Jimmy the Greek's Week 2 NFL picks

The Greek got off to an impressive start last week, winning 7 of the 1pm games and was positioned for a big week. Then they played the rest of the games and he got shutout of the action, finishing 7-9. Week 2 should be different, as Jimmy has gotten a glimpse of what some "on the fence" teams are bringing to the table. And thus, here we go with the picks...

Vikings (-9.5) 0ver Lions
The Lions defense was porous for sure, but it was also going up against arguably the best offense in the league in the Saints. Unfortunately, the Vikings have great playmakers in Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and of course, Brett Favre. This could get ugly.

Texans (+6.5) over Titans
Something tells me this is a trap game in terms of betting. The Texans looked awful against the Jets last week, and naturally, going against a solid defense like the Titans, people would expect them to flop again. I don't think that will be the case. The Steelers passed at will against Tennessee, and I think that may be the case today for the Texans. They may lose, but they'll cover.

Patriots (-5.5) over Jets
Wes Welker may be out, but Tom Brady looked like he found his stride late in that game as the Pats came back against Buffalo. I think the Pats find a way to pressure Sanchez and the Jets come back to Earth a little. Remember, it was the Texans.

Raiders (+3.5) over Chiefs
Neither one of these teams are very good, but you have to acknowledge how well the Raiders played the Chargers. Matt Cassel makes the start for KC, and I think he'll struggle.

Redskins (-9.5) over Rams
The Rams are so, so bad.

Bengals (+9.5) over Packers
I still believe in this Bengals team. Not enough to win, but enough to cover. Aaron Rodgers should have a nice day, but I think Carson Palmer and Chad OchoCinco will each have productive days to keep their team in it till late.

Panthers (+6.5) over Falcons
Nice rebound game for Jake Delhomme and the Panthers. Another trap game here. Look for a high scoring affair that ends by a field goal.

Cardinals (+3.5) over Jaguars
Peyton Manning passed well against the Jags last week, and Kurt Warner should do the same with all of those options.

Saints (+2.5) over Eagles
I don't understand how the Saints aren't favored, and favored by a lot. Weird spread here.

Bills (-4.5) over Bucs
Tampa Bay sucks too. Bills offense should have a great day. I really like this team, and sadly, we can't be commending them for a win over the Pats on Monday night.

Seahawks (+1.5) over 49ers
Big, big fan of this Seahawk offense with everyone healthy. And it's scary that Julius Jones had a day rushing the ball. Mike Singletary is doing well righting the ship in San Fran, but I think Seattle is just a better team.

Ravens (+3.5) over Chargers
This is a game that will either go to OT or go down to the wire. I'll take the points all day, every day.

Broncos (-3.5) over Browns
Cleveland can't run the ball and Mangini screwed up by keeping that QB situation on lockdown till a few days before the season started. That offense won't click for a few more games. Denver should fare better today offensively.

Steelers (-2.5) over Bears
No Brian Urlacher, no bet on the Bears.

Cowboys (-2.5) over Giants
I think the Cowboys are just better.

Colts (-3.5) over Dolphins
Miami overachieved last year, plain and simple. Even without Anthony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning is still the quarterback. Enough said.

And now, Tarrific Tara's picks (against the same spreads):

Carolina Panthers
Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chicago Bears
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
New York Giants
Indianapolis Colts

Enjoy the games.

-The Greek

Jimmy the Greeks UFC 103 picks

I'm taking a dump and don't want anything to crust up, so I'm just going to post winners, round and method of destruction. Also, I'm including Tarrific Tara's picks...much like Bill Simmons posts The Sports Gal's weekly choices. I was prompted to do this on Wednesday night when, completely unprovoked, she messaged my phone with the following: "My picks for tonight are Diaz, Maynard, Quarry and Condit." For those of you that don't know, UFC hosted a live event on Spike TV leading into episode one of TUF 10 with Kimbo Slice. And for those of you that still don't know, Tara was perfect with all four picks. I went 2-2. We'll see how she does for the NFL in Week 2. I'll post those either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Jimmy the Greek

Belfort via (T)KO over Franklin in the 2nd round
Cro Cop over Dos Santos via (T)KO (referee stoppage) in the 2nd round
Martin Kampmann over Paul Daley via submission (armbar) in the 1st round
Josh Koscheck over Frank Trigg via lay and pray decision
Tyson Griffin over Hermes Franca via decision

And since we'll be ordering both PPV's tonight...

Mayweather over Marquez via (T)KO (referee stoppage) in the 6th round

Tarrific Tara

Franklin
Cro Cop
Kampmann
Koscheck
Franca

Mayweather

Enjoy the night of fights.

-JtG

The Sports Brief's Week 2 NFL Picks

Well it’s Friday and we’re just two days away from Week 2 in the NFL. A few interesting matchups lie ahead, particularly the Pats-Jets, Broncos-Chargers, Browns-Steelers and of course, the Cowboys and Eagles on Monday night. Meanwhile, will teams like the Jaguars, Colts, and Seahawks drop to 0-2? And how will the Patriots fare without Tom Brady as they visit, as Keefe so aptly put it, the New York Bretts.

Random Ron took it down last week with 12 correct picks, while myself (6) and Keefe (5) turned in miserable efforts. As in golf, honors go to Ron, whose picks this week come from my girlfriend Tara. I e-mailed her the matchups with spreads and asked her to BOLD her picks. She chose to highlight them in pink and send them back. The picks were sent to her at 2:16pm and I received them at 2:18pm; that should give you an idea as to how much time and effort she put in.

Random Rob:
Last week: 12-4

Redskins (-0.5) over Saints
Jaguars (-6.5) over Bills
Raiders (+3.5) over Chiefs
Bengals (-1.5) over Titans
Colts (-1.5) over Vikings
Giants (-8.5) over Rams
Bears (+3.5) over Panthers
Packers (-2.5) over Lions
49ers (+8.5) over Seahawks
Bucs (-8.5) over Falcons
Jets (-2.5) over Patriots
Cardinals (-6.5) over Dolphins
Chargers (-3.5) over Broncos
Steelers (-5.5) over Browns
Ravens (+4.5) over Texans
Cowboys (-6.5) over Eagles

Keefe’s picks:
Last week: 5-11

Saints +.5 over Redskins
Even without Colston I like the Saints to grab a road win.

Bills +6.5 over Jaguars
Bills were impressive vs. Seattle, and Jax is the most overrated team in football, in my opinion.

Chiefs -3.5 over Raiders
Damon Huard another back up getting the start, but did you see the Raiders last Monday?

Titans +1.5 over Bengals
No Vince Young may actually help Tennessee, and Cincy is a mess.

Colts -1.5 over Vikings
Colts can’t lose back-to-back NFC North games, can they?

Giants -8.5 over Rams
Just when you thought the Raiders were the worst team in football… here come the Rams.

Bears +3.5 over Panthers
Bears D came to play against the Colts, maybe they’re not done.

Packers -2.5 over Lions
Let the Aaron Rodgers band wagon continue to grow.

49ers +8.5 over Seahawks
Who is going to catch passes in Seattle?

Falcons +8.5 over Buccaneers
Garcia says he’s healthy, but still not getting the start. Let’s see if Michael “the Burner” Turner can keep it rolling.

Patriots +2.5 over Jets
So weird to see the Pats as underdogs. No Brady, but still a plethora of Pro Bowlers on this team to take down the New York Bretts.

Cardinals -6.5 over Dolphins
Miami has to travel cross country to go to 0-2. Pennington makes them much more respectable than last year, but it Cards still beat them up.

Broncos +3.5 over Chargers
Good rivalry here. Cutler gets his favorite target back in Brandon Marshall, to pair with last week’s favorite Eddie Royal. Also Shawn “Lights Out” Merriman… is out.

Browns +5.5 over Steelers
Not sure the Browns will win this game, but they keep it close.

Texans -4.5 over Ravens
Now a Monday night game, I’ll take the home team with their crowd.

Cowboys -6.5 over Eagles
A Terrell Owens TDs, gives the Cowboys the cover.

Besse’s picks:
Last week: 6-10

Saints (+0.5) over Redskins
Colston is out, but Reggie put on a show last week. Expect to see another one. Redskins offense will look better this week, but not good enough.

Jaguars (-6.5) over Bills
I expect the Jaguars D to thwart the Bills at home here. The offensive line is a bit banged up, but Garrard should find himself with plenty of options to throw to.

Chiefs (-3.5) over Raiders
How bad did the Raiders look on Monday night? Chiefs played tough in New England and should cover here with plenty of LJ and TG.

Titans (+1.5) over Bengals
VY going down was great timing for Week 2. Kerry Collins could light up Cincy, and Palmer and Co. should have just as much trouble with the Titans D as they did with the Ravens last week.

Colts (-1.5) over Vikings
Tavaris Jackson sucks.

Giants (-8.5) over Rams
The Rams offense is surprisingly bad. The defense is expectedly worse. Manning (of the Eli variety) could have a career day.

Bears (+3.5) over Panthers
Interesting matchup here. I don’t think the Bears win. But I think a late field goal or garbage Matt Forte TD helps them cover.

Packers (-2.5) over Lions
The Lions are brutal. I question if this is a trap game, but I can’t help but hope Rodgers can pull this one out. Jennings, Driver and Grant in a dome could turn into a track meet against that D.

49ers (+8.5) over Seahawks
Hasselback is out of receivers. And he doesn’t have a running back either. Tough.

Falcons (+8.5) over Bucs
Veteran back-up against a promising rookie. I think Griese should pull out the win, but not by 9. Ryan has a dynamic duo in the backfield taking pressure off of him right now and allowing him a chance to limit mistakes in the passing game. Tough D this week, but I like them to cover.

Patriots (+2.5) over Jets
I can’t root against New England here.

Dolphins (+6.5) over Cardinals
Oddly enough, this could be a shootout. Big fan of Pennington to Fasano, and Warner should have be a great fantasy QB all year long.

Broncos (+3.5) over Chargers
With Merriman out, this Chargers D is in trouble all year long. Marshall is back for Denver, so Cutler has a nice array of receivers with Eddie Royal making a splash.

Steelers (-5.5) over Browns
Browns were banged up against Dallas and the Steelers are a solid team. I expect to see Big Ben air it out a bit more this week.

Ravens (+4.5) over Texans
Not sure how the Ravens are getting 4.5 here. This could be a low scoring affair if the Ravens D has its way. Regardless, Flacco should be able to keep it close against a porous D.

Cowboys (-6.5) over Eagles
Mcnabb won’t be lighting it up against this pass defense. Romo and TO will make sure the Cowboys make a statement at home on Monday night.