What an interesting opening week in the NFL.
The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots started flat as they hosted the skilled Kansas City Chiefs. Interestingly, the Patriots have a tough road game this week and may be possibly staring at 0-2 in the face. Notice I said possibly. Meanwhile, the Steelers, Falcons, and Broncos all squeezed out victories and the Jaguars shocked many by completely dominating the defending AFC South champion Houston Texans. In addition, the Cowboys defeated their division rival Giants, who were minus their best player. Let’s see what is on tap for week two.
Last week: 8-6
Season: 8-6
Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals – 8:25 PM EST, Thursday, NFLN
Both teams suffered embarrassing home losses and are looking to get on track with a nationally televised contest. The Texans will turn to rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson as their starter, a move that many foresaw this season anyhow. The Bengals were turnover happy last week against Baltimore as they coughed the ball up five times. Watson has a bright future in Houston but playing on a short week against a veteran team on the road with an offensive line that is untrustworthy is a tall task. Pick: Bengals 24 Texans 17
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens – 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The Browns played the division rival Steelers mighty tough to open the NFL season. A 3-point defeat to Pittsburgh with the what the Browns have to offer is not that bad at all. Meanwhile, the Ravens season opener was a success based on a run game that produced 157 yards and a defense that held Cincinnati to 221 total yards. Now that smothering Ravens defense get a rookie quarterback at home and a offense that allowed seven sacks. The Ravens have won 16 of the past 18 meetings against Cleveland. Pick: Ravens 28 Browns 10
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Expectations are high for a Bucs team that has yet to play a game thanks to their postponement of their scheduled week one game against Miami. The addition of DeSean Jackson at receiver for the Buccaneers gives Tampa Bay a unique dimension. Last week, the Bears were five yards away from upsetting the Atlanta Falcons. Instead, they suffered a loss and now have a fresher, motivated Bucs team. The Bears front seven can make this interesting. Pick: Buccaneers 30 Bears 21
Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 1:00 PM EST, Fox
This matchup pits one of the best defenses in the NFL in the rugged Vikings and the dangerous Steelers offense. However, focus on the other key elements here. Such as the red-zone efficiency of Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford, who tossed three red-zone touchdowns against the Saints on Monday night. The Vikings have a Super Bowl caliber defense (yes, I said it). If Bradford and the offense can stay efficient, Minnesota can steal one here. Pick: Vikings 23 Steelers 21
New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints – 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Two Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks are center stage here. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his Super Bowl teammates had their opening night spoiled thanks to a 15-point defeat at the hands of the Chiefs. The Pats defense was somewhat exposed as they allowed 537 total yards and 8.3 yards per play. The Saints however, were also on the losing end in week one as they were handed a 29-19 defeat to the Vikings. The Adrian Peterson era in New Orleans started off with a thud. Maybe it can get off the ground at home against a leaky defense. Or maybe the angry Tom Brady takes out his frustrations in a shootout. Pick: Patriots 37 Saints 31
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – 1:00 PM EST, Fox
What the Chiefs did in New England on opening night was impressive. Especially on the offensive side of the ball, where quarterback Alex Smith passed for 368 yards and four touchdowns. The tough Eagles defense come to town after holding Washington to just 264 total yards. The absence of safety Eric Berry after tearing his Achilles last week will stand out for Kansas City and the Eagles will try to exploit the loss of their key defender. Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt had a stellar debut but the Eagles front seven is more skilled than New England’s and may keep Hunt in check in this one. Pick: Eagles 26 Chiefs 23
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Maybe the story of week one in the NFL was Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell and his four sacks. Which was a significant portion of the Jaguars total 10 sacks as a defense against the Texans. The team also lost their best offensive weapon in receiver Allen Robinson. The pressure is now on quarterback Blake Bortles even more. Suffering a home loss to the Oakland Raiders was the story for the Titans last week. Getting on track on offense against a stingy Jaguars defense may be tougher than expected. Scoring points on offense for the Jags without Robinson may be tough also. Pick: Titans 24 Jaguars 19
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts – 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Cardinals running back David Johnson will not be the catalyst on offense for the Cardinals for quite some time. So veteran quarterback Carson Palmer will now be looked upon to produce even more. Coming off a 3-interception performance may not strike confidence in Palmer from the Cardinals faithful. A Scott Tolzien-led Colts offense will likely not provide much competition or points for the Cardinals defense. This one may be over fairly quickly. Pick: Cardinals 37 Colts 18
Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers – 1:00 PM EST, CBS
It is the Sean McDermott Bowl as the former Panthers defensive coordinator now Buffalo head coach brings his Bills team back to his old stomping grounds. Everyone knows the Bills are centered around their run game on offense, which produced 190 rushing yards last week. So the aggressive Panthers defense will focus on negating that philosophy of the Bills. McDermott’s knowledge of the Panthers can show itself in this one. One where the Panthers may need all four quarters to put this one away. Pick: Panthers 24 Bills 16
New York Jets vs. Oakland Raiders – 4:05 PM EST, CBS
Running back Marshawn Lynch will definitely be a crowd favorite in this contest. His home debut will likely provide enough motivation for him to have a huge day. The Jets allowed plenty of production on the ground to the Bills and the same may occur. They also one produced 214 yards of offense on the road. Expect a big day from Lynch and a pass rush led by Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack may allow Oakland to put this on ice early. Pick: Raiders 40 Jets 14
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 4:05 PM EST, CBS
Traveling across the country has always been an issue with many east coast teams. However, the Dolphins defeated the Chargers last season 31-24, thanks to four Chargers turnovers. The Dolphins have yet to play a game thanks to the dreaded hurricane season while the Chargers clawed their way back into their Monday night contest against the Broncos only to come up short, 24-21. The Chargers won’t have to worry about an elite defense such as the Broncos in this matchup but they will have to worry a Dolphins team that had an extra week to prepare. Pick: Dolphins 30 Chargers 23
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks – 4:25 PM EST, Fox
What was once a feisty rivalry is now a one-sided affair. The Seahawks had a poor outing on offense on the road against Green Bay last week and the offensive line was the main culprit. A young, talented 49ers defensive line can give the Seahawks offensive line plenty of work. Yet, the smothering defense will make life tough for 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer and the Niners offense. Pick: Seahawks 30 49ers 12
Washington Redskins vs. Los Angeles Rams – 4:25 PM EST, Fox
Was the week one showing by Rams quarterback Jared Goff a ruse? Or was his 306 yards and a touchdown the beginning of his notable progression. Rams head coach Sean McVay was the Redskins offensive coordinator the past three seasons and may know a thing or two about defending Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. Goff and the Rams earned a huge victory over the Colts last week but the Redskins pose a much greater challenge. Pick: Redskins 28 Rams 17
Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos – 4:25 PM EST, Fox
Mile High Stadium is the location for what some may view as a Super Bowl preview. The Cowboys took advantage of an OBJ-less Giants team on their way to a 19-3 home win last week. The battle of the trenches is the focal point here as the elite Dallas offensive line faces a strong Broncos pass rush. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been notably efficient and he must be even more careful against a Broncos defense that was seventh in the NFL in takeaways last season. Mile High is incredibly tough to win in. Yet, the Cowboys have the right ingredients to do so. Pick: Cowboys 23 Broncos 20 OT
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons – 8:25 PM EST, NBC
A rematch of the 2016 NFC Championship game which is also the Falcons opening of their new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The presence of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can haunt many defenses. His ability to connect with receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb is championship-worthy. The Falcons can use this game to help get past Super Bowl 51. The Packers defense improved but is it enough to contain a Falcons offense that posted 493 yards of offense on them in the NFC title game? A statement must be made by the Falcons on a prime stage. Pick: Falcons 34 Packers 27
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants – 8:30 PM EST, ESPN
It is likely that star Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. makes his season debut after sitting out last week against Dallas because of a bum ankle. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is never out of a game and has nothing but confidence from his teammates. The pass rush for the Giants must come alive to disallow Stafford a comfort zone. The Lions were 3-6 on the road last season including the playoffs. Pick: Giants 30 Lions 20
