NFL Picks Week 2: Vegas, Baby! Vegas!

The New Orleans Saints travel to Sin City to face the Las Vegas Raiders in the inaugural game for the Silver and Black in the Silver State. The newest flashy fixture off the Las Vegas Strip is the debuting Allegiant Stadium. Even without thousands of well-inebriated fans in the stands to celebrate the inaugural game in the giant desert roomba, it should still be an exciting atmosphere just minutes off the strip. Come on, its Vegas, baby! Vegas! It’s the Saints under the bright lights of Monday Night Football and few things are more fun than that.

Last week I went 12-4

I told you so: Cardinals over 49ers!

What do I know: Vikings over Packers?

WEEK 2

Thursday, September 17th - Thursday Night Football

Bengals(0-1) at Browns(0-1)

2017 Heisman winner, Baker Mayfield was thoroughly outplayed by 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson last week. This week it’s 2019 Heisman winner, Joe Burrow’s turn to outshine Baker on the way to his first NFL win. Cincinnati wins 26-25.

Pick: Bengals

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Sunday, September 20th - Early Games

Jaguars(1-0) at Titans(1-0)

Minshew Magic will run short against this Tennessee defense on the road. Tennessee wins 24-20.

Pick: Titans

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Panthers(0-1) at Buccaneers(0-1)

Tampa rebounds from their humbling loss in New Orleans with a close victory at home over Carolina. Tampa wins 26-23.

Pick: Buccaneers

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Broncos(0-1) at Steelers(1-0)

Pittsburgh will feed Denver a steady diet of James Conner while stifling the Broncos offense on the other end. Pittsburgh wins 26-21.

Pick: Steelers

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Rams(1-0) at Eagles(0-1)

Simply looking at last week’s results, it would stand to reason that This would be the Rams’ game, but Philly has has LA’s number in recent years and that will continue in this one. Philadelphia wins 35-31.

Pick: Eagles

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49ers(0-1) at Jets(0-1)

San Francisco must be thanking their lucky stars that they have everyone’s sure-fire easy win this week, the Jets. San Francisco wins 26-12.

Pick: 49ers

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Bills(1-0) at Dolphins(0-1)

For whatever reason Miami doesn’t want to turn the keys over to Tua yet. This one will be all Buffalo. Buffalo wins 34-19.

Pick: Bills

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Vikings(0-1) at Colts(0-1)

Minnesota was thoroughly embarrassed at home last week but they rebound with a nice win in Indy. Minnesota wins 28-13.

Pick: Vikings

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Lions(0-1) at Packers(1-0)

Although the game will be closer than some would expect, Green Bay will secure victory in the end. Green Bay wins 23-21.

Pick: Packers

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Falcons(0-1) at Cowboys(0-1)

Dallas knows falling to 0-2 could send their season spiraling out of control. They’ll avoid the nosedive against Atlanta who will face one of their own. Dallas wins 23-14.

Pick: Cowboys

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Giants(0-1) at Bears(1-0)

This game won't be pretty, but Chicago will take the win and the 2-0 record all the same. Chicago wins 23-21.

Pick: Bears

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Sunday, September 20th - Late Games

Washington FT(1-0) at Cardinals(1-0)

Washington’s defense was lights-out after falling into an early deficit last week, but this game will come down to the young star quarterbacks, and Kyler Murray is the much brighter star. Arizona wins 22-21.

Pick: Cardinals

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Chiefs(1-0) at Chargers(1-0)

Los Angeles may have lucked into victory last week but they’ll find no such luck in their SoFi Stadium debut against the reigning Super Bowl champs. Kansas City wins 28-20.

Pick: Chiefs

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Ravens(1-0) at Texans(0-1)

For as talented and tough as Deshaun Watson is, he cannot beat Baltimore on his own. Baltimore wins 32-12.

Pick: Ravens

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Sunday Night Football

Patriots(1-0) at Seahawks(1-0) - Game of the Week

Cam Newton joined as Bill Belichick’s new apprentice makes for a formidable duo, and they will continue to look good this week in an eerily quiet Seattle, but Russell Wilson and company will pick up a narrow victory at home. Seattle wins 24-23.

Pick: Seahawks

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Monday, September 21st - Monday Night Football

Saints(1-0) at Raiders(1-0)

Let’s get the obvious out of the way, without Michael Thomas on the field, things stand to get much more difficult for the Saints this week. The Saints can certainly overcome this tremendous absence but it won't happen easily, that’s where this team’s tremendous depth comes into play. The Saints have the pieces to compensate for Thomas and they have a variety of ways to realize that compensation that doesn't simply rely on overworking Emmanuel Sanders or hoping for Tre’Quan Smith to suddenly become reliable.

For all the talk of the Saints’ offense, this game will really come down to their stellar defense. After seeing them in action last week, it is obvious that the defense is as good as fans hoped and they know they’ll need to continue to be at their best just like they were a season ago, when Drew Brees went down to a quarter-season injury. This defense can carry the team if needed, and although the need may not be desperate like it was a year ago, it’s assuring to know it’s not only the Saints offense that can put points on the board. Just ask Janoris Jenkins. The Saints open Allegiant Stadium with a big win for the Black and Gold over the Silver and Black. Saints win 38-21.

Pick: Saints

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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. Who Dat!