Week 2 NFL Picks: Cowboys Ready for 2-0 Start, New-Look Eagles Looking to Soar Again

Hulk Hogan At this rate, the NESN.com NFL picks will disappear by Week 5.

Things did not go so well for either NESN.com senior associate editor John Beattie or senior assistant editor Mike Cole in the first week of the regular season, but that’s to be expected. Not because the games were that wildly unpredictable, but we’re probably just really not good at this.

That’s not going to to stop us from making our picks — for now, at least.

See all of Week 2’s picks below.

Jets AT PATRIOTS (-13)

Cole: Jets
Beattie: Patriots

Why: Gotta like the Pats in the home opener in front of a national audience — especially after a shaky win last week. Brady has few options on offense but that’s (almost) never stopped him before. It’s going to be a wild one but I’ll take the home team by two TDs. -JB

Chargers AT EAGLES (-7.5)

Cole: Eagles
Beattie: Eagles

Why: I was so incredibly impressed with the Eagles’ offense last week to the point that I’m probably biting a little too hard on this spread. However, the Eagles are playing their home opener and the Chargers are coming to the Eastern time zone on a really short week after playing the late Monday night game. They’re up against it. -MC

Browns AT RAVENS (-7)

Cole: Ravens
Beattie: Ravens

Why: Weeden and Richardson didn’t do much against Miami last week and Rice likes to run wild against the Brownies. -JB

Titans AT TEXANS (-10)

Cole: Texans
Beattie: Titans

Why: This line sucks. The Texans are a box of chocolates, and the Titans are coming off a road win, but I think Houston comes out looking for a better, full-game effort, so let’s go with them, even if it is a 10-point spread. -MC

Dolphins AT COLTS (-3)

Cole: Colts
Beattie: Colts

Why: Miami struggled with the run last week (20 yards?!) and if Indy can keep Wake away from Luck they should roll. -JB

Panthers AT BILLS (+3)

Cole: Panthers
Beattie: Bills

Why: I’m going against the Bills until Doug Marrone can prove he knows how a clock works. -MC

Rams AT FALCONS (-7)

Cole: Falcons
Beattie: Falcons

Why: Atlanta jumped out to 10 first-quarter points in Nola last week before fading. That won’t happen at home despite the Rams picking up four sacks against Palmer and the Cards last week. Also: Steven Jackson. -JB

Redskins AT PACKERS (-8)

Cole: Packers
Beattie: Redskins

Why: Seems hard to believe that Robert Griffin III will look much better, especially on a short week. Every time he steps out of the pocket he looks ready to disintegrate. Clay Matthews knows that. -MC

Cowboys AT CHIEFS (-3)

Cole: Cowboys
Beattie: Cowboys

Why: Kansas City looked good against the Jags, (insert joke here), but that won’t be enough to top the Boys, who almost cracked 40 against the GMen last week. -JB

Vikings at BEARS (-6)

Cole: Bears
Beattie: Vikings

Why: The Vikings gave up 357 yards through the air last week, which might be just enough to get Jay Cutler excited for the first time in his entire life. -MC

Saints at BUCCANEERS (+3.5)

Cole: Saints
Beattie: Saints

Why: Tampa sure looked shaky in NY in week 1. Could be a blood bath if Brees is flingin’. -JB

Lions at CARDINALS (+2)

Cole: Lions
Beattie: Lions

Why: I don’t get this line at all. That’s usually a bad thing, but we’ll go with the Lions. -MC

Jaguars at RAIDERS (-6)

Cole: Raiders
Beattie: Raiders

Why: As much as you may hate to see Oakland play well, they could be an exciting team to watch this year. They’re also playing the Jags so this one could break 60. -JB

Broncos at GIANTS (+4.5)

Cole: Broncos
Beattie: Broncos

Why: Peyton and Co. put a hurtin’ on the defending Super Bowl champs last week, and there’s no reason to believe they can’t get on a roll to open the season. Also, Brandon Jacobs is not the Giants’ savior.

49ers at SEAHAWKS (-3)

Cole: 49ers
Beattie: 49ers

Why: Safe bet — Niners every week when its less than a TD. Seattle managed just 12 points at Carolina and Kaepernick is looking so good he could put up 12 points in his first series.