Green Bay Packers

WhatIfSports NFL Week 2 predictions: Packers avenge NFC Championship loss

Published Sep. 15, 2015 4:35 p.m. ET

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Each Tuesday, WhatIfSports.com's NFL simulation engine generates predictions and box scores for every NFL game for the coming week. Our highly sophisticated algorithms simulate every play of every game to produce each team's likelihood to win. Each matchup is simulated 501 times.

To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating games on Thursdays through the season.

Note: our predictions use the latest available team and player information, while NFL SimMatchup includes all players that were or will be available at any point during the 2015 season so that theoretical and "what if" scenarios can be simulated.

Week 1 in Review

The first week of the NFL season can be a harrowing experience for predictions, with at least a few unknown quantities on every roster. Nevertheless, our NFL simulation engine submitted an 11-5 record in straight up picks, with an 8-5 performance against the spread. We correctly picked our Game of the Week, with Denver defeating Baltimore, and covering the spread as well. (Admittedly though, a 19-13 result is not exactly what we envisioned!)

Nailed It: Our NFL simulation engine predicted the Packers to make easy work of Chicago at Soldier Field. We took Green Bay 82.8 percent of the time by an average score of 31-20. The actual result: Packers 31 – Bears 23.

Wide Right: We thought the defending NFC champs would have no problem with the Rams in St. Louis, picking the Seahawks by 10. So, about that…Turns out the Rams were tougher than we gave them credit for, beating Seattle 34-31 in OT.

Track our 2015 performance or view our accuracy last season.

Week 2 Game to Watch

Seattle at Green Bay: The Week 2 schedule doesn’t get any juicier than an NFC Championship rematch. Last January, Seattle ended Green Bay’s Super Bowl aspirations with a 28-22 victory. The game saw the Seahawks erase a 16-0 halftime deficit to win in overtime. Understandably, Packers faithful have been stewing about this one for a while. We like Green Bay in the rematch 51.8 percent of the time.

Week 2 Upset Pick

Lions (+2.5) over Vikings: Detroit travels to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Vegas is taking the home team by 2.5 points, but our prediction engine sees it differently. We like the Lions to wins comfortably, with Detroit winning 64.5 percent of our simulations by an average score of 26-22.

Fantasy Radar

Fantasy Start – Carson Palmer: Our simulation engine has faith in both Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals. It predicts Palmer to torch the Chicago secondary for 303.2 yards and 2.2 touchdowns.

Fantasy Sit – Joique Bell/Ameer Abdullah: Until a lead dog is established in Detroit, we advise keeping the Lions running backs on the pine. This week, we’re predicting 44.5 yards for Abdullah and 38.2 for Bell.

Fantasy Add – Terrence Williams: The no. 2 receiver in Dallas just got promoted to the top spot with Dez Bryant’s injury (out 4-to-6 weeks). We’re projecting Williams to net 5.2 receptions for 73.1 yards and 0.5 TDs in Week 2, good enough for the ninth-most fantasy points at his position.

For more fantasy football tips, view our Week 2 player projections.

NFL Week 2 Predictions
Matchup	Win %	Avg. Score
New York Jets	25.1	19	Box Score
@ Indianapolis Colts	74.9	28	Simulate Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	30.0	20	Box Score
@ New Orleans Saints	70.0	26	Simulate Game
San Diego Chargers	37.9	22	Box Score
@ Cincinnati Bengals	62.1	26	Simulate Game
San Francisco 49ers	41.3	23	Box Score
@ Pittsburgh Steelers	58.7	26	Simulate Game
Atlanta Falcons	45.1	25	Box Score
@ New York Giants	54.9	27	Simulate Game
Dallas Cowboys	46.7	22	Box Score
@ Philadelphia Eagles	53.3	23	Simulate Game
Seattle Seahawks	48.2	22	Box Score
@ Green Bay Packers	51.8	23	Simulate Game
New England Patriots	53.6	22	Box Score
@ Buffalo Bills	46.4	20	Simulate Game
Tennessee Titans	55.1	23	Box Score
@ Cleveland Browns	44.9	21	Simulate Game
Houston Texans	57.9	22	Box Score
@ Carolina Panthers	42.1	19	Simulate Game
Denver Broncos	59.5	25	Box Score
@ Kansas City Chiefs	40.5	23	Simulate Game
Arizona Cardinals	61.5	28	Box Score
@ Chicago Bears	38.5	23	Simulate Game
St. Louis Rams	63.7	26	Box Score
@ Washington Redskins	36.3	21	Simulate Game
Detroit Lions	64.5	26	Box Score
@ Minnesota Vikings	35.5	22	Simulate Game
Baltimore Ravens	70.1	26	Box Score
@ Oakland Raiders	29.9	20	Simulate Game
Miami Dolphins	72.4	27	Box Score
@ Jacksonville Jaguars	27.6	19	Simulate Game