Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr, Adrian Peterson – all seemingly missing from the field last week. I went 9-7 in my picks, just what the Eagles record will be this year. Football and Pete Carroll return to L.A. this week. There’s a huge AFC North match-up that should be in prime time just for the fights that’ll likely ensue. Bill Belichick is a still a god, and the Ryan brothers face Rex’s old squad. Hip, hip, hooray! More football is on its way!
New York Jets (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (0-1)
The Bills have won six of the last seven meetings – not to mention having knocked the Jets out of playoff contention last year. Both teams struggled last week and will need to pull their heads out if either one is going to have a strong showing.
Look for Matt Forte and Bilal Powell to be the keys to the Jets success on offense with Forte likely taking the bulk of the work. He finished with 155 yards on 27 touches last week. The Jets defensive line sacked Andy Dalton seven times last week – so RIP Tyrod Taylor. On the flipside of things, the Bills defense is going to make Ryan Fitzpatrick fussy.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
You guys, we get a super special treat in week 2. The Bengals and Steelers has become one of the best rivalries in football in the last few years and we’re sure in for a treat. I need more of this:
Then there’s this:
I might actually just put this game on over Red Zone on Sunday. I have no idea who’s going to win.
Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans (0-1) at Detroit Lions (1-0)
Tennessee just couldn’t get it done against a struggling Vikings team last week, whereas the Lions squeaked past the Colts in a game they really probably shouldn’t have won. It’s another bottom of the barrel matchup, and unless you have Matt Stafford, DeMarco Murray, or some other fantasy player, then this game doesn’t have a whole lot of draw to it.
Winner: Detroit Lions
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-1)
The Robert Griffin III era has already come to an end in Cleveland, after he was injured last week and placed on IR. Meanwhile, Joe Flacco sure looked like an elite QB last week. Also, Mike Wallace is back from the dead, probably. It’s just not your year, already, Cleveland.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
Washington Redskins (0-1) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
Oooo, another old time NFL rivalry. Dak Prescott went 25-45 for 227 yards last week in his debut, paired with Ezekiel Elliott’s 51 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Dez Bryant didn’t do a damn thing last week, but he said he “can’t wait” to face Josh Norman. Maybe Prescott will remember he has Dez on his team and will throw to him for the sake of Jerry Jones’ health and my fantasy team.
Washington’s defense didn’t look awful against the Steelers last week and will likely give the Cowboys rookies some fits.
Winner: Washington Redskins
New Orleans Saints (0-1) at New York Giants (1-0)
Guess what? Drew Brees threw for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns last week. He’s already playing like it’s week 8. Meanwhile, Eli threw for 207, 3 touchdowns, and an interception (shocking, I know). Neither team has much of a defense or a run game, so look for Manning and Brees to see who can throw the most and most efficiently. It’s going to come down to them. While Brees is clearly less-derpy and the better QB, I’m going with the Giants because they’re at home and Brees isn’t great in the elements.
Winner: New York Giants
San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-1)
The 49ers absolutely embarrassed the LA Rams last week on a late Monday night game everyone turned off at halftime. Blaine Gabbert ran around supposedly one of the best defenses in the league, doing his best Cam Newton impression. San Francisco isn’t good and it’s time they’re reminded of that. Carolina is at home, out for blood after a last-minute loss to the team that beat them in the Super Bowl.
Winner: Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins (1-0) at New England Patriots (1-0)
The Patriots didn’t miss a beat last week without Tom Brady or Gronk, taking care of the Arizona Cardinals in Arizona. Clearly, Bill Belichick is immortal and doesn’t need Brady or Gronk to win. Is Jimmy G that good? Will Brady be benched week 5 for the young gun? Doubtful, but people are calling for it already. The Dolphins gave Seattle some fits last week and injured Russell Wilson, but that’s not to say Seattle was having trouble with themselves.
I’m looking forward to watching that beast of a pass rush Miami has against New England. Could be a better game than expected. Side note: Ryan Tannehill’s receivers are poo poo.
Winner: Miami Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) at Houston Texans (1-0)
Alex Smith is so underrated. 363 yards, 34-48, two touchdowns, and an interception against San Diego last week. Brock Osweiler threw for 231, two touchdowns, and an interception in his big money debut for the Texans. Jamaal Charles is questionable for this week and Lamar Miller put up 106 yards last week. Houston’s new look offense isn’t looking too shabby yet.
Both defenses are bit banged up and honestly, haven’t seen enough from either team to really say anything educational.
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
Jameis Winston came out like a bat out of hell last week: 23-33, 281 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. Doug Martin looked steady, catching passes out of the backfield. Tampa could be better than last year if Winston continues to make progress. However, they’re playing an angry Cardinals team that lost its home opener that it was supposed to win. They’re coming out hangry for their first win.
Sorry, Jameis.
Winner: Arizona Cardinals
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) at San Diego Chargers (0-1)
Phillip Rivers’ 15 children cried when his daddy lost last week in overtime. Jacksonville ALMOST pulled off the upset of week 1, only losing to Green Bay by 4 measly points. Blake Bortles threw for 320 yards and that’s bananas. They at least proved me and a lot of other folks wrong by keeping that game as close as it was.
San Diego is favored in this matchup, but I’m going to go with my gut on this one.
Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars
Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Oakland Raiders (1-0)
Oakland pulled it off with a gutsy 2-point conversation last week to avoid overtime, while Derek Carr threw for 319 yards. Amari Cooper was a beast putting up 137 on 6 catches. Oakland is the dark horse this season and I’m riding it all the way to the end-ish.
Winner: Oakland Raiders
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) at Denver Broncos (1-0)
Andrew Luck just couldn’t play both offense and defense against the Lions. You’d think that his 385 yard, 4 touchdown performance would’ve been enough to lead the Colts to victory at home, but that just wasn’t the case. When you have a garbage defense, you lose.
You know who doesn’t have a garbage defense? Denver. Denver has a defense that no one wants to see at all. Cam Newton certainly didn’t see them coming.
Winner: Denver Broncos
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
Seattle heads down to Los Angeles where the Rams will have their first home game in the Coliseum. You know who else is coming home to the Coliseum this week? Pete Carroll. Two national championships and seven consecutive conference titles when he was there last. The Seahawks haven’t played in the Coliseum since 1979 and things are a bit different these days.
Injured Wilson? No problem. The Rams always play Seattle hard, but I think the team is going to step up around Wilson and make this game one Uncle Pete will always remember – in a good way.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
Green Bay had a bit of a scare against Jacksonville last week. Minnesota won’t announce a starting quarterback, even to their own team, because someone leaked their starter last week. They’re opening their shiny new stadium on Sunday Night Football, but Green Bay wants nothing more than to spoil their NFC North rivals’ party. Aaron Rodgers shines in primetime.
Winner: Green Bay Packers
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Chicago Bears (0-1)
Chicago is favored in this game and I’m not sure why. They’re already building Carson Wentz a statue in Philly. They got you on Flock Down, Chicago.
Winner: Fly Eagles Fly