NFL Week Two Predictions
Srikar Kalapala
After a tumultuous week one that featured some crazy upsets, teams and their fans will be looking forward to what week two has to hold. Here are my predictions for what it might entail.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Chiefs. Here is another chapter of Mahomes v Herbert in what might bloom into one of the greatest rivalries. I would have considered picking the Chargers if they had Keenan Allen, but since they don’t, I think the Chiefs take a close one at home, especially after MVPat showed out with five touchdowns last week against the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) vs. New England Patriots (0-1)
Patriots. After a turnover filled game with a lot of missed kicks, the Steelers were able to come out of Paycor Stadium with a win. On the flip side, the Patriots lost a very uninspiring game against their rival Dolphins. But the loss of TJ Watt will loom large, and the Patriots will find a way to win.
New York Giants (1-0) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Giants. What a gutsy call by Brian Daboll in his coaching debut to go for two and win the game. He showed trust in his team, and I think the Giants are going to be a confident team going into this game against a Panthers team coming off a loss on a last minute field goal.
Cleveland Browns (1-0) vs. New York Jets (0-1)
Browns. The Browns were able to squeak out a win against their former quarterback, and I think they will be able to take advantage of a Jets team without Zach Wilson.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1)
Colts. The week one Colts struck again last week, but at least they didn’t lose. The Jaguars have also had the Colts’ number recently, infamously knocking them out of playoff contention a year ago. There is no way the Colts tie two games in a row.. right? No one won a game in the AFC South last week, but I think the Colts can pull it together this week.. somehow.
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
Dolphins. These two teams played last year, and the Dolphins defense had Lamar Jackson and Co. on lockdown. The Miami offense looks much improved from a season ago, and therefore the results will be looking very similar.
New Orleans Saints (1-0) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Saints. Theoretically, this should be a Bucs win 9 times out of 10. But something about the Saints has had this team stumped too many times in the Brady tenure. I think the Saints can take advantage of the Bucs O-line issues, and ultimately trump Brady again.
Detroit Lions (0-1) vs. Washington Commanders (1-0)
Lions. A little bit of a shocking pick but I liked the way the Lions didn’t give up against the Eagles last week, despite being down a majority of the game. I think they can do enough to beat the Commanders in a tight one.
San Francisco 49ers (0-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
49ers. With the way Geno Smith and the Seahawks played in Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle, it wouldn’t shock me if they upset the 49ers too. Even with Trey Lance’s shaky start last week, I think you have to take it with a grain of salt as they were basically playing on a slip ‘n slide. I think a Niners team that could get George Kittle back this week will capitalize.
Los Angeles Rams (0-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Rams. After a week one in which they got drubbed, the Rams will look to bounce back against an Atlanta team that managed to come away with defeat in the jaws of victory (in very Atlanta-like fashion). Atlanta has some very underrated cornerbacks, so if the passing game doesn’t go well early for the Rams, don’t be surprised.
Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) vs. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
Raiders. Davante Adams looked great in his debut with the Raiders in the loss against the Chargers. I think the Raiders can build on their performance against a Cardinals team that let up 44 points against the Chiefs.
Denver Broncos (0-1) vs. Houston Texans (0-0-1)
Broncos. After a shocking loss in which the Broncos elected to kick a 64 yard field goal instead of letting the offense try and convert a 4th and 5, Russell Wilson and the Broncos have to right the ship, and fast, as they play in the toughest division. No team that went 0-2 last year made the playoffs, and if Denver finds a way to lose this game, I don’t know if they have a chance, especially in the loaded AFC.
Dallas Cowboys (0-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Bengals. After a tough loss that reminded me a little bit of their game last year vs the Packers, Joe Burrow led teams are winless in games he has thrown several picks in. This could have been a great game between two teams trying to avoid going 0-2, but after the Dak Prescott injury, I don’t think the Bengals will be dysfunctional two weeks in a row. If they are though, expect the Cowboy defense to capitalize.
Green Bay Packers (0-1) vs. Chicago Bears (1-0)
Packers. We knew the Packers offense was going to have growing pains, but the defense that got hyped-up let Justin Jefferson put up nearly 200 yards on their head. I think they can rebound against a Bears team riding high after an upset of the 49ers.
Buffalo Bills (1-0) vs. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Bills. The Bills are riding high after demolishing the defending champions, in which Josh Allen looked the part of an MVP caliber player. The Titans on the other hand, just got upset last week, where Brian Daboll and the Giants decided to go for two and win the game. I think the Titans have a shot to win the game, because I still think Buffalo’s biggest weakness is their run defense, but the Bills just look too good at the moment.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
Vikings. Both offenses looked amazing last week. For the Eagles, AJ Brown showed out in his first game as an Eagle. On the other side, the Kevin O’Connell led Vikings offense looked nearly unguardable at times. However, I don’t know how I feel about Philly’s defense giving up 35 points to the Lions, so the Vikings are my pick.
