At last the NFL season is in full swing, and their were several teams that impressed in week one. It will be interesting to see which teams keep rolling, and if the teams with bad stars can rebound. The NFL season fades quickly, and football fans have to embrace it while the season is fresh. I’m back with my predictions this week after going 10-5-1 last week. Feel free to leave your thoughts below, and as always I appreciate the support.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) vs Carolina Panthers (0-1)- Panthers 24-14
The Buccaneers continue to have a common theme, and that is quarterback Jameis Winston can’t protect the football. He continues to make head scratching decisions, and turns the ball over at inopportune times. I expect Winston to struggles against an improved Panthers defense. The Panthers have a super back in Christian McCaffrey, but need more consistent play out of their quarterback Cam Newton. I just don’t see the Buccaneers defense being able to slow down the Panthers, and Winston will likely put his defense in bad positions. This could be a turnover filled game, but Carolina is tough to beat on the road.

Dallas Cowboys (1-0) vs Washington Redskins (0-1)- Cowboys 27-24
The Cowboys offense looked electric in week one against the Giants, but will have a tougher test on the road in Washington. The Redskins played well against the Eagles in the first half, but fell apart in the second giving away a double digit lead. Case Keenum is the definition of a game manager, but does a good job of not turning the ball over. They will likely lean on the run game behind the ageless wonder Adrian Peterson. The Cowboys will look to keep their offense rolling against a better adversary, and expect to see a heavier dose of Ezekiel Elliott to slow the game down. This will be a closely contested game, but I feel Dallas is the better team on both sides of the ball. As long as they protect the football they should start the season with back to back wins.

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) vs Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)- 49ers 28-21
The 49ers defense played well in week one, but quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo struggled mightily. Their run game took a hit with the loss of Tevin Coleman, but have a solid placeholder in Matt Breida. The Bengals had the Seahawks on the ropes, but came up short in a valiant effort in Seattle. Their offense struggled to run the ball, and will now face a very deep defensive front in San Francisco. QB Andy Dalton is prone to turning the ball over, and doesn’t have the weapons to detract the 49ers defense. I expect Garoppolo to play better against a Bengals defense that overachieved last week. I like the 49ers in this game, but they will have to improve their consistency in order to win back to back road games.

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) vs Detroit Lions (0-0-1)- Chargers 30-23
The Chargers were victorious in overtime against a feisty Indianapolis Colts squad. QB Phillip Rivers looked great, and their rushing attack was led by the versatile running back Austin Ekeler. Their defense was underwhelming, and will have to improve in order to win a tough road test. The Lions started fast against Arizona, but faded fast behind some questionable coaching decisions resulting in a first game tie. QB Matthew Stafford can sling it, and has big play receivers that always play better at home. Their defense will have to improve in order to keep their offense in this game. I expect a high scoring affair, but the Chargers have the more dangerous offense and more difference makers on defense. I don’t have a ton of confidence in this pick because LA has problems on the road and the Lions are always sneaky with upsets.

Minnesota Vikings (1-0) vs Green Bay Packers (1-0)- Packers 26-22
If you watch the tape the Vikings were more impressive than the Packers in week one. However, Green Bay showed their defense is for real, and were able to win despite QB Aaron Rodgers playing poorly. The Vikings impressed with their run game, but will face a tougher test on the road at Lambeau. The Packers are looking for revenge after an awful 2018, and are tough to beat on the road. I have more confidence in Aaron Rodgers, and QB Kirk Cousins has yet to prove he can win big time road games. The Vikings defense will keep this game close, but the Packers have improved their team from top to bottom. I expect Rodgers to make some plays down the stretch, and their offensive line to bounce back after a rough week one.

Indianapolis Colts (0-1) vs Tennessee Titans (1-0)- Titans 19-13
The Colts showed they can compete with the NFL elite behind quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Their defense is good enough to give any team problems, and have been dominant against the Titans in recent history. However, that was when Andrew Luck was running the show, and this Titans team showed their strength in week one. Derrick Henry is a problem in the backfield, and their defense was dominate against a hyped up Browns team. As usual, the Titans hopes rest on the shoulders of inconsistent quarterback Marcus Mariota. I expect this to be a old school game with the Colts running behind emerging running back Marlon Mack, and the Titans feeding Henry. I believe the Titans will cash in on their week one momentum, and when a closely contested game in Nashville.

New England Patriots (1-0) vs Miami Dolphins (0-1)- Patriots 38-14
The Patriots looked dominate in week one without the recently acquired wide receiver Antonio Brown. Tom Brady looked great, their running and receiving core was flawless, and their defense dominated the Steelers. They take on a Dolphins team in full tank mode coming off a brutal 49 point loss against the Ravens. Miami is terrible on both sides of the ball, and already has players requesting trades after week one. Expect Brady to dominate in this game, and the Patriots are looking for revenge after the Miami miracle loss last week. I expect Miami to put a better effort forward this week, but don’t have the personnel to stop New England.

Buffalo Bills (1-0) vs New York Giants (0-1)- Bills 20-17
The Bills overcame four turnovers to win a ugly game against the Jets. While the Giants were dominated against the high flying Cowboys. QB Josh Allen struggled in the first half, but recovered and played well down the stretch. I expect the Bills to pressure Giants quarterback Eli Manning early, and their offense took another hit with wide receiver Sterling Shepard likely to miss this game with a concussion. The Giants are terrible defensively, and won’t be able to slow down the improved Bills receiving core. I expect New York’s star running back Saquon Barkley to keep them in the game, but the Bills are the better team across the board. However, if the Giants can force turnovers they could pull off the upset in week two.

Seattle Seahawks (1-0) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)- Steelers 27-17
Both of these teams were unimpressive in week one, but Seattle found a way to win. The Steelers were embarrassed in week one, and looked as vulnerable as ever against the Patriots. I expect QB Ben Roethlisberger to play better in week two, and running back James Conner to receive more touches as well. The Steelers have always played better at home, but need to find another suitable option to co-star at wide receiver beside Juju Smith-Schuster. Their defense is likely to rebound against a less potent offense in Seattle. The Seahawks have a great QB in Russell Wilson, a solid running back committee, and a improved offensive line. Their defensive front seven is solid, but their secondary is still a work in progress. I expect Big Ben to test the young unit down the field, and a bounce back performance by the Steelers as a whole. The Seahawks are also less productive on the road, and majority of their losses in the past have come outside of Seattle.

Arizona Cardinals (0-0-1) vs Baltimore Ravens (1-0)- Ravens 31-10
Rookie QB Kyler Murray played horrible to start his NFL career, but led a late game drive to tie the game that showed his potential. They had to settle for an ending result of a tie, but their offense gained traction behind their receiving core in Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. Their defense played well, but will have a tougher test in the incredibly fast Baltimore Ravens offense. The Ravens feasted on the Dolphins in week one, and QB Lamar Jackson looked like a star. Rookie wideout Marquise Brown lit up Miami for two touchdowns, and free agent running back Mark Ingram impressed as well. Their defense impressed, and are likely to give problems to Murray in his first road game. I expect the Cardinals to struggled to stop Baltimore’s rushing attack, and their secondary is less reliable without star cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Ravens should dominate again, and start their 2019 with a bang.

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) vs Houston Texans (0-1)- Texans 31-17
The Jaguars were too occupied with trying to fight on the field instead of stopping the Chiefs offense. To make matters worse they lost their big free agent signing quarterback Nick Foles likely for the season. Rookie Gardner Minshew impressed in relief duties, but the loss of Foles could rattle this team. Their offensive line is a problem, and running back Leonard Fournette continues to struggle. The Texans are coming off a heartbreaking loss against the Saints losing on a 58 yard field goal. However, they have tried to improve their offensive line, and QB DeShaun Watson showed how special he is against New Orleans. I expect Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to feast on this turmoil filled Jaguars team. Houston’s defense should have the advantage taking on a rookie QB in his first NFL start and a below average offensive line. The Jaguars have the talent defensively, but have to play smarter and avoid getting into confrontations with their opponents. I just feel the loss of Foles is going to negatively affect this teams mentality, and lead to a Houston victory at home.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) vs Oakland Raiders (1-0)- Chiefs 34-20
The Chiefs lost star receiver Tyreek Hill, but Sammy Watkins had the breakout game they’ve been waiting for. Mahomes was in MVP form dominating the Jaguars downfield, and their run game looked solid behind new running back LeSean McCoy. Their defense is still a work in progress, but their offense is elite enough to carry them to victory. The Raiders put the Antonio Brown drama behind them, and scored a upset win on Monday Night Football. Derek Carr looked sharp, and new free agent wide receiver Tyrell Williams was impressive in a bigger role. Their rookie running back Josh Jacobs showed his potenial as well. Their defense played well, but that was against a bad Broncos offense. I expect the good times to hit screeching halt when the Chiefs come to town. The Chiefs are too good offensively for the Raiders to compete. However, Patrick Mahomes could be hindered as he suffered an injury in Jacksonville. If he is unable to play, the Raiders chance will improve, and could lead to them being actually favored to win at home.

Chicago Bears (0-1) vs Denver Broncos (0-1)- Bears 24-14
Both of these teams showed their defenses are good, but their offenses have real concern. Vic Fangio will host his former team the Bears in Denver, and will look to get his first win of the season. Denver’s QB Joe Flacco had his moments, but their offense couldn’t finish their drives in the red zone. They struggled to run the ball against a bad Raiders defense, and will now have to face one of the best defenses in the NFL. I expect Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky to play better, and the Bears will work to get their run game figured out. The Broncos offensive line is still a work in progress, and are unlikely to stop the pass rushers of the Windy City in Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd. I expect a defensive battle with the Bears coming out on top. However, a upset could be brewing as Vic Fangio knows Chicago well, and Denver is a tough place to win on the road.

New Orleans Saints (1-0) vs Los Angeles Rams (1-0)- Saints 30-28
A rematch of the controversial NFC Championship game takes place in LA. Both the Rams and Saints looked vulnerable in week one, but survived to win their first games. The Saints will come to town looking for revenge, and are likely to play with a sense of urgency. This will be a battle of the great running backs between Alvin Kamara and Todd Gurley. The quarterback duel should be fun with Drew Brees and Jared Goff going head to head. Both offenses are electric, and this game will likely come down to which defense steps up. I am going to lean with the Saints because they are going to be motivated to get revenge after last season. The same way they exacted revenge against the Vikings two years ago. The Rams are going to be a tough test, but the Saints were more impressive in week one to me. I will give a slight edge to the Saints as I feel they have more motivation to win this game.

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) vs Atlanta Falcons (0-1)- Falcons 29-24
The Eagles rebounded from a slow first half, and jumped all over the Redskins to win at home in week one. The Falcons on the other hand were dominated, and looked abysmal in their first game against Minnesota. Atlanta tends to play much better at home, and you know QB Matt Ryan will be looking to bounce back after a terrible first performance. I expect Julio Jones, Muhammed Sanu, and Calvin Ridley to get more chances against a weaker Eagles secondary. However, running back Devonta Freeman, and their offensive line has to improve in order to beat the Eagles. Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz should put up big numbers against a lackluster Atlanta secondary, and his receiving core has never been stronger with Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agolhor, and the returning DeSean Jackson. I expect this to be a close but high scoring affair in Hotlanta. I like the Falcons at home because history is not on their side to make the playoffs if they start the year 0-2.

Cleveland Browns (0-1) vs New York Jets (0-1)- Browns 31-28
The Browns were smashed by the Titans in week one, and all the offseason hype started to fade fast. The Jets were in control against Buffalo, but were unable to cash in on scoring chances and gave the game away at the end. Both Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are works in progress in year two. However, Sam Darnold will miss this game, and backup Trevor Siemian will start in his place. They both have received more playmakers to work with on offense, but neither was able to impress in week one. Neither defense is elite, and both have below average secondaries. I am going to pick Cleveland in this one because their receivers have more big play ability. I expect the Jets to lean heavily on free agent running back Le’Veon Bell, and that wouldn’t be a bad strategy against Cleveland’s lackluster run defense. I expect Cleveland to win with the Jets having to start backup QB Siemian. He has experience as a starter, but I believe Baker will have the advantage in this matchup.

Photo Credit: https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/09/patriots-vs-steelers-report-card-grading-new-englands-offense-2/