we cant make any excuses because guys go down in the NBA, H

ESPN senior writer Mike Sando asks league insiders to pick winners in selected games each week. Three personnel evaluators took the challenge in Week 2. The games on the docket: Chiefs-Texans, Bengals-Steelers, Buccaneers-Cardinals, Cowboys-Redskins and Packers-Vikings.Kansas City Chiefs at Houston TexansSunday: 1 p.m. ET, CBS |?Point spread: Texans by 2One insider picked the Texans, another leaned toward the Chiefs, and the third had a hard time deciding. Brian Cushings absence from the Houston defense could make Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce a matchup nightmare for the Texans, as one insider put it. But all agreed the Chiefs would have their own matchup issues in this game.Brock Osweiler did not play a lights-out game [against Chicago in Week 1], but he made some big-time throws down the field, and they have enough receivers to make you match up in coverage, one of the insiders said. Im not sure the Chiefs have a guy outside of their second-year corner [Marcus Peters] who can match up.The Chiefs embarrassed the Texans in the playoffs last season. Houston is a different team with Jadeveon Clowney contributing and the offensive backfield having undergone an overhaul. The Chiefs are a different team as well -- better on offense, not as good rushing the passer. Cheap Under Armour Ireland . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Under Armour Sale Clearance Ireland . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. http://www.underarmouroutletireland.com/ . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Buy Under Armour Online Ireland . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Under Armour Online Ireland .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. The Denver Nuggets found something that works when Kenneth Faried was put into the starting lineup.Unfortunately, the results are mixed.Faried has been a beast since the move, averaging 12 rebounds in four games, but Denver continues to struggle for wins. The Nuggets have lost three of their last four, including two at home while searching for consistency.They get another chance Sunday when the Utah Jazz are in town. The Jazz are coming off a 111-102 loss to Houston on Saturday.The Nuggets, who are 1-4 at home this season, need to start establishing a home dominance if they want to take a serious run at the playoffs. Two of their losses at Pepsi Center came in overtime, including Friday nights 113-111 setback to Toronto.Denver had chances to put that one away but faltered down the stretch in the fourth quarter and again in overtime.Its encouraging to a point but these are games we have to win, Nuggers coach Michael Malone said. Yes, we are undermanned and have some injuries but no excuses. We had enough bodies on the floor to get the job done.The Nuggets (4-8) are thin in the backcourt because of injuries to Gary Harris (foot) and Will Barton (ankle). Harris is a few weeks away and Bartons return is still unknown.Malone has started his two point guards the last two games and brought rookie Jamal Murray first off the bench. He used forward Wilson Chandler at shooting guard in spots Friday.The Jazz (7-7) are dealing with their own injuries. Forward Boris Diaw miissed Saturdays game in Houston, center Derrick Favors is nursing a knee contusion and Gordon Hayward is still dealing with the effects of a broken finger suffered in the preseason.ddddddddddddLike Denver, the Jazz are not using injuries as a crutch.We cant make any excuses because guys go down in the NBA, Hayward told The Salt Lake Tribune. Thats kind of how it works. So we have to be professionals and figure it out in practice, figure it out in the games. Thats just something we have to do.Utahs offense has struggled since scoring 100 points in back-to-back road games against New York and Philadelphia two weeks ago. The Jazz managed just 77 points in a home loss to Chicago on Thursday before falling to the Rockets on Saturday.It was their third straight loss and dropped them to .500 after a 6-2 start. The offense did find some spark in the loss, but it wasnt enough against the James Harden-led Rockets.Hayward struggled from the field Saturday, going 4-for-13. Rodney Hood led Utah with 25 and Trey Lyles had 21The Jazz hope to get well in Denver.I think were doing well at moving the ball and finding open shots, guard Dante Exum told The Salt Lake Tribune. It just comes down to hitting the shots that we get. The group is still getting connected. Were just going to get better every game and continue to work on the shots. Theyll fall. ' ' '