Last week’s action was just a taste of what’s to come in the 2014 NFL regular season. We saw our fair share of upsets and unlikely come-from-behind wins for a three thrilling days of football. After seeing all the teams in action, we have a somewhat clearer view of each team will perform, beginning with the next week of action. Below we bring you everything you’ll need to know to make your picks for Week 2 of the NFL regular season.
You can also boost your fantasy lineups with our list of fantasy football experts’guide pick ups for Week 2.
[sc:Football ]Complete NFL Week 2 Picks
Thursday, Sept. 11
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (8:25 PM ET)
Pick: Steelers (+3)
[sc:NFL240banner ]Make this pick because: Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers put on an offensive show, outscoring the Cleveland Browns 27-3, in the first half on Sunday. However, they let the Browns rally in the second half but still managed to pick up a close 30-27 win.
Pittsburgh won’t likely let a lead go this time around, especially against the sputtering offense of the Baltimore Ravens under new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The Steelers are 3-0-1 ATS over the last two years against the Ravens. You can check out the full preview of this Thursday Night Football showdown here.
Sunday, Sept. 14
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Bills (pick)
Make this pick because: The Buffalo Bills provided Week 1’s biggest upset when they defeated the Chicago Bears 23-20 in overtime last week. The Bills won’t likely have as tough of a challenge against the Dolphins, especially against Ryan Tannehill, who threw just 178 yards and two touchdowns while throwing an interception. The Bills went 2-0 against Miami last season while covering the spread in both games. Don’t sleep on the Bills two weeks in a row.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Jaguars (+5.5)
Make this pick because: The Jaguars almost shocked the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, leading 17-0 heading into the second half. However, they blew their lead to eventually lose 34-17. Still, expect to see the Jags recover against a struggling Robert Griffin III and the Redskins, who failed to score more than one touchdown despite outgaining their opponents, 372-316, in Week 1.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Titans (-4)
Make this pick because: A new offensive system under Ken Whisenhunt and a new defensive system under Ray Horton brought a winning start to the season as Tennessee defeated Kansas City 26-10 on Sunday. Look for that same defense that sacked Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith four times for a loss of 24 yards to have a field day against the Cowboys’ Tony Romo.
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Cardinals (Pick)
Make this pick because: Eli Manning sucks in his new offense. Manning continued his 2013 trend of throwing more picks than touchdowns in Week 1, and his new West Coast-championing offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo doesn’t seem to have many tricks up his sleeve. Unless targeting rookie tight end Larry Donnell more than Victor Cruz counts as a trick.
The Cardinals put up over 400 yards of offense against the Chargers in Week 1 and their receiving corps looks ready to eat up a Giants defense that allowed 341 yards passing to the Lions. See our full breakdown of this game here.
New England Patriots vs. Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Vikings (+3)
Make this pick because: Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, Shane Vereen rushed for a touchdown, two field goals from Stephen Gostkowski and the Patriots were up 20-10 against Miami after half-time on Sunday. However, the scoring stopped there as the Pats suffered an uncharacteristic come-from-behind loss.
On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings were dominant throughout their 34-6 rout of the Rams, and have a better team than most are giving them credit for. The Vikings will get out in front early with Patterson and Purple Jesus will take it from there.
New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Saints (-6)
Make this pick because: Two of the Browns’ key offensive players – running back Ben Tate and tight end Jordan Cameron – both made an early exit on Sunday due to injury. With two of their key players out, the Browns will have no answer to the Saints’ trio of Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, and Brandin Cooks. The Saints were 4-1 ATS following a loss last season.
You can find the full breakdown and analysis of this game here.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Falcons (+5)
Make this pick because: Matt Ryan set a new team record of 448 passing yards and the Falcons upset the New Orleans Saints 37-34 in overtime on Sunday. For their second game of the season, expect the Falcons to run away with the win against the Cincinnati Bengals, who gave away a 15-point lead against the Ravens in the second half of their game last week.
Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Carolina (-2.5)
Make this pick because: Carolina weren’t who we thought they were. Derek Anderson did admirably backing up the injured Cam Newton against a strong Buccaneers team in Week 1, and the Panthers defense did their thing, holding Tampa Bay to 264 total yards and 162 passing in Week 1. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson look lethal this year, sure, but don’t underestimate the Panthers at home in Newton’s return.
St. Louis Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:05 PM ET)
Pick: Buccaneers (-4)
Make this pick because: With veteran quarterback Shaun Hill apparently injured, the role of starting QB falls to the unproven Austin Davis. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a late rally scoring two touchdowns late against the Carolina Panthers, but ultimately fell 20-14. Expect the Bucs to rebound by trampling over a Rams side that was thoroughly dismantled on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers (4:05 PM ET)
Pick: Seattle (-5)
Make this pick because: The Seattle Seahawks will eat you up. The Chargers rely heavily on the passing game this season, and the Seahawks showed in their season opener against the Packers that they can simply take that element of the game away. Look for Marshawn Lynch to have another excellent game as the Seahawks win by a score.
Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders (4:25 PM ET)
Pick: Texans (-3)
Make this pick because: Even without prized rookie linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who suffered a knee injury in his debut, the Houston Texans still have an on-point J.J. Watt (three total tackles and one sack) to take care of the defense. The Texans will be going against the Oakland Raiders who only managed 158 yards of total offense in their season opener against the New York Jets on Sunday. See our full breakdown and preview of this game here.
New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers (4:25 PM ET)
Pick: Packers (+8)
Make this pick because: The Green Bay Packers were outclassed by the Seattle Seahawks 36-16 to start off their season on September 4. This time around, Aaron Rodgers won’t be facing the Legion of Boom so expect him to throw much like his 2013 regular season average of 282 yards on Thursday night. You can view the complete analysis of this game here.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (4:25 PM ET)
Pick: Broncos (-12.5)
Make this pick because: The Denver Broncos survived a late surge from the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. While they did win 31-24, they failed to cover the spread. Peyton Manning and the Broncos will have an easier out when they go against Kansas City which allowed 243 passing yards against the Tennessee Titans. Dig into more on this premier afternoon game in this preview.
Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers (8:30 PM ET)
Pick: 49ers (-7)
Make this pick because: The San Francisco 49ers dismantled the Dallas Cowboys 28-17 on Sunday in a game that wasn’t as close as the scoreline suggests. The 49ers will be going against the Chicago Bears who struggled at home against in their season opener. For this Sunday Night Football headliner, expect the Bears to struggle against the 49ers led by Colin Kaepernick who threw for 201 yards and a touchdown.
You can view the complete preview for this Sunday Night Football game here.
Monday, Sept. 15
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts (8:30 PM ET)
Pick: Eagles (+3)
Make this pick because: The Philadelphia Eagles survived an early scare against the Jacksonville Jaguars after falling behind 17-0 by halftime. Expect Jeremy Maclin and Zach Ertz to run circles around a Colts’ defense that allowed Denver’s Julius Thomas to grab 104 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The complete breakdown of this game is available here.
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