PIGSKIN PICKS

This is a tough Week 2 schedule in the NFL and although I normally don’t make picks until Week 3, we have had requests to start today and readers come first.

Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-0)

– The Ravens looked like serious Super Bowl contenders as QB Lamar Jackson tossed five TD passes and the defence did the rest. Granted, they beat a nobody team in Miami, but they were very sharp. Rookie Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks like a good one, but Baltimore at home is a legit 13-point favourite.

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)

– The Bengals on the road last week should have beaten Seattle as Cincy won the possession game, outplayed the Seahawks and QB Andy Dalton threw for 400-plus yards. The 49ers are 1.5-point road dogs and they should be. I like the Bengals at home.

Buffalo Bills (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1)

– The Bills have a terrific defence and a top young quarterback in Josh Allen. They meet a Giants club that has Eli Manning and a great running back in Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 120-plus yards on 11 carries Sunday. The Bills could be a playoff-bound club and are two-point road favourites, which I recommend.

Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)

– Both teams played poorly last week. The Steelers were clobbered by the Patriots while the Seahawks were fortunate in a come-frombehind win over Cincinnati in a game where their pass defence allowed 420 yards. Look for a big passing game from Steelers QB Big Ben Roethlisberger in what is a must-win game for Pittsburgh, which is three-point favourites. Neither team is a serious Super Bowl threat. When in doubt, bet the home team.

New Orleans Saints (1-0) at L.A. Rams (1-0)

– A rematch of last season’s NFC championship game where the Saints were robbed on that obvious missed pass interference call. Let’s remember, the Rams shutdown the Saints run game then and although my heart is with New Orleans, my money is on the Rams, who are 2.5-point home dogs.