NFL Predictions Week 2: Early Odds, Picks and Projections for Upcoming Schedule

NFL fans waited all year for the start of the 2014 regular season, and after an exciting opening schedule of games, the focus has already shifted to the Week 2 predictions, odds and picks.

With marquee battles that include Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore, Atlanta vs. Cincinnati and Philadelphia vs. Indianapolis, football fans will be treated to a Week 2 that could be as wild and unpredictable as the opening slate of games.

Here are the predicted winners for Week 2, odds and a full breakdown of the matchup you can’t miss.

Away	Home	Spread	Pick Against Spread
Pittsburgh	Baltimore	BAL (-2.5)	Steelers
Detroit	Carolina	CAR (-1)	Lions
Miami	Buffalo	Even	Dolphins
Jacksonville	Washington	WAS (-4.5)	Jaguars
Dallas	Tennessee	TEN (-3.5)	Cowboys
Arizona	N.Y. Giants	NYG (-1.5)	Cardinals
New England	Minnesota	NE (-4.5)	Patriots
New Orleans	Cleveland	NO (-6.5)	Saints
Atlanta	Cincinnati	CIN (-5)	Bengals
St. Louis	Tampa Bay	TB (-4.5)	Buccaneers
Seattle	San Diego	SEA (-4.5)	Seahawks
Houston	Oakland	PK	Texans
N.Y. Jets	Green Bay	GB (-9)	Jets
Kansas City	Denver	DEN (-12.5)	Broncos
Chicago	San Francisco	SF (-7)	Bears
Philadelphia	Indianapolis	IND (-3)	Eagles

*Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Game of the Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts

Despite a full schedule of exciting games, the best matchup of the week is the Monday Night Football meeting between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts.

Indianapolis lost on Sunday night to the vaunted Denver Broncos on the road but will be coming home to Lucas Oil Stadium Monday night. The home-field advantage should help build confidence in the players, but the strong effort put forth in the second half of Week 1 shows the raw skill and talent on the Colts roster. The team scored 17 points in the second half but came up short, losing 31-24.

As Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com talked about in his preview of the Monday night matchup, Indianapolis will be coming into this nationally televised game with a chip on its shoulder and history on its side:

"

Going into the dome in Indianapolis next Monday night was going to be hard as it is, but having to go in and face an 0-1 Colts team will make the challenge that much harder. The Colts didn't lose two games in a row at any point last season, and went 6-2 at home. After taking a tough loss to the Broncos, the Colts will be ready to make sure they don't drop to 0-2 on the season.

"

While the continued struggles of Trent Richardson and the Colts rushing attack will be a concern, the team always has a chance to win with Andrew Luck under center. The third-year starter racked up 370 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 and should be able to take advantage of a Philadelphia secondary that allowed 275 passing yards to Chad Henne and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Eagles will not go down without a fight, though.

After allowing Jacksonville to take a 17-0 halftime lead, Philadelphia stormed back in the second half to score 34 unanswered points and find the fast-paced style the team has become accustomed to playing. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the team suffered several injuries along the offensive line and could have trouble protecting Nick Foles and creating running lanes for LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles.

According to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, this is what the makeshift offensive line is projected to look like when Week 2’s game begins, barring injuries during practice:

Despite the issues along the line, McCoy and Sproles racked up a combined 145 yards rushing and should be able to replicate that success against a lackluster Indianapolis front seven that allowed 102 yards on the ground to Denver.

With the Colts missing their best pass-rushing outside linebacker in Robert Mathis (serving a suspension and has a torn Achilles, per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com), Foles should have more time in the pocket to make smart decisions.

If the Eagles offensive line can withstand the onslaught of blitzes and packages that Indianapolis throws their way, Foles and his weapons have the ability to outscore Luck and the Colts. On the other hand, if Luck gets hot early and Philadelphia struggles to find a rhythm like it did in Week 1, the home team could cruise to a convincing win.

The Eagles have just too much firepower to drop this important second game of the season and will upset Indianapolis in front of the home crowd.

Predicted Final Score: Philadelphia 30, Indianapolis 27

*Stats via NFL.com.

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