Week 2 Picks
Don't panic just yet.
It's only Week 2, the season isn't over even if it seems like it already. I'm talking to you Bengals, Texans, and Seahawks fans.
Teams are still getting into football shape and if you team is still playing poorly after Week 4, then we have a problem. One game doesn't define the rest of the season. So, as Aaron Rodgers would say, "Relax." Week 2 picks are next.
Week 2 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
CINCINNATI over Houston (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL): Both of teams should be thankful they start the season off with two games in five days as neither team played its best football this past Sunday. The Bengals failed to score a point in a 20-0 loss at home to the Ravens in which QB Andy Dalton threw 4 INT. Houston lost at home to Jacksonville, 29-7, gave up 10 sacks, and benched QB Tom Savage in the second half for rookie Deshaun Watson. Both teams have major issues on the offensive line and there could be a lot of sacks in this game. I'm going with the Bengals here because, number one, the home team usually seems to do better on these Thursday night games. Number two, I don't see Andy Dalton playing that poorly two weeks in a row. Bengals in a close one. Color rush jersey's will make their season debut on Thursday as well.
PITTSBURGH over Minnesota (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Vikings offense looked real good on Monday night against the Saints. QB Sam Bradford played one of his best games as a pro throwing for 346-yards and 3 TD. The Steelers have a much better defense though and I think they'll get enough stops to defeat the Vikings.
BALTIMORE over Cleveland (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I really want to take the Browns here. I seriously considered taking them in this one. Baltimore looked awful last week, if Andy Dalton hadn't thrown 4 INT the Ravens probably don't win that game. The Browns gave the Steelers a competitive game for an entire 60 minutes and QB DeShone Kizer played alright for a rookie in his first NFL game. Until the Browns win a game though, I'm going to be hesitant in picking them.
TAMPA BAY over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): The Bears looked better than I thought last week against the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons and they should be competitive again on Sunday. Hard to know what to expect from the Buccaneers as they were off last week due to Hurricane Irma. A lot of people like the Buccaneers this year with QB Jameis Winston continuing to improve and I think they'll be in the playoff picture in December. With this being the Bucs home opener and I'm sure they're eager to play in front of their fans after the Hurricane last week, I think they'll get the win.
CAROLINA over Buffalo (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Not the most impressive win for the Panthers last week against the 49ers, but Carolina defense played well and if they play well like they did two years ago, the Panthers are going to be a tough team to beat. They'll have to stop the Bills rushing attack if they're to win on Sunday as Buffalo put up 190-yards on the ground with RB LeSean McCoy leading the way with 110-yards. I like Carolina to win their home opener.
Arizona over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Carson Palmer was awful last week in Detroit, but Scott Tolzien was worse, throwing 2 INT and being benched for newly acquired Jacoby Brissett. The Colts may be one of the worst teams in the NFL without Andrew Luck and I think they continue to struggle without him.
Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): It's easy to get excited if you're a Jaguars fan. Your team recorded 10 sacks last week and dominated the Texans, who most think is a playoff team. However, QB Blake Bortles was just 11 of 21 for 125-yards. Nothing to be excited about there. Jacksonville may be better than we all thought, but if Bortles continues to put up those kind of numbers, the Jaguars won't win many games. Tennessee will rebound from its close loss to Oakland with a win against the division rival Jaguars.
KANSAS CITY over Philadelphia (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): How do you not take the Chiefs here? They beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in New England on the night they unveiled their fifth Super Bowl banner and looked good doing it. Rookie RB Kareem Hunt may be in for a special rookie season as he dominated the Patriots defense. I'm taking Kansas City.
New England over NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I'd be shocked if the Patriots start the season 0-2. I know everyone in New England probably thinks the world is going to end with the Patriots losing on Opening Night, but they're still a good team. The starters rarely play in the preseason and the first couple weeks guys are still getting used to playing together and are knocking the rust off. Tom Brady and the Patriots will play well in New Orleans and get the win. The most interesting thing to watch here is how many carries RB Adrian Peterson will get. AP carried the ball just six times on Monday night for 18-yards. He doesn't look like he fits in that New Orleans offense, which begs the question, how much longer will he remain on the Saints?
OAKLAND over N.Y. Jets (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Raiders looked good last week and they'll win their home opener against the dreadful Jets.
L.A. CHARGERS over Miami (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Like I said earlier about the Buccaneers, hard to know what to expect from the Dolphins. With them having a long road trip out to L.A. and the Chargers almost having beaten the Broncos on Monday night, I'm going with San Diego...I mean Los Angeles. Still not use to saying/typing Los Angeles Chargers.
Dallas over DENVER (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): I thought the Cowboys moved the ball effectively against the Giants on Sunday night, but they only put it in the end zone one time. If the can score touchdowns instead of field goals, they'll have the same type of success they has last season. Denver just squeaked by the Chargers last week and I think the Dallas defense will stop QB Trevor Siemian and the Broncos offense to get the win.
L.A. RAMS over Washington (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): I know it was against the Colts, who didn't have Andrew Luck, but anytime you beat another NFL team 46-9, that's impressive. They are at home again this week as the Redskins come to L.A. after having given up 356-yards of offense and committing four turnovers in last week's loss to the Eagles. I think the Rams will keep the momentum going and get another win.
SEATTLE over San Francisco (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): No surprise that the Seattle defense played Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense well, but their offense could do nothing against the Green Bay defense. The Seahawks offense line looked overmatched and constantly lost the battle at the line of scrimmage. They'll have the 12th Man behind them this weekend and they'll beat the 49ers, but that offensive line is cause for concern the rest of the season.
Green Bay over ATLANTA (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): This wasn't even a game in last season's NFC Championship game with the Falcons putting up 31 unanswered points eventually winning 44-21. Sunday's game should be a lot closer as the Packers defense looked a lot better last week against the Seahawks. I think Aaron Rodgers will have the Packers offense rolling and they'll win a close, entertaining game in Atlanta on Sunday night.
Detroit over N.Y. GIANTS (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): I was so unimpressed by the Giants performance Sunday night against the Cowboys that I'm taking the Lions here. I think New York has the better team, but their offense looked awful last week. The Giants defense was on the field for almost the entire first half and they held the Cowboys to just 19 points after being on the field for 71 plays. If the Giants defense plays well again, the Giants can win this game, but I see another fourth quarter comeback from Lions QB Matthew Stafford.
Last Week: 11-4
Overall: 11-4 (.733)
It's only Week 2, the season isn't over even if it seems like it already. I'm talking to you Bengals, Texans, and Seahawks fans.
Teams are still getting into football shape and if you team is still playing poorly after Week 4, then we have a problem. One game doesn't define the rest of the season. So, as Aaron Rodgers would say, "Relax." Week 2 picks are next.
Week 2 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
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| Color rush jersey's return for their second season on Thursday night. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports) |
PITTSBURGH over Minnesota (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Vikings offense looked real good on Monday night against the Saints. QB Sam Bradford played one of his best games as a pro throwing for 346-yards and 3 TD. The Steelers have a much better defense though and I think they'll get enough stops to defeat the Vikings.
BALTIMORE over Cleveland (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I really want to take the Browns here. I seriously considered taking them in this one. Baltimore looked awful last week, if Andy Dalton hadn't thrown 4 INT the Ravens probably don't win that game. The Browns gave the Steelers a competitive game for an entire 60 minutes and QB DeShone Kizer played alright for a rookie in his first NFL game. Until the Browns win a game though, I'm going to be hesitant in picking them.
TAMPA BAY over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): The Bears looked better than I thought last week against the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons and they should be competitive again on Sunday. Hard to know what to expect from the Buccaneers as they were off last week due to Hurricane Irma. A lot of people like the Buccaneers this year with QB Jameis Winston continuing to improve and I think they'll be in the playoff picture in December. With this being the Bucs home opener and I'm sure they're eager to play in front of their fans after the Hurricane last week, I think they'll get the win.
CAROLINA over Buffalo (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Not the most impressive win for the Panthers last week against the 49ers, but Carolina defense played well and if they play well like they did two years ago, the Panthers are going to be a tough team to beat. They'll have to stop the Bills rushing attack if they're to win on Sunday as Buffalo put up 190-yards on the ground with RB LeSean McCoy leading the way with 110-yards. I like Carolina to win their home opener.
Arizona over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Carson Palmer was awful last week in Detroit, but Scott Tolzien was worse, throwing 2 INT and being benched for newly acquired Jacoby Brissett. The Colts may be one of the worst teams in the NFL without Andrew Luck and I think they continue to struggle without him.
Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): It's easy to get excited if you're a Jaguars fan. Your team recorded 10 sacks last week and dominated the Texans, who most think is a playoff team. However, QB Blake Bortles was just 11 of 21 for 125-yards. Nothing to be excited about there. Jacksonville may be better than we all thought, but if Bortles continues to put up those kind of numbers, the Jaguars won't win many games. Tennessee will rebound from its close loss to Oakland with a win against the division rival Jaguars.
KANSAS CITY over Philadelphia (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): How do you not take the Chiefs here? They beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in New England on the night they unveiled their fifth Super Bowl banner and looked good doing it. Rookie RB Kareem Hunt may be in for a special rookie season as he dominated the Patriots defense. I'm taking Kansas City.
New England over NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I'd be shocked if the Patriots start the season 0-2. I know everyone in New England probably thinks the world is going to end with the Patriots losing on Opening Night, but they're still a good team. The starters rarely play in the preseason and the first couple weeks guys are still getting used to playing together and are knocking the rust off. Tom Brady and the Patriots will play well in New Orleans and get the win. The most interesting thing to watch here is how many carries RB Adrian Peterson will get. AP carried the ball just six times on Monday night for 18-yards. He doesn't look like he fits in that New Orleans offense, which begs the question, how much longer will he remain on the Saints?
OAKLAND over N.Y. Jets (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Raiders looked good last week and they'll win their home opener against the dreadful Jets.
L.A. CHARGERS over Miami (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Like I said earlier about the Buccaneers, hard to know what to expect from the Dolphins. With them having a long road trip out to L.A. and the Chargers almost having beaten the Broncos on Monday night, I'm going with San Diego...I mean Los Angeles. Still not use to saying/typing Los Angeles Chargers.
Dallas over DENVER (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): I thought the Cowboys moved the ball effectively against the Giants on Sunday night, but they only put it in the end zone one time. If the can score touchdowns instead of field goals, they'll have the same type of success they has last season. Denver just squeaked by the Chargers last week and I think the Dallas defense will stop QB Trevor Siemian and the Broncos offense to get the win.
L.A. RAMS over Washington (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): I know it was against the Colts, who didn't have Andrew Luck, but anytime you beat another NFL team 46-9, that's impressive. They are at home again this week as the Redskins come to L.A. after having given up 356-yards of offense and committing four turnovers in last week's loss to the Eagles. I think the Rams will keep the momentum going and get another win.
SEATTLE over San Francisco (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): No surprise that the Seattle defense played Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense well, but their offense could do nothing against the Green Bay defense. The Seahawks offense line looked overmatched and constantly lost the battle at the line of scrimmage. They'll have the 12th Man behind them this weekend and they'll beat the 49ers, but that offensive line is cause for concern the rest of the season.
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| The Packers had no answer for WR Julio Jones and the Falcons in last season's NFC Championship game. (Rob Carr/Getty Images) |
Detroit over N.Y. GIANTS (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): I was so unimpressed by the Giants performance Sunday night against the Cowboys that I'm taking the Lions here. I think New York has the better team, but their offense looked awful last week. The Giants defense was on the field for almost the entire first half and they held the Cowboys to just 19 points after being on the field for 71 plays. If the Giants defense plays well again, the Giants can win this game, but I see another fourth quarter comeback from Lions QB Matthew Stafford.
Last Week: 11-4
Overall: 11-4 (.733)
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