NFL Predictions Week 2

Week 1 came and went, and it certainly had some interesting games.

We saw the Steelers, Falcons and Chiefs all get crushed. Not just beat, man-handled. They were all playoff teams.

We saw the Giants take one step closer to getting Tom Coughlin fired.

We saw Tony Romo once again give another game away.

And we saw the upset special of the week come true with the Detroit Lions starting out 1-0 and undefeated.

But most importantly, Week 1 was the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Before every game, teams honored the event, the victims and our country. You saw both teams lining up with military men and women holding our countries' flag that covered the entire field.

It really was a nice tribute, so kudos to the NFL.

Now, moving onto Week 2 predictions. Last week, I went 9-6 and left out the Green Bay-New Orleans game.

Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills

"Just win, baby." That's Al Davis' quote when it comes to his Raiders franchise.

Over the last eight years, people used to mock it, saying, "Just win one, baby," because they've been a sub-par team.

I think the losing for Oakland is over now.

On Monday night, they could have blown the lead to the Denver Broncos on the road. But they didn't, and they held on 23-20

Now, they once again go on the road to face a very surprising team from last week in the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills absolutely destroyed the Chiefs last week. I had picked Kansas City to do the same to Buffalo.

Yup, I got wrong. I will fully admit it, and to the Buffalo fans on here, I do apologize for not trusting your word.

However, I'm still not sold yet on Ryan Fitzpatrick yet.

Playing Oakland will be a test for him to see if last week was for real or a fluke.

Prediction: Raiders 27, Bills 21

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers

The Packers started out their 2011 season defending their championship in grand style last Thursday.

They played the Saints in the opening game of the 2011 season on NBC and their offense put on a show and just out-lasted New Orleans 42-34.

Aaron Rodgers continues to show everyone he is the real deal and could eventually become the best quarterback in the league. He certainly outplayed another league great in Drew Brees.

Now, his dynamic offense goes on the road to face a very surprising Panthers team.

In the off-season, we all wondered what Cam Newton had to offer. Was he going to be another JaMarcus Russell?

If his first game was any indication, not even close. 422 yards later, Newton opened everyone's eyes in Week 1 against the Cardinals.

Now, it gets a little harder for the rookie. The Packers defense is greatly superior to the one of Arizona.

For fantasy owners who took Newton or are starting him, be careful.

Prediction: Packers 35, Panthers 20

Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions

Uh-oh. The Lions are undefeated right now.

OK, it's only one win, but winning on the road against Tampa Bay is a great way to start out the season, especially holding off any potential rally in the fourth quarter.

Jim Schwartz has done a tremendous job with this team. And they're bound for more.

Now, they will open at home against a team that got their face kicked in last week.

The Chiefs were the AFC West champions last year. Last week against Buffalo, that was not even close to the team that won their division.

That looked more like the team Todd Haley coached his first year in 2009, the really bad team.

Matt Cassel wasn't sharp and they lost safety Eric Berry for the season with a torn ACL, a blow to the defense.

With the Lions overall improving and the Chiefs gradually not improving, I think the fans of Detroit will have lots to cheer about with their team going 2-0.

Prediction: Lions 24, Chiefs 10

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts

Here's my upset special of the week.

The Browns had the lead on the Bengals, but Cincinnati pulled off two fourth quarter touchdowns to steal one from Cleveland in Week 1.

Now, the Browns will go into Week 2 against a team that is in deep trouble with the Colts.

Kerry Collins looked as confused as someone could when it came to running Peyton Manning's offense. The Texans are good and very improved, but wow, without Manning, the Colts didn't have a prayer.

Now, onto Week 2 without Peyton, as he recovers from a second neck surgery.

Collins isn't the worst quarterback to ever play in the NFL, but last week, he certainly looked it.

And the Indianapolis defense was awful trying to stop the Texans. By the time the first half was over, the game was already decided.

I'm taking the Browns this week with the upset on the road, putting the Colts at 0-2.

Wait, nobody was expecting the Colts to make the playoffs this year, right?

Prediction: Browns 27, Colts 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings

OK, so that wasn't exactly the best way for Donovan McNabb to kick off his career with the Vikings.

He went 7-for-15 and 39 yards. I usually see that in high school games. But, McNabb was playing a Chargers team that is on the rebound after a disappointing 2010 year.

Now, the Vikings will come home to play their opener against a very feisty Buccaneers team.

Tampa got close last week against Detroit, but the came up short in the 27-20 loss.

The problem with Tampa was they didn't establish the running game, as their quarterback, Josh Freeman, lead the team in rushing yards with 26 yards.

Now they're going to be on the road against a veteran team and playing in a stadium that can get really loud.

I think Tampa again will keep it close, but I can't see McNabb having two terrible games in a row. I like the Vikings this week.

Prediction: Vikings 28, Buccaneers 24

Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints

The Saints were one yard away from having a chance to tie the game and sending it into overtime against the Packers.

Rookie Mark Ingram got stopped as time expired on the one-yard line and the Saints rally was thwarted.

Bad news for the offense was that Marques Colston will be out for up to four weeks with a broken collarbone.

But, the Saints offense should be OK. They're still a dynamic offense because Drew Brees doesn't rely just on Colston. He's got a variety of receivers to go down-field to.

Colston's injury will have Devrey Henderson, Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham's roles expanding in the Saints offense.

They will be playing their home opener against a Bears team that dominated the Falcons last week.

In this game, Brian Urlacher will be playing with a very heavy heart due to the tragic passing of his mother. Urlacher's status was unknown for the game, but he did return to practice on Thursday, so it looks like he'll play on Sunday.

Urlacher is the heart and soul of the defense, so who knows what kind of impact he will have.

Prediction: Saints 31, Bears 24

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets

Not too many people were expecting the Jets to rally down from 14 points.

But, Tony Romo's mistakes let the Jets right back into the game on Sunday night in the Jets 27-24 comeback victory.

The Jets showed they are a tough team mentally to go along with physically.

Plaxico Burress didn't get going until the very end of the third quarter with his first catch, but he did catch a very big touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter, so he's still got something left in the tank.

They get the Jaguars in Week 2.

Jacksonville just held off the Titans last week, but not by much.

With the Jets defense and the pressure they will bring, Luke McCown might be in for a long day on his back.

Prediction: Jets 28, Jaguars 10

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers

Last week, the Steelers looked like anything but a team that made the Super Bowl last year.

They went into Baltimore and from the beginning, just got their rear-ends kicked. It was 21-7 at halftime. In the second half, Pittsburgh didn't look like they bothered to show up, as it ended 34-7.

Now at 0-1, Pittsburgh comes home looking to rebound from that ugly display in Week 1.

They get a Seahawks team that got their faces rubbed in the dirt by the San Francisco 49ers.

Tarvaris Jackson still showed everyone why he is not an NFL starting quarterback, and I'm still surprised they haven't tried to get David Garrard off the free agent wire.

Seattle could still have a chance in 2011, but not with Jackson.

And I don't like their chances on the road either.

Pittsburgh should roll in this one.

Prediction: Steelers 28, Seahawks 6

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans

Honestly, I thought Baltimore would once again lose to the Steelers. But they didn't.

In fact, they destroyed Pittsburgh in their home opener.

Ray Rice looked sharp in the running game. Joe Flacco had a good game. And the Ravens defense took care of business.

They are in the drivers seats early of the AFC North division.

And they get the Titans in Week 2.

Tennessee was anything but impressive last week against Jacksonville.

Chris Johnson had a very disappointing game with nine carries for 24 yards, driving a lot of fantasy owners, like myself, absolutely crazy.

It will only get harder for Johnson in Week 2 with the stingy Ravens defense,

Prediction: Ravens 28, Titans 13

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins

The Cardinals had a fight on their hands in the desert from the Panthers and Cam Newton.

Their defense allowed Newton to have a breakout game, but were barely able to hold on 28-21.

Kevin Kolb's first game as the Arizona starter was a good one, throwing 18-for-27 and 309 yards and two touchdown passes.

Now, they will move on to Week 2 and face the Redskins, who are coming off a very impressive win against the Giants.

The Redskins could have easily laid down and let the Giants beat them, but they didn't. Every time the Giants scored, Washington answered it.

And in the second half, Washington took control of the game and put away a short-handed Giants team 28-14.

Rex Grossman actually had a very good game against a defense that when is healthy, is good.

Can he have another game like he did in Week 1?

My guess is, not likely. I think Arizona brings Grossman back to reality.

Prediction: Cardinals 21, Redskins 17

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers

The Cowboys should be 1-0 right now. Tony Romo's stupidity took care of that last Sunday night.

He knew Dez Bryant was gassed in the game and looked like he could barely run a route.

Yet, he still threw it in his direction, which got picked off by Darrelle Revis, which set up the game-winning field goal by Nick Folk and the Cowboys start out 0-1 now.

Romo, when isn't making dumb plays, can be one of the best in the league. But his mentality on the field has slowed him down in his career.

He needs a major rebound game against the 49ers, who came out swinging in their Week 1 win against the Seahawks.

Ted Ginn, Jr. returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown last week, prompting most fantasy owners to try and pick him up if not already taken.

I don't think Ginn will have that same type of luck he did against Seattle.

At home, I think San Francisco will keep it close, but in the end, I think Dallas gets on the winning track.

Prediction: Cowboys 31, 49ers 24

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos

The Broncos came very close to making a comeback and knocking off the Raiders on Monday night.

But, they fell a little short and start out 0-1.

Now, they'll have a chance at redemption when they square off against the Bengals.

Cincinnati looked like they would start out 0-1 in Cleveland.

Bruce Gradkowski ended up taking over for the Bengals and lead a fourth-quarter comeback to stun the Browns 27-17.

Can the Bengals pull off another road upset in Denver?

Highly unlikely, I think John Fox will have his guys ready to rebound at home.

Kyle Orton should have another decent game against the Bengals secondary.

Prediction: Broncos 34, Bengals 17

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins

Arian Foster was a late scratch from the game for the Texans against the Colts.

They didn't need Foster in the game as the Texans steam-rolled over the Colts 34-7.

The Texans finally have a chance to live up to their potential and be the team in the AFC South.

Getting some separation in Week 2 would definitely help their case.

The Dolphins put up some good offensive numbers against the Patriots on Monday night. The only problem was, they couldn't stop Tom Brady and company.

Brady threw for four touchdowns and over 500 yards on the Dolphins defense. Ouch.

I think Matt Schaub will attempt to double that performance.

Miami can't stop the pass, and Houston should take advantage of it.

Prediction: Texans 37, Dolphins 20

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots

Tom Brady was the 2010 NFL MVP a year ago.

Last week, he took his first step in trying to win the award again by having an amazing performance against Miami.

He went 32-for-48, four touchdown passes and 517 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker that sealed the Dolphins fate on Monday.

Brady looked good. Even without Randy Moss.

Now, they will come home to play the Chargers, a team that fought hard to come back against the Vikings 24-17.

San Diego was down 10 in the fourth quarter, but came back to win it at home.

On the road against the Patriots, if San Diego falls behind, I don't think they'll come back to beat Brady and the Patriots.

New England goes to 2-0 here.

Prediction: Patriots 28, Chargers 20

Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons

The Eagles had a fight on their hands from the Rams early on, as it was 17-10 in the first half.

Then, the Eagles pulled away and ended up winning 31-13.

Philadelphia has so much fire power on offense, it's down right scary.

On Sunday night, Michael Vick and company will return to the place where it all started for him in Atlanta.

I'm sure he will expect a very hateful response from the Falcons crowd as Vick went to prison for the dogfighting charges in 2007, which lead to Vick's departure from the Falcons.

Now with Philadelphia, Vick has rejuvenated his career.

The man that replaced Vick as the face of the franchise, Matt Ryan, had a rough start to 2011.

The Bears beat him down last Sunday and it won't be any easier for Ryan in Week 2.

I expect a ton of points scored in this one, but Vick is going to be playing with a purpose here, and I think Philly prevails in the end.

Prediction: Eagles 38, Falcons 31

Monday Night Football: St. Louis Rams at New York Giants

This is a must-win game for the Giants. Yes. In Week 2, it's a must win.

In Week 1, they got their butts kicked by the Redskins in a game they were favored to win.

Eli Manning is still looking for dependable receivers to go to in the offense aside from Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. (Yes, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss are extremely missed.)

The Giants can not start 0-2 and then play the Eagles in Week 3.

Their season will be over before it even began and they would be that much closer to getting Tom Coughlin fired in January.

It will be a homecoming for Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, as he was the defensive coordinator for the Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII in February of 2008.

Steven Jackson is out with an injury, and Sam Bradford is banged up, but expected to play.

I don't think the Rams will make it easy on the Giants early on. They will give them a fight on Monday night.

If both Hakeem Nicks and Justin Tuck are good to play on Monday, that only increases the Giants chances against the Rams.

I just can't see the Giants falling to 0-2.

Prediction: Giants 27, Rams 17