NFL Predictions Week 2: Last-Minute Picks and Advice for Sunday's Schedule
Week 2 of the NFL season is packed with great matchups and classic rivalries.
Many of the most compelling storylines in Week 2 revolve around hopeful contenders trying to avoid an 0-2 start. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, only 12 percent of 0-2 teams have gone on to make the playoffs under the current playoff format.
Here's a look at Sunday's exciting schedule of games followed by a breakdown of a few of the best matchups of the day:
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Saints at Giants (-4.5) | Giants, 31-24 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Titans at Lions (-6) | Lions, 24-21 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Cowboys at Redskins (-3) | Cowboys, 20-17 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Chiefs at Texans (-2) | Chiefs, 27-21 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Dolphins at Patriots (-6) | Patriots, 24-20 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Ravens (-6) at Browns | Ravens, 31-17 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | 49ers at Panthers (-13.5) | Panthers, 31-10 |
| Sun. 1 p.m. | Bengals at Steelers (-3.5) | Steelers, 24-21 |
| Sun. 4 p.m. | Buccaneers at Cardinals (-7) | Cardinals, 31-28 |
| Sun. 4 p.m. | Seahawks (-6.5) at Rams | Seahawks, 24-10 |
| Sun. 4:25 p.m. | Falcons at Raiders (-4.5) | Raiders, 35-24 |
| Sun. 4:25 p.m. | Jaguars at Chargers (-3) | Jaguars, 27-20 |
| Sun. 4:25 p.m. | Colts at Broncos (-6) | Broncos, 28-24 |
| Sun. 8:30 p.m. | Packers (-2) at Vikings | Vikings, 27-24 |
| Mon. 8:30 p.m. | Eagles at Bears (-3) | Bears, 24-20 |
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (-3)
This matchup is about as big as it gets for Week 2, with two division rivals trying to avoid an 0-2 start.
The Washington Redskins' dysfunctional defense received a lot of attention following a Week 1 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, primarily due to its inability to contain Steelers receiver Antonio Brown.
In hindsight, the greater issue for the Redskins might be the offense, which failed to establish a running game. Matt Jones led the Redskins with just 24 rushing yards on seven carries.
The Dallas Cowboys don't boast the most dominant defense in the league, but it's certainly a unit capable of stopping an offense as one-dimensional as Washington looked in Week 1.
The key to victory for Dallas could be Dak Prescott's ability to get on the same page as receiver Dez Bryant.
The Steelers consistently threw the ball to Brown when he was matched up with Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland. Prescott will likely take a similar approach if Redskins cornerback Josh Norman doesn't shadow Bryant around the field.
Prediction: Cowboys 20, Redskins 17
Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders (-4.5)
The Oakland Raiders offense got off to a blazing start in Week 1, hanging 35 points on the New Orleans Saints. The porous Saints defense certainly made things a little easier for Derek Carr and company, but the score was no fluke. This Raiders offense is going to give defenses headaches this season.
In his third season at the helm, Carr looks like he's ready to carry the Raiders into playoff contention. Carr now has a full season under his belt working with receiver Amari Cooper and tight end Clive Walford, who combined for 16 targets in Week 1—nearly half of Carr's 37 attempts.
The Falcons defense should be another easy unit for Carr to pick apart. Atlanta surrendered 31 points the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, on the strength of four passing touchdowns from Jameis Winston.
If the Falcons couldn't get it done at home against Tampa, it's tough to envision them traveling across the country and slowing down Oakland's potent passing attack.
Prediction: Raiders 35, Falcons 24
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have been quiet about their quarterback controversy, but ESPN's Ben Goessling reported on Saturday that a decision has been made:
"Sam Bradford is expected to start for the Vikings on Sunday night; a league source said Bradford took every... https://t.co/HyX3tC1kve
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) September 17, 2016"
Obviously the Vikings would prefer to have Teddy Bridgewater under center, but they proved last season that they can beat the Green Bay Packers without great quarterback play. In a Week 17 win which clinched the division for Minnesota, Bridgewater threw for just 99 yards against Green Bay.
The Vikings have a talented, young defense which should be up for the challenge of slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. As long as the defense can contain Rodgers, Bradford won't have to carry the team for Minnesota to pull off the mild upset.
As an added bonus, the Vikings have the benefit of what should be a raucous home crowd in their first regular-season game in U.S. Bank Stadium.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 14
.jpg?w=600 "Fans React to Simpson Pick")
.jpg?w=600 "Full Eagles-Cowboys Trade 🤝")
.jpg?w=600 "Brady Reacts to Mendoza Pick")
