Week 1 of the NFL season was an action-packed week full of upsets and surprises. Week 2 should see the same script and we’ll be predicting each game of the week and there’s a few upsets on our list. Through week 1, we are 9-7 straight up in picks.
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles
Two teams that didn’t live up to the expectation in week 1 are the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings who were favored to beat the Buccaneers just couldn’t get the job done. The Eagles on the other hand did end up winning, but nearly blew the game away. Neither played like the playoff team they both were last year. The Eagles did pull out the win and we think they’ll be able to pull out another close one against the Vikings.
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
The Packers and Falcons both enter this game coming off a divisional victory. The Packers demolished the Bears and the Falcons handled the Panthers well. Jordan Love reminded us a lot like Aaron Rodgers with how in control of the offense he was. Meanwhile Desmond Ridder didn’t play hot and it was the Falcons running attack that carried the offense. Jordan Love should make Packers fans happy with a 2-0 start in the Post-Rodgers era.
Winner: Green Bay Packers
Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills
The Raiders were able to pull out a close win against the Denver Broncos, while the Buffalo Bills lost in overtime on the road on Monday Night Football. Josh Allen had a rough game with many questioning his ability to lead. We think he just had a rough go against a tough Jets defense. Thankfully for him, the Raiders aren’t as good as the Jets and Allen bounces back showing why he’s still a top 5 quarterback in the league.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals embarrassed themselves last week after a lot of smack talk losing to the Browns on a rainy day. The Ravens didn’t lose the game, but lost several players due to injury such as running back JK Dobbins for the season. The Ravens are going to need to adjust their game plan and the Bengals are on a mission for vengeance. The Bengals are hungrier and want this win more, especially after Joe Burrow had a career worst performance.
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
We hate judging a team off of the season opener, but Geno Smith looked like a one year wonder as he struggled against the Rams. The Seahawks offense was not great and their defense was worse. Meanwhile the Lions went into Kansas City for the first game of the season and upset them in a crowded stadium. Goff is used to playing against the Seahawks from his days with the Rams and should be able to get the Lions off to an impressive 2-0 start.
Winner: Detroit Lions
Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans
The Chargers narrowly lost in a shootout against the Dolphins and the Titans narrowly lost in a lackluster performance against the Saints. Both teams could’ve easily ended up winning their games last week, but the Chargers faced the tougher opponent and stuck around in it. The Chargers offense is going to be way too much for the Titans defense.
Winner: Los Angeles Chargers
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bears entered week 1 as favorites and got blown out by the Jordan Love led Packers. The Buccaneers were the underdogs and held off the Minnesota Vikings offense. The Bears are definitely not the favorites entering this one and the Buccaneers should take care of business at home.
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars
Even though the Chiefs lost & the Jaguars won in week 1, both teams didn’t play as well as expected. The Chiefs offense was lost without Travis Kelce & the defense didn’t put as much pressure without Chris Jones. The Jaguars barely beat the Colts who started Anthony Richardson at quarterback. Thankfully for the Chiefs, Chris Jones is confirmed back after signing a deal and Travis Kelce could see some action. The return of Chris Jones should bring just enough momentum to avoid going 0-2.
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
In a battle to avoid getting last place in the AFC South and potentially even the AFC as a whole, the Colts square off against the Texans in a matchup with potential for draft implications. Both teams are not good, both starting rookie quarterbacks, and have struggles on defense. This game is going to come down to who struggles less and we think that’s going to be CJ Stroud. When Stroud wasn’t faced as much pressure, he did well and we don’t think the Colts defense is going to stop him. We like the Texans to pull off the surprise win.
Winner: Houston Texans
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
We didn’t know how Brock Purdy was going to look after injuring himself in the NFC Championship game. But Brock Purdy looked solid and the offense ran all over the Pittsburgh Steelers. McCaffrey finished with 152 rushing yards and Aiyuk had a pair of receiving touchdowns. We don’t think the Rams who have a worse defense than the Steelers are going to be able to keep up with this high-powered offense.
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals
In a complete and utter embarrassment, the Giants got shut out 40-0 against the Cowboys in primetime. There was nothing pretty about the way the Giants played. The Cardinals didn’t fare much better, but stuck around and gave the Commanders a challenge. The Giants should play better than what they did last week and make things difficult for the winless Cardinals.
Winner: New York Giants
New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys had the most impressive performance in week 1 with completely blanking out the New York Giants on their way to a 40-0 victory. The Cowboys now face a New York Jets team that unfortunately lost Aaron Rodgers to the season. The Jets pulled it out against Buffalo without Rodgers, but they’ll be on a short week and scrambling to figure out their game plan with shaky Zach Wilson as the quarterback.
Winner: Dallas Cowboys
Washington Commanders at Denver Broncos
Two teams that are the definition of mediocrity are the Washington Commanders and the Denver Broncos. Neither team should make the playoffs, but they won’t be at the bottom of the rankings either. They’re both below average teams that have struggles all around. The team that is going to win this is the one with less struggles and that’s the Denver Broncos who’s defense narrowly holds the edge over the Commanders.
Winner: Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
We don’t know if there is anyone in the league that can slow down Tyreek Hill. Hill finished with over 200 receiving yards in the season opener. The Patriots don’t have the speed in their secondary like they used to. The Dolphins offense should have another good showing but expect the Patriots to keep up and put up another good fight.
Winner: Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers start off their season with back to back divisional matchups. Week 1, they lost against Atlanta in a game where rookie Bryce Young struggled. Meanwhile the New Orleans Saints also struggled on offense in week 1 against the Titans but their defense held up. The Saints come into Carolina and give Bryce Young another rough start to his career.
Winner: New Orleans Saints
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns beat the Bengals 24-3 in a big win against a Super Bowl contender. The Steelers also faced a Super Bowl contender and lost as they should have. The Browns matchup doesn’t look as good on paper when you factor in the weather and Joe Burrow playing on an injured calf. The Steelers defense is better than the Bengals defense despite the beatdown they just got to the 49ers. The Steelers defense should put the Browns to a better test and pull off the upset against the Browns.
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