NFL Week 2 Predictions

Here are my predictions for Week 2 of the NFL season. 

Saint Louis Rams @ Oakland Raiders

The Raiders playing at home against a, let's just say not so good, Rams team should be a pretty good matchup for the Raiders.  Jason Campbell should have no issue throw the ball to Heyward-Bey, Schillens, and Zach Miller, and I would expect a good game from Darren McFadden as the Rams defense just can't keep up with Oakland.  I like Sam Bradford to throw for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns on a weak defense from the Raiders as well. 

My prediction for the Game is that the Raiders will come out on top of a 28-21 victory. 


Houston Texans @ Washington Redskins

The Redskins proved last week that they can keep high powered offenses (the Dallas Cowboys on paper) out of the endzone for the most part with a 13-7 win, but I don't think that they will be able to continue this trend against the all-around offense of the Houston Texans.  Look for big games from Arian Foster, Matt Schaub and Andre' Johnson of the Texans

My Prediction for this game is a 31-17 victory for the Texans of the Redskins. 

New England Patriots @ New York Jets

The Patriots have a overpowering offensive attack and a young but relatively impressive defense, and the Jets have a high powered running game and a overwhelming Defense, and this matchup should make for a game of the week candidate.  Don't expect big numbers from Randy Moss this week as he has a one way ticket to Revis Island, but Wes Welker and Tom Brady should have pretty good games.  I look for Shonn Greene to have issues running up the middle with Vince (Fork in the Road) Wilfork playing in the middle of the line and Sanchez is simply too inaccurate to trust throwing to all of the targets. 

Game Prediction: 35-14 Patriots Win

Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Diego Chargers

San Diego had an off week last week against the Chiefs but I don't expect that to continue against the Jaguars.  Phillip Rivers should be able to throw at will to Gates and Ryan Matthews should break 150 yards and should get at least 2 touchdowns. 

Prediction: San Diego 28 - Jacksonville Jaguars 17

New York Giants @ Indianapolis Colts

Eli Manning vs Peyton Manning is a match for the ages.  I think that Hakeem Nicks and Austin Collie have good games here and I think Ahmad Bradshaw should be able to run pretty well here.  Otherwise I think that this is a pretty uninteresting Fantasy game. 

Prediction: Manning Wins...Real Prediction: Colts by a touchdown

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers

The Saints Offense is explosive at it's worst and should have no problem with the 49ers' defense that gave up 31 points to the lowly Seahawks.  The Saints defense managed to pretty much limit Adrian Peterson in week 1 so I would imagine that the gameplan will be pretty similar to that for Frank Gore this week.  If you are digging for a Niners player that may have a good game, look no farther the Vernon Davis as the only player against the Saints in week 1 to have a good game is Visanthe Shiancoe and Davis is a significantly better player. 

Prediction: Saints by 14 points

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans

Pittsburgh is still looking at Dennis Dixon as the starter this week which means that I find pretty much all of the receivers for the Steelers are benched in my book.  Vince Young should have an OK game but I would think this is going to be a matter of Runners of which Mendenhall and Chris Johnson should have monster games. 

Prediction: Chris Johnson and the Titans are too much for the Steelers - 21-7

Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings

I look for the Vikings to put one in the Win column this week against the Miami Dolphins.  I would expect Peterson to have a good game but I don't think that one week is enough for Favre to get on track with his receivers after the poor performance last week.  The Dolphins Brandon Marshall should be able to have a decent game but I don't expect Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams to be able to accomplish much running against a good Vikings defense. 

Prediction: Vikings 21 - Dolphins 13


Arizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and the Falcons put up a good show against the Steelers in Week 1 while the Cardinals barely pulled off a win against the Rams.  Despite good numbers last week I don't think Derek Anderson can throw the ball in the Ocean from the edge of a Cruise Liner so I don't really like there odds here.  Look for a better game from Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells if Wells is healthy enough to play.  I would also think that Atlanta's Ryan, Roddy White, and Michael Turner will have great games and Tony Gonzalez should have at least an average game. 

Prediction: Falcons 17 - Cardinals 10

Chicago Bears @ Dallas Cowboys

This matchup is as lopsided as it seems.  Dallas should dominate this game in all aspects.  You big play makers will be Romo and Austin.  If you are looking for a Bears player, you might take a risk on the resurgent Matt Forte who went absolutely nuts on Detroit last week but don't count on that level this week but he should still have a good game. 

Prediction:  Cowboys 28 Bears 10

Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions

Mike Vick will make his first start on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.  The Lions did manage to hold Matt Forte to only 50 yards rushing in Week 1 but I don't expect this to become a trend when the Eagles have Vick and an underrated LeSean McCoy that can run the ball and Vick did run for 103 yards against a very good Green Bay defense after Kolb went down with the injury.  I would expect to see much of the same for Philly this week.  Detroit's starter also went down with an injury in Week 1 leaving Shaun Hill to make his first start of the season for Detroit this week.  Hill is an underwhelming quarterback at best and I don't really think that he has an opportunity to show otherwise this week. 

Prediction: Eagles 24 - Lions 10


Buffalo Bills @ Green Bay Packers

Ryan Grant will miss the rest of the season with the ankle injury that he suffered in Week 1, but Brandon Jackson is still there to run the ball.  Aaron Rodgers will probably be throwing more often but not much but I would look for a typical Green Bay performance in Week 2.

Prediction: In addition to Green Bay performing typically, you will also get a typical performance from Buffalo which will mean that this is a blowout Green Bay victory.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay and Carolina...does anyone really care.  Good performances from DeAngelo Williams and Cadillac Williams, that's really about it.  Mike Williams from Tampa Bay may have a good game. 

Prediction: Bucs 14 Panthers 7

Seattle Seahawks @ Denver Broncos

Matt Hasselbeck put up some ridiculous numbers on offense in their blowout of the 49ers last week.  Now it is time to determine if it is a fluke or if they have revamped their offense for good.  The Broncos had an unfortunate loss to the Jaguars in week one but Kyle Orton threw for almost 300 yards and the offense performed pretty well. 

Prediction: Seahawks 34 - Broncos 31

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals played horrible in the first half only to turn it around in the second half against the Patriots.  Baltimore got involved in a slugfest with the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 1 and came away with a win.  Look for the favorites to have good games this week in Flacco, Rice, Boldin, Mason, Palmer, Benson.  I would look for Batman and Robin to have good games as well. 

Prediction: Palmer throws for over 300 yards in a loss.  Ravens 28 - Bengals 21

Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns

The Chiefs defense looked pretty good against the Chargers on Monday night and the Browns looked pretty unimpressive against the Bucs, but I like the Chiefs and Browns Special team to be the difference makers. 

Prediction: Browns 17 - Chiefs 16