Week two is upon us already and although the 100th season has not picked as high a profile a game for Thursday night it is still an intriguing matchup of two struggling offenses and two rather good defenses. Expect another low scoring game to start the week.
In Sunday’s games all eyes will be in Miami on Sunday, as the New England Patriots – fresh off a beat down on one of the AFC’s supposedly better teams heads for quite possibly the worst team in the NFL – shocks do happen but it is more likely that Antonio Brown gets through a week without a new drama emerging than a Dolphins win. Enjoy watching his play as he could be banned if the NFL act on the alleged sexual assault charge he is facing.
Game of the weekend looks to be the rematch of Last Seasons NFC Championship game. A similarly hard-fought game – but without the officiating controversy would be good. Anyway here we go again with our predictions, we will have some way to go to match last weeks predictions which saw us go 12-3-1 straight up.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton looked far from back to his best in last weeks defeat to the Rams, which was never as close as the score suggested, while the Buccs were in the game against the 49ere until that pick 6 finished them. This could be a bit of a defensive slugfest and we think the Buccs may have a sneakily good defense and they could edge this one.
Prediction Tampa Bay 20 – Carolina 17
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
The Titan’s burst the Cleveland hype bubble nicely last week and with home advantage, they should move to 2-0.
Prediction Tennessee 31 – Indianapolis 24
Los Angeles Chargers @ Detroit Lions
Is this finally going to be the year Philip Rivers caps a Hall of Fame worthy career with a trip to the Super Bowl? Well, they made hard work of it last week allowing the Colts to force OT by taking their foot off the gas. Still, The Loins were just as guilty against the Cardinals with their 24-6 fourth-quarter lead almost ending up in an OT loss. We don’t expect the Chargers to be so lenient this week.
Prediction Chargers 33 – Lions 24
Buffalo Bills @ New York Giants
The Bills are making their second consecutive trip to the Meadowlands, having beaten the Jets her last week coming back from 16-0 down. The Giants don’t look quite as bad as expected and should take this one in what might be a lowish scoring game.
Prediction Giants 20 – Bills 13
Arizona Cardinals @ Baltimore Ravens
The Raven’s absolutely destroyed a poor Miami team last week and are near 2 TD favourites on the spread this week against what might be another of the teams vying for that No one draft pick in 2020. It will be strange watching Terrel Suggs lining up against them for Arizona after spending 16 years in Baltimore and if the Cardinals are to have a chance he will have to get after Lamar Jackson whenever possible. The Ravens Defense looks awesome though and they should get Kyler Murray off the field often enough for them to cover the spread.
Prediction Baltimore 38 – Arizona 21
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
If both teams play like they did last week then this could get ugly real fast New England are 18.5 points favourites and with Brady continuing to defy father time and Antonio Brown joining an already stacked receiving corp this could be another air raid night. Sadly for Miami, The Patriots actually look better on defense than offense which is scary!
Prediction New England 42 – Miami 13
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Washington started brightly against the Eagles last week before fading late and Case Keenum put up some impressive numbers. However, he was eclipsed by Dak Prescott’s near-flawless performance for the Cowboys which ended with a coveted 158.3 passer rating. The Skins will have Jordan reed back but Trent Richardson continues to hold out so it looks like another tough divisional loss for them.
Prediction Dallas 27 – Washington 20
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
Jacksonville are still reeling after losing Nick Foles, and although Rookie QB Gardner Minshew looked quite accomplished, he will face a much more aggressive defense this week. Houston looked good in defeat at the Saints but still didn’t protect Deshean Watson all that well despite bringing in Laremey Tunsil. Could be quite close but The Texans should take this one.
Prediction Houston 28 – Jacksonville 14
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle didn’t look good against Cinncinatti last week and the Bengals are probably the weakest team in the AFC North. The Steelers know they can’t start 0-2 and should be fired up ready for this one.
Prediction Pittsburgh 31 – Seattle 28
San Francisco 49ers @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were a tad unlucky last week away to the Seahawks. The injury to Joe Mixon is a worry but if he is back then they might be in with a shout. The 49ers were flattered a bit scoreline wise last week by a late pick-six and a 2 point conversion and Jimmy Garoppolo looked a bit off. could be close but we are going with the Bengals at home.
Prediction Cincinnati 23 – San Fransisco 20
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Even at this early stage, this looks like being a pivotal game in the NFC North. The Vikings looked very good last week, while Green Bay stuttered on offense. However, Rodgers should be sharper for the game and their Defense has stepped it up a lot.
Prediction Green Bay 24 – Minnesota 20
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
The Chiefs took over where they left off last season piling up enough points to win shoot out games. Oakland looked better than expected against Denver and will, of course, be more settled now that the Antonio Brown Circus has left town. Still, it’s hard to see them winning this one.
Prediction Kansas City 38 – Oakland 24
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams
Nice early season clash between two teams who should be heading back to the postseason. New Orleans will be particularly motivated given the heartbreaking way they lost to the Rams in the NFC Championship game. The Rams should just edge it again though at home.
Prediction LA Rams 27 – New Orleans 24
Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos
The Bears defense looks special again this year, but they seem to have taken a step back on offense. Denver showed enough against Oakland to indicate they will win games this year and they should have Linebacker Todd Davies back which might just make the difference. The Broncos are or tip to edge this one in what could bit of a slugfest.
Prediction Denver 17 – Chicago 14
Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons did a nice job of shutting down the Vikings passing game last week, but you can’t go to on the road and give up 3 TOs and win. They also struggled a bit against the run. Still, they are at home this week, and the Eagles didn’t look that great against Washington so as long as Matt Ryan doesn’t throw two picks again they should get back on track.
Prediction Atlanta 27 – Philadelphia 20
Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets
The Browns pre-season hype balloon was well and truly popped by the Titans last week, however, with the talent, they have all over the field and with QB Sam Darnold missing for the Jets, they should pick up the win.
Prediction Cleveland 33 – NY Jets 17
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