NFL Week 2 Predictions: Week 1 Losers That Will Bounce Back with a Victory

Week 1 in the NFL featured several teams that unexpectedly lost, but a few of these franchises have favorable matchups this week and will even their records in Week 2. 

For teams that have playoff aspirations, a 0-2 start does not doom a team to missing the postseason, but it certainly limits the amount of mistakes it can make going forward.

This is not a position any franchise wants to be in, and teams that looked flat in their debut will come out firing in Week 2.

Here are the teams that will bounce back and improve to 1-1.

Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears

The Packers offense stalled against a smothering San Francisco 49ers defense, and reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers was only able to put up seven points in the first three quarters of the game.

Rodgers will find significantly more space against Chicago’s defense, which is still talented, but its stars are aging and it is not nearly as dangerous as San Francisco’s unit.

The Green Bay defense will likely still give up far too much yardage, but it will cause turnovers like it did last season when it tied the 49ers for an NFL-best 38 takeaways. In a high-scoring affair, the Packers will get back to .500.

Kansas City Chiefs over Buffalo Bills

The Chiefs and Bills were both blown out in their Week 1 games. Kansas City was non-existent in the second-half against the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo’s defense was shredded by a New York Jets offense that was supposed to struggle this year. 

The Broncos were the only AFC West team that won convincingly in Week 1, and the Chiefs will need to show that they can compete in their division.

The Bills offense is full of problems and the Kansas City defense will cause turnovers, leading to a victory in this game.

Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns

The Bengals will face a second consecutive AFC North matchup, but this game presents a far better matchup. The Baltimore Ravens proved they are a Super Bowl contender by blowing out a Cincinnati team that is better than the score line suggested.

Andy Dalton will be able to find A.J. Green with greater ease this week, while BenJarvus Green-Ellis will find running lanes with much greater success.

The Cincinnati defense ranked seventh in the NFL last season in yards allowed, and it will be a top-10 defense once again this season. The struggles will continue for Brandon Weeden and the Browns.

New Orleans Saints over Carolina Panthers

Instead of putting on an inspired performance at home in response to the bounty scandal, the Saints fell flat against the Washington Redskins.

Robert Griffin III was spectacular in his debut, but New Orleans had several sloppy moments and committed three turnovers. However, the Panthers looked even worse than the Saints in their debut.

Carolina put up just 10 rushing yards against the Buccaneers, and failing to control the clock against the Saints is a recipe for disaster. New Orleans’ offense will lead the team to victory in this game.

New York Giants over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Giants defense was unable to slow down Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, but the Buccaneers have a far less potent offense. 

New York will be looking to silence doubters who feel that its performance last week is due to a post-Super Bowl hangover that will cause the team to perform poorly in the first few weeks of the season. 

This should be an easy game for the Giants, and the team will show it is certainly a contender again this season with a convincing victory.