- The Browns Stink - As a Browns fan, I should have expected to be let down after a summer of incredible hype and bold aspirations. What happened was probably the most disappointing thing that could have happened. Cleveland committed 18 penalties and the offensive line had blocker's block (which is like writer's block, but with blocking). The Browns have a chance to bounce back in New York Monday night, but until then, they'll have to continue hearing talking heads question everything from the coaching to the accessories the receivers wear.
- My Reaction to the Overreaction: It was definitely a disappointing debut, but this team is too talented to be that bad all season. They just need some time to gel (and clean up the penalties). I like the comparison Joe Thomas made: when LeBron came back to Cleveland to team up with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, their first few months together were not pretty. They eventually got it together and ended up in the Finals. I'm confident Cleveland will look much better Monday night (also, it doesn't matter what kind of watch OBJ wears. He can wear the Ben 10 watch for all I care).
- The Ravens (and Lamar Jackson) Are Really Good - Lamar Jackson and the Ravens absolutely eviscerated the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, 59-10. Jackson scored five touchdowns and clapped back at the doubters who thought he should switch positions in the NFL. The Ravens probably won't score 59 points every week (because they won't play the Dolphins every week), but it was a strong start to the season, especially for the new-look offense.
- My Reaction to the Overreaction: I think the Ravens will be good, but not this good. I think Lamar Jackson is a legitimate NFL quarterback, but not an elite one. Playing the Dolphins is the equivalent of playing an FCS team in college football (unless you're Tennessee). This was a nice early-season warm-up game, but it gets a lot more challenging from here on.
- Da Bears are in Trouble, the Rrrrrrraiders are Actually Good - The first week started with a stinker in Chicago, as Mitch Trubisky and the Bears offense struggled mightily against Green Bay. It looked like a typical Bears game: great defense, ugly offense. The week ended in Oakland, where the Raiders, minus Antonio Brown, beat up on the Broncos. Maybe the Raiders are better off without AB.
- My Reaction to the Overreaction: The Bears offense will look better than it did last Thursday, but Mitch Trubisky has not made the strides that many other young quarterbacks, like Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mohomes, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson, have, and he may never be better than a mediocre NFL quarterback. I think the Raiders will be better this season, but I also don't think the Broncos are as good as people thought they would be, mostly because they have Joe Flacco starting at quarterback. Oakland won't challenge for a playoff spot, but they could reach .500.
Week 2 Games
Thursday
Buccaneers @ Panthers
(8:20 PM, NFL Network)
Tampa Bay started the Bruce Arians Era on a sour note, losing at home to the 49ers by two touchdowns. I think Jameis Winston might be colorblind, because he doesn't seem to know which team to throw to and which team to not throw to. Cam Newton might also be colorblind, but for vastly different reasons. Cam is a much better quarterback, and I think he and the Panthers will bounce back Thursday night.
Spread: CAR -7 Over/Under: 49.5
Prediction: Panthers 24, Buccaneers 20
Sunday
49ers @ Bengals
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Bengals looked (*checks notes*) not bad last week, losing a close game to a good Seahawks team. Kyle Shanahan's Niners took care of the Bucs, but Jimmy G didn't have the greatest performance, passing for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He'll have to play better against a Cincinnati team that somehow resurrected John Ross last week. If the Bengals play like that again this Sunday, I think they win. I'm banking on them playing like that again.
Spread: CIN -2 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Bengals 21, 49ers 17
Chargers @ Lions
(1:00 PM, CBS)
Although neither of these teams lost last week, they both had some trouble in Week 1. If 80-year-old Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri didn't miss two field goals and an extra point, the Chargers would've lost Sunday instead of beating Indianapolis in overtime. The Lions blew a late lead to Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, and ended up tying with Arizona (our second straight year with a Week 1 draw). The good news is the Lions won't tie this week, because they'll lose instead.
Spread: LAC -2.5 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Chargers 34, Lions 24
Vikings @ Packers
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Packers start the season with a second straight NFC North battle. The Pack didn't look pretty last Thursday night, but they looked less ugly than the Bears. The Vikings used Dalvin Cook and a good defense to beat the Falcons on Sunday. Judging by the two teams' Week 1 outputs, points might be hard to come by. I think Green Bay will get a better performance from Aaron Rodgers and the offense, and I think the Packers will squeeze by Minnesota.
Spread: GB -3 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Packers 21, Vikings 17
Colts @ Titans
(1:00 PM, CBS)
The motivated Titans buried the Browns last weekend, then danced on the grave. Jacoby Brissett and the Colts played well against the Chargers, but might have to put Adam Vinatieri in a grave after the future Hall-of-Famer missed three kicks. I expect this division showdown will be tightly-contested, and I think the key will be how Brissett and the Colts handle Logan Ryan and the stout Tennessee defense. I think the Titans pull this one out.
Spread: TEN -3 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Titans 24, Colts 20
Patriots @ Dolphins
(1:00 PM, CBS)
The Dolphins often seem to play well against New England, but I'm not sure this current team is capable of playing well. These are like the two polar opposites of the current NFL. The Patriots just won a(nother) Super Bowl and blew out the Steelers last week. The Dolphins (front office and owner) are clearly tanking and just got blown out by the Ravens. No matter what happens concerning new Patriot Antonio Brown, New England should have no problem with Miami.
Spread: NE -19 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Patriots 42, Dolphins 13
Bills @ Giants
(1:00 PM, CBS)
Believe it or not, the Giants, who are still starting Eli Manning under center, did not play well against the Cowboys last Sunday. Currently, the best team in New York is the Buffalo Bills, who came back and beat the Jets last week. The Giants, per usual, will rely on Saquon Barkley, but may face tough sledding against a defense that held Le'Veon Bell to 60 yards last week and only allowed the Jets offense in the end zone once. The Bills will make it two for two vs. New York teams Sunday.
Spread: BUF -2 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Bills 20, Giants 17
Seahawks @ Steelers
(1:00 PM, FOX)
Pittsburgh didn't stand a chance against the Patriots Sunday night. Meanwhile, Seattle got a run for its money from Pittsburgh's division rival. The Seahawks, with a strong defense, powerful running game and elite quarterback, could send the Steelers to an 0-2 start, but I think the Pittsburgh offense will look much better this Sunday, bouncing back from last week's embarrassment with a home victory over the Sea Birds.
Spread: PIT -4 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Steelers 24, Seahawks 17
Cowboys @ Redskins
(1:00 PM, FOX)
For the second straight week, the Cowboys face a division rival. For the second straight week, it probably won't be that much of a challenge. Washington had some bright spots in last week's loss to Philadelphia, including rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin. But the Skins can't stack up to Dak, Zeke, Amari Cooper and the rest of the Boys. The hosts will hang around for a while, but I think the visitors will pull away late.
Spread: DAL -5 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Cowboys 32, Redskins 23
Cardinals @ Ravens
(1:00 PM, FOX)
This game features two of the last three Heisman Trophy winners. One struggled for most of the game last week before coming back to tie the game late. The other one didn't need to play late, because he lit up Miami early and often. The Raven will not score over fifty points again this week (HOT TAKE), but they do have a lot more talent than Arizona, so they should breeze by the Cardinals in a battle of exciting young quarterbacks.
Spread: BAL -13 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Ravens 38, Cardinals 17
Jaguars @ Texans
(1:00 PM, CBS)
The Nick Foles Era ended quickly in Jacksonville, as Foles broke his collarbone early last week. However, I am excited for the Gardner Minshew Era, which started strong. The guy with the league's best mustache went 22 for 25 with 275 yards and two touchdowns in last week's loss to Kansas City. He might not have as much success against a Texans team that nearly knocked off the Saints in New Orleans Sunday night.
Spread: HOU -9 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Texans 32, Jaguars 20
Chiefs @ Raiders
(4:05 PM, CBS)
After the Antonio Brown Era ended over the weekend, the Raiders went out and beat the Broncos on Monday Night Football. It was a great win for Oakland, especially since it was the last MNF game in the O.co Coliseum. Things might not go as well for the "Black Hole" Sunday, when the Raiders host Pat Mahomes and the offensive juggernaut that is the Kansas City Chiefs. I don't think Jon Gruden's team will be able to keep up.
Spread: KC -7 Over/Under: 53.5
Prediction: Chiefs 35, Raiders 21
Bears @ Broncos
(4:25 PM, FOX)
Both of these teams had offensive struggles and underwhelming quarterback play in Week 1. This will likely be a low-scoring affair. The Denver defense isn't bad, but the Chicago defense is dominant. Joe Flacco and company won't have much success Sunday. Mitch Trubisky and company will have enough success to get the victory.
Spread: CHI -2.5 Over/Under: 40.5
Prediction: Bears 17, Broncos 14
Saints @ Rams
(4:25 PM, FOX)
The Saints won the game of the year (through one week) Monday night, and they play in what could be the game of the year (through two weeks) Sunday afternoon. This is a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game, which you may remember. This could really go either way, but I'll go with the host Rams to outlast the Saints in a must-see ballgame Sunday afternoon.
Spread: LAR -2.5 Over/Under: 52.5
Prediction: Rams 34, Saints 31
Eagles @ Falcons
(8:20 PM, NBC)
Week 2's Sunday Night Football contest features two teams named after birds. Unlike Charlie Kelly, I am not well-versed in bird law, so I don't know the superior bird between eagles and falcons. I do know that these Eagles came back from 17 down to easily beat Washington, while these Falcons struggled against Minnesota. The bald eagle is America's national bird, and America is number one, so I'll go with the Eagles to win.
Spread: PHI -1.5 Over/Under: 51
Prediction: Eagles 27, Falcons 21
Monday
Browns @ Jets
(8:15 PM, ESPN)
Two teams coming off of disappointing Week 1 losses meet in primetime for the second year in a row. much has changed for both teams since last season's meeting. This game isn't lacking in terms of storylines. Baker Mayfield made his NFL debut against the Jets, and now he and the Browns will be going against former interim head coach Gregg Williams, who is now the Jets' defensive coordinator. I think the Browns bounce back in Odell Beckham Jr.'s return to New York.
Spread: CLE -2.5 Over/Under: 46
Prediction: Browns 27, Jets 24
Last Week: 10-5-1 vs. Spread: 5-11 Over/Under: 6-10
Week 2 Picks to Click
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (@ MIA)
Tom Brady isn't an elite fantasy quarterback, but as we saw with Lamar Jackson last week, this Miami Dolphins team can make somebody an elite quarterback for the week. Brady will be without Demaryius Thomas (the receiver was traded to the Jets Wednesday), but he might have Antiono Brown. Even if he doesn't, I think he'll perform well this week.
Nick Chubb, RB, Browns (@ NYJ)
Despite Cleveland's plethora of penalties and pass-heavy playcalling last week, Chubb still ran pretty well, finishing with 17 carries for 75 yards. Dontrell Hilliard did vulture a touchdown from him, but Chubb is getting the majority of the running back reps. The Jets defense is nothing to sneeze at, but they did give up 70 yards to Devin Singletary on just nine carries last week.
Tyrell Williams, WR, Raiders (vs. KC)
With AB out of the picture, Tyrell is the number one guy in Oakland. And he showed it Monday night, finishing with six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown against Denver. He should find more success against the Kansas City pass defense, which allowed 275 yards and two touchdowns to Gardner Minshew last week.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions (vs. LAC)
The rookie tight end out of Iowa had a strong debut for Detroit, catching six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. He has quickly established a leading role in this offense, and it should only continue as the season wears on.
Houston Texans Defense (vs. Jaguars)
It was a shootout Monday night against the Saints, but the Houston defense should bounce back against an offense much tamer than New Orleans'. As much as I love Gardner Minshew in all his mustached glory, he is a sixth-round rookie starting his first game this week on an offense devoid of many big-time playmakers. The Texan defense should bounce back this week.
Stats and info via ESPN.com, OddsShark.com, SportingNews.com, Ringer.com, NewYorkTimes.com, NFL.com, SBNation.com, YahooSports.com, and YouTube.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Wednesday Evening
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