By Bob Bonett
Basking in the glory of my 11-4-1 Week 1 showing, I flip on ESPN News in time to hear that the Patriots did in fact use their photographers illegally to steal the Jets’ defensive schemes.
Does Bill Belichick really need any more help to beat his protégé, Eric Mangini?
I mean, come on Bill, the Pats have had the Jets number on a consistent basis the past few years, and you still feel like you need to steal the plays of a 3-4 defense that has weaknesses all over? RCB David Barrett isn’t anything to be afraid of (just ask Randy Moss and Wes Welker), Jonathan Vilma still can’t make an impact on the running game with his slow first step, and the defensive line was obliterated by New England’s front five.
That being said, can I count on Bill to continue stealing defensive formations from his opposition? Will it be easy for Tom Brady to exploit a Shawn Merriman blitz and have more time in the pocket?
I’ll keep all of this in mind when picking Pats games for the future. I mean, if the NFL’s resident genius knows what the defense is throwing at him, another opponent may never even challenge New England again.
However, when I hear Jets fans complaining about the play stealing, I get awfully frustrated.
I love Gang Green and hope for them to win each week. However, the cheers that roared from the seats of Giant Stadium when Kellen Clemens replaced Chad Pennington were ridiculous. Yes, I know they weren’t cheering Pennington’s injury. However, the raucous applause for Penny’s backup essentially told the helmsman of the Jets’ offense that they would rather him be injured than engineering their attack.
Anyway, good luck to my mediocre opponents, Ed Morrone (whose segment this usually is) and Brian Bohl. I’m pretty confident that below is your key to greatness. So call up your bookies, head over to Vegas, and tell them Bonett sent you with these picks:
BEST BET
Cincinnati (-6.5) at Cleveland: The Browns just traded away Charlie Frye, still are in denial that Brady Quinn is their QB of the future and were just killed at home by the Steelers. Palmer and company will win this big. Pick: Bengals
GAME OF THE WEEK
San Francisco (+3) at St. Louis: Yes, I am well aware that the two best teams in the NFL are squaring off this week. However, this is the most intriguing game. Will Alex Smith deliver? Can Stephen Jackson still perform without Orlando Pace? Pick: 49ers
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS
New York Jets (+7.5) at Baltimore: My allegiance gets the better of me in this segment. I like to think I am an expert on Gang Green, and I think if there is a shot to upset a top team, this is the week. Clemens has a lot to play for replacing Pennington, and Baltimore looked sloppy (to say the least) on Monday. Pick: Jets
THE REST
Indianapolis (-7.5) at Tennessee: I am a firm proponent of the idea that Vince Young is going to his sophomore slump. Peyton will lead Indy to a big win on the road. Pick: Colts
Green Bay (+1) at New York Giants: If the Hefty Lefty, Jared Lorenzen, is in as starting QB for the Giants, old man Brett Favre will move the Packers to an easy 2-0 record. Pick: Packers
Buffalo (+9.5) at Pittsburgh: Maybe I am going out on a limb, but Mike Tomlin’s boys are as inconsistent as they get. Buffalo’s defense looked great last week, and I think that they might even pull this one out, let alone cover the spread. Pick: Bills
New Orleans (-3) at Tampa Bay: The Bucs are the worst team in the NFL, and Drew Brees will be on the field with a chip on his shoulder after the abuse he endured from the media this past week. Pick: Saints
Houston (+7) at Carolina: I love Matt Schaub. He is on every one of my fantasy football teams. The Panthers are finally going to tap their immense potential this year, though. Pick: Panthers
Atlanta (+11) at Jacksonville: The Falcons are respected so little that oddsmakers are giving them 11 points against a team that lost at home against the Texans. I think Atlanta will lose, but not by this much. Pick: Falcons
Minnesota (+3) at Detroit: Lions are better this year, but Adrian Peterson is for real. Expect another big game from him, and a great game from a stingy Vikings defense. Pick: Vikings
Dallas (-3.5) at Miami: Does anyone trust that the Dolphins will ever put together a winning effort? Miami’s got a good ‘D,’ but Romo and Terrible Owens will find a way to score. Pick: Cowboys
Seattle (-2.5) at Arizona: Arizona’s got some talent, but their leading WR had 22 yards Monday. The Seahawks are the class of the NFC, and will show it with a big win. Pick: Seahawks.
Kansas City (+13) at Chicago: Of course the Bears are going to win. I just don’t know if they will even score 13 points in the effort. Pick: Chiefs
Oakland (+10) at Denver: I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I’ll go with the Raiders defense to keep this closer than 10 points. Pick: Raiders
San Diego (+4) at New England: Brady, Belichick, Welker, Moss, cameras; Chargers might lose by 100. Pick: Patriots
Washington (+7) at Philadelphia: You think McNabb is going to let the ‘Skins keep this close after losing to a 95-year-old QB? Pick: Eagles

The method behind Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick’s madness are in question after reports of spying emerged. (MSNBC.com)

Bob Bonett