Are Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in trouble when they host the Super Bowl-hopeful Minnesota Vikings in NFL Week 2? Are the Buffalo Bills going to get embarrassed for the second straight week when they host Philip Rovers and the Los Angeles Chargers?
Can Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers light up the Super Bowl champion Eagles after putting a stunning 48 points on the board against New Orleans in their regular season opener? With Week 1 in the books, let’s take a look at the odds for every week 2 matchup, along with my expert early pick for each game.
While the Lions had yet to play their opener at the time of this writing, I maintain that I’m not fond of their head coaching hire of Matt Patricia.
2018 NFL Week 2 Odds & Predictions for Each Game
James Conner played 77 of the #Steelers 84 offensive snaps yesterday. He was in on 92% of his team’s plays. How does that compare to some other RBs? Ezekiel Elliott was also 92% (59 snaps), Alvin Kamara 81% (52), Saquon Barkley 77% (55), David Johnson 68% (36).
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) 10 de septiembre de 2018
Baltimore -1.5 at Cincinnati
The Ravens blew the Bills out of the water in their opener, but Cincinnati beat Indianapolis on the road just as I predicted. Baltimore wants revenge in this one, but they’re going to have to wait until their second meetings against the Bengals to get it. Cincinnati 24 Baltimore 23.Indianapolis at Washington -5.5
Washington looked good under Alex Smith’s guidance and Adrian Peterson’s rushing and I think they’re capable of getting past an Indianapolis team that has Andrew Luck back but still has problems on the defensive side of the ball. Redskins 31 Colts 27.Carolina at Atlanta -4.5
Atlanta has looked completely awful offensively since the start of the preseason and I just don’t think they’re going to get off the ground against a Carolina Panthers defense that has been perennially powerful under head coach Ron Rivera. I like Carolina for the road upset! Panthers 23 Falcons 21.Minnesota at Green Bay -2.5
I don’t think it matters whether Aaron Rodgers suits up for this divisional battle or not. Minnesota is clearly the better of the two teams these days. The Vikes get in done on the road at Lambeau! Vikings 28 Packers 17.LA Chargers -7.5 at Buffalo
The Chargers couldn’t stop Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 1, but I’m completely expecting Philip Rivers and company to have their way against a Buffalo Bills team looked completely pathetic in their 47-3 blowout against Baltimore. Chargers 35 Bills 14.Houston at Tennessee (TBA)
I have absolutely no doubt that Houston is going to beat the hell out of Tennessee in this matchup. The Texans looked solid in their 27-20 Week 1 loss at New England while Tennessee looked completely clueless against Miami. I smell a blowout coming. Texans 38 Titans 17.Kansas City at Pittsburgh -4.5
Apparently, Andy Reid knew exactly what he was doing by drafting Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs looked great in their stunning week 1 win while Pittsburgh nearly lost to Cleveland just as I predicted. Right now, I’m taking the brash Mahomes and the talented Chiefs. Chiefs 30 Steelers 24.Miami at NY Jets -1
The Dolphins got past Tennessee in their opener just as I predicted while the Jets had yet to play their Monday night matchup against Detroit. No matter, I’m going with the Jets to hold down the fort at home in this one against a Dolphins team that is the definition of mediocre. Jets 27 Dolphins 21.Philadelphia at Tampa Bay +3
I know the Buccaneers absolutely exploded on New Orleans for 48 points in their shocking Week 1 road win, but I’m expecting the Super Bowl champs to harass Ryan Fitzpatrick into a more pedestrian effort than the 4 TD day he had against the Saints and I’m also expecting Nick Foles and the Eagles offense to get better as they go along. Eagles 31 Buccaneers 21.Cleveland at New Orleans -7.5
After their respective Week 1 performances, I’m thinking the spread for this one should have the Saints closer to a field goal home favorites than anything. I’m going with Tyrod Taylor and the revamped Browns to come up with another great effort to cover the chalk as a touchdown road dog. Saints 31 Browns 24.Arizona at LA Rams -10
The Rams are the pick to win this Week 2 matchup because they’re, A), the far better team on both sides of the ball, B), facing an NFC West rival and C), because Sam ‘Badford’ is completely and utterly mediocre. Rams 38 Cardinals 14.Detroit at San Francisco -3.5
This is a game the Niners should win. Jimmy G and company will be highly motivated after losing their opener and facing a Detroit team that isn’t much better than they are, if at all.
While the Lions had yet to play their opener at the time of this writing, I maintain that I’m not fond of their head coaching hire of Matt Patricia.
