NFL Picks: Week 2

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The first week of the season was really good, and I'm not just saying that because the Jets won an actual game. There were interesting games all around, and I can still say that after having to sit through that ridiculous Baltimore-Denver game where each team forgot how to play offense. Sunday night was capped with a great comeback, and that's just how Week 2 started

I made my pick on Twitter as is standard Thursday night procedure:

My pick for tonight's game (late, but I haven't seen the score yet): CHIEFS (-3) over Broncos

— William Botchway (@WilliamBotchway) September 18, 2015

Despite being wrong, I'm okay with that exciting ending.

Fair warning: I'm very unsure about a lot of these picks, so this week could be a total disaster for me. 

UPSET ALERT next to games in which I think the underdog will win outright, not just cover. Home team in CAPS.

J.J. Watt (+3) over PANTHERS. I realize that the Texans have already been forced to make a change at quarterback, which spells doom, but I still don't know what to make of either of these teams. When in doubt, pick the team with J.J. Watt to cover.

49ers (+6.5) over STEELERS. Considering how last week played out for each of these teams, I'm shocked that the line was so heavily in favor of the Steelers. This should be a pretty high scoring game, but it's hard to see Pittsburgh blowing out the Niners. 

Buccaneers (+9.5) over SAINTS. This is simply a case of a not great team giving a lot of points. No matter how bad the Bucs were last week, I can't lay almost double digits with a team like the Saints, even at home. 

VIKINGS (-2.5) over Lions. This one is rather straightforward: good home team against a not as good road team. 

BEARS (+2) over Cardinals. My mind screams Arizona, my heart says Chicago. I'm prepared for heartbreak.

BILLS (-1) over Patriots. Five minutes into the game, I'm going to regret picking against Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Rob Gronkowski, but I'm going for it anyway. 

BENGALS (-3) over Chargers. This week's "3-point-home-favorite-because-what-choice-do-I-have?" winner: the Cincinnati Bengals.

Titans (-1.5) over BROWNS. The Browns are bad, the Titans may not be a total disaster. Despite being the road team, I'm going with Tennessee.

Falcons (+2.5) over GIANTS. Julio Jones is going to do unreasonable things to the Giants defense this afternoon. And now the Falcons may be able to run the ball. And play semi-competent defense. UPSET ALERT.

Rams (-3) over WASHINGTON SEMI-PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM. I usually try not to say anything too controversial here, but sometimes I just have to go for it. Okay, here goes nothing. 

The Washington Semi-Professional Football Team is bad. Really bad. 

That is all. Carry on. 

JAGUARS (+5.5) over Dolphins. The Jags are not going to be a total punching bag this year, and they'll prove it today. 

Ravens (-6.5) over RAIDERS. Matt McGloin may start for Oakland, which is really all that needs to be said. 

Cowboys (+4.5) over EAGLES. As great as Dez Bryant is, I think the Cowboys' offense can still run without him. If that's true, this should be a close one. If not, well...

PACKERS (-3.5) over Seahawks. The power of Aaron Rodgers at home overrides any sort of logic at this point, even when the line is a half point higher than I'm comfortable with. 

Jets (+7.5) over COLTS. Too many points to not take the underdog. Yes, maybe this is slightly homeristic, but the Jets will give the Colts some trouble on Monday night. In the end, however, the Colts should win.

Last Week: 10-5-1

This Week: 0-1

Season: 10-6-1