Despite registering impressive wins in Week 1, both the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will be underdogs heading into Week 2. However, that only makes them even more dangerous sleepers to pull off a major upset against their Super Bowl contender opponents.
Check out our complete list of five sleeper candidates that are liable to spring a surprise this week. We’ll break down the reasons why they will or won’t win (against the spread), before ending with a fearless forecast for all five.
Read on below for our list of Week 2 sleepers. Meanwhile, read up on the two biggest matchups of the week with our previews of the Seahawks vs. Packers and the Cowboys vs. Eagles.
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NFL Week Two Sleepers Predictions
Buffalo Bills (+1) vs. New England Patriots (Sun, Sept. 20, 1:00 PM ET)
[sc:NFL240banner ]Why the Bills will win: The Rex Ryan-led defense can do to the Pats what it did to Andrew Luck and the Colts (shut out in the first half, 304 total yards). Meanwhile, Tyrod Taylor should be able to make play against a porous Pats defense that gave up 464 yards, including 5.4 yards per carry on the ground.
Why the Bills will lose: Bill Belichick simply owns Buffalo. Since the hooded one took over in New England, the Bills are a miserable 2-13 against the Pats. Taylor might turn back into a pumpkin and the Bills suddenly can’t move the ball on offense as easily.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bills (+1) beat the Pats, 21-17.
Chicago Bears (+2.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sun, Sept. 20, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Bears will win: Despite the loss to the Packers in Week 1, it was clear that there’s a new mentality – a winning mentality – with Chicago under new head coach John Fox. Matt Forte said it himself:
“The mentality, which I was proud of, is that nobody had that stupid look on their face like before when something would happen and everyone would kind of say the game was lost already, when there’s time left.”
Forte and the Bears running game were also quite resurgent after putting up 189 yards on the ground. That should ease the offensive pressure off Jay Cutler.
Why the Bears will lose: The Cardinals’ front seven is able to stop the Bears’ ground game cold, while Carson Palmer can burn the Bears secondary for big plays all night long.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bears (+2.5) bounce back and beat the Cards, 28-24.
Denver Broncos (+3) at Kansas City Chiefs (Thurs, Sept. 17, 8:25 PM ET)
Why the Broncos will win: Rumors of Peyton Manning’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. And even if he hasn’t played as well – he has just four TDs in his last six games – he doesn’t need to carry the Broncos anymore because they’ve got a stellar defense and running game.
While Denver’s ground game didn’t move the ball too well on the ground against Baltimore (69 yards on 25 carries), it should find more success against a Chiefs front seven that somehow allowed the Texans sans Arian Foster to rush for 4.7 yards per carry.
Why the Broncos will lose: Manning and his work-in-progress offensive line could simply get annihilated by the Chiefs’ ferocious pass rush. Simple as that.
Writer’s Prediction: The Broncos (+3) beat the Chiefs in battle, 27-24.
Why the Texans will win: The Panthers O-line is going to have a long day blocking (or at least trying to block) JJ Watt, which will put a greater strain on an already struggling Carolina offense. Luke Kuechly could also be out for the Panthers, which should allow the Texans to have another pleasantly surprising running game (98 yards on 21 carries vs. Kansas City).
Why the Texans will lose: The mystery quarterback situation doesn’t do much good, as whoever starts between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett struggles and coughs up some costly turnovers.
Writer’s Prediction: The Texans (+3.5) upset the Panthers at Carolina, 28-21.
New York Jets (+7) at Indianapolis Colts (Mon, Sept. 21, 8:30 PM ET)
Why the Jets will win: The Jets can do what they did against the Browns and what the Bills did to the Colts – dominate the line of scrimmage. Chris Ivory can pound the ball straight down the Colts’ throats, while the Jets’ dominant front seven should silence Indy’s supposedly improved running attack to remain well within a touchdown.
Why the Jets will lose: Even without top receiver T.Y. Hilton, who’s likely to miss 1-2 games due to a bruised knee, Luck and the Colts have the jump out to an early lead at home, forcing the Jets to abandon the run. Ryan Fitzpatrick is also a threat to turn the ball over when forced to overextend his game, which could lead to even more Colts points.
Writer’s Prediction: The Jets lose, 24-20, but still manage to cover +7 on the road.
