PREVIEW - WEEK TWO

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
Line: Chiefs -3.5
O/U: 36

Oakland looked bad, KC looked good. Both teams will be able to score against the other's defense, so the "over" looks like a pretty tempting proposition. I'll go KC -3.5, because their run defense held down Maroney, and should be able to withstand the Fargas/McFadden combo. Chiefs 21-17.

Tennessee Titans @ Cincinatti Bengals
Line: Bengals -1
O/U: 37.5

The under is an easy call here...Tennessee is without Vince Young, and if Jacksonville couldn't put up more than 10 points on the Titan D, don't expect the Bengals to do any better. This is a tough call. Kerry Collins is capable, but the Bengals are at home. I'll go Cincy -1 in a very close game. Bengals 17-13.

Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings
Line: Colts -2
O/U: 43.5
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

Peyton will have a whole week of practice under his belt, and the rest of the Colt lineup should be pissed, after getting obliterated by a Bears team that was a sizeable underdog. Of course, Minny also got beat. With the release of starting DT Ed Johnson, the already pathetic-looking Colts Run-D takes a big hit right before going to play one of the premiere rushers in the league in his own building. AP runs wild. Minny +2, despite Indy's best efforts. Go with the Over, cuz this one might get crazy. Vikings 31-28.

New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Line: Saints -1
O/U: 42
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

What are the Vegas oddsmakers doing? The Skins' D looked good in week one, but no better than Tampa's (and New Orleans handled the Bucs just fine). The issue is that the Skins have no offense. None. Zero. Yes, they got an extra few days of practice. Don't care. They'll fall. And bet the under, because they won't score too much. New Orleans -1. Saints 24-13.

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions
Line: Packers -3
O/U: 45.5
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

Really? What were people watching last week? I'm pretty sure what I saw was Aaron Rodgers proving that he could lead the Packers offense, a solid packer D, and a Lions team that couldn't stop the offense of a pop warner team. So -3? Are they nuts? The O/U is pretty well-set. I think the Pack will put up a good number of points, and the Lions will score a late garbage-time TD to screw everyone who went with the under. GB -3. Packers 34-17.

Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers
Line: Panthers -3
O/U: 37.5

I'll tell you what - these are the two teams in the league that scare me most this season with regard to predicting games. I'd bet that both will have some brilliant games, like last week, beating teams they shouldn't, as well as some awful games, losing to teams they shouldn't. Playing each other? Who knows. Will the Bears D play as well against the depleted (Steve Smith is still out) WR corps of the Panthers? If they can shut down the Colts, they should be OK with Carolina. But will they score any points against a very solid Panther D? Bet the under. I'm going Bears +3. Chicago wins a defensive battle, 12-10.

New York Giants @ St. Louis Rams
Line: Giants -9
O/U: 41.5
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

Eli was consistent in week one, and now gets a reprieve in that he faces a very bad Rams defense. If the Giants score less than three touchdowns, they have failed miserably. The D will take the Rams too lightly, and give up some points in the St. Louis home opener, but not enough to matter. Enough to hit the over, though. NYG -9. The Giants take care of business, 31-17.

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Line: Jags -5
O/U: 37

I have a lot more confidence in the Bills this week than last, but the special teams can't perform at that level every week. The offense was consistently OK against a suspect Seattle D, but will likely have much less luck against the Jags. Jacksonville needs a win, and at home it would be even sweeter for them. I'd take the under, as nobody brings a lot of offense to the table. Jags win, Bills beat the spread. Buf +5. Jacksonville 17-13.

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Line: Bucs -7
O/U: 37.5

Tampa looks solid, but Atlanta was quite a surprise as well. Matt Ryan may suffer a setback against a tough Tampa defense. Michael Turner won't be as free to run. Tampa will run on Atlanta, and put up enough points to win, but the spread will be close. I'll take the under, and the Bucs -7. Tampa takes it 23-13.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Line: -6.5
O/U: 38
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

The 49ers are rebuilding (again), and after a beatdown in Buffalo last week, Seattle needs to prove to the league that they can win big when they need to. Yeah, Morris and Burleson are gone, but I have faith in Branch (if he plays...), and Julius Jones is a heck of a backup tailback. He may even win the starting job by the time Maurice Morris gets back. I'll pick the over, and take Seattle -6.5. Seahawks 31-13.

Miami Dolphins @ Arizona Cardinals
Line: Cards -6
O/U: 39

Miami showed up last week against the Jets, and I'll be the first one to admit that though I would love to see it, they will not go 0-16. Arizona can put up points, and they have a solid secondary. Pennington may be bottled up a bit, but expect Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown to play well. Arizona has the weapons to perform well, but seems to stumble at times. Miami is one rock they could potentially trip over. I like the under, and the Dolphins +6. Arizona still wins, 20-17.

New England Patriots @ New York Jets
Line: Jets -1.5 (I'm dead serious...)
O/U: 37

Come on, now. One player gone, and the Jets can beat the Pats? Though I'll admit that it will be a close game, I still like the Pats. They have many more weapons, and many new reasons to prove themselves as a team. Favre will play well, and the Jets will put up a fight. If they win, it's because they're at home and all of a sudden have the confidence to think that, without Brady, they may have a shot at the AFC East crown. The Pats beat everyone last year as a favorite. What do you think they'll do with the added fire of being an underdog? Go Over, and take the Pats +1.5. New England proves themselves 24-17.

Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
Line: Texans -4.5
O/U: 37.5
Game Moved to Monday Night due to Hurricane Ike

Baltimore's defense may be too tough to conquer for Matt Schaub and the Texan Offense. I expect Flacco to be under major pressure, though, and potentially make some mistakes. The Baltimore run game is better than Houston's, which makes the difference for me. If Hurricane Ike devastates the region, though, this is no longer a Linebuster, as the Texans could play for the community and really put on a show. Otherwise, go under, Baltimore +4.5. The Texans win, but don't cover. 20-17 Houston, in OT!

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Line: Chargers -1
O/U: 45.5

This should be a good game. Cutler could be an up-and-coming star of the league, and the Chargers did not look good in week one. I'd go over, as this has the potential to be a shootout. I'll go with the Chargers -1, simply because they now have something to prove after a loss at home to Carolina. San Diego takes it 27-24.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Line: Steelers -6.5
O/U: 44.5

Cleveland's offense didn't perform well after the first quarter against Dallas, and Pittsburgh may have a better defense than the Cowboys. That said, Cleveland's "thing" last year was alternating good and bad games. So maybe they'll have a good one this week. If so, go over. Pittsburgh had the offense rolling last week, and should put up enough points to cover. Steelers -6.5. Steeltown drops the Browns 30-20.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Line: Cowboys -6.5
O/U: 47

What a game for week two! Philly looked great, but Dallas has a much better D than St. Louis. Dallas looked great, but Philly has a much better D than Cleveland. So something has to give. The Eagles' pass rush and talent in the secondary will give Romo fits, but the Cowboys may do the same to McNabb. I think Donovan will have a great year. I'm taking the over and the Eagles +6.5, but the Cowboys to win 27-24.