5 BOROUGH SPORTS

After a two week hiatus, we are back with our NFL Picks. Here we go:

SEAHAWKS @ GIANTS

Spread: -9.5

Now I know everyone is hot on the Giants right now with their three straight wins, but 9.5 points favored at home is a lot. But I’ll take the Giants here. Coming home after two dramatic road victories, the Giants have some good momentum. Plus, the Seahawks haven’t been impressive so far. The Giants defense has owned Tavaris Jackson in the past as well. Even though they’re favored by over a touchdown, take the Giants this week. GIANTS

JETS @ PATRIOTS

Spread: -9.5

Everyone has been down on the Jets lately, and why not? Their defense has been terrible in three of their first four games and Sanchez can’t throw a pass for his life. But I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the Jets will not only cover, they will win in Foxboro. Just when everyone counts the Jets down and out, they storm back and shock the world. Just watch, it will happen. JETS

BUCS @ 49ERS

Spread: -2.5

This is an intriguing matchup between two 3-1 teams. Tampa Bay has gotten their season together after getting destroyed in the first week against Detroit at home. San Francisco is coming off a comeback victory in Philadelphia. Since I don’t believe the Buccaneers are for real, I’ll take the Niners at home. I like Harbaugh and their offense is starting to click nicely. Frank Gore is finally healthy and Alex Smith looks like he can start in this league. Take San Fran this week. 49ERS

BEARS @ LIONS

Spread: -5.5

Who ever thought the Lions would be favored against the Bears by over a field goal? Even with the points, I’m going with the Detroit. In Week One, I called that Detroit had a legit football team and I’m staying with them until the lose. Their defense should dominate Chicago with their suspect offensive line. Just like the Bucs, I believe the Bears are one of the most overrated teams in football. Don’t mess with Detroit. LIONS

PACKERS @ FALCONS

Spread: +5.5

The Green Bay Packers are the best team in football. Last year in the playoffs, they destroyed Atlanta on their own turf. But I think the Falcons have found their groove since losing to Chicago in the first game. I believe the Falcons will come back and win this Sunday night in overtime against Green Bay. Just think, crazy things have happened on Sunday Night Football. This week, expect the same. FALCONS

Last week, I had a pretty good start to the season by picking four out of my five games correctly. This week, however, it’s a little tougher with the lines drastically higher. Here are my picks for week 2:

RAMS @ GIANTS

Spread: -3

The Giants disappointed me last week with a 14 point loss to the Redskins to kick off 2011. But the Rams also took a beating at home against Philadelphia. With the GMen returning home on Monday night, I can’t imagine they will come out flat. Also, Sam Bradford has a bruised finger (probable), Stephen Jackson has a strained hamstring (questionable), and Danny Amendola has a bruised collar bone (doubtful). Even with the three points, I’ll still pick the Giants this week. GIANTS

JAGUARS @ JETS

Spread: -9

Here’s a tough one. Obviously, I believe the Jets are the better team but nine points is way too much. The Jets had a classic comeback last Sunday night, but they came out horrendous in the first half. The Jaguars also looked impressive last week against Tennessee. Just like last week, the Jets will win but not cover. I’m expecting a Jets victory by a touchdown. JAGUARS

CHARGERS @ PATRIOTS

Spread: -7

As opposed to every NFL analyst, I haven’t bought into the hype of the Chargers. Everyone has them favored to win the AFC, some even the Super Bowl. I’m sorry but Norv Turner can’t get the job done period. He’s terrible. San Diego also didn’t impress me with their lackluster start against the pathetic Vikings. I believe the Chargers will put up some impressive numbers on the Pats’ questionable secondary, but will still lose by more than a touchdown – New England’s offense is just too good. PATRIOTS

BEARS @ SAINTS

Spread: -6.5

Just a solid NFC matchup right here. Even though the Saints lost a close one last week at Green Bay, I still think they’re the best team in the NFC. Chicago looked prepared for the season last week against Atlanta and blew them out of town with a 30-12 victory. The Bears defense impressed me in Week 1, but I’m expecting some big fantasy numbers from Brees. The Saints will win by a touchdown. SAINTS

EAGLES @ FALCONS

Spread: +2.5

I’m expecting a dominating performance by Michael Vick since it will the first time he’s back in Atlanta since his days with the Falcons. Atlanta had an unimpressive performance at Chicago last week, and I don’t think Matt Ryan will find his form against this Eagles defense. Look for another dominating road performance by Philly on Sunday night and cue the “Dream Team” comments in the post-game. EAGLES

Football is back baby! This fall at 5 Borough Sports, we will preview five of our favorite games each week in the NFL. With these five games, we will provide analysis about our picks against the spread. So here we go! Week 1 begins now…

COWBOYS @ JETS

Spread: -5

Nothin’ like watching Sunday Night Football on NBC. Even though the Jets looked solid in the preseason, five points is a little much for Week #1. The Jets usually don’t catch fire until the end of the season, so I’m not fully confident with them winning big for a few weeks. I believe the Jets will survive a close one Sunday night. I’ll go with a 21-17 Jets victory.  COWBOYS

STEELERS @ RAVENS

Spread: -1

This the best day modern-day rivalry in pro football. Even though both teams won on the road against each other last season, I’ll pick the home team for this one. This game should be even given these teams are practically identical. But I have a hunch Baltimore will pull this one out late by a touchdown. Ravens win 17-10. RAVENS

EAGLES @ RAMS

Spread: +4

The debut of the Vince Young self-proclaimed “Dream Team.” Even though I believe Philly is highly overrated, I don’t believe St. Louis has a chance to win this one at home. Bradford will throw for over 4,000 yards this year, but the Rams’ defense is pathetic. Vick should have a field day with the lowly St. Louis secondary. I’ll go with a 42-21 Eagles victory. EAGLES

LIONS @ BUCCANEERS

Spread: Even

The Lions are this year’s sleepers. Actually, I believe Detroit will be a #5 seed and clinch their first playoff birth since 1999. I expect Tampa’s starting quarterback Josh Freeman to have nightmares Saturday night thinking about the Lions’ defensive line. The Lions will run shit down in Tampa to open up the season. Lions win 24-7. LIONS

GIANTS @ REDSKINS

Spread: -3

Without bias, this should be a lock. Granted the Giants have had a miserable off-season, they are a much better team than Washington. Rex Grossman isn’t the answer for the Redskins. Who does he have to throw to? With the Jets taking most of the headlines in the local newspapers, America seems to forget that the Giants actually have a good team. Even with a depleted defense, the Giants should win by two scores. I’ll go with 35-21 Giants for this one. GIANTS

Updated 9/12/11 at 6:11pm: So I was 4-1 for the first week of the season, not too shabby.