Week 1 Results / Week 2 Picks

What a week in the NFL!! It is so great to have football back in our lives!! The program is struggling a little against the spread but I sort of expected this for the first to weeks. Much of the data that I use to make my predictions is based on how teams are playing that season. In the first two weeks, there just isn't much of the data that I need. So, I expect another slow week coming up, but Week 3 should be the first of many successful weeks

WEEK 1 RESULTS: Straight - 10-6 ; Against The Spread - 7-9

The Pick of the Week and even the Impossible Play came out successful last week, but I came up short on the Genius Play, and I went 3-2 in the Hilton Contest. I'm still confident things will improve, but I would have liked a little more.

Big injuries again this year in the first week remind us of the Patriots' loss of Tom Brady last season. Already, Brian Urlacher is gone for the year, Donovan McNabb will miss some time and Troy Palamalu provides half of the proof of the Madden Cover Curse with a hurt knee. Larry Fitzgerald better watch himself.

Some great finishes, too, last week included Tom Brady's late comeback over the Bills, Brandon Stokely's right-place-right-time winning touchdown catch and the Titans' and Steelers' overtime thriller in the season debut. Really entertaining football!!

On to this week. NFL Week 2 Predictions!!

Murphy's Pick of the Week: St. Louis Rams @ Washington Redskins (-10)
After a tough divisional loss against the Giants last week, look for the Jason Campbell and the Redskins to come out firing. It's their home opener and they have drawn the St. Louis Rams, a mediocre team at best. Don't be afraid of all the points being given to the Rams. Take Washington to win 24-10.

Murphy's Impossible Play: New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles (0)
Stay away from betting this one; it will come down to the wire. Philly is without their star quarterback but have the defense to counter Drew Brees' arm. This one could easily go either way so I would keep my money in my pocket if I were you. I have the Saints taking it 24-20.

Murphy's Genius Play: Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers (-9)
This one is going to make you look really smart. The Bengals are a little underestimated here. 9 points might be a hair too many to give for the Packers. I think Green Bay has a good chance of winning, but I'll take Cincy in the upset 27-13.

And the rest (ATS winners in CAPS):

hou @ TEN (-7)
ari @ JAX (-3.5)
oak @ KC (-3)
min (-9.5) @ DET : Detroit's home and will probably lose but I think it'll be closer than you think.
ne @ NYJ (-5.5)
CAR @ atl (-6): I got Atlanta straight but Carolina will beat the spread.
TB @ buf (-4.5)
SEA @ sf (-1.5)
BAL @ sd (-3.5) : This is going to be a great one to watch.
pit (-3) @ CHI : The Steelers are going to miss Palamalu
cle @ DEN (-3)
nyg @ DAL (-3)
ind (-3) @ MIA

Have fun, everyone, and good luck with your plays.