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Health & Fitness

Chef's Week 2 Picks

Some picks for Week 2 NFL action, with a few thoughts on what happened in Week 1

Well I'm off to a blazing 1-2 start against the number, thanks to the Chargers kicker getting hurt. I was very surprised by some of the action around the league last week, Cam Newton with a big passing day in his first start and Andy Daulton with a solid showing. Nice work by this pair of rookie QBs. McNabb and the Vikings look like an offense that does not utilize the forward pass. Tom Brady looks like he might have the best season of his life, people forget the Dolphins were a top-five defense last year. And the Saints and Packers played scoreboard light up. And there was a Ted Ginn Jr. sighting with two return touchdown to lead the 49ers to victory.

This week here is what I like:

Chicago Bears +7 at New Orleans. Give me the Bears. I don't think they will win, but it will be a field goal difference at the end. The Bears defense is too good (just ask Matt Ryan) to not keep them in this game. The most exciting part just might come watching the return men Devin Hester for the Bears and Darren Sproles for the Saints. I can assure you that a team formerly coached by Ditka wins.

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I really like the Buffalo Bills -3 at home against Al Davis and the Raiders. Oakland looked real good Monday night, but the weather was bad and so are the Broncos. The retooled Bills linebacking corps Merriman, Morrison and Barnett I think will keep Darren "Run DMC" McFadden in check, and the Oakland passing game only looks good if compared to the Vikes. I guess it comes down to me whether you're going to wager, wouldn't you trust a Harvard Grad (Ryan Fitzpatrick) with your loot?

How good did the Baltimore Ravens look against Pittsburgh last week. Everyone was expecting a close, knock-down, drag-out fight. Instead the Steelers were totally dominated, and I like the Ravens to repeat this at the Titans this week. They are 3.5 favorites and I can't see this being closer than 14. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will give Hasselbeck and Chris Johnson fits. You're welcome for the early Christmas present on this one.

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I also like Pittsburgh to rebound this week, the number is big -14. They are at home, have something to prove and the opponent is Seattle. The Seachickens are pretty bad. I might be able to field a better offensive line with five guys I find in a bar. And at QB, T JAX; Pete Carrol had more talent at USC.

The last one is the Bengals +6 at Denver. Give me the Cats and the points. Yeah I know I dogged 'em last week, and AJ Green had a gift on his TD catch. But Denver was so bad on Monday, which was a home game, it seems the mile-high magic is gone. Cedric Benson should be able to run all over this sieve of a defense if the Raiders made it look like Swiss cheese. Sorry Broncos, unless Elway comes down from the front office and suits up, you don't have a chance.

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