Picks subject to change based on injury news that occurs later in the week.
UPDATE 9-16-11: I’m making one change: I’m going with the Chicago Bears in an upset over the New Orleans Saints. Gut has been getting at me all week to do it and I’m giving in.
UPDATE 9-16-11: I’m going with the 49ers over the Cowboys right now. Far too many concerns with the defensive backfield and the slow progression of Dez Bryant. Even if he plays, he probably won’t be at 100%.
Upset picks
Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers
16 Free Picks for Week 2 of 2011-2012 NFL season
The bold teams are the winners. The teams with point spreads are my picks against the spread. The last number is my projected score for the game. That should give readers an idea for what I think the total of the game will be. Key injuries don’t necessarily mean that the player won’t play. Keep yourself updated with injuries throughout the week. Here are injury reports from covers.com. Key injuries current as of September 15, 2011.
All lines from Cooper’s Pick as of when I wrote the original summaries.
Chicago Bears (+6.5) at New Orleans Saints
(27-24)
Key Bears Injuries: WR Roy Williams (Groin), RB Marion Barber
Key Saints Injuries: WR Marques Colston (Collarbone), S Roman Harper (Ankle), DE Will Smith (Suspension)
Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions (-9)
(38-13)
Key Chiefs Injuries: S Eric Berry (Knee), TE Tony Moeaki (Knee)
Key Lions Injuries: DT Nick Fairley (Foot)
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (-10)
(23-10)
Key Jaguars Injuries: TE Marcedes Lewis (Leg), OT Eben Britton (Back)
Key Jets Injuries: QB Mark Sanchez (Head)
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins (-4)
(27-20)
Key Cardinals Injuries: RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (Hand), LB Daryl Washington (Calf)
Key Redskins Injuries: LB Brian Orakpo (Hamstring & Ankle), S LaRon Landry (Knee)
Baltimore Ravens (-6) at Tennessee Titans
(20-10)
Key Ravens Injuries: WR Lee Evans (Foot), CB Chris Carr (Thigh)
Key Titans Injuries: S Chris Hope (Shoulder), DE Derrick Morgan (Knee), DL Jason Jones (Knee), WR Damian Williams (Hamstring)
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers (-15)
(27-3)
Key Seahawks Injuries: LB David Hawthorne (Knee), WR Sidney Rice (Shoulder), G Robert Gallery (Knee), WR Ben Obomanu (Head), WR Deon Butler (Leg), TE John Carlson (Shoulder)
Key Steelers Injuries: OT Willie Colon (Tricep), Jerricho Cotchery (Hamstring)
Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills (-4)
(27-17)
Key Raiders Injuries: S Michael Huff (Groin), TE Kevin Boss (Knee), WR Jacoby Ford (Hamstring)
Key Bills Injuries: NT Torrell Troup (Back)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings (-3)
(16-13)
Key Buccaneers Injuries: KR Sammie Stroughter (Foot), S Tanard Jackson (Suspension)
Key Vikings Injuries: DT Kevin Williams (Suspension)
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts (+2)
(13-10)
Key Browns Injuries: OL Eric Steinbach (Back)
Key Colts Injuries: QB Peyton Manning (Neck), LB Ernie Simms (Knee), LB Gary Brackett (Shoulder), WR Anthony Gonzalez (Head)
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers (+3)
(19-16)
Cowboys Key Injuries: CB Terence Newman (Groin), CB Orlando Scandrick (Ankle), OT Tyron Smith (Knee), CB Mike Jenkins (Shoulder), WR Dez Bryant (Thigh)
49ers Key Injuries: None
Cincinnati Bengals (+4.5) at Denver Broncos
(15-10)
Bengals Key Injuries: QB Andy Dalton (Wrist), LB Keith Rivers (Wrist), OG Bobbie Williams (Suspension),
Broncos Key Injuries: WR Demaryius Thomas (Achilles), DT Marcus Thomas (Pectoral), CB Champ Bailey (Hamstring), DE Elvis Dumervil (Shoulder), LB D.J. Williams (Elbow).
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins (+3)
(27-21)
Key Texans Injuries: RB Arian Foster (Hamstring), RB Derrick Ward (Ankle), WR Kevin Walter (Shoulder)
Key Dolphins Injuries: LB Jason Taylor (Ankle)
San Diego Chargers (+6.5) at New England Patriots
(24-20)
Key Chargers Injuries: K Nate Kaeding (Knee), DE Luis Castillo (Knee)
Key Patriots Injuries: C Dan Koppen (Ankle), RB Kevin Faulk (Knee), DL Mike Wright (Concussion), CB Leigh Bodden (Undisclosed)
Green Bay Packers (-10) at Carolina Panthers
(34-13)
Key Packers Injuries: CB Tramon Williams (Shoulder), LB Frank Zombo (Shoulder), DE Mike Neal (Knee), S Nick Collins (Wrist)
Key Panthers Injuries: OT Jeff Otah (Concussion), LB Jon Beason (Achilles), CB Brandon Hogan (Knee)
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons (+2.5)
(31-27)
Key Eagles Injuries: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Ankle), DT Darryl Tapp (Quadriceps), DE Juqua Parker (Foot), DE Brandon Graham (Knee), DE Victor Abiamiri (Achilles)
Falcons Key Injuries: C Todd McClure (Knee), DT Corey Peters (Knee), DT Jonathan Babineaux (Knee)
St. Louis Rams (+6) at New York Giants
(17-13)
Rams Key Injuries: RB Steven Jackson (Leg), OT Jason Smith (Ankle), WR Danny Amendola (Arm), WR Mark Clayton (Knee), CB Ronald Bartell (Neck), QB Sam Bradford (Finger)
Giants Key Injuries: DE Osi Umenyiora (Knee), DE Justin Tuck (Neck), WR Hakeem Nicks (Knee), CB Terrell Thomas (Knee), LB Jonathan Goff (Knee), CB Prince Amukamara (Foot)
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