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The NFL season kicked off last week, and to many fans, it was the start of a five-month journey that will end in Super Bowl 51 at Houston.
Round 1 saw some upsets and plenty of close games decided within the very last minute, and Round 2 should be more of the same.
I will preview the first eight games of the round today and the rest of the games in part two.
Jets @ Bills
Both teams lost close games in week one and will looking to get their first win of this season. The Bills’ offence struggled last week and will be coming up against a much better defence in the Jets this week.
While the Jets lost by one point due to Nick Folk’s missed field goal and a point-after conversion to the Bengals. The Jets’ offence, led by veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Brandon Marshall, should be able to generate enough points against a Bills team missing some key players on defence.
Key match-up: Brandon Marshall versus Stephon Gilmore
Prediction: Jets
Saints @ Giants
Drew Brees continued to defy his age by throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns during last week’s one-point loss to Oakland, while the Giants won a thriller against arch rivals Dallas. Both of these offences will score points, however the winner will be the team who’s defence will show up.
The Giants’ defence is a better unit at the moment and should give them a 2-0 start to the season. The Saints, on the other hand, had the worst defence last year and that likely won’t change.
Key Match up: Brandin Cooks versus Janoris Jenkins
Prediction: Giants
Titans @ Lions
The Lions won on a last-second field goal to surprise the Colts on the road. While the Titans defence excelled, its offence turned the ball over too many times as they lost to the Vikings.
Matt Stafford looks he may have finally turned the corner and is primed for a career year. The Titans will need a big game from Marcus Mariota to have a chance. Detroit are just a more complete team at the moment and should win.
Key match-up: Ziggy Ansah versus Taylor Lewan
Prediction: Lions
Cowboys @ Redskins
Both first-start losers, these NFC rivals have a history of putting on a classic. Dallas lost a heart-breaker when wide receiver Terrence Williams failed to run out of bounds to stop the clock and have a chance to take a field goal to win the game, while the Redskins could not stop the rampant Steelers offence.
The Cowboys, behind the best offensive line in the NFL with rookie Ezekiel Elliot in the backfield, should run over a below-average Redskins defensive line. The Redskins should use the $75 million Josh Norman more effectively to avoid being torched again.
Key match-up: Dallas offensive line versus Redskins defensive line
Prediction: Dallas
Chiefs @ Texans
This is a rematch of last year’s AFC wildcard game where the Chiefs destroyed the Texans. Last week, the Chiefs staged the biggest comeback in franchise history against the Chargers, while the Texans outlasted the Bears.
Brock Oswelier was rocks and diamonds in his Texans debut and will probably struggle against the Chiefs’ stout defence. Texans rookie Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins made Osweiler better than he actually was. The Chiefs, using their running game and great ball security, should prevail.
Key match-up: Marcus Peters versus DeAndre Hopkins
Prediction: Chiefs
Dolphins @ Patriots
The Patriots, led by backup quarterback Jimmy Garapolo, caused the biggest upset by beating the Cardinals without stars Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, while the Dolphins lost in the final 30 seconds to Seattle.
The Patriots will be heavily favoured so they should get the win, but if Ndamukong Suh turns up the Dolphins may win.
Key match-up: Dolphins defensive line versus Patriots offensive Line
Prediction: Patriots
Ravens @ Browns
This may be the most boring game to watch this week. The Ravens lack any real playmakers on offence, while the Browns will be led by career back-up Josh McCown. The Browns are the least talented roster so by default Ravens should win, as they are going to be hard to score on this year.
Key match-up: Gary Barnidge versus Eric Weedle
Prediction: Ravens
49ers @ Panthers
The reigning NFC Champions, the Panthers, missed a field goal in the dying seconds to lose in a Super Bowl rematch to Denver, while 49ers had the only shutout of the week, winning 28-0 over the Rams. The Panthers should win this game as their quarterback Cam Newton is far better than 49ers counterpart Blaine Gabbert.
Both teams have really good defences and the 49ers have a better running game, but it won’t be enough to compensate for the gap in talent at the quarterback position.
Key match-up: Carlos Hyde versus Luke Kuechly
Prediction: Panthers
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