Laying Down A Marker-Five Hottest Games of Week 2

It feels like week one is filled with overreactions. If a team wins, then they feel like contenders for the Super Bowl, while after a loss feels like the sky is falling. Week 2 can provide a check to week one winners that prove they are not contenders. The Bills may have provided that reminder to the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night in dismantling their AFC rival 31-10. The Bills dominated the run game through James Cook, who ran for 78 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. The Bills look like the juggernaut I predicted to win the AFC East, while the Dolphins face uncertainty with a serious injury to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. So, what are the other teams that will join the Bills by laying down a marker for the 2024 regular season? In this article, we will preview and predict the five hottest games in Week 2.

1. New Orleans Saints (1-0)at Dallas Cowboys (1-0) -Sunday, 1 p.m. ET Fox
These two teams had two of the better performances in their respective season openers. The Saints destroyed the Carolina Panthers at home in a 47-10 rout. Derek Carr looked like an elite quarterback by completing 19 of 23 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara looked back to his best with 15 carries, 83 yards, and a touchdown. The Cowboys, on the other hand, looked impressive on both sides of the ball in dismantling the Browns. It feels to me that the Saints were outstanding against a team that will struggle to win this season, while the Cowboys should feel a little better because their performance came against the top-ranked defense last season. I think Dallas is a little better, and both defenses will make this a low-scoring game.

Cowboys 20-Saints 17

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Detroit Lions (1-0)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET Fox
This game is a rematch of the NFC Divisional Matchup in January when the Lions prevailed 31-23 in an exciting contest. Baker Mayfield was scintillating in week 1 by throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns. However, the Lions proved their resiliency last week when they fell behind the Rams but bounced back to rally for the victory. The key for the team is their run game with tandem- David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 131 yards, and two touchdowns on 28 carries. My concern for the Buccaneers is that their secondary is injured, and Jared Goff will look to exploit the matchups with Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown. I think the Lions will prevail barely in another close ball game.

Lions 27-Bucs 23

3. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings(1-0)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS
The 49ers went into week one under the microscope after facing several internal issues in the off-season. The Bay Area squad silenced the critics by putting in a comprehensive performance against the New York Jets to notch their first victory. It was impressive because Christian McCaffery missed the game, and his replacement, Jordan Mason, carried the ball 28 times for 147 yards. The Vikings were dominant over the New York Giants, with Sam Darnold efficiently completing 19 of 24 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Also, Aaron Jones ran for 94 yards on 14 cards and scored a touchdown. The Vikings will present more challenges for the 49ers, but I still can’t trust Darnold against a top team until he proves me wrong.

49ers 30-Vikings 20

4. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) at Kansas City Chiefs(1-0) -Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET CBS
The most disappointing team in Week 1 was the Cincinnati Bengals. The offense looked sluggish, Joe Burrow looked rusty, and the defense was gashed on the ground by the New England Patriots. It marks another slow start for the franchise, and it was a bad loss because they knew they had to face the reigning two-time defending Champions on the road in their next matchup. The Chiefs managed to hold off the Ravens, and this team is battle-tested in doing whatever it takes to win. Xavier Worthy looks like the speedy x-factor that will make this team even tougher to beat after having only three touches for 68 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. I think the Bengals will make this a tough game, but I think it’s hard to beat an Andy Reid team with ten days rest to prepare. I think Mahomes will make the big plays in the fourth quarter and the Chiefs win to go 2-0.

Chiefs 29-Bengals 24

5. Chicago Bears(1-0) at Houston Texans(1-0)-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
I think this is the most interesting game to watch because these quarterbacks are seen as the best of the next generation of signal-callers. It feels like CJ Stroud picked up where left off last season in Week 1 by completing 24 of 32 passes, 234 yards, and two touchdowns. On the other hand, Caleb Williams, struggled in his debut by completing less than 50% of his passes for just 93 yards. I think Williams will play better in this game, but to be thrown into a primetime matchup in your first road game is a tough ask. I think Stroud will be efficient, the run game through Joe Mixon will keep the unit balance, and the Texans’ defense will force a few turnovers to seal the win.

Texans 27-Bears 17

Last Week-3-2