One week down, 16 more to go. NFL Week 2 is always an interesting one as it’ll help weed out Week 1 flukes from possible trends. Let’s try to discern some of those flukes and trends beforehand and find out how they will affect the week’s slate of games.
It’s hard to trust either of these two teams, who are both coming off blowout losses in Week 1. But while the Texans were unexpectedly clowned by the Jaguars and are set to start a rookie quarterback in Deshaun Watson, their defense is still likely to be the best unit on the field. The very thought of J.J. Watt and that Texans front going up against the Bengals’ joke of an O-line makes you fear for Andy Dalton’s safety.
Writer’s Prediction: Take the Texans (+6.5) to cover in a 21-17 defeat.
Sunday, Sept. 17
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM ET)
The Browns impressed in Week 1 by hanging with the Steelers and preventing a blowout. But as good as they were, the Ravens defense and their performance against the Bengals was still so much better. After seeing how they absolutely dominated Dalton and the Cincy offense, it’s hard to see how rookie DeShone Kizer can do much better.
Writer’s Prediction: The Ravens (-9) win and cover, 21-10.
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers (1:00 PM ET)
The Panthers managed to truck the Niners by 20 on the road even with their offense playing at way less than full efficiency. That’s scary. And while the Bills are currently perched atop the AFC East, they beat the Jets, who are one of few teams that are actually worse than them after their offseason purge. Expect the Panthers to put more things together in their home opener and eventually run away from Buffalo.
Writer’s Prediction: The Panthers (-7) pound the Bills, 35-14.
Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 PM ET)
Even though the Cardinals just lost their most important player in David Johnson, the Colts’ overall awfulness more than justifies this line for the Cards even on the road. Without Andrew Luck, the Colts are simply not a viable NFL team. Scott Tolzien was aggressively bad (see: his two pick-sixes) and Jacoby Brissett doesn’t figure to be much better now that he’s outside of New England.
Even without Johnson, the Cards should still have more than enough talent on both sides of the ball to roll the Colts on the road.
Writer’s Prediction: The Cardinals (-7) beat up on the Colts, 24-10.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 PM ET)
Is it time to believe in the Jags? Not just yet. For one, their quarterback is still Blake Bortles, who is still a major liability if he has to pass. He might have to against the Titans, who have a strong run defense. And while the Jags’ line dominated the Texans in the trenches, the Titans O-line should keep Mariota fairly well-protected.
Writer’s Prediction: The Titans (-2.5) trip up the Jags, 24-21.
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (1:00 PM ET)
If there’s anyone who knows how to gameplan for Andy Reid, it’s his former offensive coordinator and current Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. Moreover, Pederson has the talent in his defensive line to dominate and blow up whatever plans the Chiefs have for an encore after their shock win over the Patriots in Week 1. Kansas City’s own defense will also be vulnerable with the loss of star safety Eric Berry.
Writer’s Prediction: Take the Eagles (+6) to at least cover on the road.
New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints (1:00 PM ET)
Both the Pats and the Saints looked vulnerable in Week 1. While the Saints’ defensive struggles were nothing new, their offensive woes were. But Drew Brees has a proven track record of finding a way to make things work, and given how shaky the Pats defense looked against the Chiefs, Brees could pull Tom Brady into a shootout in the Superdome.
Writer’s Prediction: Brees and the Saints (+7) lose, but they cover in a 34-31 loss.
Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM ET)
The Vikings’ fine performance on Monday Night Football against the Saints was an eye-opener. Rookie running back Dalvin Cook looks like the real deal, while Sam Bradford appears much more in control of the offense. And with the defense back to its best after falling off last season, this Minnesota team could be dangerous. After a thoroughly unconvincing showing against the Browns, the Steelers will have their hands full at home.
Writer’s Prediction: The Vikings (+5.5) upset the Steelers, 24-21.
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 PM ET)
Mike Glennon showed he deserved to be named Bears starter by putting together a strong showing against the defending NFC champion Falcons. And this week, he’ll be all sorts of fired up when he faces his old team, the Bucs. Tampa Bay could still be a bit rusty after having their Week 1 game called off, giving Glennon and co. the opportunity to catch them off guard.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bears (+7) hang tough and cover on the road.
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers (4:05 PM ET)
The Dolphins had their bye earlier than anticipated due to Hurricane Irma, but will it make a difference against the Chargers? Not really. The Chargers ran into a tough Broncos defense in Week 1, but Philip Rivers and co. should bounce back relatively quickly against a Dolphins defense that doesn’t figure to be middling at best.
Writer’s Prediction: The Chargers (-4.5) take care of the Dolphins at home, 28-21.
New York Jets at Oakland Raiders (4:05 PM ET)
The Jets offense looked as inept as advertised in their loss to the Bills. They could only muster 214 total yards and committed two turnovers courtesy of Josh McCown. Oakland’s offense can and will score points on the Jets and if the Raiders’ defense is actually as good as it looked when it held the Titans to just 16 points, the Jets have very little chance to cover.
Writer’s Prediction: The Raiders (-14) smoke the Jets, 35-10.
Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos (4:25 PM ET)
Good news, Broncos fans: the defense looked as strong as advertised (for three quarters, at least) and the offense was passable under Trevor Siemian. However, that run defense will have its hands full with Zeke and the Cowboys O-line. Meanwhile, the Dallas front showed on Sunday night against the Giants that they can punish weak O-lines, which the Broncos have.
Writer’s Prediction: The Cowboys (-2.5) run past the Broncos on the road, 24-17.
Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Rams (4:25 PM ET)
After absolutely crushing the Colts in his head coaching debut, Sean McVay now has a chance to haunt his old team, the Washington Redskins. Not only will he have a much-improved Jared Goff leading his offense, he’ll also have superstar Aaron Donald back in the lineup after finally ending his holdout. He knows Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins inside out, and should be able to tailor a gameplan that can limit his effectiveness.
Writer’s Prediction: The Rams (-2.5) go 2-0 with a 28-17 win over Washington.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 PM ET)
The Seahawks offense laid a gigantic egg in Green Bay, squandering a valiant effort from the defense. Don’t count on a repeat performance from Russell Wilson and crew, not at home with the 12th man cheering them on, and especially not against the Niners, who could only muster three points against the Panthers and could struggle to break double-digits once again as they face an outstanding Seattle defense.
Writer’s Prediction: The Seahawks (-14) smoke the Niners, 31-6.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (8:30 PM ET)
The Packers looked impressive in taking down one of their top NFC rivals in the Seattle Seahawks last week at home. Can they do it in back-to-back weeks, this time on the road? Why not? The Falcons looked a bit flat in their first game without Kyle Shanahan, Aaron Rodgers looks sharp and in tune with his receivers, and the defense is generating a pass rush.
Rodgers gave this Falcons team a fight during the NFC championship game despite so many Packers injuries, and with his team at close to full strength, he finds a way to beat them.
Writer’s Prediction: The Packers (+2.5) get payback with a 31-28 win.
Monday, Sept. 18
Detroit Lions at New York Giants (8:30 PM ET)
This game basically comes down to whether or not Odell Beckham can a) play and b) play effectively. Because as the Giants showed on Sunday night against the Cowboys, their offense is a complete dumpster fire without him. Their defense is good enough to keep Matthew Stafford quiet, but if they’re just going to get continuously thrown back in because the offense can’t pick up a first down, then it’ll all be for naught.
Writer’s Prediction: ODB plays and the Giants (-3) get the 21-17 win.
