There is an exciting slate of 14 games on Sunday. Here are final score predictions for all of the Week 2 Sunday contests, with reasoning.
Keep track of my “Sunday Score” all season long. This weighted formula gives me five points for every correct outcome. For every team whose score I predict exactly correct, I get an additional three points. Here’s how I’ve fared so far:
Sunday Score: 46
Winner/Loser picked correctly: 8/13
Arizona Cardinals 20, Baltimore Ravens 34
The Ravens won’t blow by the Cardinals as easily as they did against the Dolphins, but they will still have an easy edge here. Kyler Murray and Larry Fitzgerald will post good showings, but Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown will play better.
Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 20
The Cowboys’ offense had a really strong Week 1. Their defense could’ve been better, but they won’t struggle against Washington. Michael Gallup and Byron Jones will have big games for Dallas while Washington’s bright spots will be Adrian Peterson and Terry McLaurin.
Indianapolis Colts 28, Tennessee Titans 30
The Colts and Titans both had better-than-expected opening weeks and should make for a good contest in Week 2. The Titans will be led by Derrick Henry and Delanie Walker while the Colts will see a big game from Darius Leonard.
Seattle Seahawks 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
While the Seahawks just barely knocked off the struggling Bengals last week, they should rebound against the Steelers this week. Tyler Lockett is due for a big game while Chris Carson should go off, too. For the Steelers, expect big games from the offensive line and James Conner.
Buffalo Bills 23, New York Giants 17
The Bills just barely squeaked out a Week 1 one against the Jets, so they should win by a bit of a bigger margin against the Giants this week. Cody Latimer and Evan Engram will have big games for N.Y., while the Bills will see impressive showings from Zay Jones and Devin Singletary.
San Francisco 49ers 13, Cincinnati Bengals 27
There was reason to be optimistic for the Bengals last week, and now against the 49ers, Zac Taylor will be able to get his first win. John Ross and the O-line will have good games for the Bengals, while the Niners will see a big game from Trent Taylor.
Los Angeles Chargers 31, Detroit Lions 20
The Chargers will be able to pick up their second one, but this time it’ll come a bit easier. Austin Ekeler will help them pull out to an early lead while Kerryon Johnson will headline a failed come-from-behind attempt for the Lions.
Minnesota Vikings 17, Green Bay Packers 14
The Vikings and Packers were both on the winning ends of quite interesting Week 1 games. The Vikings will be able to pull off a divisional win this week, as Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones will fall shy of Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook.
Jacksonville Jaguars 23, Houston Texans 27
It’s tough to predict how the Jags’ offense and defense will perform this week, but it remains safe to say the Texans will pull off a victory. Will Fuller and Kenny Stills will post big games for Houston while Gardner Minshew and Myles Jack are the bright spots for Jacksonville.
New England Patriots 62, Miami Dolphins 13
Call me crazy or foolish for this prediction, and perhaps it is a bit premature, but two things make me think the Pats will play even better than the Ravens, and that the Dolphins’ epic woes are not a fluke: first, the Pats have a better offense, and second, Bill Belichick does not like to put on the brakes.
Kansas City Chiefs 42, Oakland Raiders 24
This should be an offensive contest, with the Chiefs getting the easy victory. Patrick Mahomes tore apart the Jaguars’ secondary, and he’ll do the same against a Raiders defense that will immediately feel the loss of rookie Johnathan Abram.
New Orleans Saints 44, Los Angeles Rams 20
The mental game has a major place in football; it has a greater impact that many people are comfortable with admitting. The Saints, fueled by the anger of last season’s controversial loss to the Rams in the playoffs, will win by a lot.
Chicago Bears 21, Denver Broncos 14
It’s tough to tell whether or not Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears’ offense reverse their pathetic Week 1 showing that saw them score three points. It’s somewhat safe to say they will, in which case they should be able to pull off a victory over the Broncos.
Philadelphia Eagles 20, Atlanta Falcons 21
Many Falcons fans and football followers alike have bashed the Falcons after their shocking and painful Week 1 loss, but I haven’t given up on them yet. I stand by what I’ve said before: this team can make it to the Super Bowl. They should fend off Philly this week.
