NFL Predictions Week 2: Picks for Every Game

It's Friday (I'll spare you the Rebecca Black reference) and with some of the matchups in the NFL coming up in two days, it looks like Week 2 could turn out to be one great day of football.

With each team carrying its own storyline into their game this week, there's much to prove for everyone early in the season. Here are predictions for each game on slate in the NFL this Sunday and Monday.

Oakland at Buffalo

In a shocking turn of events, both the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders enter Sunday with undefeated records on the line.

Buffalo destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs last week, who beat out the Raiders for the AFC West crown last year. Given the track record of the Bills, there's reason to believe their Week 1 performance could be a flash in the pan.

This game has the potential to be close until the end, with both offenses and defenses close in talent, but I'll take the silver and black to pull out the victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Kansas City at Detroit

I respect all that the Chiefs accomplished in 2010—as they were one of the biggest surprises of last season—but I believe in the Detroit Lions this year.

Matthew Stafford looked healthy and spectacular last Sunday, connecting with wide receiver Calvin Johnson on two touchdowns in that contest.

With safety Eric Berry out for the season in KC, their secondary lost one of its biggest weapons to slow down Megatron, and after its performance against the Bills and Stevie Johnson last week, I don't have too much confidence.

The Lions could be this year's Kansas City Chiefs and I'll take them to improve to 2-0 on their home turf.

Tennessee at Baltimore

The Tennessee Titans were almost victorious last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but don't expect their bout against the Baltimore Ravens to be close.

Maurice Jones-Drew was able to produce for the Jags last Sunday, and after the game Ray Rice had against the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, expect him to have an encore game against the Titans.

Baltimore will run away with this game (no pun intended). Enough said.

Cleveland at Indianapolis

Now, this game makes me a bit nervous. Cleveland couldn't beat Bruce Gradkowski and the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend, while the Indianapolis Colts might as well have not shown up.

Kerry Collins will eventually look competent behind center for the Colts, but it won't be this week. He's only been with his new team for a short number of weeks, whereas this Browns team has plenty of faces from its 2010 team suiting up.

Though not overly confident in the pick, I'll take the men with the orange helmets to beat the Peyton Manning-less Colts.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota

While the Minnesota Vikings put up a valiant effort last week against the San Diego Chargers, Donovan McNabb's failure to pass for more than 40 yards is a bit alarming.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter this bout with a 0-1 record as well, losing a thrilling game against the Detroit Lions, but they certainly looked better doing it than the men in purple.

If not for a Percy Harvin kick return for a touchdown, the Vikes game isn't close. while Josh Freeman and Mike Williams went punch for punch with Stafford and Megatron.

I'll take the Bucco's to down their NFC North opponent on the road this week.

Chicago at New Orleans

Fifteen years ago, this game would be one of the biggest snoozes on the schedule, but this year it's one of the most must-see games.

The Chicago Bears are coming off a big victory against one of the preseason NFC playoff favorites and now they'll take on the Super Bowl champions of two years ago, the New Orleans Saints.

Marques Colston won't be lining up for the Saints on Sunday, but Drew Brees is more than capable of finding other targets to make up for his absence.

Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Martz had an impressive debut, mixing a dose of Matt Forte on the ground with Jay Cutler distributing the ball around, Brees' style.

As shocked as I was to see the Bears manhandle the Atlanta Falcons last week, don't expect them to have the same amount of control against the Saints. New Orleans is my pick to pull out the win in this battle of NFC North and South.

Jacksonville at New York Jets

It may have taken a few mistakes for the New York Jets to pull out the win last week, but they should be able to put up a fair amount of points against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.

It seems obvious that the Jags are building for the future and as good as MoJo Drew looked in the season opener, don't expect him to have such a great performance against the formidable Jets rush defense.

I'll take the Jets big in this one.

Seattle at Pittsburgh

Remember when the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers duked it out in Superbowl XL? Boy, have these teams gone in opposite directions.

The Steelers have enjoyed nothing but success since meeting Seattle on that day in February, while the Seahawks have been battling to stay relevant ever since.

While both looked awful in Week 1, Pittsburgh's performance was a hiccup while Seattle could be in for a long season of mediocrity.

While the Seahawks may have pulled out quite the upset when they defeated the Saints in the playoffs last season, don't expect another upset this week.

The Steelers should right the ship this Sunday against their one-time Super Bowl opponent.

Arizona at Washington

The Washington Redskins looked mighty sharp last week against their NFC East rival New York Giants in one of the more surprising games last week Sunday.

The Arizona Cardinals gave Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton a rookie record for passing yards in a debut and could give Rex Grossman his second straight impressive outing.

Given the Giants defense is a little more than banged up at the moment, I'd still venture to say it's a more formidable unit than the Cardinals' squad.

Though I believer the Cardinals will put up a fight and Kevin Kolb could have himself a nice day against the Redskins secondary, I'm going with the 'Skins.

Green Bay at Carolina

Yes, Cam Newton and Steve Smith looked impressive against the Cardinals.

Yes, the Carolina Panthers are at home this Sunday.

No, they will not defeat the defending Super Bowl champions.

Dallas at San Francisco

If the Dallas Cowboys were able to air it out against the New York Jets' defensive squad, they shouldn't have a problem against the San Francisco 49ers' unit.

The Niners have a surprisingly stout run defense, so it might be another long day for Felix Jones, but Tony Romo is out to prove his worth as a quarterback after his mistakes against New York, so perhaps that won't be a huge problem.

Frank Gore is an animal and could certainly hurt the Dallas defense for big yards in this game, but I can't see the 49ers defense halting the Cowboys' aerial attack enough to keep this game close.

Cincinnati at Denver

The Denver Broncos were able to put up more than 300 yards through the air last Monday night and still found a way to lose against their rival, the Oakland Raiders.

Call me crazy, but I'll take the Bengals in this one.

Why, you ask?

The Bengals aren't the better team, but that didn't stop them from defeating the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. Denver is one of the best teams in the league at falling short of expectations recently, so why not add another disappointment to the list?

Houston at Miami

The Houston Texans straight up ran over the Colts in their first meeting of the season, even without Arian Foster running the ball. Chad Henne had one of the best performances of his career and still lost to the New England Patriots.

Don't get me wrong, this game has the potential to be a great matchup and could come down to the wire, but the firepower out of Houston was what I expect the Texans to do on a consistent basis this year, whereas I don't think the Dolphins can put together another epic performance on short rest.

San Diego at New England

New England is coming off one of its most impressive victories in recent memory, while the San Diego Chargers were barely able to knock off the Vikings.

I don't expect the Chargers to come out and play the way they did against the Vikes last week, but these two teams have always played each other tough historically.

The names have changed over the meetings between these two but there is still a hint of bad blood between these squads. It should prove to be an interesting game that I could see going either way, but I'll play it safe and pick the Pats.

Philadelphia at Atlanta

Michael Vick will return to his old city against the Falcons in Week 2 in what should turn out to be an interesting reaction from the crowd.

The Falcons are coming off a tough loss to the Bears in which they didn't look all that impressive, while the Eagles took care of business against the young St. Louis Rams.

The game is sure to be one of the most talked about, and the entire Atlanta organization would love to win against its former quarterback and write the final chapter in the Vick story.

Philly may be the better team talent-wise, but I think the dirty birds have more will to win this bout.

St. Louis at New York

After a disappointing and injury-ridden loss against Philadelphia last weekend, the Rams will be looking to make a case for the NFC West crown by handing the New York football Giants their second loss of the year.

The G-Men defense is a mess due to injuries, and though Danny Amendola is likely out for the year and Steven Jackson looks doubtful for Week 2, Cadillac Williams and Sam Bradford should be enough to put up points.

Eli Manning looked like he was still in preseason mode against the Redskins, and if he couldn't match wits with Washington's defense, he'll have trouble with the Rams' unit too.

I'm big on the Rams this season, and I believe St. Louis' No. 8 will put up similar numbers to what Washington's No. 8  put up last week.