Week one of the NFL season has come and gone and was a humbling experience for many fans and analysts, myself included. With an AFC South tie and several stunning upsets, I managed a measly 9-6 record on the week. It’s great to have football back in full swing, so let’s move on to week two and another exciting slate of matchups to sit and watch.
Thursday, September 8th (8:15 PM):
Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
We start this week with a fantastic matchup to kick off the Amazon Prime TNF era. Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes looked outstanding in their week one matchups, leading their teams to victories over the Raiders and Cardinals, respectively. The Chargers will be without number one wide receiver Keenan Allen, making a tough matchup in Arrowhead that much more difficult.
Prediction: Kansas City wins 33-24
Sunday, September 18th (1:00 PM):
Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
This matchup features two of the most impressive teams from week one. Miami had no issues dispatching Bill Belichick and the Patriots, while Lamar Jackson and the Ravens dominated the Jets. Both defenses will have their hands full, with Baltimore having to gameplan for Miami’s speed and Miami having to stop the premiere rushing attack in the NFL. Baltimore wins a close, hard-fought battle.
Prediction: Ravens win 27-23
New York Jets (0-1) @ Cleveland Browns (1-0)
With Zach Wilson still out, this matchup will feature a quarterback battle between Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett. While both quarterbacks are average, the Browns have the advantage of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to lean on. The Jets’ roster doesn’t match up at this point in the season, leading to a comfortable Cleveland victory.
Prediction: Browns win 20-10
Washington Commanders (1-0) @ Detroit Lions (0-1)
In a matchup between the #1 and #2 overall picks from the 2016 NFL draft, Carson Wentz looks to build off his four touchdown week one performance against Jared Goff and the Lions. As per the norm during the Dan Campbell era, the Lions played a competitive game against one of the best teams in the league in week one, losing 38-35 against the Philadelphia Eagles. There are injury concerns for this Lions team that could be too tough to overcome.
Prediction: Commanders win 24-18
Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Indianapolis came out sluggish in week one, tying the division rival Houston Texans 20-20. Meanwhile, they travel to Jacksonville on Sunday, where they haven’t won a game in eight years. They face a Jaguars team who had a chance to beat the Commanders in week one but couldn’t put it away. In a game between two teams that are difficult to figure out, history wins out as Jacksonville pulls the upset.
Prediction: Jaguars win 30-27 (Upset of the Week)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ New Orleans Saints (1-0)
The Buccaneers and Saints had very different paths to victory in week one. Tampa Bay dominated the Dallas Cowboys, holding them to three points, while the Saints had to come back from a significant deficit to take down the rival Falcons. However, the Saints have won seven of their last eight games against Tampa Bay and three of the four matchups since Tom Brady signed with the team. New Orleans picks up an important early season win at home in a close game.
Prediction: Saints win 24-20
Carolina Panthers (0-1) @ New York Giants (1-0)
Baker Mayfield’s revenge game was ruined by rookie kicker Cade York’s 58-yard game-winner for Cleveland. This week, his Carolina Panthers take on the 1-0 New York Giants, who, led by a resurgent Saquon Barkley, upset the Tennessee Titans. Expect this game to be won in the trenches, with two excellent running backs and two talented defensive lines featured. A late Christian McCaffrey touchdown gives Carolina their first win of the season.
Prediction: Panthers win 17-10
New England Patriots (0-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
These two teams had very different performances in week one, with Pittsburgh looking great against the reigning AFC champions and New England looking abysmal against the rival Dolphins. The offensive questions surrounding the Patriots, from quarterback to play callers, leads me to confidently pick the Steelers to reach 2-0 despite losing T.J. Watt to injury.
Prediction: Steelers win 20-7
Sunday, September 18th (4:05 PM):
Atlanta Falcons (0-1) @ Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
The Falcons lost their week one matchup to the New Orleans Saints in the most Falcons way possible by blowing a big lead late in the game. Now they travel to face the defending champions coming off an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Bills. There should be little doubt about the result of this game. The Rams make a statement with a blowout win.
Prediction: Rams win 34-10 (Lock of the Week)
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (0-1)
Seattle came out of the gates strong and stifled their former quarterback and the Broncos in week one. After that week one victory, they travel to their biggest rival’s house. San Francisco lost in week one to the Chicago Bears in a torrential downpour that made it difficult to evaluate anything that happened in the game. They get back on track at home and take out Geno Smith and company.
Prediction: 49ers win 24-14
Sunday, September 18th (4:25 PM):
Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)@ Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
Both of these teams disastrously started their season with abysmal performances. Cincinnati lost an overtime thriller to Pittsburgh, while Dallas’s offense never got things going against Tampa Bay. While the Cowboys’ defense should compete, the offense is inept and will be without their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Cincinnati should have no trouble knocking the Cowboys to 0-2.
Prediction: Bengals win 30-14
Houston Texans (0-0-1) @ Denver Broncos (0-1)
The Texans entered the season with expectations of being one of the worst teams in the NFL. They managed to escape week one with a tie against the AFC South favorite Indianapolis Colts but still looked uninspiring on the field. They now travel to Mile High to face Russell Wilson and the Broncos, fresh off a loss to his former team. Expect Wilson to play a fantastic game and secure his first win with Denver.
Prediction: Broncos win 24-13
Arizona Cardinals (0-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
The Cardinals and Raiders struggled in week one in losses to superior teams. In this matchup between two teams that are similar in structure and personnel, the biggest battle will be between the Raiders’ outstanding receiving corps and the Cardinals’ secondary. Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow give the Raiders the edge and propel the team to victory in a close contest.
Prediction: Raiders win 27-20
Sunday, September 18th (8:20 PM):
Chicago Bears (1-0) @ Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Seeing this historical rivalry take place in primetime on Sunday Night Football is always a treat. Aaron Rodgers struggled against the Vikings in week one and will be looking to bounce back at home, while Justin Fields and the Bears are still unknown due to their first game of the season taking place in a monsoon. The Packers are the better team and should win at Lambeau Field easily.
Prediction: Packers win 34-20
Monday, September 19th (7:15 PM):
Tennessee Titans (0-1) @ Buffalo Bills (1-0)
After week one, the Bills look like the best team in the NFL, while the Titans lost a game they never should to the Giants. Josh Allen has been superhuman the last three games he has played and is the early MVP of the league. The Bills could struggle to handle the monster that is Derrick Henry, but their offense is a severe mismatch for Tennessee’s defense. Buffalo gets to 2-0 and continues their impressive stretch of play.
Prediction: Bills win 34-30
Monday, September 19th (8:30 PM):
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
In a fantastic Monday night matchup, two of the more talented rosters in the NFC take the field. Kevin O’Connell had the Vikings offense firing on all cylinders in a convincing victory over the Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia struggled defensively against Detroit but impressed on offense in their win. Both teams have the talent necessary to win this game, but Kirk Cousins is a better passer than Jalen Hurts, which makes the difference Monday night.
Prediction: Vikings win 24-21
