Packers vs. Vikings Week 2 predictions, picks for every NFL game

Predictions for every Week 2 game, including the Green Bay Packers’ divisional showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

Week 2 is here. And the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Green Bay Packers.

Up next is a visit from the division-champion Minnesota Vikings, who have beaten the Packers in four of the past five meetings.

Will the Packers end their losing streak to Minnesota this week?

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

A week after the Sunday night miracle against the Bears, can the Packers put themselves in a strong position in the NFC North with another divisional victory?

The answer is no. I’m going for a Vikings win here.

If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t play, forget about it. But even if we assume he does, I think the Vikings will do a much better job of pressuring him than the Bears did in the second half. The Packers adjusted well with quick, short passes which got the offense in rhythm. The Vikings will be expecting this and will have a week to put together a strong game plan against it.

If the short passes aren’t there, Rodgers won’t be able to escape the pocket and make a great play like he so often would when healthy.

The Vikings have some issues on their offensive line, but the Packers’ pass rush isn’t strong enough to take advantage.

If Rodgers plays and can get into rhythm, the Packers have a chance. The last time Rodgers played Minnesota at home, he threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns.

But I think the Vikings will win a close one at Lambeau on Sunday.

Pick: Minnesota

Baltimore (1-0) at Cincinnati (1-0)

The Ravens were very impressive last week, even though they were playing the Bills. It’s never easy to win on the road on a short week, but Baltimore gets the victory.

Pick: Baltimore

Carolina (1-0) at Atlanta (0-1)

The Falcons started the season flat in a loss to the Eagles, and they have since lost two key defensive players in Keanu Neal and Deion Jones. Despite that, they’re at home, and the Falcons get going on offense to pick up an important win.

Pick: Atlanta

Indianapolis (0-1) at Washington (1-0)

It was great to see Andrew Luck back on the field last week. He will improve as the season goes on. Washington impressed last week, but in a high-scoring, exciting contest, the Colts edge it.

Pick: Indianapolis

Houston (0-1) at Tennessee (0-1)

Both AFC South teams started the season with a loss, but Houston has more talent on both sides of the ball. The injury to Marcus Mariota only makes life that much tougher for the Titans, who slip to 0-2.

Pick: Houston

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

Tampa Bay’s 48-40 victory at New Orleans was one of the upsets of Week 1, but the Bucs won’t find the same success on offense in this game. The Eagles will have an answer for Ryan Fitzpatrick, and too much for the Buccaneers defense.

Pick: Philadelphia

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

It was a perfect start for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 1, picking up a crucial divisional win on the road. The Steelers didn’t play well at Cleveland, but I expect them to bounce back at home and win a close game.

Pick: Pittsburgh

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

Wow. That’s the best word to describe the Jets’ blowout victory against the Lions on Monday night. Were the Jets that good, or the Lions that bad? I lean towards the latter. But take nothing away from Sam Darnold, who bounced back from a pick-six with his first NFL pass. And the Jets will start the year 2-0 with another win.

Pick: NY Jets

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

The Chargers need to bounce back quickly after dropping a divisional game at home, and that’s exactly what will happen against a struggling Bills team.

Pick: LA Chargers

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

Hey, the Browns didn’t lose. Their record is already better than last year’s, but their wait for a victory will go on for another week. After last week’s upset loss to the Bucs, the Saints get back on track with a win.

Pick: New Orleans

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

The Lions put in arguably the worst performance in the league last week against the Jets. And I don’t see it getting better for them this week. The 49ers get back on track and put the Lions in trouble at 0-2.

Pick: San Francisco

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

The Cardinals were not good last week, and they now run into one of the NFC’s premier teams. Los Angeles has an elite defense, the league’s best running back and plenty of talent on offense. This one could be a shutout.

Pick: LA Rams

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

With Leonard Fournette potentially out of this game, I’m picking the Patriots. Fournette is so important for the Jaguars offense. The Patriots will find a way to score points against any defense. But without Fournette, the Jaguars could struggle to keep up.

Pick: New England

Oakland (0-1) at Denver (1-0)

Denver looks a much-improved team this year. After a hard-fought victory over Seattle, the Broncos improve to 2-0 with another home victory, this time against a division rival.

Pick: Denver

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

Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. both put up 100 yards against the Jaguars’ excellent defense last week. If they both do it again, there’s only one winner here. The Cowboys offense looked lost against Carolina.

Pick: NY Giants

Seattle (0-1) at Chicago (0-1)

Despite losing a 20-point lead in the second half against the Packers, there were a number of positives for the Bears in Week 1. As Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith get more involved on defense, the Bears will be a tough team to beat. And they get back on track against the Seahawks in Week 2.

Pick: Chicago

Last week: 8-8

Season: 8-8