NFL Week 2 Predictions: Breaking Down Biggest Games for Playoff Contenders

Week 1 is my favorite weekend of the NFL season because of all the overreaction it brings. Week 2 still has its share of overreactions, but it is much more subdued than what you will see after that initial slate of games. 

Calling any game a must-win at this point is nothing more than hyperbole. No game is a must-win until you can be eliminated. Talking about playoff teams after Week 1 is likely going to make you look foolish when January rolls around. 

So let's talk about playoff contenders, because even though it makes us look foolish, we just can't help ourselves. 

Specifically, we are going to look at the biggest games in Week 2 between teams we believe will be in the race at the end of the season. 

Odds courtesy of Bovada 

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-6)

The Bears are the hot team on the block in the NFC North. They cruised to an easy victory in Week 1—albeit against an overmatched Indianapolis team, but a win is still a win. 

The Packers are starting to feel like that old flavor of the month. They tasted really good when they were winning Super Bowls and going 15-1, but they have lost their last two games (including the Divisional playoffs last season) with a suspect defense that can't get off the field. 

The choice would seem to be easy, yet the love for the Packers is going to come back. Rather than blame them for the way they played in Week 1, we have to credit San Francisco for dominating that game. 

The Bears don't boast a defense nearly as physical or dominating as the 49ers, though they do have good parts up front—namely, Julius Peppers—who can create problems. 

Still, it is hard to bet against the Packers two straight weeks in Lambeau. Plus, playing on a short week almost always favors the home team. It will be close, but the Pack gets back on track. 

Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 23

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers (-7)

In what seemed like a gimme game against St. Louis, the Lions needed a last-second touchdown to escape with a victory. Matthew Stafford looked terrible for 57 minutes. Calvin Johnson was absent in the second half until the final drive. 

If Stafford turns the ball over against a defense like St. Louis', what is he going to do against San Francisco?

The 49ers had as perfect a start to the season as they could have hoped. Alex Smith looked strong under center. Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, the two big receiver acquisitions, got involved in the offense. Frank Gore and the running game ran for 186 yards against the Packers. 

Defensively, they don't look like they have missed a step after the offseason. They are fierce, physical and attacking. 

The 49ers are the better team right now. They may not have the explosiveness of Stafford and Johnson at quarterback and receiver, but they are more complete top to bottom. 

Prediction: 49ers 23, Lions 13

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons (-3)

In what should be the best game of the week, Peyton Manning takes his show on the road for a matchup with the most impressive quarterback from Week 1, Matt Ryan. 

The Broncos took awhile to find their footing against the Steelers, but when they finally went with the no-huddle offense, everything clicked. 

The Falcons have been on the periphery of being an elite team for a long time. I don't know if they are there yet, but going into Kansas City and manhandling the Chiefs was a nice statement. 

Losing cornerback Brent Grimes for the season is going to change the Falcons defense dramatically. They are not particularly deep at cornerback, so a game against Manning could be the worst thing for the Falcons right now. 

I do think they need to make a commitment to the run early in this game, since the Broncos have a lot of players up front who specialize in pass-rushing. If Michael Turner can get loose, this could be a statement win for the Falcons. 

Prediction: Falcons 31, Broncos 28

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