NFL Week 2 Predictions

We are at week two in the NFL and last week I forgot to make a pick on the Minnesota and Giants game so of the other 15 games I correctly picked 12 of the winners. There were upsets, blowouts, and expected results. This week presents other interesting matchups and rest assured there will be similar results from the opening games of the season. Here is how I see the matchups.

Pittsburgh at Denver: I had predicted in the preseason that Pittsburgh would win the first two games. In fact, I’ll be picking them again next week in their home opener to defeat the Chargers. A 3-0 start would be awesome but for this week, expect them to go 2-0. I think this defense is going to confuse and frustrate the rookie Bo Nix and Justin Fields is now a bit more comfortable and he’s facing a weaker defense than he saw a week before. T.J. Watt was frustrated last week with penalty calls, and I think he comes out in Denver pumped up to create even further havoc. The fresh faces on the Steelers are working out greatly thus far and they can only get better. Steelers 30 / Broncos 13

Buffalo at Miami: The Bills pulled one out in their season opener against the upstart Cardinals and they will have to play much better in Miami if they are to defeat the Dolphins who also had to come from behind to beat the Jaguars. Dolphins 34 / Bills 28

New Orleans at Dallas: Dak Prescott signs a new contract that follows it up with a big win against the Browns. Derek Carr is on the rebound and how long he can play as well as he did the previous weekend remains to be seen. We will probably see another fine season for the Cowboys and then their typical collapse in the playoffs. Cowboys 30 / Saints 17

Tampa Bay at Detroit: This could be the NFC game of the week. The hot hand of Baker Mayfield taking on one of the conference's best teams in Detroit. Lions 24 / Bucs 21

Indianapolis at Green Bay: Jordan Love is out for now and Anthony Richardson was far from impressive in week one. This means ex-Titans quarterback Malik Willis steps in. He was not particularly good in Tennessee so don’t expect much from him here. The Pack should win but not by much. Packers 17 / Colts 13

New York Jets at Tennessee: The Titans had the Bears beaten until Chicago’s defense saved the day. Everyone is expecting a better Aaron Rodgers in game two and that should be the case. Jets 35 / Titans 10

San Francisco at Minnesota: While the Vikings wiped out the Giants last weekend, the 49ers are the best team in the NFC. Minnesota does not stand a chance here unless San Francisco beats themselves. 49ers 37 / Vikings 20

Seattle at New England: The Patriots pulled off one of the upsets of opening weekend defeating the Bengals. I like them at home against the also 1-0 Seahawks. Patriots 23 / Seahawks 21

New York Giants at Washington: The Commanders were facing a juggernaut on opening day named Baker Mayfield. The Giants were an utter embarrassment and Daniel Jones may be seeing his last ever start for New York. He would have to have a great game to save his job. Not happening. Commanders 30 / Giants 13

Los Angeles Chargers at Carolina: Jim Harbaugh is one up on his brother John after one week of the season. Baltimore is 0-1 and the Chargers 1-0. Now the new Chargers coach gets an unchallenging ride in week two. Carolina was one of the worst teams in the NFL last season and Bryce Young was thought to have a bounce back season. He’s off to a rough start and the Panthers look just as awful as they did in 2023. Chargers 41 / Panthers 17

Cleveland at Jacksonville: The Browns have the longest streak of not starting a season at least 1-1 or 2-0 in the league dating back to 1993 when they last began 2-0. This game won’t help them break that streak. Jaguars 20 / Browns 17

Las Vegas at Baltimore: The Ravens held their own against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs in the opener and nearly won. Ravens 38 / Raiders 9

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona: The Cardinals had a decent start to their season, but the Rams are a tough team to play. Still, this will be my upset of the day. Cardinals 27 / Rams 24

Cincinnati at Kansas City: The Chiefs will be doing the other AFC North teams a favor in this game. That will be handing the Bengals a second straight defeat and getting their season off to a worrisome start. Chiefs 37 / Bengals 23

Chicago at Houston: The NFL’s first overall pick Caleb Williams got off to a rocky and horrible start to his NFL career and while his team pulled out a victory he was extremely far from impressive. Now he gets to match up against last season’s Rookie of the Year and league sensation C.J. Stroud. This will be fun to watch, and Stroud should win the day. Texans 31 / Bears 13

Atlanta at Philadelphia: Kirk Cousins was supposed to be the Falcons’ savior this season and the Steelers made him look like an amateur on opening day. After this one, Cousins will be 0-2 against the state of Pennsylvania and the Eagles should be just as effective defending against the Atlanta offense as was Pittsburgh. The Dirty Birds will be 0-2 after this one. Eagles 37 / Falcons 20

Running Pick Record from Week to Week

Week 1: 12/15

Week 2: TBD