Top Pick

1. Indianapolis Colts (-3) vs. Ten -This point spread is somewhat surprising. 0-2 is nothing new for this team and they will come out firing in Tennessee. Expect the aggressive Colts D to force Mariota into sacks and turnovers while Luck re-finds his groove.

Next

2. Arizona Cardinals (-6.5) vs. SF - This is an interesting game because we’re not sure which 49ers team will show up: the team that crushed the Vikings in Week 1 or were blown out in Pittsburgh in Week 2. We know which Cardinals team will show up though.

3. Seattle Seahawks (-14.5) vs. Chi – We rarely suggest taking teams favored by more than two TDs. However, this is too hard to pass up. The Bears come in on life support and the Seahawks need a win – and a convincing one – in the worst way. They’ll win easily.

4. Oakland Raiders (+3.5) vs. Cle – Cleveland is turning back to QB Josh McCown which has created a slight controversy. The Raiders are coming off an impressive win against Baltimore and could take another one here. They’re a good money line bet (+165) too.

Rounding Things Out

San Diego Chargers (+2.5) vs. Min – These are two fairly matched teams and San Diego will relish facing former HC Norv Turner who is the Vikings OC. The Chargers have slightly more firepower thanks to QB Rivers.

Houston Texans (-7) vs. TB – The Texans O will need to do just enough to easily win this one. JJ Watt and Co. will make life miserable for QB Winston all day.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+13.5) vs. NE – New England is coming off an emotional victory over the Bills last week. Expect them to sleepwalk most of Sunday.

Joe Flacco (ranked 19) vs. Oak – The Broncos destroyed the Ravens OL leaving Flacco with no time to pass. Oak is not Denver. Flacco will find more of a rhythm and finish a top 15 FFL QB this week.

Sam Bradford (ranked 12) vs. Dal – Chip will want to mix it up a little better in the pass / run game. Running the ball will open things up for Bradford who will finish with 25 points.

Eli Manning (ranked 11) vs. Atl – The mistake is behind him. So is the throw everything underneath plan. You can bet NY will take some shots deep and Eli will have a top 10 FFL day.

Teddy Bridgewater (ranked 18) vs Det – Not really sure what happened with Bridgewater in Week 1 but he’ll rebound here. The Lions D looked anything but stingy in Week 1 and it’s at home.

Andy Dalton (ranked 27) vs. SD – TE Tyler Eifert gives Dalton a safety blanket and opens up things for everyone else, namely, AJ Green. Dalton will top 275 yards with 2 scores.

Players who will underperform their top 10 ranking in Week 2:

Andrew Luck (ranked 2) vs. NYJ – The loss of TY Hilton hurts. Revis will lock down Andre Johnson and that leaves a few TEs and some unproven receivers as Luck’s main threat. He’ll get his points but won’t finish a top 5 fantasy scorer in Week 2.

Tom Brady (ranked vs. NE – The Patriots offense is excellent. But so is the Bills D. Emotion is high but look for a subpar effort out of Brady this week.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers

Tier 1

Tony Romo vs. Chi – Romo will bounce back from an awful Thanksgiving performance.

Matthew Stafford vs. TB – With a healthy Calvin Johnson the Lions QB is now a 22-25 FFL point candidate.

Tom Brady vs. SD – Expect 300 yards and 3 TDs in SD.

Jay Cutler vs. Dal – The Cowboys D is suddenly tired and showing signs of wear and tear.

Russell Wilson vs. Phi – His maneuverability will be good for 20+ FFL points in Philly.

Tier 2

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cin – Roethlisberger’s numbers are down on the road and Cincy’s D is tough at home.

Philip Rivers vs. NE – The tough Patriots pass D brings Rivers down a notch.

Fantasy Sleeper

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Jax – Don’t expect 6 TDs but is a fantasy football sleeper against the Jags.

Bust

Mark Sanchez vs. Sea – Chip Kelly’s innovative offense will have its hands full with the Seahawks.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Aaron Rodgers vs. NE – This is his toughest test of the season.

Tony Romo vs. Phi – The Eagles will be forced to commit more against the run which will open up the passing games.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. NO – It’s been light and day Roethlisberger when playing at home or the road. He’s home this week.

Drew Brees vs. Pit – He’ll be firing and the Steelers D is a bit limited. But Brees struggles on grass surfaces away from home.

Matt Stafford vs. Chi – Nothing like the Bears D to get Stafford back on track.

Ryan Tannehill vs. NYJ – Jets are midpack stopping the pass.

Eli Manning vs. Jax – The Eli to ODB connection should be on display against a giving Jaguars D. Eli is a low No. 1.

Tier 2

Mark Sanchez vs. Dal – Dallas ranks 19th vs. the pass and Philly will be throwing all afternoon. Expect 17-20 points.

Cam Newton vs. Min – Newton will put 14-17 FFL points at Minnesota.

Andy Dalton vs. TB – This is another strong play for Dalton. Bucs bottom 25.

Russell Wilson vs. SF – The 49ers run a strong D, so look for Wilson to pick up points with his legs.

Matt Ryan vs. Arz – The Cards rank at the bottom 3rd of the league against the pass.

Bust

Jay Cutler vs. Det – The Lions aggressive D will be all over Cutler on Thursday.

Fantasy Sleeper

Drew Stanton vs. Atl – The Falcons pass D ranks dead last. Look for Stanton to put up 17-20 FFL points.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford and Drew Brees

Tier 1

Tony Romo vs. Hou – Romo will put up 25 FFL points against the Texans.

Philip Rivers vs. NYJ – The Jets are vulnerable in the secondary.

Eli Manning vs. Atl – Manning is firing on all cylinders and will continue his hot hand vs. the Falcons.

Russell Wilson vs. Was – The Skins are abominable stopping the pass.

Nick Foles vs. Stl. – Things will get better for Foles at home. Look for 300 yards with 2-3 TDs.

Joe Flacco vs. Ind – Flacco is putting up low No. 1 FFL numbers relatively consistently. This will be a high scoring game.

Ben Roethlisbger vs Jax – Roethlisberger catapults to a No. 1 FFL QB against this D.

Tier 2

Cam Newton vs Chi – He’ll get back on track against a porous Bears D.

Matt Ryan vs. NYG – Ryan will put up 2nd tier numbers against an improving Giants D.

Tom Brady vs. Cin – This is a tough game for Brady. May be worth looking elsewhere if you have a good No. 2.

Colin Kaepernick vs. KC – He’s a high No. 2 option at this point. Has difficulty reading defenses in the pass game.

Alex Smith vs. SF – Smith will put up 15 points against his old squad.

Bust

Jay Cutler vs. Car – The Panthers have been embarrassed the past few weeks. They’ll get after Cutler at home.

Fantasy Sleeper

Brian Hoyer vs. Ten – Hoyer’s been a sneaky fantasy option and has a favorable matchup in Tennessee, a D coming off giving up 4 TDs to Luck.

Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Philip Rivers vs. Jax – Expect 250 yards and 3 TDs vs. a horrible Jaguars D.

Matt Ryan vs. Min – Ryan will top 25 fantasy points again.

Tony Romo vs. NO – This is a great matchup for Romo and Co. The Saints D is missing something.

Nick Foles vs. SF – The 49ers secondary is highly suspect.

Kirk Cousins vs. NYG – It doesn’t look like RGIII will reassume his job. Cousin’s fits perfectly into this offense.

Matt Stafford vs. NYJ – He’ll bounce back against a weak Jets secondary.

Jay Cutler vs. GB – He’ll put up 2-3 scores in what should be a high scoring game.

Tier 2

Colin Kaepernick vs. Phi – The Eagles D is giving up points in bunches.

Tom Brady vs. KC – Something is missing although he is still good for 15 points.

Bust

Cam Newton vs. Bal – This is a very difficult place to play and Newton’s lacking at the skill positions.

Fantasy Sleeper

Eli Manning vs. Was – He is a 17-20 point candidate against the Skins D.

Tier 1

Andrew Luck vs. Den – It’s going to be a shootout on Sunday Night.

Nick Foles vs. Jax – Foles should top 25 fantasy points vs. a young and inexperienced Jags D.

Colin Kaepernick vs. Dal – The Cowboys might have the worst D in history of the NFL.

Tony Romo vs. SF – The Boys will catch a 49ers D with a new secondary and down a few All Pros.

Jay Cutler vs. Buf – The Bills D is good, but Cutler will have a lot of success through the air.

Matt Ryan vs. NO – The return of Julio Jones helps immensely.

Philip Rivers vs Arz – The Cardinals D is vulnerable after losing DT Darnell Docket and LB Daryl Washington for the year.

Tier 2

Tom Brady vs. Mia – This has typically been a tougher place for Brady.

Russell Wilson vs. GB – It’s opening night and the Seahawks lost WR Golden Tate in Free Agency. Expect a good effort, but not great.

Andy Dalton vs. Bal – Not a great matchup for Dalton.

Fantasy Sleeper

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs Was – The Skins D was a mess last year and they didn’t do much to shore up that side of the ball.

Beware

Cam Newton vs. TB – He has a whole host of new receiving threats and faces a revamped D under Lovie Smith.

1. Peyton Manning vs. Ind – Look for Manning to put up 4 TDs and 300+ yards in his homecoming.

2. Andrew Luck vs. Den – Luck has played lights out at home. The Broncos D is nothing special.

3. Tony Romo vs. Phi – Romo will have his way with this giving Eagles secondary.

4. Cam Newton vs. Stl. – Newton’s coming off a 4 TD effort.

Not Far Behind

Tom Brady vs. NYJ – Brady will get back to being Brady IF Gronk re-enters the lineup.

Matt Stafford vs. Cin – Stafford will top 3 TDs against an uneven Bengals D when they play on the road.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Cle – Injuries to his receivers drop him down a notch.

Rounding Things Out

Philip Rivers vs. Jax – Rivers will top 300 yards with 2-3 TDs.

Jay Cutler vs. Was – The Skins pass D is overmatched against Cutler’s playmakers.

RGIII vs. Chi – RGIII will be a threat running and passing the ball against a beaten down Bears D.

Nick Foles vs. Dal – The Cowboys D is beat up. Foles is a fantasy sleeper if your regular starter is out or has a bad match-up.

Matt Ryan vs. TB – Make sure WR Roddy White is a go. The receiver corps is thin.

Ryan Tannehill vs. Buf – Tannehill has put up ~20 points at home this season.

Eli Manning vs. Min – Manning is a fantasy sleeper on Monday Night.  The presence of a running game could make this a breakout game for Eli.

Andy Dalton vs. Det – He’s a solid fill in if your regular is out. The Lions D is pretty good, but Dalton will top 275 yards with 2 TDs.

Potential Bust – Beware

Colin Kaepernick vs. Ten – The Titans D is tough vs. the pass and they’re very tough at home.

1. Baltimore Ravens (+3) vs. GB – See money line bet.

Next

2. Houston Texans (-7.5) vs. Stl. – The Texans will get back to what they do best on Sunday: running the ball and playing solid defense. They’ll limit Schaub’s opportunities for errors and beat the Rams by at least 10 at home.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (+27) vs. Den – It’s just hard to see Denver keeping its starters in for the entire game.

4. Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) vs. SD – The Colts always have a chance with Andrew Luck at QB and are playing much better defensively than most anticipated. They’ll cover the point spread and beat the Chargers by at least a FG on Monday Night.

Rounding Things Out

Oakland Raiders (+8) vs. KC – The Chiefs will continue to win, but they haven’t been blowing teams out.

Seattle Seahawks vs. (-13.5) vs. Ten – The 12th man will make things very difficult for Ryan Fitzpartick and Co.

Cincinnati Bengals (-7) vs. Buf – The Bengals have been an enigma this season. Their defense is starting to get going and they’re facing QB Jeff Tuel this week.

Money Line Bet

Baltimore Ravens (+120) vs. GB – The Ravens have played their best ball at home, especially defensively. The Packers are 2-2, with both losses coming on the road, and will likely be without LB Clay Matthews in this one. Look for Baltimore to pull out a hard fought and low scoring game to move to 4-2.

Onto Week 1 of the 2013 NFL suicide pool and our top three selections.

Top pick

1. Indianapolis Colts vs. Oakland Raiders – The Raiders are horrible and have already named Terrelle Pryor as their opening day starter. The upstart Colts of a year ago might take a step back in 2013, but it won’t happen this week. Look for Andrew Luck and Co. to win big at home and easily cover the point spread (-10) too.

Next

2. Tampa Buccaneers vs. New York Jets – The Jets are another team trending downward and QB Geno Smith doesn’t really strike fear in anyone outside of maybe Jets fans. He’s been horrendous throughout the pre-season and will face a retooled Bucs D, especially on the back-end. CB Darrelle Revis has already been given the green light to play on his old turf.

3. St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals – The Rams are vastly improved and will be more explosive offensively after their off-season additions. This team was already trending upward defensively towards the end of last season. The Cards are talented but still have many unanswered questions… the biggest being the offensive line, which did them in a year ago. Division games are always close but the Rams will take this one by at least a TD.