Week 2 NFL Picks & Predictions
Week 2 is almost here, and it's time for Justin Wheeler to make his picks and predictions for all of the action across the nation! Week 2 is always filled with surprises, as teams look to either keep their week 1 success going or bounce back from an opening day loss. I'll take my best shot at trying to seperate the players from the pretenders and give a little bit of insight into who I expect to be celebrating a victories during this next week
Packers Over Bills
1 of 16
This is one of those games that you just hope stays close, but I wouldn't even bank on that. Green Bay's defense will be playing with a ton of swagger in their home opener, Buffalo can't even tell you what swagger feels like on offense. If the Bills throw it as much as they did last week, Green Bay will end the day with multiple interceptions. Buffalo's only hope to keep it close is if their stable of tailbacks have a much better performance than their week 1 game against Miami. Aaron Rodgers should have a good game as Green Bay's plethora of receiving threats is too much for Buffalo.
What to watch for: Brandon Jackson is the man now that Ryan Grant has been lost for the season at running back. It is a huge question mark for Green Bay and will be interesting to see if Jackson can handle the huge increase in playing time. My guess is he won't be able to, but the passing game will save the day against the Bills.
Dolphins Over Vikings
2 of 16
I'm worried about Minnesota. Maybe this is the week they find someone to replace Sidney Rice until he returns, if not, then they probably won't win. Historically, Carlos Dansby led defenses have played well against Adrian Peterson, and the Dolphins looked good on defense in Buffalo last week. Look for Miami's running game to get back on track.
What to watch for: Chad Henne looked good in week 1, but that was playing the Bills secondary. This week, the Dolphins will rely on the QB to use some of the weapons they added even more in an effort to beat a top NFC team from a year ago.
Cardinals Over Falcons
3 of 16
Needless to say, this is a huge game for both teams. Atlanta lost a game that they could have won had they executed on offense just a little bit better at Pittsburgh. Arizona is still looking to answer all of the questions that come with losing a number of key players during the offseason. Their victory over the Rams left something to be desired on offense, and I think they'll deliver in week 2. Remember Larry Fitzgerald had little time to develope a report with Derek Anderson. I think between him and Beanie Wells returning the Cards will win a wild one in Atlanta.
What to Watch for: Darnell Dockett. Look for Dockett to have a big game terrorizing Matt Ryan and forcing the young QB into throwing some interceptions to a ball hawking secondary.
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Ravens Over Bengals
4 of 16
This game is a momentum game. The Ravens are coming off of a hard-fought win over a team that made it to the AFC Championship game last year. The Bengals got mauled by the Patriots. I think Cincinnati will get back on track offensively, but the Ravens will beat the Bengals with a superior passing attack. Times are changing folks.
What to watch for: Anquan Boldin. I know this choice isn't overly insightful or unique, but it's just the truth. Boldin makes this passing game click. I think it will be interesting to see how he plays against another good set of cornerbacks. If he plays like he did in New York, Baltimore will find a way to win.
Chiefs Over Browns
5 of 16
Not because the Chiefs are that much more talented than the Browns, but they have confidence. The Browns lost to a young Tampa Bay team. The Chiefs made a huge statement in beating the Chargers. I see another game where Kansas City's young talent beats a Browns team that lacks team chemistry.
What to watch for: It may be surprising to some that I picked Glenn Dorsey as the impact player of this game, but I've got good reason. In their win Monday night, the Chiefs had pressure on Philip Rivers for the first time... ever. If the Chiefs get pressure on whoever starts at QB for the Browns, the Chiefs will be 2-0.
Cowboys Over Bears
6 of 16
My brain tells me now is the time to bet against the Cowboys, but my gut says that this is a game that Dallas needs at home. Something tells me that they'll came together as a team and beat the Bears. What you have to remember is the Bears wouldn't have beat the Lions had it not been for a great game by Matt Forte, who alone out-scored my 3 running backs in one of my fantasy leagues. I think the Cowboys will slow him down, and the energy in Cowboys' stadium will be rocking.
What to watch for: My true "Impact Player" of this game would be the entire team avoiding turnovers and silly penalties, but I think I'll go with Tony Romo. It's going to be a lot on his shoulders on Sunday. He's going to have to have a good statistical game but is also going to be instrumental in keeping the team focused on avoiding mistakes. Thus is the life of an NFL quarterback.
Titans Over Steelers
7 of 16
The Steelers found it easy to win against the Falcons at home. They were able to play Pittsburgh football while allowing Dixon to be comfortable in front of a friendly crowd. In Tennessee, I don't have faith in the quarterback position to be able to lead the Steelers to a win in a hard-fought loss to the Titans
What to watch for: I think Chris Johnson will be the focus of a tough Pittsburgh defense, and they might just keep him under control. It will be up to Vince Young to win this ball game. I think he's ready to step up and lead his team.
Bucs Over Panthers
8 of 16
I don't have a ton of confidence either way in this one. But I like the young base that Tampa Bay has set up for the future. As long as they play teams with a lack of all-around talent, I'm going to bet on the Bucs. Also, I think the Bucs can focus on stopping the Carolina running attack, and only have to worry about Steve Smith in the passing game.
What to watch for: Carnell Williams is a personal favorite of mine to cheer for. He's overcome injuries and other talent at the RB position to remain a key back in Tampa Bay. I look for him to help take a little pressure off of his young quarterback in his first road game of the year.
Eagles Over Lions
9 of 16
I know, I know, the Eagles laid an egg for most of their opener vs. the Packers. But I think Mike Vick will give the offense enough explosiveness to beat a young Lion's defense. Oh yeah, and there's that not having Matt Stafford and instead having Shaun Hill.
What to watch for: I'm curious to see if Andy Reid puts together a good gameplan to use with Vick. Also, the Eagles' new gunslinger is going to need to use his arm more often to take advantage of the speed they have at wide receiver.
Broncos Over Seahawks
10 of 16
I'm not close to being sold on this Seattle Seahawks team, and I am really not sold on this Josh McDaniels fellow. But the Broncos almost beat Jacksonville on the road, and I still think Kyle Orton is underrated. At the end of the day, this game is a toss up, as it's tough to tell what either team really has. We will learn a lot more after this one is done.
What to watch for: Kyle Orton has to prove to people that he is an NFL quarterback despite not having the NFL arm. Beating Seattle would help people believe
Raiders Over Rams
11 of 16
The Raiders are on the right path, and I think they're at the point where they are going to be a really great home team again. It will be important for them to stop Steven Jackson and prove to teams that they have a solid run defense. Sam Bradford gets a tough first road test having to go into the black hole.
What to watch for: I'm a fan of Darren McFadden, and I think we're finally seeing him reach his potential. He looked good against the Titans, and should be in for an even better game with the Rams coming to town.
Chargers Over Jaguars
12 of 16
Point: The Jaguars are awful on the west coast. Counterpoint: The Chargers play down to their competition early on in the year. Final Verdict: Losing to the Chiefs gives San Diego a wake up call, they win a close one, if Rivers and his offensive line are on "non-screaming" terms.
What to watch for: With Vincent Jackson sidelined with a strong case of "Greed/ inflated ego" syndrome, Gates has to be more than a red zone threat. He has to be the number 1 guy all over the field for the passing game
Texans Over Reskins
13 of 16
McNabb's not one hundred percent. I don't know if Washington can win without him at full ability. But on to the Texans. This game, believe it or not, is even more representative of the Texans than last week. Sure, anybody can get jacked up to beat their rival, and it's great for Houston that they did. But a loss sets the Texans way back and tells me that they're not "for real" yet. I think they're finally for real.
What to watch for: I think it's great that the Texans have Arian Foster to go to to win ball games. That doesn't mean they should become one-demensional. I am curious to see how the passing game looks on the road. It all starts with perennial Pro-Bowler Andre Johnson.
Colts Over Giants
14 of 16
Good teams rarely lose big games, and when they do, they bounce back the next week. The Colts will play well against a mistake-prone Giants team.
Things I'm wondering #1: What the pre-game conversation between Peyton and Eli is like before head to head match-ups.
Things I'm wondering #2: How long is it until the Colts start Bob Sanders inside a bubble to avoid injury, and he still goes down by halftime?
What to watch for: Not so much Joseph Addai, because we know what to expect from him from watching over the years, but the O-line needs to step up in improving the run game to help balance the offense. Taking that little bit of pressure off of Peyton will help the Colts win.
Pats Over Jets
15 of 16
Think of it like this: Is Bill Belichik's defense going to make things any easier for Mark Sanchez than the Ravens did? I doubt it. With Thomas Jones gone, we've seen Shonne Greene is, in fact, human. Until Santonio Holmes returns, the Jets won't move the ball.
What to watch for: I think Randy Moss will be a non-factor due to "Revis island". Look for Wes Welker to step up and show he's fully recovered from the ACL tear. The way the other Jets defensive backs played week 1, it could be another big game for Tom Brady and Welker.
Saints Over Niners
16 of 16
I will hold back my urge to make cruel jokes about the 49ers' struggles in week 1. I think the timing would be bad. Plus, I don't have enough time to get a good joke published anyways. Also, I doubt I could execute the joke well even if I got it in. Many have said I have a lot of potential to write jokes, but I would probably fall right on my face.
What to watch for: Reggie Bush. He's coming back to California after recently giving back his Heisman he won at USC. It will be interesting to see how he plays in a game where the Saints could really use his explosiveness against a physical defense
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