We’ve seen a lots of things in Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season. We saw kickers lose games for their teams. We saw Keenan Allen and a number of other key players get taken down by injuries. We saw a team pay respect to a dead gorilla. Week 2 should be even fun, right? Let’s now head to our picks and predictions for all Week 2 games available for preview.
With the talent they have, the Bills are better than the team that made just 160 total yards in a 13-7 loss to the Ravens in Week 1. That said, Tyrod Taylor, LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins, and the rest of the Bills would not have it any easier next week against a quarterback-hunting Jets defense. New York sacked Andy Dalton seven times on Sunday yet somehow lost to the Bengals, 23-22. Taylor is far more elusive than Dalton though so expect him to buy more time in the pocket. Now if only Sammy Watkins could catch a ride out of Revis Island…
Writer’s Prediction: New York wins, 18-14.
Sunday, September 18
Tennessee Titans (+5.5) at Detroit Lions (-5.5) – 1:00 PM ET
Derrick Henry’s time will come but for now, he’ll continue playing second fiddle to DeMarco Murray, who led the Titans in rushing yards and carries in a 25-16 loss to Minnesota in Week 1. Perhaps expanding Henry’s role would serve the Titans better, though, especially against the Lions’ defense that allowed 113.0 rushing yards per game last season. The Lions emerged the victors, 39-35, in a wild shootout with the Colts on the road. They come back home, where they are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four games there.
Writer’s Prediction: Detroit wins, 31-24.
Baltimore Ravens (-7) at Cleveland Browns (+7) – 1:00 PM ET
Baltimore grounded the Bills last Sunday, letting Buffalo to rack up only 160 total yards in a 13-7 victory. The Ravens may just be as good defensively next week, as they face off with a Cleveland team that was turned into a practice squad by a rookie quarterback on Sunday with Carson Wentz going off for 278 and two touchdowns. The Ravens have, well, Super Bowl-winner Joe Flacco, who’s quickly developed rapport with deep-field threat Mike Wallace. Sounds like danger for the Browns, who are already sweating bullets following news of Robert Griffin III having injured his shoulder.
Writer’s Prediction: Baltimore wins, 28-16.
New Orleans Saints (+5) at New York Giants (-5) – 1:00 PM ET
Until the Saints discover the value of defense in winnings games, they’ll always be a threat to themselves. The Saints wasted Drew Brees’ fantastic Sunday, when the quarterback passed for 423 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, by allowing the Raiders to come back from a 17-point deficit. Like the Saints, the Giants’ defense remains a question heading into Week 2 after allowing 328 total yards to Dallas, but at least they got the job done on Sunday with a 20-19 win. The Giants did that against a rookie starting quarterback and a rookie starting running back. Can they handle a Super Bowl, future Hall-of-Famer next week?
Writer’s Prediction: New Orleans wins, 31-28.
Miami Dolphins (+6.5) at New England Patriots (-6.5) – 1:00 PM ET
He’s not Tom Brady but Jimmy Garoppolo was good enough for the Pats to lead them to a 23-21 win over Arizona in Week 1. Good enough was what the Dolphins weren’t on Sunday, as they failed to protect a late-game four-point lead in a 12-10 loss to the Seahawks. Miami’s offensive line was nowhere to be seen for the most part of the Seattle game with Ryan Tannehill getting sacked five times for a loss of 36 yards. That doesn’t bode well for Miami, which faces the Pats at Foxborough. The Pats are 9-1 SU and 6-1-3 ATS in their last 10 home games dating back to 2015.
Writer’s Prediction: New England wins, 24-17.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-6.5) – 4:05 PM ET
The more experience Jameis Winston gets under center, the more he shows why he’s rapidly ascending into future superstar status. Winston picked apart Atlanta’s air defense in the Bucs’ 31-24 win on Sunday, as he recorded 281 passing yards and four touchdowns with an interception. The Cardinals aren’t going to be abused that much by Winston, but didn’t they just got a whipping from Tom Brady stopgap Jimmy Garoppolo and the Pats in a 23-21 loss on Sunday night?
Writer’s Prediction: Arizona wins, 28-19.
Kansas City Chiefs (+2) at Houston Texans (-2) – 1:00 PM ET
What a way for the Chiefs to kick off their season, as they overcame a 17-point deficit for a 33-27 overtime win against San Diego on Sunday. Alex Smith was the steady force behind the comeback victory, passing for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Speaking of steady, Houston’s Brock Osweiler made the Texans’ front office look good by impressing on Sunday, when he threw for 231 yards with a pair of touchdowns in a 23-14 win against the Bears. Can Osweiler do it again next week? Well, with Will Fuller breaking out as soon as his first pro game and DeAndre Hopkins still being DeAndre Hopkins plus a Justin Houston-less Chiefs’ defense all points to something positive for Osweiler.
Writer’s Prediction: Kansas City wins, 24-21.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) at San Diego Chargers (-3) – 4:05 PM ET
The Chargers were among the prime targets of several Crying Jordan memes no thanks to their meltdown against the Chiefs in Week 1. They have a chance to bounce right back next Sunday versus Jacksonville. The Jaguars are no slouches though. They made Green Bay sweat in a 27-23 loss on Sunday. Their offense is lethal with Bortles being surrounded by weapons like Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, and Julius Thomas. Imagine what the Jags could pull off against San Diego, which succumbed to the les stellar offensive crew of Kansas City. Phillip Rivers, meanwhile, loses his top target in Keenan Allen to a knee injury. It’s a sad start for the Chargers, who’ll now lean on more than ever to their backfield duo of Danny Woodhead and Melvin Gordon. The two combined for 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Writer’s Prediction: Jacksonville wins, 24-21.
Atlanta Falcons (+4.5) at Oakland Raiders (-4.5) – 4:05 PM ET
Somebody get Jack Del Rio a cart because that dude probably can’t walk all by himself with balls that huge. Del Rio made a gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion attempt and his gamble paid off as the Raiders beat New Orleans, 35-34. Del Rio could be just as bold against Atlanta next time around. The Falcons were victimized by Jameis Winston, who passed for four touchdowns—wasn’t sacked—in a 31-24 Tampa Bay victory.
Writer’s Prediction: Oakland wins, 31-25.
Indianapolis Colts (+6) at Denver Broncos (-6) – 4:05 PM ET
Denver has a new quarterback but same old vicious defense. At least that’s what we could tell from the defending Super Bowl champs’ 21-20 conquest of the Panthers in Week 1. Now Denver gets the Colts, who lost in a high-scoring affair (39-35) to Detroit at home on Sunday. Andrew Luck was in his top form against the Lions, passing for four 385 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Indy’s pathetic defense, however, appear to favor Denver’s Trevor Siemian, who was decent in the Carolina game, completing 18 of 26 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, though he had two interceptions early in the contest. Denver’s defense will have to contain Luck and keep the game close enough for Siemian and crew to manage.
Writer’s Prediction: Denver wins, 24-17.
Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) – 4:05 PM ET
Minnesota’s offense shot blanks against the Titans with the unit scoring zero touchdowns, an obvious sign that they severely miss Teddy Bridgewater. The defense, however, took over, recording two touchdowns off Tennessee turnovers to tow the team into a 25-16 victory. Repeating that against the Packers is going to be easier said than done, but hey, they could always ask for Harambe’s guidance. But seriously, the Vikings need Adrian Peterson to find his Purple Jesus mojo after rushing for only 31 yards on 19 carries versus the Titans. The Packers look ready for AP, though, as they limited the Jaguars to only 38 rushing yards in a 27-23 victory on Sunday.
Writer’s Prediction: Green Bay wins, 28-17.
Monday, September 19
Philadelphia Eagles (+3) at Chicago Bears (-3) – 8:30 PM ET
Carson Wentz played well in his NFL debut, leading the Eagles to a 29-10 win against the Browns. It’s hard to be overly impressed when success came at the expense of Cleveland, so Wentz can silence even more doubters when the Eagles fly to Soldier Field to battle the Bears next Sunday. Chicago lost to Houston in Week 1, 23-14, with Jay Cutler receiving five sacks and numerous hits. The Eagles appear to be a way better team than what most people think of them. For one, Ryan Mathews and Jordan Matthews are underrated offensive pieces.
