NFL Week 2 Picks: Predicting the Winner of All 16 Matchups

The NFL got off to a high-flying start with an opening weekend that featured surprises, unthinkable comebacks and everything in between. But it's only set the stage for the Week 2 slate.

While 16 teams across the league didn't get off to the start they wanted to in Week 1, all can be negated with one resounding win the following week. At the same time, falling into an 0-2 hole can put teams behind the eight-ball all season long in terms of fighting for a playoff spot.

The first two weeks don't define any team's season, but getting off to a strong start can be the difference between competing for a playoff spot or draft position come Week 17.

Let's take a closer look at all 16 matchups on the slate for Week 2.

Away	Home	Time (ET)	Prediction
Pittsburgh Steelers	Baltimore Ravens	8:25 p.m. (Thur.)	BAL 27-20
Dallas Cowboys	Tennessee Titans	1 p.m.	TEN 24-23
Miami Dolphins	Buffalo Bills	1 p.m.	BUF 20-16
Jacksonville Jaguars	Washington Redskins	1 p.m.	JAX 13-10
Arizona Cardinals	New York Giants	1 p.m.	ARI 20-17
New England Patriots	Minnesota Vikings	1 p.m	NE 24-21
New Orleans Saints	Cleveland Browns	1 p.m.	NO 38-27
Atlanta Falcons	Cincinnati Bengals	1 p.m.	ATL 24-21
Detroit Lions	Carolina Panthers	1 p.m.	CAR 20-17
St. Louis Rams	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4:05 p.m.	TB 28-14
Seattle Seahawks	San Diego Chargers	4:05 p.m.	SEA 28-20
Houston Texans	Oakland Raiders	4:25 p.m.	HOU 17-14
New York Jets	Green Bay Packers	4:25 p.m.	NYJ 23-20
Kansas City Chiefs	Denver Broncos	4:25 p.m.	DEN 31-20
Chicago Bears	San Francisco 49ers	8:30 p.m.	SF 23-14
Philadelphia Eagles	Indianapolis Colts	8:30 p.m. (Mon.)	PHI 30-27

Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Two teams that notched invaluable season-opening wins over division rivals will face off for the chance to go 2-0 on Sunday when scorching-hot Matt Ryan and the Falcons visit Cincinnati.

Ryan began his 2014 season with the best performance that any Atlanta Falcon quarterback has ever had, throwing for a team-record 448 yards. He led the Falcons to an improbable 37-34 win over the Saints in overtime, throwing for three touchdowns in the process.

It was an energizing win for a team coming off a ghastly 2013, especially coming against bitter NFC South rivals. But Mike Smith and the Falcons have already moved on to Week 2, per Dan Mathews of Score Atlanta:

Smith is right about facing a good Bengals squad, and they proved it in Week 1 with a 23-16 win over the Ravens. Andy Dalton aired it out, connecting for 131 yards with A.J. Green alone and putting kicker Mike Nugent in position for five first-half field goals (five!). 

Paul Brown Stadium will certainly be rocking for Cincinnati's home opener, but the defense will have to go to work this week fixing the deficiencies that allowed the Ravens to surpass 400 total yards. If Week 1 is any indication, it will be a process moving on from departed defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. 

If Flacco and his receivers had success against the Bengals defense, then Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Devin Hester are bound to have a field day—or at least produce enough to get the road win.

Prediction: Falcons beat Bengals, 24-21

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Heading into the season, the Dolphins visiting the Bills in Week 2 didn't even seem like it would be a matchup between 1-0 teams—not with Miami opening up against New England and Buffalo traveling to Chicago to open up 2014.

Yet here they are, gearing up for Sunday's battle that will decide which Week 1 surprise squad will start to turn heads in the AFC by going 2-0.

EJ Manuel got plenty of criticism following a poor preseason but silenced his critics in Chicago by getting the Bills off to a blistering start. They led the Bears 17-7 at the half, and while not spectacular for four full quarters, Manuel made key plays to get Buffalo the Week 1 win.

He also showed his clutch gene on a game-winning drive, as Chris Trapasso of NFL.com notes his success in late-game situations:

Speaking of those familiar with coming from behind, the Dolphins mounted a resounding and convincing comeback over the high-and-mighty Patriots in Week 1. Trailing by 10 early on and by seven in the third quarter, Miami came sprinting back to win 33-20.

Getting pressure on Tom Brady (four sacks) was key for the Dolphins in Week 1, but that will be easier said than done against the Bills. Buffalo's offensive line paved the way for a 193-86 rushing yards advantage in Week 1, including opening up Fred Jackson for a 38-yard run in overtime that led to the win.

The Dolphins surprised by shutting down Brady's offense, and they could certainly do the same against Manuel. But with the help he's getting around him, the second-year quarterback will continue the Bills' fast start at home. 

Prediction: Bills beat Dolphins, 20-16

Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The Eagles facing the Colts in Week 2 of Monday Night Football jumped off the page as far as early-season games with huge playoff implications, and Week 1 did nothing to change that. 

Andrew Luck's 2014 season didn't exactly start as planned in a 31-24 loss to Peyton Manning's Broncos on Sunday Night Football, but Luck had no business getting the Colts back into the position that they were in. The sheer fact that Luck was past midfield with a chance to tie it at the end is impressive considering they trailed 24-0 just before halftime.

As for Chip Kelly's Eagles, well, they learned all about poor starts during Sunday's win over the Jaguars. Philadelphia trailed a whopping 17-0 at the half to the third-worst team in the NFL last year before rattling off 34 second-half points to win convincingly.

Philly's offensive line continues to take hits as well, with Evan Mathis suffering from a MCL sprain, per ESPN's Adam Caplan. But the Colts have problems of their own, letting Manning have his way in the passing game in Week 1.

Against Nick Foles and this Eagles offense in Week 2, it could be more of the same, as Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke noted:

Simply put, the Colts are never out of a game with Luck at quarterback. But he doesn't play defense, and he'll need to play at a high level for all four quarters to keep up with Philly's offensive success.

Look for the Eagles to send a message in the NFC East with a Week 2 win in Indianapolis.

Prediction: Eagles 30, Colts 27

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