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

Video of the Day: Find Your Why #OneRule

Find Your WHY

Evan Carmichael

Video of the Day: This Is Leadership

This Is The Definition of Leadership

Simon Sinek

Video of the Day: University VS College

University vs. College: What's the Difference

The Infographics Show

Out of all the colleges they could pick from in the country, they chose McDaniel. Random, but kinda awesome at the same time! Go Green Terror! 

Video of the Day: It's All About Heart

Don't Pick Your Winners Too Early

Valuetainment

This post is a follow up to an post I posted last Friday on Tom Brady. Brady wasn't the fastest quarterback at the combine. He didn't play single minute on a high school team that was winless. At Michigan, Drew Henson was still the favorite son. This story is no different. 

It doesn't matter what your pedigree is or where you come from. All that matters is your heart. No one knows your heart and your love for what you do. Remember that quote from retired U.S. women's soccer legend Mia Hamm "the vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking." It's what you do when no one's looking, not when the cameras are on you. 

Video of the Day: 15 Questions To Ask When You're Feeling Stuck

15 Questions To Ask When You're Feeling Stuck

Alux.com

1. What Will My Life Look Like If I Continue Like This? 

2. What Is My Life Missing Right Now? 

Nothing changes (or works) unless you do! 

3. What Do I Want The Most Right Now? 

4. What Do I Hope It Will Bring Me?

5. What Am I Happy About In My Life Already? 

Winning summer 2018 and helping to increase the Watertown recreation basketball's presence on social media. 

6. How Did I Acquire Said Happiness or Achievement?

Sitting down and having a one-on-one conversation with the commissioner about ways we could increase the department's social media presence. This allowed me to bring forth the idea of promoting the Fourth of July barbecue midway through the summer. This meeting in the beginning of summer allowed for my ability to question a decision later in the summer. The decision in question was not reversed, but at least it was an acceptable answer. 

7. What Is Standing In My Way This Time? 

8. How True Are Those Obstacles? 

9. What Skills And Tools Do You Need To Acquire To Move Forward? 

10. What Do I Need To Do Right Now That I've Been Avoiding? 

11. Is My Life In Order?

12. What Is The One Thing I Know Is Bad That I Should Stop Doing? 

13. Who Can Help Me?

14. Why Am I Reaching For Perfect Instead of Good Enough?

15. Am I Going To Life A Life of Mediocrity or Would I Rather Just Go For It?

Bonus

16. Disconnect and Look At Life Through A Different Lens

Video of the Day: 5 Phrases That Show Lack of Confidence

5 Common Phrases That Show You Lack Confidence

Charisma On Command

1. Using the word "Obviously"

2. "You should" 

This phrase actually tends to put people on the defensive. If people aren't doing things the way you would do it, you're going to have a natural inclination to say "you should do it this way," but this is the wrong approach. Generally, when people hear the phrase "you should," immediately they are thinking "if your can do it better, then you do it." 

My go to methodology to avoid this phrase is offering a suggestion by saying "this is the way I deal with this situation, it doesn't work for everyone, but give it try." 

It's one of main rules Dale Carnegie stresses in his book "How to Win Friends and Influence People." You'll win people over by making them feel like it was their idea offering suggestions rather than telling them what to do. 

3. Using the word "Real"

4. "No, But"

5. "More Difficult Than ... "

This phrase doesn't just show that you lack confidence, it also show that you don't care about what is going on in the lives of others. You may be a mother of four kids, but you really can't say your life is more difficult than your single colleague. Maybe that single colleague is taking care of a sick parent in another state, he/she is pursuing a second degree, or taking care of sick friend because he/she has no one else. You don't know the whole situation and can't assume your life is harder. 

I've had someone say to me, about four years ago "you have never faced adversity." I was taken aback a little by that comment. Granted I am young, but it does not mean I haven't had my struggles.