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We're back for Week 2 NFL picks! I didn't have a particularly great performance this past week, finishing 7-9 against the spread. I did go 11-5 straight up. The Colts and Patriots in particularly helped on that front, as they both pulled out close wins late in games they probably should have won handily.
This week, the 49ers travel to face the Seahawks at Century Link Field. The 49ers are three point underdogs in a game most do not expect them to win. I don't think people expect another 42-13 blowout loss (well, maybe some Seahawks fans!), but the Seahawks are a good team, and particularly good at home. Their last home loss was actually Week 16 of the 2011 season, when the 49ers beat them 19-17 on Christmas Eve. I was actually in attendance that day!
Last season, the 49ers went into Seattle coming off a huge Sunday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots. The 49ers won a wild one at Foxboro, got home early the next morning, and then went up to Seattle the following week. I don't think the travel was as big an issue as playing a second straight "big" game. That will be interesting to watch this week.
The 49ers are coming off a huge 34-28 home win over the Green Bay Packers, while the Seahawks escaped Carolina with a tough 12-7 victory. It will be interesting to see how the 49ers perform coming out of the gate. Will we see any kind of letdown? I think the team will be plenty up for it, but it is a factor to consider.
Starting this week, we're trying something a little bit different with the picks. I'll continue to make my picks, but a friend of mine from law school, James Arcellana, will be making picks as well. We'll keep track of our numbers through the season to see who ends up best. It's all the more entertaining because James is a Raiders fan (it's ok, he's not perfect). He manages a Raiders blog over at Cover32.com. We'll see how we do each week against the spread and straight up.
| Games | Spread | Fooch | James |
| Jets @ Patriots | NE -13 | NE covers | NYJ cover, NE wins |
| Rams @ Falcons | Atl -7 | Atl covers | Atl covers |
| Browns @ Ravens | Bal -7 | Cle covers, Bal win | Bal covers |
| Panthers @ Bills | Car -3 | Car covers | Car covers |
| Vikings @ Bears | Chi -6 | Chi covers | Chi covers |
| Washington @ Packers | GB -8 | GB covers | GB covers |
| Titans @ Texans | Hou -10 | Ten covers, Hou win | Ten covers, Hou wins |
| Dolphins @ Colts | Ind -3 | Ind covers | Ind covers |
| Cowboys @ Chiefs | KC -3 | Dal win outright | Dal win outright |
| Chargers @ Eagles | Phi -7.5 | Phi covers | Phi cover |
| Lions @ Cardinals | Det -2 | Ari win outright | Ari win outright |
| Saints @ Buccaneers | NO -3.5 | TB win outright | NO covers |
| Broncos @ Giants | Den -4.5 | Den covers | Den covers |
| Jaguars @ Raiders | Oak -6 | Oak covers | Oak cover |
| 49ers @ Seahawks | Sea -3 | SF win outright | Sea covers |
| Steelers @ Bengals | Cin -7 | Cin covers | Cin covers |