With 84% right last week I’m off to a roaring start. Here’s what I see in store for NFL Week 2.
It’s always great to get off to a sizzling start, especially in Week One, where the true character of all 32 teams is not fully known. I managed to go 13-2-1 (.843) to open the season, no thanks to Chicago, Jets, and the Detroit-Arizona tie, which counts for a half-win in the percentage.
(NOTE: All games will be played on Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted.)
Carolina 33, Tampa Bay 13 (Thursday night): Even though the Panthers lost at home last week, they put up a game effort against the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams. They shouldn’t have trouble subduing the perennially-underachieving Buccaneers.
Baltimore 30, Arizona 10: The Ravens’ home opener comes against the smallish rookie quarterback Kyler Murray. Despite his talents, Baltimore has lost only twice at home in team history to a first-year signal-caller (Mitch Trubisky, Jake Plummer). And I don’t think Terrell Suggs can rally his downtrodden teammates to beat his former team.
Pittsburgh 23, Seattle 10: Pittsburgh performed poorly in its opener at New England. But, then again, it was New England. Seattle barely escaped with a one-point win over Cincinnati. In a tight one like this, I can’t pick a West Coast team traveling east for a 1 p.m. (ET) game.
Cincinnati 30, San Francisco 20: The Bengals’ fan base will be reminded of losses to the ‘Niners in Super Bowls 16 and 23. Fortunately for the hosts, neither Joe Montana nor Jerry Rice is walking through the door this time. The Bengals did surprisingly well in nearly winning at Seattle. I’m playing a hunch and going with Cincy.
Dallas 37, Washington 13: It’s a great rivalry, the league’s second-best behind Green Bay and Chicago. But it has been one-sided of late (Cowboys are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings). The Cowboys are a playoff-caliber team, while the Redskins are perpetually trying to figure things out. The Redskins are home, but that won’t matter.
Los Angeles Chargers 26, Detroit 13: Detroit tends to surprise better teams at home. I don’t see that happening this week. On top of that, the Lions had an 18-point lead on the sorry Cardinals in Week One, only to see it slip away.
Green Bay 27, Minnesota 16: The scheduling computer at NFL headquarters did the Packers no favors, giving them two tough division games to open the season. Green Bay came through big-time on the road in Chicago, and now they’re back at Lambeau Field to face the erratic Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. Pack in this one.
Houston 31, Jacksonville 17: The Texans inherited the role of AFC South Division favorites when Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck retired. Houston now plays its home opener against a Jaguar squad devoid of poise, consistency, and quarterback Nick Foles (collarbone).
New England 40, Miami 10: Ready for a shock? The Dolphins have won five of the last six times they’ve hosted the Patriots. But I don’t think there’s any way it can happen this year. New England is pointed towards another Super Bowl. The Dolphins are looking for the first overall draft pick.
Buffalo 20, New York Giants 9: This isn’t a Super Bowl 25 rematch, but this time the Bills will prevail. The Giants will be facing a defense that looks like their unit of 29 years ago.
Tennessee 24, Indianapolis 20: Just as I expected – and many others didn’t – the Titans’ underrated defense went on the road and waxed the overrated Browns in Cleveland. Now, Tennessee is back home against a Colts team that was also on the road for starters but fell in overtime to the Chargers. Should be a good battle. I’m going with the Titans.
New Orleans 30, Los Angeles Rams 27: The scheduling formula puts this game in Los Angeles, but it would be better if it were played in New Orleans–in front of the frothy-mouthed, revenge-seeking Saints fans. But in the end, it won’t matter: New Orleans should be able to go on the road on a short week and get some measure of payback for the blown non-call that kept them out of the Super Bowl.
Kansas City 37, Oakland 20: Many years ago, this was one of the league’s great archrivalries. But with the Raiders having fallen from grace, it’s far from that now. The Chiefs got off on the right foot last week–winning on the road against a good Jacksonville defense. Oakland came through for me on Monday night, but this team won’t be able to do that against the Chiefs.
Chicago 22, Denver 15: I’ve often pointed out how tough it is to play Denver at home in front of their fervent fans. But this is a must-win for the Bears. Mitch Trubisky is undoubtedly not the best quarterback in the league, but he’s beaten Joe Flacco head-to-head before.
Philadelphia 26, Atlanta 19 (Sunday night): The Eagles showed plenty of comeback moxie at home against Washington last week, while the Falcons fell meekly at Minnesota. Philadelphia is a contender again, although I feel they won’t win the NFC East. They are good enough to go on the road and get a comfortable win here.
New York Jets 27, Cleveland 24 (Monday night): The Browns’ season turned around last year during a national-TV prime-time game against the Jets. Baker Mayfield relieved an injured Tyrod Taylor and led his team to a win. But that game was at home, and this one is in New Jersey. The Jets are eager to make a statement.
