NFL Picks Week 2: Predicting All of the NFL's Week 2 Games

Here are my Week 2 NFL picks, featuring games from all 32 NFL teams:

Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) at Detroit Lions (1-0)

The AFC West champions fell hard in their season opener. Their arrow is clearly pointed down early in the season. The Lions look like a team heading in the other direction. Detroit will attack in the passing game—where the Chiefs lost safety Eric Berry—and along the defensive line, which will make Matt Cassel's afternoon a long one.  

Prediction: Lions 27, Chiefs 13

Oakland Raiders (1-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-0)

This could quietly be one of the weekend's better games. Both the Raiders and Bills got off to 1-0 starts, and each fanbase feels an excitement around its franchise that hasn't existed is some time. The Raiders think they can push for the AFC West, and the Bills finally have a glimmer of hope following their 41-7 win. It's going to be close, but don't underestimate the West to East Coast travel for the Raiders and 1 p.m. EST start. That factor tilts the scale in favor of the Bills. 

Prediction: Bills 21, Raiders 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) at Minnesota Vikings (0-1)

I'm not entirely sure what to make of either team. The Buccaneers looked like an up-and-coming team last season when they won 10 games, but they appeared to lack the kind of team speed on offense to beat good football teams consistently. That's a definite issue. The Vikings were anemic in their passing game, but looked better than expected on defense. I think Donovan McNabb responds in Week 2, but it's not enough for the Vikings to avoid starting 0-2.

Prediction: Bucs 24, Vikings 20

Chicago Bears (1-0) at New Orleans Saints (0-1)

This should be one of the best games in Week 2. The Bears' Cover-2 defensive scheme is always fun to watch against an elite offense such as the Saints. But the real matchup is the Bears offense vs. Saints defense. In the past two games, New Orleans has given up seven touchdown passes. Unless it pressures Jay Cutler to death, he could do some big damage. Still, I like the Saints at home after 10 days of preparation. 

Prediction: Saints 28, Bears 24

Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-1)

No team was more impressive than the Ravens in Week 1. You can't crown a team after just 60 minutes, but Baltimore looks like a real Super Bowl contender. The Titans were disappointing in their opener, as Chris Johnson had just 24 yards on nine carries. He'll see the ball more Sunday, but it won't be enough to beat a superior team in the Ravens. 

Prediction: Ravens 30, Titans 16

Cleveland Browns (0-1) at Indianapolis Colts (1-0)

Is there more pressure on a team in Week 2 than the Colts? They limp home after getting beat up in Houston without Peyton Manning. If they put out a similar product in Indianapolis, the Browns will send the Colts to 0-2. I think that's exactly what happens. Peyton Hillis runs through, around and over the Colts' soft run defense, and the Browns steal one at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Prediction: Browns 20, Colts 17

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at New York Jets (1-0)

The Jets didn't deserve to win their opener on Sunday night, but a win is a win. They shouldn't have a problem with the Jaguars this weekend, as quarterback Luke McCown against the Jets defense isn't a matchup that favors Jacksonville. It's hard to see the Jags scoring enough points to stick around in this one.  

Prediction: Jets 23, Jaguars 7

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

Looking for a blowout in Week 2? Here's your game. The Steelers aren't happy about their performance against the Ravens, and the Seahawks are going to take the brunt of that anger. Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will turn it over a number of times, and the Steelers offense turn those takeaways into easy points. Pittsburgh evens their record with a big win. 

Prediction: Steelers 38, Seahawks 10

Arizona Cardinals (1-0) at Washington Redskins (1-0)

Who would have thought this game could be a quarterback duel after what each team had their roster to end last season? Rex Grossman and Kevin Kolb give this game some offensive punch. Overall, you have to be impressed with how the Redskins defense played in Week 1 against the Giants. That gives them a big advantage over the Cardinals, who were shredded by rookie Cam Newton.

Prediction: Redskins 27, Cardinals 17

Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-1)

The story of this game will also be the quarterbacks, and rightfully so. Cam Newton was electric in his NFL debut, and there will plenty of eyes on him Sunday to see if he can continue that start against an elite NFL defense such as that of the Packers. Aaron Rodgers picked up right where he left off last season in the Packers' Week 1 win. Newton will give some exciting plays, but Rodgers will carve that defense. 

Prediction: Packers 38, Panthers 17

Dallas Cowboys (0-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-0)

Remember back when this used to be a marquee game? It's lost a bit of its luster since the 1990s. Still, this game is important for both clubs. The Cowboys need to even their record before any hopes of staying in the NFC East race are lost. The 49ers, who haven't been to the playoffs since 2002, are looking to win the NFC West. For as much heat as quarterback Tony Romo took this week, he's the difference in Week 2.  

Prediction: Cowboys 21, 49ers 16

San Diego Chargers (1-0) at New England Patriots (1-0)

There could be some fireworks in Foxborough Sunday. Both the Chargers and Patriots feature explosive offenses, but New England looked downright unstoppable in Week 1. San Diego is still ironing out some kinks. In the end, I don't think the Chargers get enough pressure on Tom Brady to win going away.

Prediction: Patriots 34, Chargers 24

Houston Texans (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)

How does a defense recover from giving up 517 yards passing in one game? The Dolphins need to find that answer by Sunday, when Matt Schaub and the Texans stroll into Miami. He has the tools in that offense to put another hurting on the Dolphins. I think they'll look better, especially if Cameron Wake can create some pressure, but the Texans are the better team early on. 

Prediction: Texans 31, Dolphins 20

Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) at Denver Broncos (0-1)

This game might be one of the snoozers of the weekend. There isn't much star power in this game, unless you count the Broncos' third-string quarterback. Will fans continue to pepper the Broncos with boos and chants for Tim Tebow if the team struggles again? I think the Bengals defense is the X-factor in this game. Kyle Orton can't avoid the boos for the second straight week.  

Prediction: Bengals 17, Broncos 13

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-1)

Despite the Falcons' Week 1 loss to the Bears, this game on paper looks like the best of the weekend. There are storylines galore with Michael Vick coming home to Atlanta. Matt Ryan has played well there, but I think Vick still has the hearts of a lot of people in that city. He'll play well in front of the fans that used to love him unconditionally, all the while putting his former team in an 0-2 hole.

Prediction: Eagles 34, Falcons 28

St. Louis Rams (0-1) at New York Giants (0-1)

The storyline of this game will undoubtedly be the injuries for both sides. The Rams are hurting on offense, with Sam Bradford, Jason Smith, Danny Amendola and Steven Jackson all suffering Week 1 injuries. The latter two won't play. The Giants are beat up on defense, with Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Terrell Thomas and Prince Amukamara all hurt. Receiver Hakeem Nicks might not play. Still, I like the Giants to win at home. 

Prediction: Giants 23, Rams 17