NFL Picks Week 2: A Greatly Exaggerated Demise

The New Orleans Saints travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers in their first divisional matchup of the season. The Saints have dominated the NFC South with four-consecutive division titles and the path to an incredible fifth-consecutive title starts with a win in Carolina. The Panthers look to win consecutive home games to start the season, but the Saints will have a lot to say about that.

Many had written off the Saints as a contender in the NFC during this past offseason, but Week 1 proved that reports of the Saints’ demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Saints certainly raised eyebrows last week and have cast doubt in those who doubted them. Another win away from New Orleans, especially in division, will continue to keep the Saints focused on their battle for NFC South supremacy.

Last week I went 9-7

I told you so: Bengals over Vikings!

What do I know: Packers over Saints? (Couldn't be happier to be wrong!)

WEEK 2

Thursday, September 16th - Thursday Night Football

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

Washington will lean on their defensive front, making things difficult for Daniel Jones and the New York offense. This will be a close one. Washington wins 21-20.

Pick: Washington FT

***

Sunday, September 19th - Early Games

Patriots(0-1) at Jets(0-1)

Unable to effectively run the ball against the New England defense, the pressure will rest squarely on the shoulders of Zack Wilson, for better or worse. On the other side, fellow rookie quarterback, Mac Jones will make the plays, and avoid the mistakes that will make the difference in this one. New England wins 29-21.

Pick: Patriots

***

Broncos(1-0) at Jaguars(0-1)

There is an awful amount of smoke surrounding the Jags organization after one week, and things won't get any easier facing a Denver team that looked very good a week ago. It’s unfortunate for Jacksonville that they have to watch the Jaguars as their home team again. Denver wins 24-20.

Pick: Broncos

***

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

Following a very disappointing effort in Week 1, Buffalo will bounce back with a close win in Miami, thanks to big stops by their defense. Buffalo wins 27-24.

Pick: Bills

***

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

San Francisco looked very impressive last week, at least until the fourth quarter, while Philly looked impressive all the way through. The Niners defense ran out of gas in Motown, but they will need to find a way to slow down the Eagles’ ground game in Philadelphia. The offenses will look good in this shootout, but the Niners pull it out in the end. San Francisco wins 30-29.

Pick: 49ers

***

Rams(1-0) at Colts(0-1)

Los Angeles will have a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, getting Carson Wentz benched at home in a rout in Indy. Los Angeles wins 42-10.

Pick: Rams

***

Raiders(1-0) at Steelers(1-0)

The Vegas offense went wild during their Monday Night thriller, but a letdown looms in Pittsburgh, in what will be another good, close game. Pittsburgh wins 29-27.

Pick: Steelers

***

Bengals(1-0) at Bears(0-1)

Cincy narrowly avoided a tie last week, and this game will be similarly close, with another tight victory for these cardiac cats. Cincinnati wins 29-28.

Pick: Bengals

***

Texans(1-0) at Browns(0-1)

Houston was stunningly competent last week, but they face much stiffer competition this time around in Cleveland. The Browns may suffer a bit of a letdown after their tough loss in KC, but they will find a way to pull out a close victory this week. Cleveland wins 23-22.

Pick: Browns

***

Saints(1-0) at Panthers(1-0)

The Saints defense was downright dominant last week, and if they play anywhere near that level here, it will make for a very long afternoon for Sam Darnold and the Panthers offense. The Carolina defense looked very good against rookie quarterback Zack Wilson and his first career start, but facing the Saints offense will present a completely different challenge.

As always, the focus of the Saints defense will be to stop Christian McCaffrey, and they certainly have the front seven to do just that. On offense, the gameplan will be to control time of possession, much like they did a week ago, behind a huge performance from Alvin Kamara. The Saints shouldn't need Jameis Winston to put up many yards in the air, he will just need to punctuate good field position with touchdowns rather than field goals.

The Saints looked remarkable in Week 1, and another big performance here in Week 2 will put even more folks on notice. These Saints are ready for another strong season, whether you believe in them or not. Saints win 30-16.

Pick: Saints

***

Sunday, September 19th - Late Games

Vikings(0-1) at Cardinals(1-0)

Arizona had one of the best games of Week 1 behind a brilliant defensive effort, and that defense will lead them to victory again by shutting down the Minnesota ground game. Arizona wins 26-21.

Pick: Cardinals

***

Falcons(0-1) at Buccaneers(1-0)

Only Green Bay looked worse than Atlanta in Week 1, and Tampa Bay will make sure the Falcons have another miserable week in this one. Tampa wins 38-14.

Pick: Buccaneers

***

Titans(0-1) at Seahawks(1-0)

Tennessee was extremely disappointing las week, especially on offense, after adding weapons that were supposed to add another dimension to their attack. Things won't get a whole lot easier in Seattle this week. It will be close, but the home team finds a way to win. Seattle wins 24-23.

Pick: Seahawks

***

Cowboys(0-1) at Chargers(1-0)

Dallas is well rested, following their close loss on opening night. Now they travel to Los Angeles to face a Chargers team, led by Justin Herbert, that will stress their suspect defense one again. The results remain the same for Dallas. Los Angeles wins 29-27.

Pick: Chargers

***

Sunday Night Football

Chiefs(1-0) at Ravens(0-1) - Game of the Week

Kansas City came out flat, before doing KC things and rallying to victory last week. Baltimore fell in an absolutely wild finish on Monday Night. The offenses will rule the night in this one, and as expected, Patrick Mahomes will have the bigger game. Kansas City wins 30-24.

Pick: Chiefs

***

Monday, September 20th - Monday Night Football

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

Green Bay was thoroughly dismantled by New Orleans last week, but they will rebound from that whipping by taking out their aggression against Jared Goff and Detroit. Green Bay wins 34-20.

Pick: Packers

***

That’s how I see it, tell us how you see Week 2 playing out. Leave your comments and insight below. Who Dat!