NFL Week 2 Predictions: Picks for Every Game
Week 2 NFL picks are a fail-proof way to get fan bases riled up (Wait, just because my team only had six first downs in Week 1 doesn't mean we won't put up 35 points in Week 2?)
There are a number of intriguing divisional matchups that should give us an early look at how the division races may shape up and begin to define a few of the marquee teams in the league.
Without further adieu, our Week 2 NFL picks:
Arizona Cardinals (1-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
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Both teams struggled offensively in their openers, though the Cardinals faced a much softer defense in the St. Louis Rams than Matt Ryan's crew faced in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After a week of breaking down the film and more practice time for Matt Ryan and his receivers to find their timing, I like the Falcons offense to find their early season rhythm and put it on the Cards.
Final Prediction: 24-13, Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
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The Baltimore Ravens defense looked as impressive as ever on Monday night against the New York Jets. However, it's becoming clear that the Jets offense could be among the NFL's worst, and they failed to take advantage of the Ravens' most glaring Achilles heel: their secondary.
Carson Palmer looked like the Palmer of old on Sunday, throwing for nearly 350 yards and a couple of scores in the Bengals' loss to the Patriots.
T.O. and Chad Ochocinco should have their way with the Ravens secondary, and the Orange and Black should roll.
Final Prediction: 20-14, Bengals.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-1)
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The Chiefs sent a message to the NFL on Monday night, beating the San Diego Chargers at New Arrowhead Stadium, 21-14.
The Chiefs' rookie nucleus is already the league's most productive, as Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster, Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki all made significant contributions against the Chargers.
It'll be hard for the Chiefs to match the emotional intensity they felt at home on Monday night when they face the Browns on the road this weekend, but their team speed should be too much for the overmatched Clevelanders.
Final Prediction: 17-10, Chiefs.
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Chicago Bears (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
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Except for the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys had the most disappointing Week 1, scoring only seven points in their loss to the Washington Redskins.
You'd have to imagine that whatever fire needed to be lit has been ignited under the Cowboys' butts, and I expect they'll light up the scoreboard in Week 2. (Alex Barron is likely headed back to the bench, so that should help substantially.)
Final Prediction: 31-14, Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles (0-1) at Detroit Lions (0-1)
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The Kevin Kolb era got off to a disastrous start last weekend and the QB is questionable for this weekend's tilt against the Detroit Lions.
The Lions have QB issues of their own, as Matthew Stafford separated his throwing shoulder during the team's opening week loss to the Chicago Bears.
So, does Michael Vick vs. Shaun Hill elicit excitement from you? Me either.
Final Prediction: 13-10, Eagles.
Buffalo Bills (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)
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The Bills are as hapless as any team in the league right now. Their QB problems are seemingly never-ending, and C.J. Spiller's preseason success came to a deafening halt in Week 1 after he rushed for only six yards.
The Packers, though shaky at times against the Eagles, are one of the most high-powered teams in the NFC and shouldn't have any problem with the Bills in their home opener.
Final Prediction: 38-13, Packers.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at Tennessee Titans (1-0)
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The Pittsburgh Steelers took a huge step toward avoiding an early season hole by beating the Atlanta Falcons in OT. While Dennis Dixon impressed very few, he did enough to beat a solid Falcons squad. His luck should run out against the Titans.
Against the Raiders, the Titans featured a heavy pass rush and multiple blitz packages that resulted in four sacks of Jason Campbell.
Chris Johnson should get his and the Titans should be able to squeak one out to start the season 2-0.
Final Prediction: 20-13, Titans
Miami Dolphins (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
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The Dolphins offense struggled in their opener, and things won't get any easier against one of the NFC's top defenses.
And, remember, Brett Favre has been with this team under a month. He's still finding his rhythm with a Sidney Rice-less receiving corps.
Playing at home in the Dome should give the Vikings a boost and push them to their first "W" of 2010.
Final Prediction: 27-21, Vikings.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-1)
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The young Buccaneers may be building something down in Tampa Bay. With a young and talented QB in Josh Freeman, a couple of exciting rookie WRs, and the two surgically repaired knees of Cadillac Williams, the Bucs could surprise some people this year.
The Panthers are coming off a tough loss to the New York Giants at the New Meadowlands, a game in which starting QB Matt Moore suffered a concussion. All reports point to him returning for this Week 2 game. This game is a toss-up, but we'll give the Panthers defense the edge at home.
Final Prediction: 17-7, Panthers.
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at Denver Broncos (0-1)
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The Seahawks, picked by many to finish dead last in the horrid NFC West, blew out the San Francisco 49ers, 31-6, in Week 1. Their unproven defense swarmed the ball and created turnovers, while Matt Hasselbeck managed drives and executed the playbook.
But the emotional high of winning in Week 1 should be too much to overcome in Week 2 as the 'Hawks travel to Mile High to face the Broncos. They'll come back to reality in a close loss.
Final Prediction: 24-10, Broncos.
St. Louis Rams (0-1) at Oakland Raiders (0-1)
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The Oakland Raiders preseason hype was quickly ripped to shreds in an opening loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Still, their roster has more than a few solid veterans, and talent-wise, they should overmatch the St. Louis Rams.
Though the Raiders' secondary is their defensive weakness, the Rams would be wise to avoid having Sam Bradford chuck the ball 55 times again.
Final Prediction: 28-17, Raiders.
New England Patriots (1-0) at New York Jets (0-1)
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Things went from bad to worse for the New York Jets on Tuesday, as they learned DT Kris Jenkins will be lost for the year after tearing his ACL again.
Combine that with the six first downs and 14 penalties the Jets accrued last night, and well... Jets fans might want to go eat a goddamn snack for the next four months.
The Patriots look revived in Brady's second year back from ACL surgery and should have little trouble putting a beat-down on their division rivals.
Final Prediction: 24-10, Patriots.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at San Diego Chargers (0-1)
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I took the Chargers to beat the Chiefs in Week 1 of my suicide pool. Someone failed to remind me that they're coached by Norval Turner, the world's least successful early-season coach.
One would think that Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill's phones received a number of calls from A.J. Smith last night. Maybe those guys are more important than the Chargers brass wanted to let on (we know how important McNeill is, but V-Jax may be just as crucial to the offense's success.)
Regardless whether they return in Week 2 or not, Phillip Rivers is too competitive not to right the ship after an embarrassing loss on Monday Night Football.
Final Prediction: 31-20, Chargers.
Houston Texans (1-0) at Washington Redskins (1-0)
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Both of these teams defeated longtime division rivals in Week 1, and both will have to avoid the emotional lull that comes after winning such an important game.
It would seem the Texans are for real. Beating the Colts when Matt Schaub completes only 9 passes proves the team is more than a one-trick pony.
The same can't be said for the Redskins yet. Their offense was anemic, and if not for a lucky play by DeAngelo Hall, they would've lost the game. Time will tell if this 'Skins team is indeed for real.
Final Prediction: 31-17, Texans.
New York Giants (1-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
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The Manning brothers square off for the second time in Week 2.
I'm not entirely sure who wears their striped oxford better (Peyton's collar looks a little more together, so I'll go with him), but the Colts have the have the edge in this game.
Playing at home for the first time in 2010 should offer a distinct advantage to the Colts. Eli never looks entirely comfortable on the road, and the Giants' running game still looks like a work in progress.
Final Prediction: 31-24, Colts.
New Orleans Saints (1-0) at San Francisco 49ers (0-1)
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Week two's Monday Night game features two teams headed in opposite directions.
After an offseason of good vibes, Mike Singletary's squad laid an egg in the great Northwest when they got throttled by mediocre Seattle Seahawks.
The Saints, coming off the franchise's first Super Bowl win, took care of business against the Minnesota Favre's.
All that aside, this is the NFL, and on any given Sunday...
Nah... not this week, Niners fans.
Final Prediction: 28-14, Saints.
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