Bodog Week 2 NFL Picks

Between the two, there have been 31 division championships and eight Super Bowls. While Dallas holds a significant advantage in the overall series record (54-35), it's the Redskins who have the trump card of recent victories, including last season's 14-13 shocker that saw Washington scored two long touchdowns in the waning moments on Monday Night Football. A few months later, the Redskins whooped the Cowboys 35-7.

This season, both teams head into the annual NFC East clash reeling from Week 1 losses. Dallas watched Drew Bledsoe throw three picks against Jacksonville, while Washington saw Mark Brunell struggle to move the offense against Minnesota. Neither squad wants to go 0-2, so this game has all the makings of another classic.

QUICK HITS

Compiled by Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

This game could be one where Week 1 opposition comes into play. Carolina lost big to what could be a very good Atlanta team while Minnesota squeaked by a Washington squad that looked awful. Although bothered by injuries, the Panthers are deep. Their defensive pressure should limit Brad Johnson’s effectiveness. - AB

Before kickoff of this one, the Dolphins will have had 13 days to think about the number of bonehead plays they made in last Thursday’s season-opening loss in Pittsburgh. The rest will help, too, as will the fact their opponents are playing their second consecutive road game against a division opponent. - AB

Donovan McNabb made a statement throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns against the Texans. Granted, it came against the pathetic Houston secondary. Last year, the Eagles went 0-6 against the NFC East. Part of the reason why? New York’s Eli Manning threw for 530 yards and four touchdowns in the Giants' two wins over Philly. - JB

Reggie Bush made an impressive debut last week gaining 141 total yards in the Saints' road win over the Browns. Meanwhile, Brett Favre finished 15 of 29 for 170 yards with two picks in Green Bay's disastrous 26-0 loss to the Bears. It all adds up to New Orleans, the second-worst team in 2005, laying points at Lambeau. Yikes. - JB

Trap games can come at any time of the year – even in a team’s home opener. The Colts have a Week 3 date with their chief division rival, Jacksonville. The Texans, who lost 31-17 in Indy on Nov. 13, are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 versus AFC South foes. They could keep this one closer than expected, too. -AB

Lions wide receiver Roy Williams has guaranteed a victory. Not quite as ballsy as Joe Namath's prediction, but the Kitties have to gain confidence some time. Williams says he’s watched the film and knows Detroit could’ve put up 40 points on Seattle last week. It was “stupid” that the Lions only managed two field goals in the 9-6 loss. Whether assuring victory on the road against a defending division champ that allowed zip last week is also stupid will be known Sunday afternoon. - AB

The talk in Cleveland this week was about the questionable decision to give up on the run in Week 1’s loss to New Orleans. Expect Reuben Droughns to get much more than 11 carries as the Browns aim to keep this game close. In December, they gave the Bengals fits before losing 23-20 in Cincinnati. - AB

Dating back to last year’s playoff loss to Washington, Bucs quarterback Chris Simms has put up two dreadful performances in a row. Look for the Falcons to pressure the young southpaw with hopes of forcing even more mistakes. Atlanta’s Michael Vick will have his work cut out against a defense that was the NFL's top-ranked unit last season. - JB

The Ravens shut out the Bucs 27-0 in Week 1. This week, they get the Raiders, a team that got shut out by the same score at home to the Chargers. Add a short Oakland week and a raucous Baltimore crowd to the equation and bettors are looking at one of many huge second week spreads. - JB

The Seahawks dominated the Cardinals in 2005, winning 37-12 at home and 33-19 in the desert. While MVP Shaun Alexander gained just 51 rushing yards in Week 1 against the Lions, he piled up an amazing 313 yards and six TDs last year versus Arizona. Will Edgerrin James prove a worthy counterpart? The oddsmakers say “no”. - JB

Things are looking up for the 49ers. For the first time since being drafted in 2005, Alex Smith looked like an actual pro quarterback in Week 1. Regardless the Niners open as home dogs against the St. Louis Rams, who forced five turnovers against Jake Plummer and the Denver Broncos. - CR

Who’s gonna start for Tennessee? Does it really matter? Kerry Collins looked horrible, Vince Young looked lost, and Billy Volek is third-string trade bait. Meanwhile, the Chargers may not have to bring a quarterback as they plan on giving the weak Titans run D the “LT” treatment on Sunday, making the huge spread a valid one. - CR

Watching the Patriots against the Bills last Sunday, some fans must have thought, "New England keeps losing talent and can’t hide it anymore.” This opens up an opportunity for Chad Pennington and the New York Jets to officially put themselves back on the NFL map if they can beat the Patriots at home. - CR

In this battle of Week 1 underachievers, the question becomes "who will suck more at quarterback?" Ten-year backup Damon Huard will be starting for the Chiefs, and Jake Plummer gave everyone in Denver some scary old-school Jake "The Snake" flashbacks with three interceptions last week. The line in favor of Denver says no one trusts a guy who has more years in the NFL than actual starts. - CR

Here’s a guarantee, someone is getting hurt in this game. Two hard-hitting defenses feeding off the excitement of Monday Night Football - one team feels indestructible, the other wants to shock the world, both warrant the 37-point total. - CR

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

PHOTO: Julius Jones and the Cowboys lost both games against the Redskins in 2005. They face Washington on Sunday night. (AI Wire photo)

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