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NFL Predictions: Week 2 Picks and Hot Takes From Across the League

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Well that was fun. I don’t know about you, but I had a heck of a time watching all of the week one action unfold. Who knew football could be so exciting? Oh, wait, I did. Seven months ago I knew that… and after an NFL drought, that feeling is yet again back. Celebrate good times!

I went 11-5 in my opening week of predictions, which isn’t an awful number considering that the first week is notoriously difficult to project. On the flip side, 11 out of 16 is just good enough to set the bar actually fairly high, setting myself up for massive disappointment when one of those 8-8 weeks creep up on me.

Heck, that could be this week. Who knows? That’s the beauty of predicting the NFL. It’s an odd, unpredictable, unexplainable beast, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Anyway, onward with the predictions for this weekend. You can read last week’s column here. Again, these picks are strictly for entertainment purposes and in no way am I claiming to be any more than a football-viewer putting thoughts on paper. It’s a fun column to write, but I’m like the rest of the world making pro football picks – no better than your 90-year-old grandmother picking names out of a hat.

Okay, maybe a little better. But not much. One year in the not-so distant past, my weekly pick ‘em group was badly beaten by a senior citizen who doesn’t watch a down of football on Sundays. That should tell you everything you need to know about the expertise of these selections.

However, hopefully these picks and their explanations can be an entertaining build-up to a weekend of NFL action that we’re all looking forward to. Now sit back, keep avoiding the work that you’re supposed to be doing right now and enjoy the week’s picks.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 8:25 p.m. ET on Thursday, NFLN/CBS/TwitterbillsBuffaLowDown 3wPFF Adds Bills DB Coach Ed Reed to All-Decade TeamMore headlines around FanSided:3w - The Cleveland Browns should not sign Karlos Williams3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Suspended Marcell Dareus Will Enter a Rehab Facility3w - Smart or Dumb: Buffalo Bills Release RB Karlos Williams3w - Karlos Williams Has Been Cut by the Buffalo BillsMore News at BuffaLowDown

The start of the weekend’s divisional matchup kicks off with this AFC East tilt. And while it’s not the most attractive game on paper, there are plenty of storylines that lie within.

For starters, the road doesn’t get any easier for a Bills team that struggled mightily last Sunday against the Ravens. Baltimore constantly countered with the better play on defense, limiting the Buffalo offensive output to 160 total yards, worst in the league. With Sammy Watkins continuing to deal with the nagging foot issue and Tyrod Taylor’s unit battling a stout Jets defensive front, this matchup doesn’t exactly seem to provide a turning point.

On a short week, it only seems logical to give the Jets the edge in this one. They weren’t perfect against Cincinnati on Sunday, but they played a tremendous game against one of the AFC’s best. If it weren’t for A.J. Green, Gang Green enters this one with a chance to be 2-0 on Friday morning. Luckily for Todd Bowles’ group, Buffalo’s receiving corps consists of no threat close to Green’s insanity at the wideout position.

The Jets can and should play up to the level of Buffalo’s defense. If you like points, this one might not be the game for you. But after a pair of losses to the Bills in 2015, the Jets get the slight edge in what should be a tight divisional clash.

Jets capture first win of the year on a short-week road game, 19-13.

San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOXpanthersCat Crave 3w3 Takeaways: Preseason Week 2More headlines around FanSided:3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Roaring Recap: Panthers- 26, Titans- 163w - Tennessee Titans vs Carolina Panthers quick hits3w - What to look for vs Carolina Panthers: offense3w - What to look for vs Carolina Panthers: defenseMore News at Cat Crave

Some might look at this game differently after each of these two teams’ respective performances in week one, but there’s a reason why this is a clear favorite for our lock of the week.

It’s important to understand that the 49ers aren’t the worst team in the NFL, even after preseason power rankings consistently listed San Francisco in or at-least near the cellar of the league. But Chip Kelly’s bunch isn’t going to push for a championship in 2016, and it’s fairly likely that they won’t come close to contending for a playoff spot with their current makeup. They have gritty fight, shown on Monday night, but there isn’t enough top to bottom to be considered contenders week after week.

The more important bottom line surrounds the ready-to-contend Panthers team that hung tight with the potential AFC favorite. Carolina had no easy task against Denver in week one – don’t let the hype about Trevor Siemien’s ineptitude fool you. Cam Newton and company will be just fine in their home opener, likely cruising through a game that shouldn’t be close by the fourth quarter.

Carolina wins in style in Charlotte, topping the 49ers, 30-16.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOXcowboysThe Landry Hat 3wCowboys Insider: Signing Zack Martin long term will not be easyMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Dallas Cowboys Preseason: What we now know after the second game3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Musings from the Dallas Cowboys second preseason game3w - Cowboys Jerry Jones belongs in the Hall of Fame3w - Cowboys Preseason Game 2: The 'Boys Are Alright!More News at The Landry Hat

How about the first-week disappointments for these two NFC East squads? One couldn’t get out of bounds fast enough, while the other couldn’t leave their Monday night game fast enough.

The latter, Washington and their leader Kirk Cousins, must be better in this week two matchup. Ultimately, they have no other choice. Jay Gruden’s squad can’t afford to fall to 0-2 in a highly-contested NFC; tacking on a loss against a divisional opponent would be another punch straight to the gut.

To fight in this one, they must get the running game rolling early. Cousins can’t go out, throw another 43 passes, and expect to top a Dallas offense that has the potential to be nearly as good as Pittsburgh’s effort from Monday night. A short week already hurts Washington. If the game plan can’t find a way to get the ball into the hands of Matt Jones and Chris Thompson effectively, they’ll have a tough time finding a way to knock off Dallas.

Now, that’s not to say the Cowboys will be the undisputed favorites in this one. In fact, their struggles on offense somewhat mirror the difficulties that the Redskins face. Dak Prescott threw 20 incompletions in the loss to the Giants, while Zeke Elliott averaged just 2.6 yards per carry in his 20 rushes. As the Dallas offense line goes, so should the game’s final score.

Ultimately, the result of this one will depend on the Washington defense’s ability to flip the script and provide their home crowd with a hard-fought victory. Watch Josh Norman’s play, keeping an eye on whether or not he shadows Dez Bryant on the afternoon.

Redskins rely on Cousins’ fourth-quarter comeback beat Cowboys, 20-17.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

steelersNFL Mocks 3w2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up BigMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Why Steelers Preseasons Aren't Fun to Watch3w - Steelers News: Landry Jones, Le’Veon Bell, James Harrison3w - Steelers Le’Veon Bell suspension reduction seems fishy3w - Fox’s 2016 NFL Season Preview Part 5: The Final Four3w - Steelers News: Dan Rooney, Steelers Nation, James HarrisonMore News at Still Curtain

What a tremendous slate of divisional games this weekend. This one might just be the best, featuring two potential postseason threats in the classic confines of Heinz Field.

For Pittsburgh, it’s very difficult to deny the legitimacy that the team as a whole brought to the table against Washington on Monday night. DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Brown and the lethal Pittsburgh offense was undeniably impressive, cashing in for 435 yards and 38 beautifully manufactured yards. With little issues replacing both Le’Veon Bell and Markus Wheaton, it’s difficult to imagine Todd Haley’s group stumbling at any point in the foreseeable future.

The Bengals can be equally as frightening when they’re firing on all cylinders, especially when the duo of A.J. Green and Andy Dalton is cruising as they were in week one. Despite a lack of tremendously deep weapons for Dalton, there’s more than enough firepower to work on the Pittsburgh secondary, one that will undoubtedly be tested more than they did against Washington.

If Ross Cockrell and William Gay can find a way to stifle Green and Brandon Lafell, Pittsburgh will have the clear advantage. Ultimately, this could turn out to be a shootout of epic proportions, battled down to the wire.

Bengals use late drive from Dalton and Co. to beat Pittsburgh, 28-24.

New Orleans Saints at New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOX

saintsToro Times 3wHouston Texans: 5 players whose stock is on the riseMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Houston Texans vs. Saints: Defensive impressions3w - Keenan Lewis Blames Dennis Allen for New Orleans Exit3w - The New Orleans Saints turnover problems are a nuisance3w - Top 14 Observations: Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints3w - 5 Things the New Orleans Saints Must Do in 2016More News at Who Dat Dish

If you like points, here’s another game for you. In this NFC clash, we might just be watching a game that is decided by who possesses the ball last.

Unfortunately for the Saints, the troubles in the secondary continue to get worse. Top corner Delvin Breaux suffered what is reported to be a broken fibula, a devastating injury that weakens the back end of the New Orleans defense even more. The unit allowed 35 points in the loss to Oakland last week, a performance that might just end up looking slightly better after their matchup against the Giants here.

If there’s one thing we know about the Giants, it’s that their offense as a whole is built to compete in shootouts. They might not boast the league’s greatest defensive unit, but they’ll score more than enough to keep up with league’s most lethal of offenses. Against Drew Brees and the Saints, that notion must become a reality. New Orleans boasts a scary amount of quick-strike playmakers that match up incredibly well this weekend. For the Giants to take this game, it’ll be up to the triple-threat of Sterling Shephard, Victor Cruz and OBJ to create space and help Eli Manning compile a 350+ yard passing game.

Against the New Orleans secondary, it’s difficult to imagine the Giants struggling to find open field at any point on Sunday.

Giants find a way to win in a shootout, 35-31 over the Saints.

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

patriotsNFL Mocks 3wNew England Patriots Struggling to Stay Healthy on OffenseMore headlines around FanSided:3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Fantasy Football: Should owners worry about Tom Brady suspension?3w - AJ Derby Should Make New England Patriots Roster3w - Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Malcolm Butler3w - New England Patriots Roster Projection 2.0More News at Musket Fire

Another year, another game, another dominating performance from Bill Belichick’s Patriots team. By now, it’s easy to wonder if you or I could suit up for New England under center and still beat playoff-caliber teams.

All in all, Belichick and his brilliant staff make it look so terribly easy to win games in the National Football League. Sans Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, it just didn’t matter. When one of Belichick’s warriors goes down, he finds a player like Chris Hogan who fits perfectly the mold that the Patriots own. It doesn’t always make sense how they’re able to do it, but time and time again New England wins games that end up being “surprises”. Perhaps we ought to stop underestimating them in even the bleakest situations, eh?

Miami finds itself in the same situation for another Ryan Tannehill-led season: just good enough to compete, simply not good enough to close and win when it counts. The Dolphins offense had every opportunity in the world to defeat Seattle in an opening week statement game, but there simply wasn’t a prescription for the woes that seem to creep up regularly with the Miami unit. Heading into this one against another top-tier opponent, it doesn’t seem likely that a win is on the horizon.

Anything is possible in this wild and wacky league that we call the NFL, but it’s difficult to imagine Belichick entering with anything but a brilliant blueprint to stop Adam Gase’s squad.

Patriots jump to a lead and never look back, defeat Dolphins, 24-13.

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

texansToro Times 3wHouston Texans vs. Saints: Offensive impressionsMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Houston Texans: 5 players whose stock is on the rise3w - Houston Texans vs. Saints: Defensive impressions3w - Brock Osweiler Much Better vs. Saints3w - The New Orleans Saints turnover problems are a nuisance3w - Top 14 Observations: Houston Texans vs. New Orleans SaintsMore News at Toro Times

If the Chiefs team that came to play in the second half against the Chargers shows up here, we’ll have a tremendous AFC showdown in Houston. But if the first-half Andy Reid team enters Sunday’s matchup, we could be in for a quick result.

Sunday was truly a tale of two Kansas City teams, with both not even closely resembling the other. There was little excuse for falling flat in a home opener against a division rival (a weaker one, at that). Someone in the locker room found a way to relay that message and help the players put it into action, because the resilient second-half Chiefs squad looked to be one ready to plow their way through opponents on the way to becoming a dark-horse Championship contender. The question remains: who shows up on Sunday?

That’s important because of the ability that Houston boasts on offense. Already, we’re seeing offseason additions in Lamar Miller, Brock Osweiler and Will Fuller prove to be quick-strike options in an offense that already owns a top NFL receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. Make no mistake about it: if tackles Derek Newton and Duane Brown help anchor a solid front offensive line, Osweiler can and will shred defenses. He’s good enough to make the throws, and his weapons are plenty talented to make statements throughout the game.

There’s something to like about Bill O’Brien’s group in 2016; if they win in the trenches as they are capable of doing on Sunday, they’ll enjoy a comfortable 2-0 start to the season.

Texans win a tight game with Lamar Miller’s surprise performance, 23-21.

Tennessee Titans vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

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The word that comes to mind with this game is “unique”. Not bad, not unwatchable, just unique. Perhaps that’s a nice way to proclaim a game isn’t the best on the NFL’s second week slate of matchups, but there are compelling storylines to this cross-conference clash.

It starts with the Tennessee offense, which has no choice but to be better than they were against Minnesota last Sunday. DeMarco Murray rushed the ball just 13 times for 42 yards, not nearly enough touches for a guy who has shown flashes of being one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. Sure, consistency is a concern with Murray, but Tennessee must step up the rushing attack, trust youth on the right side of the line (Chance Warmack and Jack Conklin) and attempt to establish the run game early. Against Detroit, they’ll get a nice opportunity to throw a tough test at their starting offensive line in an attempt to build momentum moving forward.

While Tennessee’s offense has to find traction in the run game, the defensive front must find a way to repeat last week’s performance, one in which they limited Adrian Peterson to a mere 31 yards on 19 carries – fewer defensive performances might be more impressive this season than that one. The Lions don’t boast a dynamic rushing threat, and the receiving corps can be shut down with tight coverage against Matthew Stafford. This game is winnable for Tennessee; it’ll take an old-school approach to capture the ‘W’.

Detroit’s plan should be fairly simple: improve the secondary play while continuing to take shots against the opposing defensive backfield. Stafford will throw the ball upwards of 35-40 times yet again – the key here for the Lions surrounds around splash plays. If they win in that department, there’s a real chance to improve to 2-0.

Titans prove to be the sturdier team in unique game against Detroit, win 24-19.

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

brownsDawg Pound Daily 3wCleveland Browns: Will Andrew Hawkins make the final roster?More headlines around FanSided:3w - Cleveland Browns: What is Barkevious Mingo's true value?3w - Cleveland Browns: Josh McCown no longer needed in Dallas3w - Daily Dawg Tags: Will Justin Gilbert make the team?3w - Cleveland Browns: Cam Erving Heading in Right Direction3w - The Cleveland Browns should not sign Karlos WilliamsMore News at Dawg Pound Daily

Week one took on a strange twist for both of these AFC North rivals, ultimately telling two tales of teams heading in seemingly opposite directions.

For the Browns, classic Cleveland drama has crept up yet again, sticking with this team as it has for almost the entirety of their existence. With Josh McCown now stepping in to take the reins, it’s anyone’s guess how Hue Jackson’s team will perform on the offensive side of the football. McCown’s past is a tricky one. He’s shown he can either show up and be a gunslinger, or take on the unfortunate script of Cleveland quarterbacks and struggle to build momentum throughout games. Against a revamped Ravens defense, issues could be aplenty for a unit in flux.

Baltimore’s task in this one shouldn’t be a terribly difficult one, even on the road. Defensive reinforcements in Eric Weddle and Shareece Wright proved to be sparkplugs last Sunday against the Bills, making plays all around the field to collect and dispose of Buffalo’s attack. We know where the Ravens offense stands – a good, not great state – and it should be plenty to outscore Cleveland in the Dawg Pound. Notoriously, these two play tight football… combine that with a pair of questionable offenses and we might just see a classic, gritty AFC North football game this weekend.

Ravens defense shines bright yet again, helps Baltimore defeat Browns, 20-14.

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOX

seahawksNFL Mocks 3w2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up BigMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Seahawks add Tukuafu, finally have fix their fullback problem3w - Minnesota Vikings: Preseason Week 2 Takeaways3w - Fox’s 2016 NFL Season Preview Part 5: The Final Four3w - Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell shut out vs. Seattle3w - Winners of Preseason Week 2More News at 12th Man Rising

Is it safe to say that Rams fan base is ready for the Jared Goff experiment to hit the field? Last week’s Monday night nightcap against San Francisco was ugly, ugly football, no matter how you frame it.

Jeff Fisher’s team just didn’t seem prepared to open the season, looking as if they needed four more preseason games and a few extra weeks of training camp to get the train moving in the right direction. Putting up zero points in the first game of the season is inexcusable, something Fisher would surely quickly admit. As the season rolls along, one must wonder what direction L.A.’s new team heads. Do they keep Goff on the sidelines to hold the clipboard and hope Todd Gurley’s ability can spark enough excitement? Is there a dramatic shift in team mentality, enough to squeak out tight games with powerful defensive performances? Either way, the Rams don’t seem to be ready, a fact that Seattle should handily take advantage of.

The Seahawks won’t repeat last week’s snoozer against Miami, even if they have to shake up the game plan for Russell Wilson. It doesn’t take a football genius to understand that defense won’t be a problem this Sunday. Rather, this feels like a good opportunity for the offense to settle down, find a groove early and get valuable reps against a Los Angeles defense that does have talent. They can’t afford to take the game for granted, but there should prove to be wiggle room that allows Darrell Bevell to hit the reset button for his group.

Seahawks soar to 2-0 record with win over Los Angeles, 25-13.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOX

Won’t this one be fun? On one side, you have a Tampa Bay team who came roaring out of the gate to open up their season in style. On the other, Bruce Arians’ “Super Bowl favorite” that couldn’t defeat Jimmy Garoppolo in what some called a cupcake opener. Let’s do this thing!

The key here for Tampa Bay will be capitalizing on their opponent’s week one loss, as odd as that might sound. Momentum is the most underrated aspect of NFL games (and seasons, truly). Coming off of a gut-punch of a loss in New England, there’s little doubt that Arians and Co. want to sprint out of the gate in front of their home crowd. If Tampa Bay finds a way to put points up early and devise a gameplan that limits the big play over the top, they’ll unquestionably be in contention to win the game in the fourth quarter.

The Buccaneers can afford to let Arizona dink and dunk their way down the field – what can’t happen centers directly around the trio of Alterraun Verner, Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves. The Cardinals run deep in numbers at wide-out, perhaps more so than any other team in the league. Arians will test the Bucs secondary early and often, resulting in battles that could play the largest factor into the ultimate final result. If Tampa wants to pull off the upset, they’ll have to limit the big play and keep Arizona’s threats in check.

Both teams can run the football, but look for the respective passing games to decide which team takes home the win in a game that should end up being highly entertaining.

Cardinals get back on track, beat Bucs, 29-24.

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

jaguarsBlack and Teal 3wJacksonville Jaguars' front 7 can dominate in 2016More headlines around FanSided:3w - Blake Bortles arguably best QB in the preseason3w - Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Studs3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Buccaneers Winners And Losers vs. Jaguars3w - Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quick takeawaysMore News at Black and Teal

Here’s another one of those “unique” games. We won’t call it bad or unwatchable, but there aren’t exactly too many compelling reasons to watch this one outside of the Jacksonville and San Diego markets.

Last week was equally as disappointing for both teams, having the opportunity to win both of their games at the end of the fourth quarter. For San Diego, an epic second-half collapse is the exact opposite of how they needed to start their season, but Alex Smith and his band of resilient weapons on offense proved to out-match a Chargers defense that has plenty of question marks to still be answered. New talent is present in all areas, but there are few who believe they can be a strong enough unit to push for a playoff position in the wildly competitive AFC.

One of the reasons the AFC will be so competitive is the rise of Jacksonville’s machine, one that looks more fine-tuned by the game. They weren’t perfect against Green Bay, but both sides of the ball game the Jaguars an opportunity to stay in the game late and collect the win. They couldn’t, but improvements that have been shifted in over the past few years are beginning to create a very formidable team.

This pick might be the toughest of the week considering the high levels of unknown on both sides. If Jacksonville finds a groove with their playmakers on offense, one might imagine they could take this one handily. But San Diego can be pesky – if the offensive line can hold up, they might just have a shot to surprise the Jaguars and come away with a win.

Chargers find a way, squeak out home win against Jaguars, 24-23.

Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

raidersJust Blog Baby 3wOakland Raiders expected to start DJ Hayden at slot cornerMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Oakland Raiders: Del Rio discusses right tackle competition3w - Oakland Raiders coaches want better practices after Packers loss3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Oakland Raiders Twitter Buzz: Is Latavius Murray a Lead Back?3w - Jared Goff Shows Growth in Second Preseason GameMore News at Just Blog Baby

How incredible is Jack Del Rio? With no care in the world other than winning, the man made a decision that, if it hadn’t worked out, would’ve been the talk of the league for this entire week. But he didn’t care. Like, at all. Honestly, decisions like those are what makes the NFL’s brand so great.

He’ll face a tough test again with his second straight NFC South opponent, one that provides a more unique challenge than New Orleans. Where the Saints were a bit more clear-cut in their abilities on both sides of the ball, Atlanta is a bit trickier. With the Falcons, it’s difficult to know what they might offer in terms of offensive production. Will the plan revolve around Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman? Will Matt Ryan sling the ball 40+ times, setting up opportunities for Julio Jones and others to put up flashy stat lines? It’s almost impossible to figure out what Kyle Shanahan has in store, making this one a tough pick.

But when in doubt, it seems wise to go with the team that has a bit more “performance predictability”, if you will. The Raiders aren’t the most complete team in the National Football League, but they are a group that will score points to contend in high-scoring games. Derek Carr is good, folks. And the weapons he has around him combine to be a sneaky, under-the-radar great group (aside from Amari Cooper, who is very clearly a natural freak).

The Raiders defense might have a lot to answer for, but their ceiling and floor are much more clear than Atlanta’s, which ranges from playoff-caliber squad to bottom-five team in the NFL.

Derek Carr has another monster day, torches Atlanta defense en route to 33-27 win.

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

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A Colts/Broncos game without Peyton Manning involved seems to be a mistake, but here we are.

Luckily for Manning’s last team, the Broncos seem set to open up their season with two straight home victories after Indianapolis comes to town on Sunday. That assumption isn’t as much to knock on the Colts as it is to drive home a simple point: Denver is still very good, whether it’s Trevor Siemien, Paxton Lynch or anyone else who might suit up under center. It seems strange to say that a quarterback doesn’t mean much in today’s NFL, but does the caliber of the QB play weigh too heavily on the final results of Denver games these days? The Broncos are simply a well-coached, old-school football team who won’t give any opponent an easy matchup. It centers around the defense and simplicity of the offense, which has proven to be a potential championship recipe in years past.

In a game like this one, it’s often helpful to take a step back and look at the big picture on both sides. Can Indianapolis, traveling to high-altitude Denver after a devastating loss to the Lions, match a Broncos team that appears to be, for now, a premier threat to take the AFC? Sometimes, the answer is simply “no”. For Sunday’s game, that appears to be the case.

Sure, we’ve seen crazier things happen – heck, you could argue that before the season opener, Denver would have been a candidate to miss the playoffs altogether. But we quickly saw that concerns at the quarterback position aren’t always cause for total panic, even in our quarterback-obsessed football world.

Broncos beat up on Colts, dominate for a 27-17 win.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, NBC

vikingsSideLion Report 3w2016 Lions Opponents: Did They Improve? NFC North & MoreMore headlines around FanSided:3w - Minnesota Vikings: 3 players return to team practices3w - Minnesota Vikings find huge value in versatile Adam Thielen3w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up Big3w - Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater may be done for the preseason3w - Minnesota Vikings sign QB Sorensen, release RB MonangaiMore News at The Viking Age

Sunday night ends with yet another fantastic divisional matchup between two teams looking to capture their second victories of the season – not a bad way to end a weekend.

Minnesota’s strategy seems like an obvious one: establish the run and allow Adrian Peterson to do his thing. They weren’t able to capitalize last weekend against Tennessee, a disappointment to say the least. No matter who gets the start under center, success in this game will only go as far as the offensive line allows it to go. It’s critical for the Vikings to win at the point of attack and schematically create opportunities for their backs to thrive. If they can’t run the football, there’s little chance that they’ll pick up this win.

Ultimately, that’s because of their opponent, the always sound and dependable Packers squad. Jacksonville kept it tight last Sunday, but that ultimately provides little to worry about. Jordy Nelson’s return will allow the offensive attack to open up more each week. If they put together a squeaky-clean outing as they did last week, they shouldn’t have an issue against the Vikings. Dominating time of possession will be critical on both sides of the football, especially on the defensive end. Forcing third-and-long situations will create tough tasks for Minnesota, opportunities that will clearly favor Green Bay.

It doesn’t have to be perfect; an on-par Packers performance should be plenty to handle this matchup, even in a road divisional test.

Packers win in primetime, beat Vikings 28-19.

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears, 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, ESPN

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If you’re looking for a game that will draw big ratings, this one might not exactly be for you. However, if you enjoy young playmakers on offense, be sure to tune in on Monday night.

It’d be silly to focus on anything other than Carson Wentz on Philadelphia’s side, as he clearly presents the most intriguing storyline of the MNF battle. In the grand scheme of things, seeing if Wentz regresses in prime time, on the road, with the national audience watching is a captivating side-bar to a game that may not mean much by the end of the season. It’s only week two, making this more of a long-term look at what Philadelphia has to look forward to in the future.

The Bears just need to be better. There’s really no other way to put it. Watching Jeremy Langford and Kevin White play will be notable, but there’s not too much to get excited about on Chicago’s 2016 roster. Jay Cutler is unpredictable, the offensive line can’t be labeled consistent and the defense … well, they will have their struggles.

They certainly provide a nice matchup for Philadelphia’s offense to continue to improve, bad news for Chicago fans anxious for this primetime showdown.

Eagles defeat Bears in final game of Week Two, 23-17.