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With week 1 in the books, week 2 is fast approaching. It’s safe to say I didn’t predict the Cleveland Browns taking the Steelers to overtime, with the match eventually ending in a draw. With another 16 matchups taking place over the next few days, here are my predictions for the winners and losers of those matches.
Ravens vs Bengals
The Bengals host the Ravens on this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup. Both teams won their week 1 games, with the Ravens destroying the Bills, and the Bengals beating the Colts. I see this match being a tight one, with the Ravens just coming out on top. Joe Flacco looked impressive in last week’s blowout victory.
Maybe the addition of Lamar Jackson has given him the kick up the backside that he needed. Joe Mixon was another player with an impressive showing in week 1. This will be a much tougher challenge against a stout Ravens defense. I can see the Ravens picking off Andy Dalton at least twice.
RAVENS WIN
Panthers vs Falcons
Cam Newton takes his Carolina Panthers into Atlanta to face Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Ryan had a torrid first week to the season. He missed throws that he should have been making, as well as forcing the ball to Julio when Tevin Coleman was wide open to win the game.
Both teams are missing players, with Greg Olsen missing for the Panthers and Deion Jones and Keanu Neal missing on the defense for Atlanta. That being said, I see Ryan having a bounce-back game, and therefore leading the Falcons to victory. This divisional matchup should be a good one.
FALCONS WIN
Chargers vs Bills
Well, this one is simple for me. The Chargers looked great on offense last week against the Chiefs, despite ending up with the loss. It was their inability to cover Tyreek Hill that lost them the game. The Buffalo Bills were absolutely atrocious in week 1, being completely blown out by the Ravens.
This time Josh Allen gets the start under center, his first start in the NFL. It could be a rough night for him behind a porous offensive line. The Chargers are missing DE Joey Bosa, who is out with a foot injury, but they still have enough playmakers on D to make this night to forget for Allen.
CHARGERS WIN
Vikings vs Packers
This one all depends on the availability of Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn’t play, then it will be a fun night for the Vikings defense. However, I fully expect him to play on Sunday, even if he doesn’t log any practice time this week. This could be a high scoring matchup with Kirk Cousins getting more accustomed to his weapons on offense. As much as this hurts me to say (being a Packers fan), I see the Vikings coming out as narrow winners.
VIKINGS WIN
Browns vs Saints
The Saints defense was an absolute dumpster fire in week 1, allowing Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead the Bucs to a 48-40 victory. They will need to improve against a talented Cleveland offense led by Tyrod Taylor.
The Saints offense was as dominant as ever though, with Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara all having big days. The Browns D should be a tougher proposition for them, so this could turn into another exciting game. I see Brees and the Saints bouncing back and getting the W.
SAINTS WIIN
Dolphins vs Jets
To most people’s surprise, both of these teams go in to week 2 with a 1-0 record. The Jets blew away the Detroit Lions on MNF, whilst the Dolphins beat the Titans in a weather-delayed debacle. The Titans are battered and bruised after last weeks game. They have lost Delanie Walker for the season and also have Taylor Lewan and Marcus Mariota nursing injuries. I see this one being one of the lower scoring games of the week, with the Dolphins just coming out ahead. Look for Kenyan Drake to have a big game and cement his place as the RB1 in Miami.
DOLPHINS WIN
Chiefs vs Steelers
This one should be a doozy. Pat Mahomes takes his KC Chiefs into Heinz Field to face Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers had a tough opening day, drawing a match that they should have won. They did have a great performance by backup RB James Conner, in place of the AWOL Leveon Bell.
The Chiefs looked great against the Chargers last week, with the enigmatic Tyreek Hill destroying them with his lightning quick pace. The Steelers better find a way to stop him, or lightning could well strike twice. On the other side, Antonio Brown will be salivating at the thought of running rings around an Eric Berryless secondary. He will have a huge game. Steelers win a shootout.
STEELERS WIN
Eagles vs Buccaneers
Can Fitzmagic trick us all into thinking he is an elite QB again?! Probably not, but hell, it was a fun performance by the veteran in week 1. I don’t expect the Eagles D to collapse quite the way that the Saints did last week. Nick Foles gets the chance to improve on his lacklustre display in week 1, against a defense that just conceded 40 points in their previous matchup. If he actually looks down the field a bit more then he may have a little more success. I fear the magic will wear off and the Eagles will take this one.
EAGLES WIN
Texans vs Titans
This AFC South matchup pits DeShaun Watson against Marcus Mariota in a battle of the mobile QBs. Watson was poor in the week 1, completing 50% of his passes for 1 TD, 1 INT and losing a fumble also. The Titans lost their first match of the season too, and I fear a second consecutive loss could be on the cards here. Marcus Mariota is struggling with a bad elbow and his favourite target, Delanie Walker is out for the rest of the season. They may have to lean on the running game, which will be no easy feat against that fierce Texans line. The Texans win this one comfortably.
TEXANS WIN
Colts vs Redskins
Both QBs were impressive in their week 1 outings. Andrew Luck showed he’s still got it with a decent display considering he hadn’t played a competitive game in over 600 days. Alex Smith looked superb for the Redskins as they outplayed the Arizona Cardinals in week 1. This one could also be a high scoring affair, but I see the Redskins coming out with the victory due to their better defense. Keep an eye on Adrian Peterson. I expect ‘All Day’ to roll back the years and have a big game.
REDSKINS WIN
Cardinals vs Rams
The Rams looked decent on MNF against the Raider, whereas the Cardinals looked woeful against the Redskins. Todd Gurley looked impressive as always as did the Rams defense. The CB duo of Talib and Peters shut Amari Cooper out of the game, with the Oakland WR recording just 1 catch for 9 yards. Sam Bradford looked poor last week. He looked flustered and scared in the pocket, a shadow of his usual self. That isn’t great considering he will have Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh breathing down his neck for the majority of the game.
RAMS WIN
Lions vs 49ers
Gross. Matthew Stafford lost lots of people their fantasy weeks (me included) with his 5 INT display in week 1. Surely he has to bounce back against the 49ers this week, right? The 49ers had a tough start to the season against the Vikings, who picked off their QB, Jimmy Garoppolo 3 times. Both teams have inefficiencies in the running game, so look for two big days from both Stafford and Jimmy G. I think the Lions will hand Garoppolo his second loss in as many weeks.
LIONS WIN
Raiders vs Broncos
Jon Gruden has had some questionable calls since taking over in Oakland, so I shouldn’t be too surprised that he publicly lambasted his two best players, Amari Cooper and Derek Carr. He is right though. Both players need to step up and step up quickly, otherwise, this season will get away from the Raiders before it’s even started.
The Broncos are a solid unit, with a capable QB now under center. Case Keenum has some good targets in the passing game, with Thomas, Sanders and Sutton, as well as having rookie running back Royce Freeman and week 1 hero Phillip Lindsay in the backfield. The Broncos are just too strong on both sides of the ball.
BRONCOS WIN
Patriots vs Jaguars
TB12 faces the Jaguars in a rematch of last year's divisional finals. Brady got the job done against the Texans last week, with Gronkowski being his most productive receiver, as usual. Jalen Ramey has been trash talking for weeks, and he recently said that Gronk ‘isn’t great’. It’ll be fun to watch that matchup unfold.
The Jaguars could be without bell cow back Leonard Fournette who picked up a hamstring injury in week 1. There is talk he will be a game-time decision. If he plays, the Jags win.
JAGUARS WIN
Giants vs Cowboys
The Cowboys did not have a good start to the season, losing to the Carolina Panthers, whilst the Giants lost to the Jaguars. This could be the game that Saquon Barkley really introduces himself to the NFL. Yes, he had a big TD run last week, but he was held in check for the majority of the game against the elite Jaguars defense. Also, did you see how open Odell Beckham Jr was on numerous plays last week? Eli, get the man the ball! Giants, all day.
GIANTS WIN
Seahawks vs Bears
Both teams were on the end of a narrow loss in week 1 and will look to get their first win of the season on MNF. Russel Wilson is one of the best QBs in the league, but his supporting cast are weak at best, especially without Doug Baldwin. The Bears are stronger than they have been in recent memory and the addition of Khalil Mack has already paid dividends. He was a one-man wrecking ball against the Packers. Look for him to make it a long night for Russel Wilson.
BEARS WIN
