Saturday, September 15, 2018

BLOG: NFL Week 2 Predictions

Week two of the 2018 NFL season is already here. We've already had one game this week with the Bengals moving to 2-0 with a 34-23 win over the Ravens Thursday night, but here's my picks for Sunday's games this week. 

Carolina Panthers (1-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-1) 
Carolina picked up a 16-8 win over Dallas in the opening week, but don't expect the same outcome this week. Everyone in this game seems to lining up in favor of a Falcons victory. Atlanta's playing at home in the comfort of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and is coming off a crushing defeat on opening night to the defending champions, while the injury bug has already hit Carolina in the just the second week. 

Pick: Atlanta 24, Carolina 17

Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (0-1)
As a team, the Bills only have 98 passing yards and 83 rushing yards - yes you read that correctly Buffalo receivers have amassed only 98 total yards, while Bills backs have accumulative 83 total yards on the ground. It's probably safe to assume there won't be much production from the Buffalo offense, while the Bills defense is going to have their hands full containing Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense. 

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers 41, Baffalo 13

Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Green Pay Packers (1-0)
The Vikings and Packers renew the rivalry this week. In the 116th meeting, Green Bay is favored by a slim margin (1.0) only because of Aaron Rodgers returning to game in the third quarter after being carted off earlier and leading the Packers to the 24-23 win over the Bears. The Packers have the momentum coming into this game and they have home field on their side. Easy pick. 

Pick: Green Bay 28, Minnesota 24

Houston Texans (0-1) at Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Coming off an opening day loss to the Patriots, the Texans are one of three road teams playing on Sunday to be favored. Houston took advantage of New England miscues last week and made a valient comeback attempt so it's safe to assume they will win this game handedly. 

Pick: Houston 27, Tennessee 17

Cleveland Browns (0-0-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-1) 
Only the Cleveland Browns would open the season with the tie like they did last week against Pittsburgh. It appeared as though 2018 was going to be a different season for the woeful Browns, coming back to score 14 points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 21, but the clock struck midnight and the Browns turned back Brownies. In the words of former Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green "the [Brown] are who we thought they were." 

Pick: New Orleans 32, Cleveland 13

Miami Dolphins (0-1) at New York Jets (1-0) 
Two teams that are battling for second place in the AFC East. The New York J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS blew out the Matt Patricia's Detroit Lions last week, but can rookie quarterback Sam Darnold really complete 16 of 21 passes for 198 with two touchdown for the second straight week, especially against a division opponent? I don't think so. Dolphins with in the close win in the Meadowlands. 

Pick: Miami 24, New York 21

Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) at Pittsburg Steelers (0-0-1)
Pittsburgh is coming off a humbling experience in Cleveland, tying the Brownies last week. Despite being listed as questionable Pittsburgh's injury report with a right elbow injury, Big Ben is going to play and he will have the Steelers offense clicking in their first game at Heinz Field in 2018. 

Pick: Pittsburgh 27, Kansas City 20

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) 
This game is interesting. Philadelphia is favored, but with Darren Sproles out this week with a hamstring injury, Corey Clement is going to see more action in the Eagles backfield. Nick Foles is also going to have to play better than he did against the Falcons in week one if the Eagles expect to pull out a victory. 

Pick: Tampa Bay 24, Philadelphia 17

Indianapolis Colts (0-1) at Washington Red Skins (1-0) 
Playing at home Washington is favored by six, but they won't need those points. Indianapolis gave up 34 points to the Bengals, the Red Skins will win easy with the last seven points by the Colts will be late, meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

Pick: Washington 32, Indianapolis 23

Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Los Angeles Rams (1-0) 
The Rams are favored by 13 against the Cardinals, but be wary football fans this game will not be a blow out. 

Pick: Los Angeles 24, Arizona 17

Detroit Lions (0-1) at San Francisco 49ers (0-1)
It was not a good opening week for the two former Patriots. Jimmy Garoppolo did not look like a quarterback worth $137.5 million for five years after throwing three picks at the Vikings, while Matt Patricia probably wished he was back in New England after being annihilated by Jets last Monday night. One of the two will have shot at redemption and it will be Jimmy. 

Pick: San Francisco 34, Detroit 17

Oakland Raiders (0-1) at Denver Broncos (1-0) 
Denver moves to 2-0 after this week. 

Pick: Denver 27, Oakland 14

New England Patriots (1-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
A re-match of the 2017 AFC Championship with squads are looking to move to 2-0. Temperatures in Jacksonville are expected to rise into the upper 90s and feel like 100, which will play role in the game. In his 19 years in the NFL, Tom Brady has never played in the temperatures like this - not even in Miami, so we'll have to see how the Patriots react. But they do have added motivation with Jalen Ramsey providing bulletin board material, calling out Gronkowski last week. 

Pick: New England 24, Jacksonville 23

New York Giants (0-1) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

Pick: New York Giants 21, Dallas 20

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) at Chicago Bears (0-1)

Pick: Seattle 27, Chicago 17

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