NFL Week 2 open thread

After a rough start last week, I finished up at a respectable if less than impressive 4-3 on last week’s picks.  The biggest surprise wasn’t that the Vikings lost on the road to the Super Bowl champion Saints, or that my weird curse on the New York Jets continued from last year.  The Redskins victory over the Cowboys had to be the upset of the week, with Donovan McNabb leading his new team over their rivals and making Philadelphia look as though they made a very big mistake in the offseason.

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a little miracle of their own, beating the Falcons in OT with their customary smothering defense and a good running game.  Today they go to Tennessee to face the 1-0 Titans, and this is usually a tough game even when Big Ben Roethlisberger’s on the field — which won’t be the case for another three games and a bye week.  Still, the Steelers D usually has Vince Young’s number, and they can shut down Tennessee’s running game.  I’ll pick the Steelers (like you expected anything else) in a 17-14 upset on the road.

Last week, readers complained that I ignored the Left West Coast, so this week, I’ll emphasize those games, except for my usual Vikings pick:

• Dolphins at Vikings – Minnesota’s offense looked pretty rusty against a great defense in New Orleans (especially Brett Favre), but their own defense looked pretty tough.  They’re at home, where Favre has yet to lose as a Viking, and have had ten days rest.  Vikings over the Dolphins, 27-14.
• Seahawks at Broncos – Seattle started a little better than expected last week, and Denver a little worse than expected.  This one should come down to the home-field advantage, but I’m not convinced Denver has all cylinders ready to fire.  Hard to pick against the Broncos at Mile High, though.  Denver over Seattle, 21-17.
• Saints at 49ers – Mike Singletary’s crew got creamed by Seattle last week on the road.  They’re not going to do better against the Saints back in Frisco.  New Orleans should cruise, 31-10.
• Jaguars at Chargers – San Diego’s post-LaDanian Tomlinson period got off to a rocky, rainy start on the road against the Chiefs.  They’re at home today against always-tough Jacksonville.  The Chargers should regain their poise and even the record with a 28-24 win over the Jags.
• Rams at Raiders – Hey, if I could have my way, both teams would lose this game.  The Rams played the Cardinals tough last week, though, and Oakland managed to find Tennessee’s stadium for their thumping.  I’ll pick Sam Bradford to beat the Raiders, along with a big help from Steven Jackson and a running game that will probably wind up looking like a track meet.  Rams over Raiders in a battle of the LA Traitor league, 23-14.