| Washington |
over |
Giants |
The Giants looked like an mess around Jones in the opener and although their defense played at well it still gave up too much. Washington also was handed a rough home defeat along with losing Fitzmagic to a hip injury, prompting a return to Heinicke. WFT is the put-together team under Rivera, while New York is bound to have more dysfunction still without an identity for Judge. The better quality HC decides this matchup. |
| Bengals |
over |
Bears |
The Bears are messing around with their QBs and jacking up their entire offense. They can run the ball well with Montgomery, but they won't tap into their full passing potential until Fields is the actual starter. Chicago's pass D issues also showed up and Cincy's trio is dangerous for Burrow. The Bengals also found a pass rush and run D to upend the Vikings. The Bengals continue to be an early season pleasant surprise, while the hot seat will begin to scorch for Dalton and Nagy. |
| Browns |
over |
Texans |
Tyrod Taylor was terrific in lifting Houston out of its Deshaun Watson problems in Week 1 with a strong arm and athleticism when needed. Now he gets a "revenge game" on the road in Cleveland, the team that displaced him for Baker. Unfortunately, the Texans are facing a more dangerous offense this week that also focuses on exploiting their major run D weakness with Chubb and Hunt. Look for Baker to hold a lead as the Browns' D keeps Taylor from pulling off a Mahomes-like comeback. |
| Rams |
over |
Colts |
Ungulate Battle! The Rams love Stafford. The Colts are still trying to have those same feelings for Wentz. Indy gets another brutal home game, one with an even stronger D led by Donald and Ramsey. Once the Colts are contained with Taylor in the running game, they won't have the weapons for Wentz to answer Stafford. |
| Bills |
over |
Dolphins |
The Bills lost their mojo with the Steelers' D stymying Allen in the opener. Miami had just enough offense from Tua to bounce the Pats. The good news is both Buffalo and Miami are coming off strong defensive peformances in their wins. That will keep this game lower-scoring and a grind between two division rivals. The Bills will scratch this game out as Allen can be trusted to make the key couple big plays with his arm and legs over Tua. |
| Patriots |
over |
Jets |
The Patriots have a great history against rookie QBs with Belichick and they have some good game film now on how to frustrate a promising but green Zach Wilson. Look for New England to not worry much about the run and focus on taking away Wilson's top target Davis even without Gilmore. Mac Jones has more support with his O-line, running game and supporting skill personnel to move the ball in methodical, mistake-free fashion. |
| 49ers |
over |
Eagles |
This is one of the few NFC matchups between 1-0 teams, and the 49ers looked like a Super Bowl contender with a healthier team. Samuel and Kittle will create mismatches, and San Fran will build an early lead. The Eagles rushed for 173 yards in Week 1; the 49ers will make that job a lot more difficult. |
| Steelers |
over |
Raiders |
There's no break for Vegas, coming from home against Baltimore, having played deep into OT on a short week, out to another AFC North opponent. The state of the Raiders' passing game with Carr doesn't inspire it will handle the Steelers' aces in pass rush and coverage. The Steelers folded offensively against the Bills, but this will be a get-well game for their talented trio of wide receivers and a breakout opportunity for RB Harris. |
| Saints |
over |
Panthers |
The Saints came through with an emotional and dominating victory playing their home opener far away from NOLA, dominating the Packers in Duval County. Although they will cool down a little on the real road in Carolina, Kamara will win the scrimmage duel with CMC given the superior O-line, which also means Winston can be trusted to deliver the key big plays downfield over Darnold. The Saints have a good idea of what former assistant Joe Brady wants to do, a boost to an inspired defense in transition. If Week 1 wasn't a fluke for the Saints, expect the domination to continue in a critical divisional matchup. |
| Broncos |
over |
Jaguars |
The Broncos beat the Giants with their defense and running games, but they lost a key target for Teddy in the passing game with Jeudy suffering a high ankle sprain. Von is back to lead the pressure package for Fangio. He'll help rattle Lawrence after the Jags' running game is contained. Denver doesn't need to deviate from its winning formula against another lesser team. Jacksonville will build on a good second half against the Texans to look more with it for Urban Meyer, but that's about it at 0-2. |
| Cardinals |
over |
Vikings |
The Vikings were expected to be better defensively, while the Cardinals have actually gotten better defensively with the combination of Watt and Jones. Minnesota has plenty of more firepower than Tennessee does to complement its own run-heavy approach with Cook. Patrick Peterson will do his best to handle Hopkins, but Murray has more weapons than Cousins, including his legs. Arizona wins a wild one in the desert to improves to 2-0, while Minnesota is dealt another close road loss. |
| Buccaneers |
over |
Falcons |
Atlanta looked awful offensively in the first game with Arthur Smith, who might have forced the running game against the Eagles and put Ryan in a bad situation that led to trailing in the second half. Expect the adjustment of letting Ryan loose early with his WRs and TE Pitts, because passing on the Bucs will be a lot easier than trying to run on them. The Bucs' edge pass rush will shut the door on any type of division spoiler comeback after Brady does plenty of damage with his own wideouts and TEs again. |
| Cowboys |
over |
Chargers |
Dallas must be pleased with Dak's return and he gets a long week to get his shoulder stronger for Week 2. Dallas considers L.A. a home away from home in Oxnard, and should have plenty of fans packing SoFi Stadium. Dallas will have more success running the ball with Zeke in this game to help further open up the big pass plays for Dak to Lamb and Cooper. Herbert and the Chargers' skill players will be sharper than they were in Washington, leading to another exciting game in which Dak outduels him. |
| Seahawks |
over |
Titans |
The Titans have a problem. Their defense is relying on a youthful secondary behind a non-existent pass rush on top of a script-dependent offense working only when Henry can get going running early or when Tannehill can operate off play-action. The Seahawks jumped on the Colts last week with Wilson lighting it up and they didn't look back, with their defense able to tee off in the second half. Henry will run better this week to help keep the Titans in the game, but Wilson should make sure Seattle gets to 2-0 at home. |
| Chiefs |
over |
Ravens |
The Chiefs have controlled this series when it's been Reid vs. Harbaugh and Mahomes vs. Jackson. Don't expect a different result here with Baltimore coming off a short week and KC being a fearless traveling team. The Chiefs' defense is better positioned to contain Jackson while the Ravens are not as equipped to handle Mahomes throwing downfield often to his favorite targets Hill and Kelce. Take advantage of the low number in the Chiefs' favor. |
| Packers |
over |
Lions |
The Packers have tended to have an absolute clunker with LaFleur every season, so they should be hoping the listless performance against the Saints in Jacksonville is the 2021 version. They tend to come back strong from those spots in get-well games. This will be just that for Rodgers and Aaron Jones, with the defense also playing more inspired at Lambeau Field. Detroit won't be getting a back-door cover again on the road. |