A preview of week two of the NFL season

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After going 9-6-1 in the first week of the NFL season, I’m on to week two.  I didn’t blog about the Ravens – Bengals game, but I did make my pick on my Twitter account, @LarryLambert6.  I’m happy to report I picked the Bengals because I like Joe Flacco even less than I like Andy Dalton.  I’m already off to a better start than I was last week when I picked the Falcons over the Eagles in Thursday night football.  So now, it’s on to Sunday and Monday.

Eagles at Buccaneers:  While Ryan Fitzpatrick had the game of his life last Sunday, I doubt he can repeat it this week.  I expect the Eagles to play better this week.  Pick:  Eagles

Vikings at Packers:  Aaron Rodgers showed why he’s headed for the Hall of Fame last week when lead the Packers back from a 20 point deficit to defeat the Bears.  And he did it on one leg.  It’s uncertain how many legs Rodgers will have Sunday, but anything below two more than likely means a loss for the Pack.  The Vikings won’t let the Packers off the hook like the Bears did.  Pick:  Vikings

Dolphins at Jets:  Both teams are coming off a win.  The Jets may have even found a long term QB in Sam Darnold.  The Dolphins have seemed dysfunctional to me, still these are two teams it’s hard to get a read on.  I’ll go with the home team, the Jets.  Pick:  Jets

Chargers at Bills:  The NFL season is one week old and people are already throwing dirt on the Bills.  And with good reason.  The Bills seem satisfied than Nathan Peterman isn’t their guy at QB.  Josh Allen gets a baptism by fire.  As for the Chargers, they’re coming off a loss to the Chiefs.  The Bills are a bad team catching the Chargers at a bad time.  Pick:  Chargers

Chiefs at Steelers:  While the Browns are better this season, the fact the Steelers blew a second half lead and played them to a tie has got to be discouraging to Steeler fans and the team itself.  Meanwhile, Chiefs QB, Patrick Mahomes look great in the team’s win over the Chargers.  The Chiefs remind me of those old Air Coryell Chargers teams.  Pick:  Chiefs

Colts at Redskins:  Andrew Luck is back at the helm for the Colts while Alex Smith is coming off a nice debut for the Redskins.  Adrian Peterson also had a nice game as the featured RB in the Skins offense.  I like the Redskins in this one.  I think Luck will be good as the Colts QB, I just don’t think he can carry the team at this point.  Pick:  Redskins

Texans at Titans:  I doubt DeShaun Watson will be as bad this week as he was against the Patriots.  I also don’t like the matchup of the Titans offense against the Texans defense if I’m a Titans fan.  Pick: Texans

Browns at Saints:  Well, the Browns won’t lose every game in the 2018, but they won’t win this one.  The Saints defense looked terrible against the Bucs last week. They may actually stink on defense, but I doubt Browns QB, Tyrod Taylor has the big play capacity to take advantage of it.  The Browns are in for a test against the Saints offense and Drew Brees.  I don’t like their chances.  Pick:  Saints

Panthers at Falcons:  The Panthers defeated what looks to be a lackluster Cowboys team while the Falcons missed a golden opportunity to defeat the Eagles in week one of the NFL season.  I’m not real high on Panthers QB, Cam Newton and think Matt Ryan will be better after a poor performance against the Eagles.  Pick: Falcons

Lions at 49ers:  The Lions looked Buffalo Bills bad in their Monday night loss to the Jets.  The 49ers lost to the Vikings but it didn’t have the cataclysmic feel the Lions loss did.  I think Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers put up their first win this season.  Pick: 49ers

Cardinals at Rams:  After a slow start, the Rams rolled the Raiders easily in the second half of their opener against Jon Gruden’s Raiders.  The Cardinals looked bad, putting up only six points in their opener against Redskins.  I don’t think either of those outcomes is a fluke.  Look for more of the same in week two.  Picks:  Rams

Patriots at Jaguars:  Tom Brady faces a tough matchup with the Jags defense.  I think he’s up to it.  Jaguars' number one RB, Leonard Fournette is iffy for Sunday’s game and I, like pretty much the rest of the world, don’t have much faith in Jacksonville QB, Blake Bortles.  Pick: Pats

Raiders at Broncos:  Are the Raiders really as bad and dysfunctional as they seem?  Either way Jon Gruden gets paid.  The Broncos defense still looks really good and Case Keenum has enough tools at his disposal to put points on the board.  Pick: Broncos

Giants at Cowboys:  While Dak Prescott has Ezekiel Elliott in his backfield, Eli Manning has Saquon Barkley in his.  Manning also has Odell Beckham Jr. to throw to.  I think both teams are in for a rough season, I just think the Cowboys’ will be a little rougher.  Pick: Giants

Seahawks at Bears:  I think Russell Wilson is in for a long year.  Monday’s night’s game against the Bears could be part of that long season.  The Bears are coming off a monumental collapse in Green Bay and will be anxious to get that taste out of their mouth.  Mitch Trubisky’s play did take me back a little bit last week.  His lack of development was apparent.  Would the Bears be better off with Chase Daniels for now?  Too soon?  Pick:  Bears