Week two is upon us and there are already some key games on the docket. Here are my thoughts on each game and a predicted winner.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers: We already know that is one of the fiercest rivalries in all of football. Lets get down to who wins it. I like Pittsburgh. I don’t think Cincy’s secondary can cover Antonio Brown no matter who they match on him. Both teams will play well offensively and I think this will end up a shootout but I like Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Steelers 35 Bengals 31
Tennessee Titans (0-1) at Detroit Lions (1-0): The Lions proved last week that offensively, they can play with anyone. Defense however is another story. Tennessee is too one-dimensional offensively to hang with a high scoring offense like Detroit. Look for the sons of Jim Bob Cooter to put up 30 plus this week. I like the Lions big in this one.
Prediction: Lions 31 Titans 17
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-1): I appreciate Hue Jackson’s enthusiasm and positive attitude regarding winning championships in Cleveland but the reality is, the Browns are a long way away from winning a Super Bowl. As far as this weekend is concerned, I think the Ravens will waltz into Cleveland and take care of business. B-More has their swagger back, especially on defense.
Prediction: Ravens 28 Browns 17
Dallas Cowboys (0-1) at Washington Redskins (0-1): Remember when this rivalry mattered? Yeah…. not anymore. Neither team is a Super Bowl contender right now so this rivalry just doesn’t have the hatred and passion it used to. All that aside, both teams are 0-1 and desperate. It’s easy to take the Skins at home but I am going the other way on this one. I’m going with Dak Prescott and the Boys. The rookie quarterback is playing well and the Dallas defense is surprisingly good. I like Dallas in this one.
Prediction: Cowboys 20 Redskins 17
New Orleans Saints (0-1) at New York Giants (1-0): The New Oreleans Saints score a lot of points and they give up a lot of points. They will be in a lot of high scoring games this season. These two teams played in the highest scoring game of 2015 with the Saints winning 52-49. Expect a similar score this season. I know the Giants defense is much improve but the Saints will slap a 30 spot on them. I’ll pick the NYG to win.
Prediction: Giants 38 Saints 35
San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-1): All of a sudden, this game has the potential to be competitive. The Niners were impressive on Monday night in whacking the Rams 28-0 but that was the Rams. They are one dimensional on offense. The Panthers present a greater challenge and they are licking their chops to get back on the winning track after losing to the Broncos in week one. I am going with Cam and the Cats in this one. They are at home and they need a win. The 49ers appear to be better than we thought but they are not good enough to win this game.
Prediction: Panthers 31 49ers 17
Miami Dolphins (0-1) at New England Patriots (1-0): The Dolphins are better as evident by their 12-10 loss at Seattle last weekend. That being said, I don’t think they are better than the Patriots. Even with Brady out and Gronk possibly out, New England is the better. I think this game will be tight but the cream will rise and the Patriots will win.
Prediction: Patriots 30 Dolphins 21
Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) at Houston Texans (1-0): Its a rematch of last year’s Wild Card round match up that saw the Chiefs steamroll the Texans. Houston will have revenge on its mind but Billy O and company need to be careful that they don’t get so hyped up that they lose sight of what’s ahead next Thursday night. The New England Patriots. They’ll need to save some juice for that one. I like Houston in this game. They are better at quarterback and running back and that’ll be the difference in this game.
Prediction: Texans 24 Chiefs 20
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at Los Angeles Rams (0-1): The rams beat the Seahawks twice last season but after last week’s debacle in San Francisco, I have a hard time believing that the Rams can win this game. Then again, Russ Wilson is banged up and the Seahawks didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard last week. This will be a close game but I like the Sea Birds to steal it.
Prediction: Seahawks 21 Rams 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Arizona Cardinals (0-1): I bet the Cardinals didn’t think they would be 0-1 right now but they are. The Red Birds better get over last week’s loss because the much improved Tampa Bay Bucs come to town and they are more than good enough to hand the Cardinals a second straight loss. I smell shootout. Jameis Winston is a franchise quarterback and poised to put big numbers. I think he will in this one but it won’t be enough.
Prediction: Cardinals 31 Bucs 21
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) at San Diego Chargers (0-1): Both the Jags and the Bolts lost tough games in week one. San Diego lost more than just a game, they lost wide receiver Keenan Allen for the season with a torn ACL. The focus will now shift to future Hall of Faner Antonio Gates and free agent acquisition Travis Benjamin as the Chargers try to figure out who will be their primary receiver. As for the Jags, they played well offensively last week but the revamped defense let them down. Look for more of the same this weekend. I don’t think either defense will play well so look for a high scoring affair. I’m going with the Jags in this one. They don’t win on the road often but I think they’ll win this one.
Prediction: Jaguars 31 Chargers 28
Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Oakland Raiders (1-0): The Raiders come from behind win over the Saints last week will serve as a springboard for them and give them confidence that they can beat teams like the Saints and the Falcons this week. I think this will be another high scoring affair. Atlanta can score points but they couldn’t stop me and 10 of my best friends. Their defense is a disaster. I like the Silver and Black in what could be an interesting game.
Prediction: Raiders 28 Falcons 24
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) at Denver Broncos (1-0): The Colts need to bounce back after last week’s tough loss to the Lions at home.They don’t have too much time to feel sorry for themselves as they visit Mile High Stadium to battle the defending champion Broncos. Denver proved last week that they still have the championship mettle necessary to win games despite starting Trevor Siemien at quarterback. Siemien will need to play better this week and I think he will. The Colts aren’t nearly as good as good as Carolina defensively. Siemien will get more time in the pocket to make plays and he will. I’m taking the Broncos in this game. I just don’t see how the Colts win this game.
Prediction: Broncos 28 Colts 21
Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-0): The Vikings host the Packers in the first regular season game at U.S Bank Stadium. Both teams are 1-0 heading into this early season showdown. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said that he won’t name a starting quarterback until Sunday but the cat is out of the bag. Sam Bradford is starting. Bradford appears to be all caught up regarding the playbook and he’s ready to lead the Vikings to a win over the Packers. It won’t be easy. Green Bsy has its mojo back offensively but the defense is still an issue for the Packers. That’s why I like Minnesota in this game. They’ll pound the ball with AP and Bradford will take advantage of one on one match ups on the outside.
Prediction: Vikings 27 Packers 24
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Chicago Bears (0-1): The Eagles looked impressive in their 29-10 win over the Browns. That was the Browns. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz will find that life isn’t so easy when facing a Vic Fangio coordinated defense. The Bears defense will be much tougher test. That being said, I still like the Eagles in this game. I think they’ll find a way to win what should be a defensive struggle.
Prediction: Eagles 17 Bears 14