Football Picks Against the Spread

Question:

I have LeSean McCoy as my RB1 and my RB2 spot is between BenJarvus Green-Ellis (vs. CLE) or Willis McGahree (vs. ATL). Who should I start this week?

Answer:

I think you’ll see both backs put up solid numbers this week. BenJarvus Green-Ellis should pile up the yards against a soft Browns run defense. However, I would go with Willis McGahee. I’m expecting a shootout in the Falcons vs. Broncos game. That could lead to some more goalline opportunities for McGahee.…

Question:

I have Ryan Mathews and Steven Ridley on my squad. Mathews was out week 1, but should be back in the lineup in week 2 against the Tennesee Titans. Do I start Matthews this week or give him another week before I put him in my starting lineup?

Answer:

Ryan Mathews is itching to get back on the field and he should play this week. What a performance from Stevan Ridley though in week 1. 125 yards and 1 TD. New England is at home and facing the Cardinals. Ridley may have another big week. The Chargers may decide to be cautious and have Mathews split carries with Ronnie Brown. I would go with Ridley this week.…

Question: I have a WR dillema for week 2.

I have 3 WR spots and a WR/TE flex spot this week. My WR’s are Wes Welker, Roddy White, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Lance Moore? Who would you sit?

Best answer:

I would go with Lance Moore. The Saints are playing the Panthers this week, who don’t have a very solid defense. Brees will be throwing a lot. Although Moore is Brees’ 4th option after Jimmy Graham, Colston, and Sproles, Brees still likes Moore who had 120 yards last week and 1 TD. Darrisu Heyward-Bey had a decent week 1, but I would go with Lance Moore who has a better matchup and a more impressive week 1.

Add your own answer in the comments!…

Question: Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 2?

Start 2 WRs:
Victor Cruz (vs TB)
Marques Colston (@CAR)
Stephen Hill (@PIT)
Mike Wallace (vs. NYJ)
Eric Decker (@ATL)
James Jones (vs. CHI)

Answer:

I would start Victor Cruz and Eric Decker. Cruz has the ability to exploit Eric Wright as Aqib Talib will be on Hakeen Nicks most of the game. I expect Atlanta vs. Denver to be a shootout so Manning should come firing and will look for his boy Eric Decker. Good luck!

Add your own answer in the comments!…

Our week 1 over/under picks of the 2012 season went 9-5. Let’s go through the week 2 over/under lines to show you where we lean. Don’t forget to check out our week 2 picks against the spread. And be sure to sign up for our pick ‘em league for a chance to win an NFL Shop custom t-shirt, it’s not too late to win!

Be sure to check out our mobile site which we just touched up a bit, you can check out our picks from anywhere! You should also like us on Facebook.

WEEK 2 OVER/UNDER PICKS

CHICAGO @ GREEN BAY — OVER/UNDER 50.5 — Slight lean on the over as Green Bay usually puts up at least 30 points when playing at home and I expect the Bears to put up at least 20.

TAMPA BAY @ NEW YORK GIANTS – OVER/UNDER 44 — Tampa Bay’s defense has improved and they’re not an offensive Juggernaut. I think you see a final score in the ballpark of 24-17.

BALTIMORE @ PHILADELPHIA — OVER/UNDER 46.5 — Both teams have strong defenses, but their offenses can put up points against tough defenses. Both teams should score in the 20’s.

CLEVELAND @ CINCINNATI — OVER/UNDER 38.5 — The public is split down the middle. It’s a low number. I don’t expect to Browns to score more than 13. The Bengals should be due for 20-24. Slight lean on the under.

OAKLAND @ MIAMI — OVER/UNDER 38.5 — Both had trouble scoring in week 1. I’m expecting a 20-17 final score. Slight lean on the under.

NEW ORLEANS @ CAROLINA — OVER/UNDER 51 — Both defenses are atrocious. This should be a shootout as both …

In Week 1, I hit a homer with my Texans pick, which was my only 9/10 confidence rating play and followed it up by hitting my Monday Night play thanks to the Ravens. When it came to the majority of games though, I like almost everyone got a little banged up. In general, Vegas looked to make out pretty well Week 1. The best record in our pick ’em league was The Moose and Bucinator at 9-7. Everyone else went .500 or below. A lot of people had the Packers, Panthers, Saints, and Seahawks, all favorites who lost to the dog. Here’s what’s on tap in week 2. I decided to rank the games by confidence levels, starting with my favorite picks and working my way down. Check back before kickoff for additional updates. Be sure to sign up for our pick ‘em league for a chance to win an NFL Shop custom t-shirt, it’s not too late to win! Also check out our mobile site which we just touched up a bit, you can check out our picks from anywhere! You should also like us on Facebook.

Dallas Cowboys (-3) over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Confidence: 8/10 — The Cowboys looked phenomenal opening up against the Giants. Their new corners are exactly what they needed and Tony Romo is going to have a heck of season. Those corners will give DeMarcus Ware those few extra seconds to get to the quarterback and pile up the sacks. Ware will have a big season. Russell Wilson struggled against the Cardinals defense and should have the same problems against the Cowboys. Wilson just couldn’t get the pass protection he needed and that should be the same story this week. Wilson was sacked …

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (+7.5) @ NEW YORK GIANTS

One of the spreads that immediately jumped off the page to me was Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5) @ New York Giants. I think that’s an extremely generous spread for the Bucs. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I think the Bucs will go down as the most improved team from 2011. They are this year’s Cincinnati Bengals — a team with 4 wins from the prior season that goes on to to have a winning season the next year.

What do I like about the Bucs? Hopefully, a rebound from Josh Freeman. Freeman had an amazing 2010 season, but his 2011 season was dreadful. Freeman went from 25 TDs/6 INTs to 16 TDs/22 INTs. When Freeman was on, the Bucs had a 10-6 record and nearly kept the Packers out of the playoffs when the Packers went on to win a Super Bowl. Freeman also has a new playmaker in Vincent Jackson to throw to, who will compliment Mike Williams. The Bucs drafted Doug Martin with the 31st pick, a runningback out of Boise State, who many are comparing to Ray Rice. Martin had 95 rushing yards and 4 receptions for 23 yards in his NFL debut.

On defense you have DT Gerald McCoy returning from injury and paired up with DE Adrian Clayborn, both first-round picks. The secondary of the Bucs has also improved with 7th overall pick Mark Barron at safety to provide some help to two quality corners in Aqib Talib and Eric Wright.

What a lot of people forget is that the Bucs started last season 4-2 before losing their last 10 games, which can be partly blamed on injuries.This Bucs team beat both the Falcons …