0-2): Another year, another fruitless spending spree for Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. Believe it or not, Houston didn’t look terrible in getting demolished at Indy. Pick: Texans
Baltimore (2-0) -6.5 at Cleveland (0-2): Baltimore is legit again, but how legit? We’ll find out next week against San Diego. Pick: Ravens
Philadelphia (1-1) -6 at San Francisco (1-1): The Eagles are a good football team, and they are going to have to prove it again after that fourth quarter meltdown against the G-Men. They better show up this time, because the Niners are no longer the league’s laughing stock. Pick: Eagles
St. Louis (1-1) +4.5 at Arizona (1-1): That “Rams for division champs” proclamation by me sure was a fantastic one. Man, am I prophetic sometimes. Pick: Cardinals
Denver (1-1) +7 New England (2-0): The Jay Cutler bells are already beginning to chime in Denver. The Patriots won’t win by a lot, but then again they don’t have to. Pick: Broncos
Atlanta (2-0) +3 at New Orleans (2-0): It will be an emotional return to the Big Easy for the Saints, but Atlanta’s running game is too good. If there were moral victories in sports for the Saints, this one would be at the top of the list. Pick: Falcons
Bye Weeks: Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego