The New Orleans Saints return home to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the first home game of the 2015 season, as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints are coming off a 31-19 loss in Arizona, while Tampa had one of the worst showings of any team in Week 1, losing 42-14 at home.
The loser of this game will find themselves in the unenviable position of being dead last in the NFC South and will likely be stuck in a hole they will spend the rest of the season attempting to climb out of. This is about as winnable a game as the Saints should have this season, but in the NFL you can never really take anything for granted.
Last week I went 9-7
I told you so: Chargers over Lions!
What do I know: Vikings over 49ers?
WEEK 2
Thursday, September 17th - Thursday Night Football
Denver's defense will be the unit that shines brightest on this short-week contest in Kansas City.
Pick: Broncos
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Sunday, September 20th - Early Games
At home, Carolina will muster just enough plays on offense to beat Houston, in a low-scoring contest.
Pick: Panthers
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49ers(1-0) at Steelers(0-1)
Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offensive attack will be too much for the Niners to handle in the Steel City.
Pick: Steelers
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Lions(0-1) at Vikings(0-1)
Detroit's defense already looks lost and Minnesota looked lifeless on their respective west coast trips last week. The Vikings should be the first to rebound here, at home, in a low-scoring game.
Pick: Vikings
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Chicago will pull out a home upset behind a tough run game from Matt Forte and by stopping Arizona's run game on the other end.
Pick: Bears
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Patriots(1-0) at Bills(1-0) - Game of the Week
Buffalo will get a huge home win over rival New England behind a relentless rushing attack and a stingy defense.
Pick: Bills
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Chargers(1-0) at Bengals(1-0)
Philip Rivers and the Charger passing attack will lead San Diego to a big road win in Cincinnati, over a good Bengals defense.
Pick: Chargers
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Marcus Mariota will have a bit more of a challenge here than in Week 1, and will get his second win on the road in Cleveland.
Pick: Titans
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Eli Manning to Odell Beckham, Jr. and Matt Ryan to Julio Jones will be themes we'll hear all game long in this one. The Giants will pull out a home win in this pass-heavy game.
Pick: Giants
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It's an early trap game for St. Louis, but they won't fall prey in this road contest. The Rams pass rush will be too much for Washington to overcome.
Pick: Rams
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Buccaneers(0-1) at Saints(0-1)
The Saints find themselves in a bit of a tough spot here. They are coming off an NFC loss to start the season. They are dealing with injuries that has left their secondary razor thin. They are now facing an opponent that was so atrocious in Week 1 that the Saints would need to crush them just to rally favor with the fan base. Honestly though, the Saints should win this game. Some will be disappointed if the Saints don't demolish Tampa in this game, while some are already waiting to bemoan this loss before the game has even started.
The Saints lost on the road last week to a playoff team that will challenge for their division title, this week the Saints will defeat a team that will contend for the first overall pick in the draft for the second consecutive year. For New Orleans, this game is about beating the teams you're supposed to beat. The Saints are supposed to beat the Bucs in this spot. Despite injuries and fan angst, the Saints will prove to be better than Tampa, under the bright lights of the Superdome.
Pick: Saints
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Sunday, September 20th - Late Games
Despite a slow start in Week 1, Miami will settle into their rhythm in Jacksonville against their in-state foes.
Pick: Dolphins
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This game feature two teams that got bit hard by the injury bug last week. Despite the loss of defensive leader Terrell Suggs, Baltimore is better than Oakland, much better.
Pick: Ravens
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One week in, and Philly is already in must-win mode against Dallas, who despite their luck in Week 1, will have to overcome the loss of Dez Bryant. Philly gets a crucial win at home behind a highly motivated DeMarco Murray.
Pick: Eagles
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Sunday Night Football
Don't get too swayed by Seattle losing a road game to a tough divisional opponent last week. The Seahawks still hold a very real mental advantage over the Packers, as recently seen late in the 4th quarter of the NFC title game in January. Even without Kam Chancellor, Seattle will pick up a big road victory in Green Bay.
Pick: Seahawks
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Monday, September 21st - Monday Night Football
Indy, fresh off a humbling loss in Buffalo, returns home to face another tough AFC East defense in the Jets. This time Andrew Luck and the Colts pick up the victory and correct their course.
Pick: Colts
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That's how I see it, tell us how you see Week 2 playing out. Leave your comments and insight below. Tampa may be just what the doctor ordered!