The first two weeks of the NFL season are always the hardest to handicap. The first week everyone is going on what teams have done in the past whether it be the year before or the preseason. The second week everyone is trying to go on what is fresh in their minds which is week one.
This year is no different. There are some huge spreads. The 8-4-2 record from last week definitely isn’t happening. Hopefully it gives enough leeway to stay above .500 when the day is done.
Read these picks for fun and at your own risk.
Since this is week two our theme is dynamic duos. Here are some dynamic duos from each team along with the picks.
Arizona Cardinals (+4) at Washington Redskins:
Cardinals duo: 1970’s St. Louis offensive linemen Dan Dierdorf and Conrad Dobler
Redskins duo: Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen and wide receiver Charley Taylor
Pick: Cardinals
Baltimore Ravens (-6) at Tennessee Titans:
Ravens duo: middle linebacker Ray Lewis and anyone
Titans duo: defensive linemen Curley Culp and Elvin Bethea (as Houston Oilers)
Pick: Ravens
Chicago Bears (+7) at New Orleans Saints:
Bears duo: defensive ends Dan Hampton and Richard Dent
Saints duo: linebackers Ricky Jackson and Sam Mills
Pick: Bears
Tampa Bay Bucs (+3) at Minnesota Vikings:
Bucs duo: linebackers Hardy Nickerson and Derrick Brooks
Vikings duo: wide receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter
Pick: Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs (+8) at Detroit Lions
Chiefs duo: linebackers Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell
Lions duo: quarterback Bobby Layne and halfback Doak Walker
Pick: Chiefs
Jacksonville Jaguars (+9.5) at New York Jets
Jaguars duo: quarterback Mark Brunell and wide receiver Jimmy Smith
Jets duo: quarterback Joe Namath and wide receiver Don Maynard
Pick: Jets
Oakland Raiders (+4) at Buffalo Bills:
Raiders duo: offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell
Bills duo: defensive end Bruce Smith and linebacker Cornelius Bennett
Pick: Raiders
Seattle Seahawks (+14.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers:
Seahawks duo: quarterback Jim Zorn and wide receiver Steve Largent
Steelers duo: defensive linemen Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood
Pick: Oops. I don’t pick Steelers games
Green Bay Packers (-10) at Carolina Panthers:
Packers duo: running backs Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung
Panthers duo: quarterback Jake Delhomme and wide receiver Steve Smith
Pick: Packers
Cleveland Brown (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts:
Browns duo: running backs Jim Brown and Bobby Mitchell
Colts duo: Baltimore Colts quarterback John Unitas and receiver Raymond Berry
Pick: Browns
Dallas Cowboys (-3) at San Francisco 49ers:
Cowboys duo: defensive ends Ed ‘Too Tall Jones’ and Harvey Martin
49ers duo: quarterback Joe Montana and wide receiver Jerry Rice
Pick: Cowboys
Cincinnati Bengals (+4.5) at Denver Broncos
Bengals duo: quarterback Ken Anderson and wide receiver Isaac Curtis
Broncos duo: linebackers Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson
Pick: Broncos
Houston Texans (-3) at Miami Dolphins
Texans: receiver Andre Johnson and running back Arian Foster
Dolphins: running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris
Pick: Texans
San Diego Chargers (+6.5) at New England Patriots:
Chargers duo: quarterback John Hadl and wide receiver Lance Alworth
Patriots duo: offensive linemen John Hannah and Leon Gray
Pick: Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) at Atlanta Falcons:
Eagles duo: wide receivers Ben Hawkins and Harold Jackson
Falcons duo: running backs Lynn Cain and William Andrews
Pick: Falcons
St. Louis Rams (+4.5) at New York Giants:
Rams duo: defensive linemen Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen
Giants duo: linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks
Pick: Giants
And there they are.
The only ones missing are Gotham’s own Batman and Robin