NFL Week 2 Preview

Week 2 Preview

Week 1 of the NFL season was filled with excitement and had plenty of near-upsets and last-minute scores. While there was some rust and sloppy play, which is expected in the opening week, the games as a whole were just as riveting as usual. As we look towards Week 2, it’s already a make-or-break week for several teams. There are playoff hopefuls that started out 0-1 facing off against each other (Chiefs-Bills, Saints-Panthers); a couple of match-ups that we could see again in January or beyond (Bears-Packers, Ravens-Eagles, Broncos-Falcons); and a couple of potential-upset games that could cause chaos in the standings early on (Cowboys-Seahawks, Jets-Steelers). Everywhere you look, there are interesting storylines, which should make for a great Week 2. Let’s take a look at what’s in store.

CHI vs GB (-5) - The Green Bay Packers, after being dominant all last year before running into Big Blue, is facing a potential dangerous start. They were stomped on by the 49ers at home last week physically, and they might be facing the same situation this week against the Bears. Chicago is tough and well-rounded, with a stifling defense and a new powerful offense. Green Bay, as San Francisco exposed last week, can only go as far as Aaron Rodgers can throw them. They have no running game and no defense (which Chicago has), and Greg Jennings could be out, which would affect the passing attack. The Chicago Bears have talent everywhere on the field, and although Rodgers is terrifying, we could see a similar situation to this past Sunday, when the 49ers controlled the pitch. I think that Chicago will win this game outright tonight, but in terms of the line, Chicago over Green Bay, 27-23. The Pack will be 0-2, but their schedule is extremely easy that they won’t have any problems making the playoffs.

TB vs NYG (-7) - Tampa played a good-enough game last week to beat the Carolina Panthers, and even though they were not fantastic, the bottom-line is they started 1-0 and are off to a good start under Greg Schiano. Unfortunately, in Week 2 they go up against the defending champs, who will be hungry after being embarrassed against the Cowboys on Opening Night. While the point spread is kind of big for me to be comfortable with it (-7), I still think that the Giants will be able to get themselves together. No way they start out 0-2. New York will win, and I think they will cover Tampa Bay 17, New York 27.

ARI vs NE (-13.5) - This preview will be short and sweet. Patriots win big. New England over Arizona, 34-17.

MIN vs IND (+1.5) - The Vikings are actually favored on the road, even following a dreadful season and an incredibly lucky win last week against the lowly Jags. It is a huge upset tot Andrew Luck in his first home start, and I think the Colts will come out strong and unrelenting. Indy pulls even at 1-1, 24-19.

NO vs CAR (+2.5) - Like with the last game, the road team is favored. This is an intriguing game for many reasons. After this game one of these teams will be 0-2, and it will be interesting to see which quarterback plays better, Brees or Newton. The Saints were simply outplayed at home last week by a rookie QB, and now they have to go on the road to a division rival. I don’t think they should be favored, and I don’t think they will win, either. New Orleans 23, Carolina 29.

KC vs BUF (-3) - This is a tough game for me, because I had each of these teams in the playoffs before the season started. However, both teams lost their first game, so after this contest, one of them will be 0-2 and is unlikely to make the playoffs. The Chiefs started out well against the Falcons but couldn’t keep their success moving, while Buffalo never had a chance from the start against the Jets. These teams each disappointed to start the season, but in this game, I have to take Buffalo at home to cover, to see what they are made of. Kansas City 16, Buffalo 20.

BAL vs PHI (-2.5) - Although both of these teams won their first game, they looked very different in the process. The Ravens looked great on Monday Night against the Bengals, while the Eagles were incredibly lucky to get out of Cleveland with a late win. If Philly struggled against the Browns, you can be damn sure they will have a hard time against the Ravens. Baltimore looks in midseason form while Philadelphia is still shaking off the rust. I’ll take Flacco and the no-huddle in this one. Baltimore 27, Philadelphia 20.

OAK vs MIA (+2.5) - This looks like an ugly match-up on paper, and that’s because it is. These offenses aren’t very good, and it should be a low-scoring game. The Raiders should be the better team this season, but there’s just something about West Coast teams traveling to the East Coast, especially one that is playing on a short week, and really especially one that is self-destructive like Oakland. That said...Dolphin power this week. Oakland 16, Miami 17.

CLE vs CIN (-6.5) - Another ugly match-up. Cleveland stinks. The Bengals don’t stink as much, which is why they will win this game. The line is six and a half points which is nice because Cincy only has to win by a touchdown. I think they cover at home and get their first win of the season. Cleveland 13, Cincinnati 20.

HOU vs JAC (+7) - Jacksonville stinks. Houston doesn’t. The Texans put a beat-down on Miami to begin the season, while the Jags snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, taking the lead with 20 seconds left and still managing to lose the game. This game is going to be in the double digits in terms of the Texans’ margin of victory. Houston 31, Jacksonville 17.

DAL vs SEA (+3) - I want to call an upset on this game so badly. I picked this as an upset game before the season. But given how each of these teams looked during their first game, it would be tough not to take the Cowboys in this one. That being said, I’m going to take the easy way out: Dallas wins, but the Seahawks get the points. Very close game, but Seattle is a tough place to play. Dallas 24, Seattle 23.

WAS vs STL (+3) - How about RGIII? He looked like a seasoned vet in his first game, in New Orleans no less. He’ll be on the road again against a very inferior opponent, and while I think this game will be closer than people think because of how the Rams played last week, I still think the Redskins cover and move to 2-0. First place in the NFC East early on! Washington 24, St. Louis 16.

NYJ vs PIT (-5.5) - This is another game that I had as an upset before the season, and one I’m inclined to keep that way. The Jets exploded in Week 1 with 48 points, while the Steelers fell short once again to the Broncos in the return of Peyton Manning. Even if the J-E-T-S don’t pull off a win, I still would take the points in this case; it is going to be a tight game. Whether or not the Jets win will depend on the health of Revis Island. If he plays, they win, and if he doesn’t, they lose. I’m assuming he’s out there. New York 22, Pittsburgh 19.

TEN vs SD (-6) - I picked both of these teams to finish 8-8 before the season started, and if I would make a change to that, it would be to drop the Titans down a little bit. They looked horrible in their opening game. I know it was against New England, but 4 rushing yards for Chris Johnson? Really? The Chargers are in the driver’s seat here at home, and they cover, and win by a touchdown. Tennessee 17, San Diego 24.

DET vs SF (-6.5) - The Lions made progress last year but struggled in Week 1 in a win. I don’t expect them to have the same luck against the dominating 49er defense on Sunday night. I think that San Fran will impose their will on this Detroit team and it won’t be close. In their home opener coming off a huge win, the 49ers will be ready to go, and I think they will be a force on the field that the Lions won’t be able to match up with. Big win for San Francisco, even if the score doesn’t indicate a huge blowout. Detroit 20, San Francisco 34.

DEN vs ATL (-3) - Finally, we have the Monday Night game, which is one that could be a track meet. Peyton and Matty Ice will face off in Atlanta, where the Falcons are stupendous, in Manning’s first road test since returning. They are favored by three, which is a relatively small margin when you think about how dynamic this offense is with Julio Jones and Roddy White on the outside. With these two offenses presumably running the no-huddle most of the night, whichever team gets to 40 points will win this thriller of a game. I’m taking Peyton and the Broncos to upset the Falcons with a late touchdown. Denver 41, Atlanta 35.

Those are my Week 2 predictions, and I will stand by them no matter what the outcomes are. The games start tonight, a showdown between two bitter division rivals, which is a fitting way to start the second week of the NFL season.