NFL Week 2 Predictions: Picking Straight Up Winners for All 16 Games

Week 2 of the NFL season begins with the Chicago Bears taking on the Green Bay Packers this Thursday night and will wrap up with the Denver Broncos against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

Between those two games, there are 14 more action-packed pigskin matchups to be played.

Let’s take a look at every single game and pick a straight-up winner in each.

 

 

Chicago Bears over GREEN BAY PACKERS

Both of these teams are able to put up points, but the Packers defense is in disarray. Go with the Bears to pull the upset on a short week of rest.

 

Kansas City Chiefs over BUFFALO BILLS

These squads were both blown out to open the season, but Kansas City was already banged up and looked confused—especially in the secondary.

Look for the Chiefs to put up a lot of points on a poor Buffalo defense.

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS over Cleveland Browns

While the Bengals were destroyed by the Ravens on Monday Night Football, the Browns showed no promise in their narrow loss to the Eagles.

Cincy is the better team and has home-field advantage, so it takes this AFC North rivalry game.

 

Minnesota Vikings over INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Minnesota showed some heart by gutting out an OT win against the lowly Jaguars last week and should use that momentum to beat another bad team.

Jared Allen should make Andrew Luck’s second NFL start a living hell and that is going to be the difference maker.

 

Oakland Raiders over MIAMI DOLPHINS

It’s tough to trust the Raiders traveling thousands of miles to Miami, but they are a better overall team.

As long as Ryan Tannehill is under center for the ‘Phins, they don’t have much hope at winning.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS over Arizona Cardinals

This is the most lopsided matchup of the week. New England’s offense will overwhelm the Cards defense and Kevin Kolb isn’t going to work a miracle in his first start of 2012.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers over NEW YORK GIANTS

The G-Men are going to open their Super Bowl defense with two straight losses. Tampa is built to beat a team like New York, as they have a strong running game and will not be fazed by the fearsome pass rush of the Giants.

 

Baltimore Ravens over PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Baltimore’s new-look offense is firing on all cylinders so far, and they show no sign of slowing down.

The Ravens D is dominant as ever, which will give turnover-prone Michael Vick fits and cause the “Dream Team” to falter for the first time this year.

CAROLINA PANTHERS over New Orleans Saints

Both of these squads suffered major upset defeats in Week 1 and will come out in this one swinging.

Carolina gets the edge because of its running game (if it actually shows up this week) and defense.

 

Houston Texans over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Houston is a legit Super Bowl contender in 2012 and the Jags simply are not.

The Texans have one of the better pass-rushes in the league and Blaine Gabbert doesn’t have the poise to deal with it. This one won’t be close.

Washington Redskins over ST. LOUIS RAMS

Robert Griffin III is looking to lead the ‘Skins to another road victory after his incredible performance against the Saints last week.

While the Rams fought hard against the Lions, they just don't have it in them to beat a team as well-rounded as Washington.

 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS over Dallas Cowboys

While the Cowboys proved they could win on the road in the Thursday night season-opener, the Giants are a notoriously bad home team.

The same cannot be said about the Seahawks, who have one of the loudest crowds in the league and always put on a solid show for their supporters. If Marshawn Lynch is healthy, pencil the Seahawks in for a W.

 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS over New York Jets

Pittsburgh may not be the elite unit it has been in years past, but it is certainly better than New York.

Gang Green may have looked good against Buffalo, but any team could light up a defense that ranked 30th or worse in total defense the past two seasons.

Expect New York to come back to earth on Sunday.

 

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS over Tennessee Titans

Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense were about as tame as we have ever seen them on MNF against Oakland, so expect them to cut loose and actually score some TDs at home against Tennessee.

Jake Locker might have had a decent outing against NE in the first start of his career, but this team doesn’t have the experience to hang with a veteran squad like SD.

 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers over Detroit Lions

San Fran may be the best team in the entire NFL.

After shutting down the Packers' high-powered offense and putting on a balanced offensive clinic in Week 1, they now play another NFC North team with the same type of DNA.

The Lions may be a high-scoring team, but they don’t have the defense to hang with the Niners. Go with the 49ers playing at Candlestick here for an easy victory.

 

Denver Broncos over ATLANTA FALCONS

Never bet against Peyton Manning in a prime-time game.

Gamblers have made a living off that during the future Hall of Famer's time in Indianapolis.

He went out and proved that statement remains true on Sunday Night Football and now he’ll prove it again on Monday Night Football.