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Week one was filled with upsets, with teams like Jacksonville and Washington picking up early victories. Victories for Los Angeles and Arizona also came later in the day to the dismay of 49ers and Cowboys fans everywhere. That being said my picks still were above .500, so let's dive in and preview the games to watch in week two of the NFL season.
5. Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals
People may be shocked to see and Browns and Bengals on this list after they combined to score just 19 points in week one. But this is a divisional matchup on Thursday night with a lot of great storylines to watch. Can Baker rebound after a tough week one? Will Joe Burrow pick up his first career win? Can Odell build some chemistry with his quarterback after just 22 yards in week one? All of these could be answered on Thursday and this is a game to watch this week.
Divisional games can often produce some weird results (see the Colts and Jaguars last week) but this writer does not see that happening this week. Cleveland is currently favored by six points and they should be able to cover that this week against an average Bengals defense. As far as total points go, a line of 44 points concerns me, so take the under there as neither offense should really explode in this one. This is a prove-it year for Baker Mayfield, and if he does not bounce back after his horrid week one then he could find himself out of a job in Cleveland next year. Take the Browns because Baker needs job security.
Cleveland Browns 24 - Cincinnati Bengals 14
4. Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons
Both teams in this matchup came into this year with high powered offenses and some question marks on the defensive side. What these teams also have in common is that they both lost week one and will be looking to right the ship quickly. Dallas suffered some pretty major injuries to Leighton Vander Esch, who will be out six to eight weeks, and Blake Jarwin who is done for the year. Atlanta on the other hand could not contain Russell Wilson, as he threw four touchdowns and no interceptions against them.
The last time these teams met was 2018, where the Cowboys squeaked out a three-point win and they should win this game as well. Neither team's defense looks stout, so there should be plenty of points scored in this one. With a current line of -5.0 for Dallas and 52.5 points overall, hammer the over and make yourself some money. If you own Cowboys or Falcons in fantasy football you should have them in your starting lineup this week for sure, especially on the Dallas side.
Dallas 38 - Atlanta 30
3. New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Who does not want to watch a Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll in a coaching battle? These two coaches last met in 2016, with the Seahawks edging the Patriots by seven points in that contest. These teams will look rather different though since that last meeting, mostly due to Cam Newton being the new franchise quarterback for the Patriots. Cam looked great in week one, throwing for 155 yards while adding 75 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Seahawks still have Russell Wilson, who looked like an MVP favorite after throwing for four touchdowns against the Falcons.
The Patriots defense only gave up eleven points week one, but it was to a weak Dolphins offense led by Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Seahawks gave up 25 to an elite Falcons offense filled with weapons, but Jamal Adams was top notch in his debut for Seattle. Seattle will be at home (not that it really matters without fans) so they will be ready for this one. They will never forget the nightmare finish to Super Bowl XLIX, so they will want to win this game in a big way. Cam will play solid once again, but Seattle has the superior weapons and will take this game in a tight finish.
Seattle 28 - New England 23
Cam Newton as a Patriot Week 1 versus Miami. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne
2. Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Vikings and Colts looked very poor in week one, so this game will be fun to watch two potential playoff teams right the ship. Minnesota gave up an unacceptable 43 points to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, so they will need to be much better defensively. Indianapolis were heavy favorites to knock off the lackluster Jacksonville Jaguars, yet they got outscored 13-3 in the second half to lose the game by seven. Both teams quarterbacks have been subject to criticism over their careers and will want to prove the doubters wrong by picking up a victory here.
Marlon Mack suffered an injury last week, so Jonathan Taylor will be the bell-cow back for the Colts in this one. Rivers will need to get him more involved to keep this one close given the Vikings have a top-five running back in the league in Dalvin Cook. This is Indy's home opener, but this will not be an easy opponent by any stretch of the imagination. The Vikings will look to get pressure against an elite Colts offensive line. I like Dalvin Cook to have another big week, and with a current line of -3.0 for Indy, I would be betting on Minnesota all day. Their total line is also currently 48 points, so hammer the over on that as well and win yourself some money in the process.
Minnesota Vikings 31 - Indianapolis Colts 28
1. Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
My game of the week to watch is the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, two teams that are battling for relevance in their respective divisions. Denver had a tough week one against Tennessee, putting up just 14 points in that contest. Courtland Sutton was out with an injury, but Phillip Lindsey also went down, so Drew Lock will need to get Jerry Jeudy and Melvin Gordon more involved in the offense moving forward. Pittsburgh saw the return of Big Ben Roethlisberger, and the offense looked great. Juju Smith-Schuster, Benny Snell, and Diontae Johnson all had great nights and if Ben stays healthy this team will be dangerous.
The key to this game is the health of Courtland Sutton. If he is good to go, then Denver will score plenty of points, as he and Lock showed great chemistry last year. On the flip side if Sutton is out once again, expect the Pittsburgh defense to key on Melvin Gordon and others and shut them down. With Pittsburgh currently favored by a touchdown, keep an eye on that injury report before betting on this one. Even the 41 points total is not one I would mess with until we know who is playing. For now I will take Pittsburgh to win and score plenty of points to hit the over.
Pittsburgh 28 - Denver Broncos 24
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