Week 2 NFL Picks: New Orleans Saints and Teams to Rebound from Defeat

Regardless of the nice things he said about Robert Griffin III, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints aren’t going to get beaten like that for a second week in a row.

A defeat to Cam Newton in Week 2 would be unthinkable, and the doubts about Brees’ monstrous contract would start to creep in. Maybe not from the fans, but the media would definitely start to tap at their keyboards.

The Buccaneers may have been surprisingly efficient against the Carolina Panthers, but there’s no denying that the Panthers struggled.

Newton turned the ball over on three occasions and at times looked like the full offseason had actually been a hindrance to his development going into his second year.

Although the Panthers' defense looked like it had taken steps in the right direction, their pass rush won’t be the same kind of threat that Brees faced against the Redskins.

He’ll have more time to throw the ball, pick his spots and return to being the same guy that broke Dan Marino’s record last season. Look for the Saints to win by 10.

Oakland Raiders

In Week 1, the Oakland Raiders were their own worst enemy, as usual.  Being beaten on special teams always hurts, mostly because there’s no one to blame but your own team.

The bright spots for the Silver and Black were that Carson Palmer looked like he could do a good job for them this year and Darren McFadden’s emergence as a genuine receiving threat.

Ryan Tannehill is coming off a first day to forget, and he will probably never again be so grateful for the existence of Brandon Weeden. The Miami Dolphins will go into the Raiders game seeing an opportunity for redemption.

Tannehill’s got potential, no question, and it’s easy to see the NFL quarterback within him. Week 2 just won’t be when he breaks out.

It’ll be an improved performance from the rookie, but McFadden will cause them more problems than they can deal with. If the Raiders can protect their fragile secondary, they’ll come away with the victory.

Cincinnati Bengals

I don’t mean to stay on Brandon Weeden’s back, but his NFL career isn’t likely to get any easier against the Bengals.

Cincinnati got blown out by the Baltimore Ravens and need to keep pace with them in the division.

It’s vital that Andy Dalton leads his team to victory here, so look for the Bengals to set the Cleveland Browns up with a fast start and bring pressure on Weeden from the defensive side.

In theory, Weeden faces a less intimidating defense than the Wide-9 of the Philadelphia Eagles, so it’s reasonable to expect him to fare better in Week 2.

However, the pace of the NFL just looks out of his grasp at the moment, so the Bengals will hurry him into further interceptions.