Welcome to Week 2 of the NFL season. The first week of the 2015 saw the NFL debut to record numbers. The average viewing audience for last week’s Thursday, Sunday and Monday night games was 19.9 million viewers per Nielsen ratings. I guess a little controversy isn’t bad for business after all.
The biggest questions going into NFL Sunday;
Can the Buffalo Bills can start the season 2-0?
Will the Baltimore Ravens start their season 0-2 for the first time since John Harbaugh became the coach?
How will the Dallas Cowboys fair after losing receiver Dez Bryant in the opener?
Can Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota continue his red hot start?
Will get those answers soon enough, in the meantime, these are my picks for NFL Week 2. These are to win the game, not against the spread for you gamblers.
Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans
In my mind this boils down to Cam Newton or JJ Watt. The Texans are having a problem finding their starting QB, switching from Game 1’s Ryan Hoyer to Ryan Mallett.
#HOUvsCAR
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49’ers
Last week I went with my head and not my heart in choosing the Vikings over the Niners. This week both my head and my heart say they lose to the Steelers because I can’t imagine Pittsburgh losing at home, to start the season at 0-2.
#SFvsPIT
Tampa Bay Buccs vs. New Orleans Saints
Did you see the Buccs play last week? They are absolutely on the up portion of the learning curve.
#TBvsNO
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
#DETvsMIN
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears
#AZvsCHI
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan has been 4-9 when going against Bill Bellichek and the Patriots. I know Rex’s “over-the-top” personality can grate on some, but he’s a great coach, especially when it comes to defensive strategies. I’m going out on a limb and picking the Bills to squeak by.
#NEvsBUF
San Diego Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Bolts QB Phillip Rivers has probably been repeating, “don’t call it a come back, I’ve been here for years,” to himself after overcoming an 18-point-deficit for the win in week 1. Expect that momentum to carry over this week.
#SDvsCIN
Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns
Heisman winners face off in this showdown. For Titans rookie Marcus Mariota, its the second week in a row he will face a fellow Heisman winner in Johnny Manziel.
But the Browns have a better defense than the Buccs did in week 1.
#TENvsCLE
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants
Giants lost a heartbreaker in Dallas week 1. New York media has been barbecuing the team all week. This week they return home looking to bounce back.
#ATLvsNYG
St. Louis Rams vs. Washington Redskins
Growing up I was a Rams fan. Then they up and moved to St. Louis, and nothing was ever the same. The Rams starting the season 2-0 will make the fans feel better once the team moves back to LA!
Washington is a mess. Washington is a trainwreck. They will also be without wide receiver DeSean Jackson. I think the Rams giving St. Louis a great goodbye season is nice.
#STLvsWAS
Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
#MIAvsJAX
Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders
Welcome to 0-2 Raiders.
#BALvsOAK
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
DeMarco Murray was a league-leading rusher while with the Cowboys. This year he’s with a new team after Jerry Jones opted not to pay him. Motivation.
#DALvsPHI
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Hmmm, no Kam Chancellor on defense facing off against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Seahawks heartbreak continues from that blown Super Bowl play, to start the 2015 season 0-2.
#SEAvsGB
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
New York Jets vs. Indianapolis colts
#NYJvsIND
Week 2 kicked off with another Thursday game. This week went down to the wire and saw the Kansas City Chiefs fumble away a win to the Denver Broncos, in a 31-24 loss.
