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NFL Week 2: Picks Against the Spread

By Cody Williams

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) in action during the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) in action during the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens (-6.5) at Cleveland Browns

In case you didn’t pick up on it when talking about the Jets-Bills pick, my belief is that the Baltimore Ravens’ 13-7 win over Buffalo in Week 1 had a lot more to do with the Bills being bad than the Ravens being good. Joe Flacco looked quite shaky at times throughout the contest. And while the defense certainly stifled their opponents, that seems like more of an indication that we should bail off the Tyrod Taylor bandwagon as soon as possible.

However, the Ravens get the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. The fact that Cleveland is the home team in this matchup and are still underdogs by 6.5 points speaks volumes about this Browns team. Sure, I too am in the camp that the offense will be better with Josh McCown at the helm than it was or would’ve been with Robert Griffin III under center. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there are high school teams that could score on this defense. Nor does it change the fact that the inexperience of Cleveland is rampant on both sides of the ball.

Subsequently, I think the Ravens cover this line quite easily. Even though I think we’re still talking about fool’s gold with this team now and after they move to 2-0, there aren’t many teams in the NFL that I’m not going to be taking when they’re playing the Browns—regardless of how many points they’re giving.

Pick: Ravens (-6.5)

Next: Bengals at Steelers

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