NFL Predictions Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers and 3 Teams That Will Bounce Back

The first week of the NFL season offered plenty of surprises. There were some surprising results, but it was the scores of some games that really caught the attention of people.

Teams that lost in the opening week know that they can't afford an 0-2 start. Even in a division without a great team, an 0-2 start just digs a pretty good hole that's often hard to get out of.

But not every Week 1 loser can avoid an 0-2 start. These ones can.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have some issues that need to be resolved if they are going to be taken seriously as a Super Bowl threat. Fortunately, the Seahawks aren't the team to expose them.

If Seattle doesn't significantly pick up their play from Week 1, they are going to have an awful season in the Pacific Northwest. Realize that they were playing the 49ers, who are hardly a Super Bowl threat.

Ben Roethlisberger will bounce back and have a good game. The Seattle offense is going to have a hard time moving the ball on Pittsburgh's defense, let alone scoring.

The 49ers' pass rush got plenty of pressure on Tarvaris Jackson. I can't imagine that James Harrison won't be good for a sack or two.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Seahawks 7

St. Louis Rams

The Rams had plenty of injuries in Week 1 vs. Philadelphia, but they don't even compare to what the Giants have gone through since Training Camp.

Hakeem Nicks may or may not play, but New York is still a shell of the team that went 10-6 a season ago.

After a tough opening-week loss, look for the Rams to come back strong on Monday Night Football. They have to be eager to show that they are a real playoff contender. Monday Night Football is always a good place to do that.

Sam Bradford will come back with a strong performance. The NFC West has its issues, but starting 0-2 is never what you want. If the Rams can't pull this one out, they will be in a pretty good hole to start the season.

Prediction: Rams 23, Giants 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

All four NFC South teams dropped their opener. Three of them lost to the NFC North, which went 3-1 in the opening week.

Who was the one that lost? The Minnesota Vikings.

Donovan McNabb had an abysmal first game. If he can't show more of a passing threat, the Buccaneers will focus all of their attention on Adrian Peterson. Peterson will still do okay, but not enough to win.

By all appearances, Josh Freeman is a star in the making. Even in Minnesota, Tampa Bay will come back strong in Week 2.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Vikings 17