NFL picks Week 2: Packers-Falcons and every other game

Will the Green Bay Packers silence Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Atlanta Falcons open the doors to their new home?

It was a fun yet unpredictable opening week of regular season action. From the moment Kansas City stunned New England on Thursday night, you just knew it was going to be an interesting few days.

Slumping to a poor 7-8 record with my Week 1 picks wasn’t exactly how I planned it out, but successfully picking the Packers to take down the Seahawks makes amends.

It won’t be so easy to stick with Green Bay this week, and there’s also a number of challenging decisions to make across the league. Here goes nothing.

Green Bay (1-0) at Atlanta (1-0)

Green Bay’s offense made a slow start against Seattle last week. Dan Quinn’s defense presents a number of different challenges for the Packers. While the Falcons themselves were far from convincing in Week 1, it’s hard to pick against the NFC champs in their brand new home.

Pick: Atlanta

Houston (0-1) at Cincinnati (0-1)

Both teams got off to disappointing starts in Week 1. Cincinnati finally registers its first point of the new season, and a bounce-back game from Andy Dalton helps them edge past Houston in Deshaun Watson‘s first start.

Pick: Cincinnati

Buffalo (1-0) at Carolina (1-0)

Cam Newton didn’t look himself last week, but it could possibly be down to a lack of practice time prior to Week 1. Christian McCaffrey is a major addition to the Panthers offense, and he helps them edge a close one at home.

Pick: Carolina

Chicago (0-1) at Tampa Bay (0-0)

The Bears looked good in defeat last week. They were a Jordan Howard catch away from victory. Unfortunately the schedule doesn’t get any easier, and the fresh Buccaneers begin their season in style.

Pick: Tampa Bay

Minnesota (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0)

Few teams impressed quite like Minnesota last week, and while Le’Veon Bell made a slow start to the season for the Steelers, I’m edging the home team in what should be one of the games of the week.

Pick: Pittsburgh

Arizona (0-1) at Indianapolis (0-1)

Until Andrew Luck returns and is 100 percent, it’s hard to see the Colts winning a game.

Pick: Arizona

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Cleveland (0-1) at Baltimore (1-0)

DeShone Kizer might be the long-term answer the Browns have been crying out for, but the wait for his first win in the NFL goes on a little longer.

Pick: Baltimore

New England (0-1) at New Orleans (0-1)

Tom Brady isn’t losing two in a row. The Saints defense showed some signs of life at Minnesota last week despite coming up short, but they are no match for Brady.

Pick: New England

Philadelphia (1-0) at Kansas City (1-0)

The Chiefs were on fire against the Super Bowl champs last week, and there’s no reason to believe they can’t replicate this success in their home opener.

Pick: Kansas City

Tennessee (0-1) at Jacksonville (1-0)

Jacksonville’s defense was mighty impressive against the Texans last week, but the Titans’ Super Mariota-powered offense offer much more of a challenge. If the Jaguars can control the clock with Leonard Fournette they can win, but I expect the Titans’ powerful offense to take the game away from their rivals.

Pick: Tennessee

NY Jets (0-1) at Oakland (1-0)

One team has its eyes on the AFC West title. The other could be heading for the first overall pick in next year’s draft.

Pick: Oakland

Miami (0-0) at LA Chargers (0-1)

The Chargers can consider themselves somewhat unlucky not to go into this game with a win. Jay Cutler is poised to do well in Adam Gase’s offense, but Los Angeles’ offensive weapons will be all too much for the Dolphins.

Pick: LA Chargers

San Francisco (0-1) at Seattle (0-1)

Seattle’s defense came to play at Lambeau last week, but one has to wonder whether their offense got the memo the season was underway. Regardless, the Seahawks are far too strong for the 49ers at home.

Pick: Seattle

Washington (0-1) at LA Rams (1-0)

Unfortunately for the Rams they don’t get to play Scott Tolzien every week. Kirk Cousins will be far more challenging to slow down, and Washington posts its first victory of the year.

Pick: Washington

Dallas (1-0) at Denver (1-0)

Ezekiel Elliott gives the road team the edge here. The Cowboys will be too powerful up front, and they can use the threat of Elliott to cool the league’s most explosive pass rush.

Pick: Dallas

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Detroit (1-0) at NY Giants (0-1)

If Odell Beckham is back for this game, it could spell problems for the Lions secondary. Dallas ran all over New York last week, but I expect the Giants to fight back with a strong performance on Monday night to take the W.

Pick: NY Giants

Last week: 7-8

Season: 7-8

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