Week 2 NFL Picks: Final Vegas Odds and Predictions for Sunday's Slate

When the New York Giants met the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 last year at the Superdome, it was one of the worst defensive performances in recent memory.

While quarterback Drew Brees appeared to be on his game for the Saints, and the same could be said about the Giants' Eli Manning, the excellence of the two signal-callers was not the full story. Neither team's defense could do anything properly, and that gave the two offenses a green light to go up and down the field without hesitation.

The Saints ended up with the win, coming through with a 52-49 victory.

The Giants struggled badly in close games last year, and that's one of the main reasons Tom Coughlin is no longer on their sideline. The head coach job has gone to Ben McAdoo, who had been the team's offensive coordinator.

The Giants won their Week 1 meeting on the road with the Dallas Cowboys, while the Saints lost at home to the Oakland Raiders. Both teams made key moves to improve their defenses in the offseason, and they should work by midseason.

The Saints added James Laurinaitis and Nick Fairley, while the Giants brought in Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and Janoris Jenkins.

Those additions should give the Saints and Giants more of a defensive presence, but it takes time for a defense to come together. Players are still learning each other's tendencies, and they don't fully know them yet.

This should be another high-scoring game. It should also be one that belongs to the Giants. 

The New York offense features Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz and rookie Sterling Shepard. The Saints may slow them down for a while, but they won't stop them.

The Saints have speedy Brandin Cooks, but they don't have as many touchdown-making weapons as the Giants. Look for New York to open up some distance on the visitors.

The Giants are four-point favorites, according to Odds Shark. They should win by at least a touchdown.

Road	Home	Line	Prediction
49ers	Panthers	CAR -13.5	Panthers
Cowboys	Redskins	WSH -2.5	Cowboys
Bengals	Steelers	PIT -3	Steelers
Saints	Giants	NYG -4	Saints
Dolphins	Patriots	NE -6	Patriots
Chiefs	Texans	HOU -1.5	Chiefs
Titans	Lions	DET -6	Lions
Ravens	Browns	BAL -5.5	Browns
Seahawks	Rams	SEA -6	Rams
Buccaneers	Cardinals	ARZ -7	Cardinals
Jaguars	Chargers	SD -3	Jaguars
Falcons	Raiders	OAK -4.5	Raiders
Colts	Broncos	DEN -6	Colts
Packers	Vikings	GB -2	Vikings
Eagles	Bears	CHI -3	Bears

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers Ready to Roll at Home

The Carolina Panthers lost their opener in a revenge fixture with the Denver Broncos, but they played a much more competitive game than they did in last year's Super Bowl.

They should be rested and in a foul mood when the San Francisco 49ers come calling Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers played a fine game in pummeling the Los Angeles Rams in their season opener, but smart handicappers will not draw any conclusions that the Niners are going to be an improved team this year.

They opened the 2015 season with a one-sided 20-3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, but they could not sustain that success and finished with a 5-11 record.

They have to confront an angry Carolina team on the road, and San Francisco is also doing it on a short week, having beaten the Rams on Monday night.

A short week and cross-country trip against an angry and talented opponent does not bode well for the Niners. They are getting 13.5 points from the Panthers, but that spread may be covered early in the second quarter.

This as an opportunity for Carolina quarterback Cam Newton to put together a dominant statistical game. The Panthers will roll to a victory and win this game by at least three touchdowns.

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings Make a Statement in Crucial Early-Season Game

It's simply a question of trust.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has not announced who his starting quarterback will be when his team hosts the Green Bay Packers Sunday night.

The Vikings acquired Sam Bradford after Teddy Bridgewater suffered a devastating knee injury, but Zimmer did not feel comfortable letting his new acquisition start in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. Backup Shaun Hill stepped up and did a fine job.

The Vikings gave up quite a bit in terms of draft choices to get Bradford, and the feeling is Zimmer is going to go with Bradford against the archrival Packers.

But even if he does not, trust Zimmer to make the right call. He is one of the best head coaches in the league and he understands his team's personnel better than anyone.

The Vikings are playing their first home game in their brand-new U.S. Bank Stadium. They are a strong team playing their home opener in new digs, and they are two-point underdogs.

While we have full respect for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, the Vikings are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Look for Minnesota to make its home opener a big success, winning the game outright. It won't matter whether Bradford or Hill is under center.