Gator Bait Week 2

I was all talk about not being as homerish as I still picked the Skins, Jags, and Bucs last week. This week I was a little less homerish as I picked 2 of them to win but none of them to cover. Let's see how that works out. Bean counting isn't as funwhen you have the small pile of beans. Week 1, Bait took a commanding 1-0 lead as I started where I left off last year with a 6-10 record against the spread, while Bait you went 9-7. That means you are 5-2 against me this season in the differences. We have 7 differences again this week. Good luck.

Gator my friend what happened to your not-so-homerish picking plan? Did it let you down? It's okay I made more than a few stretch picks this week, hey its early goofy outcomes are still the norm for a week or two. At any rate, better luck to you from here on out my friend, now lets count some beans.


Sun, Sep 14 Time (ET)
CHI @ CAR 1:00 PM
Spread-Panthers -3

Gator:Both of these teams were easily the 2 most surprising teams in Week 1. Bears were the most impressive in beating the Colts in the opening of their new stadium, but the Panthers were without their best player Steve Smith. They'll be without him again, but I'm taking the Panthers with the spread.
Bait: The panthers are giving up 3 in this game, with both squads boasting they set down two of what were considered the AFC elite last week in Indy and San Diego respectively. One of those games was more of a fluke than the other in my opinion, look for the Bears to eeek out an offensively ugly slugfest. Take the Bears.

BUF @ JAC 1:00 PM
Spread-Jaguars -6

Gator: That was a very costly loss for the Jags not only because it was to a division opponent, but because of everyone they lost on the offensive line. The Bills were very impressive last week and it should be interesting if they can match that intensity on the road. Jags win, but Bills cover.
Bait: It's been 3 years since I have been on the Bills bandwagon, and yes kiddies I did predict a win in week one, and if you want some sound advice listen to your Uncle Crunky and take the Bills again in week two. The Jags have effectively lost 3 starting linemen for the season already, even if the back ups are quality replacements, the offensive line is a choreographed dance, and they won't be flawless for a while. Take the Bills and the points.

OAK @ KC 1:00 PM
Spread-Chiefs -3.5

Gator:The fact that KC lost Brodie Croyle flew under the radar with the Tom Brady injury reports. The offense seemed to move better with Huard on the field. Raiders were just awful last week. Are they really going to be that bad all season or will they turn it around. I'm taking the Raiders just to disagree with you Bait.
Bait: Oakland let me down last week, the Chiefs on the other hand made me raise an eye brow in their loss to the Pats. This will be a slug fest, division battle of the witless and hapless. so when in doubt take the home team and that is what I am doing here, a shaky pick any way you slice it. Chiefs for the win.

IND @ MIN 1:00 PM
Spread-Colts -2

Gator: I disagree Bait, I don't think it was just the building that the Colts lost, they just played that bad. Peyton typically gets rid of the ball quick, which would negate the absolutely ridiculous defensive line that the Vikings have. All the Colts have to do is put 8 in teh box and tackle and they should win that game. I'm going with Colts to win, but Vikes beat the spread.
Bait: If you listened to Wednesday's radio show you would have heard my theory that the Colts were flat because of the new stadium as they waited for it to give them some energy. It's a building, it never happened, nor will it. It just kind of stood there saying, "you guys built me for this?" Well now they are on the road, reeling from a poor run D performance and to make matters worse just released their only solid starting DT for an off field substance abuse violation. Facing all-day, all day Sunday will be no picnic, but the Vike secondary is their weakest point, look for Manning to throw TD's faster than all day can run them in.......Colts in a slugfest of scoring

NO @ WAS 1:00 PM
Spread- Pickem

Gator:I learned my lesson last week by picking the Redskins. This is the 2nd week in a row that the team they play will be undermanned as the Saints are without Colston for about a month. I'm amazed that the Saints aren't favored. Saints win.

Bait: I have to go with the Saints here also Gator as I think even under manned they still overmatch the Skins. Take the Saints

NYG @ STL 1:00 PM
Spread-Giants -8.5

Gator:
I wanted to believe that the Rams weren't as bad as they looked, but they certainly proved me wrong. You have to try to be that bad. Giants defense was suffocating, but Eli struggled. The best way to wake up a struggling QB is play the Rams D. Giants win and cover.

Bait: I wanted to believe in Santa Bunny or Easter Claus too, but the fact of the matter is, the toothfairy is a gray haired man and the Giants will barely cover this spread but take them anyway.

GB @ DET 1:00 PM
Spread-Packers -3

Gator: Aaron Rodgers had a pretty successful first game, while the Lions on the other hand were awful. The Lions got dominated by the rushing game, so I don't think Aaron Rodgers would mind handing the ball off the entire game in his first road game. Packers win and cover.

Bait: This is where the rubber meets the road and it can't be that easy for the Farv-ugh successor. They don't call it Karma for nothin' Take the Lions.

TEN @ CIN 1:00 PM
Spread-Bengals -1

Gator: Bengals were also a very bad team last week, while the Titans beat a good team. I'm on the side that believes the Titans are a way more dangerous team with Kerry Collins being able to make some plays starting at QB rather than Vince Young. Titans win and cover.

Bait: The Bengals O-line is atrocious, take Tennessee and the 1 point you won't even need. Titans for the win!

SF @ SEA 4:05 PM
Spread-Seahawks -7

Gator: At least the Niners showed up last week, unlike the Seahawks. Can the Seahawks winning the division streak end this season? Fortunately for them the rest of their division is pretty awful itself. Seahawks win, but Niners beat the spread.

Bait: There is a spread for this game? That is laughable, take it no matter who it is, this is a pick-em contest so if some fool is going to give you points take those points and run to the bank. Niners Cover, no one wins no matter what the score is, because we will all feel a little dirty after this match up.

ATL @ TB 4:05 PM
Spread-Bucs -7

Gator: Bucs offense struggled last week, they need to get Earnest Graham a little more involved. Now they will be without Jeff Garcia. Matt Ryan will get his first real NFL game this week against a real defense. I think he probably played better defenses in the ACC last year then the Lions. Bucs win, but Falcons cover.

Bait: Bucs win this one but won't be able to cover?, awww screw that...lets say it like we mean it...Atlanta for the win!

MIA @ ARI 4:15 PM
Spread-Cardinals -6.5

Gator: Don't look now, but Arizona is on top of the division by itself because the other 3 teams in their division lost. Arizona gets a much improved Fins team that played pretty well last week and gave themselves a chance to win. They better not sleep on the Fins. Cards win, but the Fins cover

Bait: The Cards are on a roll, this will be their 2nd game in a row......(strategic pause to let that settle in).....in another tear jerker, the story which makes the swans swoon, Cards win by 7.

NE @ NYJ 4:15 PM
Spread-Jets -1.5

Gator: This would have been an easy sell, Brett Farve vs. Tom Brady in a division rivalry game. Unfortunately Brady is hurt and will be on the injured list legitimately for the first time in his career. This is about as much of a must win for the Jets as you can possibly get in Week 2. Patriots rally around Cassell and win and beat the spread.

Bait: Its the revenge opportunity of a lifetime for Linguini Mangini, these are the games the evil hoody always seems to motivate his troops for. It shouldn't happen but it will, Pats Win.

SD @ DEN 4:15 PM
Spread-Chargers -1.5

Gator:Broncos looked really good this week and the Chargers didn't look very good. Should be interesting to see if either was a fluke or if the Broncos really are the class of the AFC West. Cutler looked like a superstar and for 1 week at least made the Cardinals/Titans feel dumb for passing him up. Broncos win and beat the spread.

Bait: The Broncos are notorious for being invincible one week and the NFL laughing stock the next. The Chargers are notoriously slow starters, so do you go for the bus that is barely rolling forward or the one that statistically should be about to throw it into reverse? I take the slow roller, Chargers win

BAL @ HOU 4:15 PM
Spread-Texans -4.5

Gator: Texans got thrashed last week by a really good Steelers team. Even with that they are still tied with the perceived giants of the AFC South Jags and Colts. The Ravens won a game against the Bengals in Joe Flacco's debut. Mario Williams got to Roethlisberger twice, expect him to get to Joe Flacco even more. Texans win and cover.

Bait: Texans do win and cover. I have nothing more to add.

PIT @ CLE 8:15 PM
Spread-Steelers -6

Gator: Speaking of a really good Steelers team, it's time to predict them. Browns looked overmatched against a very tough Cowboys team. Does anyone have a tougher opening of the season then them? As hard as it may seem with how good the Cowboys played, this Steelers team could be even better. Steelers win and cover.

Bait: What I am about to say is based totally on week 1 performances, The Steelers should murdelize the Browns, having said that, I think its fair to say the Browns will look a lot better, and the Steelers will look a little more human but I think these two trade victories this year, robbing from each others cradle, Steelers win but do NOT cover.

Mon, Sep 15 Time (ET)
PHI @ DAL 8:30 PM
Spread-Cowboys -7

Gator:
I'm a little surprised at the spread of this game. Both teams dominated in Week 1 and look to be the NFC East powerhouses. Last year week 2, Eagles had a disappointing Monday night against the Redskins, they are looking to try to not do the same. Cowboys win, Eagles cover.

Bait: I am drinking the kool aid this week Eagles win and cover.