As I predicted last week, Week 1 is the hardest slate on the NFL schedule to pick. I went 2-3 in my picks, and at one point, it seemed like it could have been a disastrous 1-4. Entering week 2, the theme for most teams is Getting Even! The Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills were considered favorites for the Super Bowl in the preseason, and all three teams lost in week 1. These teams will be looking to strike back and even their records after two weeks. On the flip side, a few teams looked dominant in week 1 such as the Browns, Rams, and Packers, and we are left to wonder whether they will be back to reality in week 2. Teams will want to avoid falling behind 0-2 because they have a 9% chance of making the playoffs historically, and the Bengals from last season are the only team to make playoffs in the past five years from this scenario. A theme for week 2 is the many divisional contests on the slate, which means it will mean a lot at the end of the season. In this article, we preview and make our prediction on the five hottest games in Week 2.
1. Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS
Joe Burrow had one of the worst performances last week against the Browns in the season opener. Burrow struggled by completing 14 of 31 passes for 82 yards, and the team was outplayed to the point that he was benched late in the fourth quarter. I think Burrow will respond in their second divisional matchup at home. The Ravens won last week fairly comfortably against the Texans, but they did lose an important piece in J.K. Dobbins to an ACL injury. The Ravens also have some injuries on the offensive line, and I think the Bengals will exploit it. I can’t see the Bengals starting 0-2, but it will be a close divisional fight.
Bengals 27-Ravens 21
2. Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS
Kansas City lost their home opener and were stunned by the Lions. In week 2, they travel on the road to face the Jaguars who they defeated in a close game in the divisional round last season. Last week, The team struggled on offense without All-Pro Tight End Travis Kelce. On defense, they were missing Chris Jones to bring pressure on the quarterback. Jones signed a 1-year contract earlier this week and will be in action in Jacksonville. The return of Kelce will help the offense, but his playing status is still unclear for this weekend. As a result, I am picking the Jaguars to win this game because they are the team on the rise. In week 1, the Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley duo looks formidable with Zay Jones, Evan Engram, and Travis Etienne Jr. making them a frightening proposition for the Chiefs defense. I have the Jaguars winning a thriller.
Jaguars 28-Chiefs 27
3. San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams-Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET Fox
The 49ers looked like the favorites for the Super Bowl after a dominant performance on the road in Pittsburgh in week 1. The schedule makers did not do them any favors by having them play on the road against their divisional foes in Los Angeles. The Rams were impressive in week 1 in dominating the Seahawks on the road. The offense looked impressive with Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell tallying 119 yards each from the right arm of Matt Stafford. However, I don’t see them having that much success against the 49ers’ defense that rushes the passer effectively and can slow down the run game. On the other hand, Christian McAffery will have another impressive showing to follow up his 152 yards in week 1. Also, Brandon Aiyuk will feast against the secondary after his eight grabs, 129 yards, and two touchdowns. I have the road team winning a hard-fought division fight.
49ers 24-Rams 20
4. New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys-Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET CBS
This was one of the must-see matchups when the schedule makers sent out the slate in the offseason. However, after four snaps on Monday Night, the Jets lost their starting quarterback and prospect of winning the Super Bowl. The team rallied around their defense and special teams to pull off a stunner, without Aaron Rodgers. However, I don’t like their chances of winning this against a dominant Cowboys defense that just shut out the Giants on the road. It will be a low-scoring game because the Jets’ defense will keep the game close, but the Cowboys will slightly pull away in the second half.
Cowboys 24-Jets 13
5. Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
The Dolphins sent a message to the league in week one that their high-octane offense will be difficult to handle this season. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill dissected the Chargers’ defense despite the opposition having a good defensive line to pressure the quarterback. However, Miami looked fragile on defense by giving up 34 points and 233 yards rushing on the ground. On the other hand, New England started the game with a costly interception and fumble which led them to play from behind throughout the game. Despite the loss, the Patriots looked better on offense than at any point last season. Mac Jones looked comfortable and made some accurate throws to his targets. Kendrick Bourne left his imprint on the game with two touchdowns, and Hunter Henry made a few spectacular grabs. I think New England will need to run the ball more to exploit the Dolphins’ weakness through Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott, and they will find some success and stick to it. It will be another close game, but I have the Patriots pulling off an upset.
Patriots 27-Dolphins 23.