Dipping into the NFL - Week 2

Spent Week 1 playing my picks at the Imperial Palace Sportsbook in Vegas. Went 2-2-1 as the Redskins spread was -3 by the time I made it down on Sunday morning. However, I doubled-up my bet on the "LOTW" Seahawks and came out ahead. Here are The Dip's Week 2 picks(Home Team in CAPS and spreads based on Sportsbook.com lines).

For the Season: 2-2-1

PITTSBURGH (-10) over Buffalo - Buffalo held Denver to only 15 points in Week 1, but allowed over 500 yards of offense to Cutler, Henry, and Walker. Now, with three starters from week 1 out with injury and playing on the road, they could give up 700 yards to Big Ben, Parker, Ward, and Holmes. The ketchup will be flowing. The Steelers romp 30-13 at Heinz field.

New Orleans (-3) over TAMPA BAY - The Saints' players have had ten days to prepare for Tampa Bay and ten days to prepare to redeem themselves after an embarrassing loss to the Colts on national tv. Brees and the passing game should bounce back against a Bucs secondary without CB Brian Kelly. Without a viable #2 receiver for Tampa, the Saints can roll safety help to shitty corner Jason David, who allowed three TDs in the Colts game. "Cadillac" Williams is a game-time decision also. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant should get pressure on QB Jeff Garcia who gets happy feet and might not stay in the pocket long enough to find WR Joey Galloway downfield. The Saints bounce back with a great offensive performance and win on the road 34-13.

Green Bay (+2.5) over NY GIANTS - The young Packer defense had McNabb running for his life last week and kept the Eagle offense off-balance the entire game. If Eli played, the Giants at home could pull off the victory. But with a bum shoulder, Eli is one hit away from taking a seat. With backup QB J-Load and RB Derrick Ward in the game, the Giants will find it hard to score. The loss of Osi Umenyiora hurts the Giants pass rush as Strahan is still working his way into game shape. Without pressure from their front four, the Giants will be forced to blitz and Favre will beat it with quick passes to Driver and Jones. Packers open the season at 2-0 with a 24-17 victory.

BEARS (-12) over Kansas City - Last year the Bears ate up teams at home. I would be very surprised if the Chiefs break double digits. Damon Huard is awful this year and after losing a tough game last week, the Bears will want to take it out on RB Larry Johnson and the Chiefs. Grossman usually has his good games against lesser opponents and WR Bernard Berrian was open a few times last week and Grossman missed him. That won't happen this week. Berrian will put up two scores with Chiefs best cover-corner Patrick Surtain likely out. The Chiefs starting WRs are rookie Dwayne Bowe and Samie Parker. With corners Tillman, Vasher, and Manning, Jr. able to go man-to-man, this leaves SS Adam Archuleta to move into the box and shadow LJ. Chicago returns to last seasons Super Bowl form with a convincing 27-10 victory.

Lock of the Week: Cincinnati (-7) over CLEVELAND - I'm actually pretty nervous about this "LOTW". Breaking rule #1 - "Never Bet against the Home Underdog" for the second straight week doesn't make sense. Add the facts that its a division rival, an in-state rival, and Bengal WR Chad Johnson is great at giving the opposition bulletin board material and you have all the makings of a last second 23-21 victory for Cincy on a field goal. But the disparity in talent is too great in this game. Browns RB Jamal Lewis looks like he's always running in quick sand and QB Derek Anderson has turned the ball over nine times in his last three starts. The Bengals defense was great at ball-hawking two years ago and this could be one of those five-pick games for the secondary. I think we see QB Brady Quinn in the second half but against a Bengal defense that will be teeing off on him playing with a twenty-plus lead. This is ugly for a second week in-a-row for the Browns as they lose 37-17.