2021 Week 2 Predix: Mahomes vs Jackson

Courtesy of Associated Press

Written by Sam DeCoste

Oh football, how we've missed you. The 2021 NFL regular season kicked off in style on Thursday night with a blockbuster showdown that came down to a last-minute comeback from Tom Brady to sit down the Dallas Cowboys. The weekend followed it up with even more thrillers, concluding the Week 1 slate with a Raiders overtime comeback win in front of a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas. Week 1 delivered, and Week 2 is already here.

As entertaining as Week 1 was, it was inopportune for my Predix record. Upsets galore only set me behind in my goal to have my most accurate Predix season. I finished the week at 9-7, notably missing the mark on the Bills, Titans, Packers, and Patriots, to name a few. Notably, I opened the season correctly predicting the exact scoreline of the Seahawks-Colts game, 28-16. That's going in the Scores of Fame. 

The Week 2 slate kicks off with an NFC East showdown between the New York Giants and Washington Football Team, and runs through Monday night with an NFC North clash between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. The standout games of the weekend include the Chargers taking on the Cowboys, and the Ravens looking to avoid an 0-2 start as they face the Chiefs on Sunday night. Enjoy the football, and enjoy the picks!

Here are my records from last week:

Week 1 record: 9-7
Lock of the Week record: 0-1

Regular season record: 9-7

Giants @ Football Team

Despite winning the NFC East last season, the Football Team was swept by the Giants in 2020. The Giants averaged 149 rushing yards per game and the Washington offense turned the ball over 6 times over the 2 contests. Entering Week 2, Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is down and out for at least 3 weeks, but could potentially be for longer. That thrusts Taylor Heinicke back into the starting lineup. Last week against the Chargers, Heinicke threw for just 122 yards and a touchdown pass in a low-scoring output for the offense. As last year exemplified, the Giants defense has Washington's number. Washington has been unable to spread the ball out and move the ball down the field against the Giants defense. Antonio Gibson is Washington's best bet to control the tempo of the game, and limit Heinicke's responsibilities. Gibson carried the ball 20 times for 90 yards against the Chargers, and will need a similar stat line to cool the temperature.

Teddy Bridgewater carved the Giants secondary to pieces in Week 1, and the Giants are reeling as they head into Week 2. The Washington offense could be a rebound game for the Giants defense, especially if they are able to register takeaways as they did a year ago against the Football Team. New York's truest winning formula, especially in this matchup, is the ground game. In 3 career games against Washington, Saquon Barkley has amassed 587 scrimmage yards and 3 touchdowns. Barkley was questionable to face the Broncos in the opener, and carried the ball 10 times for 26 yards. Suiting up on a short week as he recovers from his ACL tear last year will serve Barkley no favors, but this has traditionally been a complimentary matchup for him in the past. Running the ball will keep the Washington defense and especially their front 7 honest, and give Daniel Jones time in the pocket to find his arsenal of weapons,

The Giants have won 5 straight against Washington. This NFC East rivalry has been lopsided for quite some time, and it seemingly continuously comes down to injuries at quarterback for Washington. Heinicke has had his moments, but he will not buck Washington's losing streak to the Giants. 

Prediction: Giants 23, Football Team 17

49ers @ Eagles

The 49ers are back to winning ways...sort of. They edged the Lions 41-33 on the road in Week 1, but let the game spiral out of control in the 4th quarter nearly to the point of full collapse. It was a surprisingly chaotic and disjointed performance from an expected elite defense, against Jared Goff and the weakest offense in the NFC. The Eagles offense presents even more concerning matchups, including mobility at quarterback. The 49ers can replicate what they did in Week 1 against the Eagles and still win, by simply outscoring their opponents. Jimmy Garappolo crossed 300 yards, rookie running back Elijah Mitchell eclipsed 100 yards in relief of Raheem Mostert, and Deebo Samuel wreaked havoc with 189 yards receiving on 9 catches. George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk could also see their target volume increase, and present even more challenges for the Eagles defense. 

Jalen Hurts was on the money against the Falcons in the opener. He amassed 326 scrimmage yards and tossed 3 touchdown passes. Running backs Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell combined for 111 rushing yards, and the likes of Devonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, and Dallas Goedert each scored a touchdown. The Eagles offense is quietly loaded with explosive talent, and production at quarterback could see a breakout season for the team. Hurts' mobility will come into play against a 49ers defense which gave up 430 yards against the Lions. Extending plays against an elite pass rush and buying time for the Eagles receivers to run downfield and create separation against a haphazard 49ers secondary could turn the game upside down. Putting pressure on Garappolo and forcing the ball out quickly will be another key for a Philadelphia upset.

You better believe the 49ers are on upset alert this week, but back-to-back atrocious performances from their defense is difficult to imagine. They are the far more experienced and balanced team on both sides of the ball. Hurts will have his moments, but the 49ers will take the win. 

Prediction: 49ers 31, Eagles 21

Raiders @ Steelers

The Steelers silenced their critics after rallying from behind to beat the Bills on the road in Week 1. Mike Tomlin is proving the Steelers are still a force to be reckoned with, and a team nobody in the AFC wants to play. This week, the Steelers offense is hoping for an improved showing in the ground game. Rookie Najee Harris rushed the ball for only 45 yards against the Bills, and has to find more room to run over the course of the season for the Steelers offense to avoid another burnout down the stretch. The Raiders front 7 is exploitable on the ground, and Harris is poised for his first breakout performance The balance of possession receivers in the passing game like Juju Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson could be lethal for defenses if the Steelers compliment that with a productive running game. On defense, the Steelers are already back to their Steel Curtain ways, sacking Josh Allen 3 times, forcing a fumble and blocked punt, and allowing just 16 points to a high-octane Bills offense in the opener. The Steelers defensive line can create havoc all game long for the Raiders offensive rhythm.

Don't look now, but Derek Carr is the NFL's leading passer after one game. He was outstanding in the Raiders come-from-behind win over the Ravens on Monday night, throwing for 435 yards and 2 touchdowns to one pick. The Raiders fought to send the game to overtime after spotting the Ravens a 14-0 lead, and proved they are not to be written off. To move to 2-0 for the first time since 1995, the Raiders have to start faster. Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake have to be established factors from the backfield, and control the line of scrimmage with the ground game. The Steelers were able to lock down the Bills aerial attack in Week 1, and are more than content to send 4 rushers and sit back in the secondary. Carr cannot beat the Steelers defense by himself, it will take a well-balanced approach. Darren Waller is a game-changing talent and Hunter Renfrow is ascending into a top slot receiver, and their involvement early in the game can trip the Steelers up. 

The Raiders are flying cross-country, riding the emotion of a phenomenal comeback win. They are bound for an emotional letdown in Pittsburgh. This is my Lock of the Week.

Prediction: Raiders 17, Steelers 24

Bills @ Dolphins

To begin the most widely hyped season in recent Bills history, the team came out lackluster and predictable in the opener. Josh Allen threw the ball 51 times, and led the Bills to just 16 points against the Steelers. It is a discouraging tone to set for the season, but the Bills are not in panic mode after a Week 1 loss. They face the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday, and have a chance to win their 6th straight against their divisional rivals. In his career, Allen averages 259 passing yards and a passer rating of 114.3 against the Dolphins. In 2 meetings last season, Allen totalled 638 passing yards and scored 7 touchdowns against them. It is the optimal rebound matchup for Allen and the Bills receivers. Allen should be much more comfortable in the pocket this week against a much milder Dolphins pass rush, and should have time to find his receivers in space. 

There is more on the line than a 2-0 start for the Dolphins this week. The Dolphins are chasing revenge for their 56-26 defeat to the Bills in the season finale last year, which quelled Miami's playoff hopes. It is also an opportunity for Tua Tagovailoa to flash his growth as a quarterback, after throwing 3 interceptions in that Week 17 clash. He threw for 200 yards along with a touchdown and interception against the Patriots, and led the Dolphins to a narrow, low-scoring win. Miami's offensive execution proved effective against a mediocre Patriots offense, but it will be tested against the Bills. Tagovailoa could easily find himself in a shootout with Allen, and will have to keep up. Jaylen Waddle's promising debut is an exciting compliment to Devante Parker and Mike Gesiciki, and Will Fuller's expected debut this weekend. Tagovailoa will have to air the ball out for 4 quarters to match Allen punch for punch, and quickly establish chemistry with Waddle and Fuller. It will also play to Miami's advantage if they can extend their takeaway streak to 24 consecutive games. 

Allen and the Bills are 6-2 after a loss over the last 2 seasons, and they are traditionally at their best when they face the Dolphins. Expect a different Bills offense from the version that lost to the Steelers, and a Bills win. 

Prediction: Bills 31, Dolphins 16

Rams @ Colts

After months of anticipation, Matt Stafford debuted for the Rams on Sunday night, and seized the occasion. The former Lion completed 20 of 26 passes for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns, and led the Rams to a blowout win over the Bears. Cooper Kupp broke out with 108 receiving yards and a touchdown, and Stafford distributed the ball admirably. He has a chance to register another strong performance against a mediocre Colts defense, and stack momentum within the Rams organization. This week, Stafford can distribute to other receivers within the offense and unlock new elements in the Rams passing game. DeSean Jackson and Van Jefferson are explosive threats in their own rights behind Kupp and Robert Woods on the depth chart, and are favorable matchups against the Colts corners this week. 

Frankly, nobody knew what to expect from Carson Wentz fresh off his recovery from foot surgery. But his performance against the Seahawks was a decent start. Wentz threw for 251 yards and 2 touchdowns, but in a decisively losing effort. The Colts offense is balanced and dependable, but they need to unlock a downfield element in their game to compete. Opening the season against the Seahawks and Rams back-to-back weeks doesn't lend itself to a promising start for the Colts, but it tests the offense's ability to keep up with high-scoring offenses. Improved production for Jonathan Taylor can change the dynamic of the game, from his 17 carries for 56 yards against the Seahawks. Taylor is the engine of the offense, and if he stalls, the Colts offense sputters. The likes of Michael Pittman, Jr, Parris Campbell, and Zach Pascal have to step up in the absence of TY Hilton to bring an explosive deep threat downfield, and support Wentz as proficiently as they can.

The Rams arguably played the most complete game of any team in the NFL to start the season, and they are poised to start the season strong. The Colts don't have the firepower to match the Rams, and the Rams will move to 2-0.

Prediction: Rams 27, Colts 23

Saints @ Panthers

Jameis Winston blew the doors off the Packers in his first start since 2019. The former Buccaneer threw 5 touchdown passes against the Packers, and led the Saints to a 38-3 win. In a season in which there are so many questions surrounding the Saints, their dominant Week 1 performance shows they may still be a force to be reckoned with. Alvin Kamara touched the ball 23 times for 91 yards, and the offense was humming. Going into Week 2, the offense needs to find ways to distribute the ball more consistently to the receivers. No Saints receiver caught more than 3 passes last week, and the receivers need to be consistently involved to keep the pressure off Kamara, and keep defenses honest. Defensively, the Saints shut down Aaron Rodgers and held the offense to 229 total yards, and forcing 3 turnovers. They should stack up promisingly against a Panthers offense still figuring itself out, and should be able to turn up the heat on Sam Darnold.

Darnold and the Panthers offense floated in space for most of the first half against the Jets, but the offense was efficient once Darnold started feeding Christian McCaffrey. He is the engine of the Panthers offense, and needs the ball in his hands out of the gate. The Panthers can control the game is McCaffrey is busy out of the backfield and they put the Saints in a deficit. Starting fast and scoring first will put pressure on Winston, and could force characteristic Winston turnovers if the Saints are chasing the game. On defense, the Panthers registered 6 sacks against the Jets, and have to collapse the pocket on the Saints as well to control the line of scrimmage, and throw Winston off his spot. The Panthers will also expect Winston to be aggressive and throw tight window throws that often turned the ball over in Tampa Bay, and they believe they can disrupt Winston's rhythm.

An old-fashioned Christian McCaffrey fantasy festival could help the Panthers shock the Saints. But the Saints know who they are, and the Panthers are still putting the pieces together. Darnold will play well, and the Panthers offense will move the ball, but the Saints will win decisively.

Prediction: Saints 24, Panthers 14

Bengals @ Bears

The revenge game that nobody cares about. Andy Dalton starts for the Bears as the Bengals come into Chicago. Dalton and the Bears are coming off a thumping in Los Angeles, in a game where the offense sputtered and frustrated. The game was perfectly summed up by a long David Montgomery run setting Dalton to throw a red zone interception on the opening drive, followed by a deep touchdown pass from Matt Stafford to Van Jefferson. The Bears have to control the line of scrimmage against the Bengals and capitalize on their offensive possessions, because the Bengals are capable of laying down the hammer on the scoreboard. Montgomery surpassed 100 yards a week ago but was underused, carrying the ball just 16 times. Marquise Goodwin led receivers with just 45 yards. Dalton has to find his weapons in space and let them make plays against a vulnerable Bengals defense.

Joe Burrow slotted right back into the starting lineup after recovering from an ACL tear last season and was outstanding. The Bengals offense was efficient, explosive, and delivered when it mattered in overtime. Joe Mixon controlled Cincinnati's win over the Vikings with his 29 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown. Ja'Marr Chase made an instant impact with 5 catches for 101 receiving yards and his first NFL touchdown, and Burrow distributed the ball evenly. Seeing how Stafford and the Rams carved the Bears defense to pieces, Burrow ought to be licking his lips. Chase could stack momentum with another breakout performance, and the likes of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are formidable receivers on the outside as well to frustrate the Bears defense and extend possessions. The Bengals are confident that a healthy Burrow can change the narrative for the team and ascend them back into the playoff hunt, but they have to prove they can stack consecutive wins first. A road contest against a middling Bears team is one that Bengals fans know they've got to have.

The gap between Dalton and Burrow is notably wide, as is the state of both these offenses. But the Bengals are too inconsistent to be depended on to open the season winning back-to-back games. The Bears have enough offensive firepower to rebound and open at Soldier Field with a win. 

Prediction: Bengals 17, Bears 20

Broncos @ Jaguars

The most impressive performance from Week 1 that nobody is talking about is the Broncos win over the Giants. Teddy Bridgewater slotted into the lineup after beating Drew Lock in a training camp quarterback competition, and led a clinic against the Giants defense on the road. The Broncos offense tallied 420 total yards, and controlled the line of scrimmage for 4 quarters. They face a Jaguars defense which was ripped to shreds by Tyrod Taylor and the Texans offense a week ago, and have a chance to make some noise in the AFC. Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams have an opportunity to find more running room against a haphazard rushing defense, and open up play-action for Bridgewater to look deep downfield. The Broncos defense will be confident they can rattle a rookie quarterback, and keep their foot on the gas pedal. 

The Trevor Lawrence era got off to a rocky start in Houston. The rookie tossed 3 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, and the offense was outsmarted by one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Urban Meyer's coaching and playcalling is already coming into question for the imbalance of the offense and the offense's inability to put their best players in space. James Robinson toting the rock just 5 times for 25 yards is a head-scratcher, especially after the phenomenal rookie season he had last year. Robinson is an outstanding back and was the engine of Jacksonville's offense in 2020, and can diversify the offense for a rookie quarterback. Perhaps Meyer prefers Carlos Hyde over Robinson, in any case Lawrence should not be throwing the ball 50 times per game even if he's as good as advertised. The playcalling needs to steer towards running the ball, especially against a formidable Broncos pass rush.

The Broncos are a sneaky playoff candidate this season, and they are catching the Jags at a great time as Meyer is still trying to put the pieces together on offense for his rookie quarterback. They are the far more balanced and well-coached squad, and are the easy winner.

Prediction: Broncos 30, Jaguars 21

Patriots @ Jets

Removing the Damien Harris red zone fumble for a second, the Patriots played decently enough to win their season opener. Mac Jones was efficient in his NFL debut, completing 29 of 39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. The offense racked 393 total yards including 125 on the ground, living up to their anticipated brand of hard-nosed bully-ball. Against the Jets, the Patriots can find continued success running the ball and moving the chains with Harris. The balance between Harris on the ground and utilizing the intermediate passing game can be effective against a weak Jets defense. Opening up the playbook for Kendrick Bourne could be particularly impactful, if Jones has a dependable slot receiver as his security blanket. As far as Jones' workload, Bill Belichick will continue to limit his pass attempts and itch inside his head to throw short passes down the middle of the field and to avoid the big mistake. If nobody makes the game-losing mistake this week, the Patriots should finish the job this week over 4 quarters.

Jets fans saw good, bad, and ugly in Zach Wilson's NFL debut, but the Jets ultimately lost by only 5 points and played well enough to win. Wilson completed just over half his passes for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns to one interception. In the end, like other rookie quarterbacks this week, they were depended on to use their arms far too often without a balanced ground game to compliment their pass attempts. The mix of Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and Michael Carter is dynamic backfield combo to disrupt the Patriots defense, and take the pressure off Wilson. In the passing game, Wilson is capable of keeping plays alive and using his legs to escape the pocket, and causing headaches for Belichick. The Jets defense has to register impactful plays of their own to aid their rookie quarterback by putting pressure on Jones and forcing a turnover or two. 

Both sets of fans are banking on their rookie quarterbacks leading from the front for the next decade-plus, and want so badly to win the first head-to-head. Wilson is poised to be an excellent quarterback, but Jones is set up in the more optimal situation to win now, and defeat the Jets this weekend.

Prediction: Patriots 23, Jets 13

Texans @ Browns

It has been 17 years since the Browns won their season opener, and their Week 1 win drought extended into this season after falling to the Chiefs, 33-29. But the Browns looked the part, and valiantly battled with the 2-time AFC Champions until the end. Baker Mayfield was excellent apart from a 4th quarter interception, and led the Browns offense up and down the field all afternoon, without Odell Beckham, Jr. Mayfield will still be without Beckham going into Week 2, but found comfort in the passing game without him for much of last season. The two-headed monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt returned just as they left off from last season, combining for 116 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. They face a Texans defense that finished last against the run last season, and should expect to feast on the ground this week. 

Tyrod Taylor came out swinging in Houston's season opener, throwing for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Jags, and starting out with a win. Taylor flashed his vintage Buffalo self, extending plays, breaking sacks, and throwing a sublime deep ball. The Texans also tallied 160 yards on the ground as Mark Ingram paved the way in the backfield. As dismal an offseason it has been for the Texans, the offense was outstanding in Week 1. Largely regarded as one of the NFL's worst teams heading into the season, the Texans came out loose, and wrecked a Jags team on the rise. They will have the confidence to march into Cleveland and prove they are still as competitive as before. Another well-balanced attack and high-scoring output at the level from a week ago could signal problems for the Browns.

There is a clear favorite in this one despite how well the Texans performed a week ago. The Browns are an AFC juggernaut, and the Texans are still crawling out of the cellar. But Taylor might make it fun to watch. 

Prediction: Texans 20, Browns 34

Vikings @ Cardinals

The Cardinals turned some heads in Nashville, especially Kyler Murray and Chandler Jones. Murray dazzled with magical, jaw-dropping plays from inside and outside the pocket, and scored 5 touchdowns from scrimmage. Jones wreaked havoc on Ryan Tannehill and sacked him 5 times in the first game of the season, and is on pace for 85 sacks this season, assuming he replicates that production every week. Even so, the Cardinals are dangerous on offense, and are ferocious with a lead. Kliff Kingsbury ignited a red-hot offense that worked for Murray and the Cardinals better than ever, but now they have to prove they can stack back-to-back performances at that level. The Vikings defenses is a favorable matchup for the Cardinals offense, especially on the outside. DeAndre Hopkins has the size and ability to dominate his side, and the speed of Christian Kirk and Rondale Moore is complimentarily explosive in the passing game.

It will be difficult for Mike Zimmer and the Vikings to pick themselves back up after a devastating overtime defeat in the season opener. The Vikings played well enough to win, but couldn't close the deal in overtime. The Bengals had an answer for Dalvin Cook on the ground, holding him to 61 yards rushing, and forcing Kirk Cousins to air the ball out without a ground game to turn to. The Cardinals rush defense held Derrick Henry to 58 yards a week ago, and are far from an optimal matchup for the Vikings up front. Nonetheless, the Vikings have to find creative ways to feed Cook and scheme space in the open field for him, otherwise Cousins will be thrust in another shootout. He is a stellar passer, but may not be able to match Murray punch for punch, especially since he cannot extend plays and use his legs in the ways Murray can. The Vikings offense also has to open fast, after scoring just 7 points in the first half last week. Starting slow again bodes for a more disastrous game, especially if the Cardinals are on their game.

It's only Week 2, but the Vikings desperately want to avoid starting 0-2 for the second consecutive season. The Cardinals could move to 2-0 for the second straight year as well with a win, and it seems history is bound to repeat itself on Sunday.

Prediction: Vikings 23, Cardinals 27

Falcons @ Buccaneers

Even Tom Brady can't resist a good 28-3 joke. He faces the Falcons yet again, coming off a season in which the Bucs swept their NFC South rivals, and even rallied from a 17-0 deficit to come from behind and win. Brady doesn't mind a slow start against Atlanta, and seems to break Falcon hearts in the most devastating ways every year. He broke Cowboy hearts in clinical style on opening night with 379 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, and leading the Bucs to a comeback win in the final 2 minutes on Thursday night. Admittedly, the Bucs did not play their best football against the Cowboys. Brady and the offense scored when they needed to, but took their foot off the gas too often. The defense which carried the team to a Super Bowl win was carved by Dak Prescott and crumbled in the second half, nearly costing the Bucs the contest if not for Brady's heroics. The Bucs cannot afford to fall asleep at the wheel again, or take their opponents for granted.

Just one week into the new season, the Falcons fit the build of a lifeless, hopeless football team. Matt Ryan threw for just 164 yards in Week 1, and the Falcons were held scoreless in the second half against the Eagles. Without Julio Jones in the equation, the offense was one-dimensional, uncreative, and haphazard. Cordarrelle Patterson is taking handoffs from the backfield, for crying out loud. Calvin Ridley is the only established weapon on the Falcons offense, while Kyle Pitts, Hayden Hurst, and Russell Gage are still proving themselves as true game-changers. The offense is not what it used to be, and it has a daunting matchup against Brady and the Super Bowl champs. The defense is exactly what it used to be, and was sliced by Jalen Hurts and the Eagles on the count of 434 total yards. The Falcons don't have the talent to matchup with the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, or Antonio Brown, but they will have to generate sacks and turnovers to sway the game in their favor and win the field position battle, otherwise this one will be one-way traffic.

Early on, the Falcons may be the worst team in the NFL, and the Bucs are still the best until they're beaten. There's only one ending to this script. 

Prediction: Falcons 10, Falcons 41

Cowboys @ Chargers

The most impressive defeat of the season may have been the Cowboys and their efforts in a 31-29 loss to the Bucs on opening night. Dak Prescott came out swinging in his first game back from a season-ending ankle injury in 2020, and threw for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns. The offense was electric in the air, but yet again underutilized Ezekiel Elliott on the ground. Elliott toted the rock just 11 times for 33 yards, and the Cowboys ran for just 60 yards on the night. The Cowboys could find greater success on offense if they reintegrate Elliott into the offense, which in turn opens up more space for Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb with defenses scrambling to account for the run and the pass. On defense, losing DeMarcus Lawrence for the next 6-8 weeks is devastating, and the pass rush has their work cut out for them to disrupt the Chargers offense. 

Justin Herbert and the Chargers fought to earn a gritty road win against Washington in Week 1, and they will play at home in front of fans at SoFi Stadium for the first time on Sunday, if the fans show up, that is. They are catching the Cowboys at their most vulnerable, now that they are missing Lawrence on the defensive line. The Chargers have a chance to dominate the line of scrimmage and bully the Cowboys up front. Herbert should expect plenty of time in the pocket to sit and wait for his reads to open up, and wear the Cowboys defense down with slow, long, methodical drives downfield. Role players on the outside for the Chargers including Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton are poised for outstanding days in the office going up against a Chargers defense that was just posterized by an ensemble of Bucs receivers. 

On paper, this is as exciting a Week 2 matchup as there is. Prescott and Herbert should produce an entertaining exhibition, and the contest may come down to who has the ball last. Herbert will have the ball last.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Chargers 28

Titans @ Seahawks

Chandler Joes broke the Titans in Week 1. The Titans had no answers for the Cardinals defense, scoring just 13 points on the day and totaling 248 yards of offense despite the superstar talent on the field. The loss came down to horrific offensive line play, particularly Taylor Lewan surrendering 5 sacks to Jones. The Seahawks front 7 is not built like the Cardinals to wreak havoc up front, which is good news for Ryan Tannehill. He needs time in the pocket to dial up AJ Brown and Julio Jones, who are prominent deep threats and need to find space further downfield. But even more importantly, the line needs to open holes for Derrick Henry. The 2,000 yard rusher from a year ago only ran for 58 yards on 17 carries last week. The Titans are at their best when Henry is frolicking in the open field, and are an average offense when Tannehill is forced to do it all himself.

For the Seahawks, it's business as usual. Russell Wilson and the offense was dialed in against the Colts in their opener, and started the season as strong as they could. Wilson tossed 4 touchdowns, Tyler Lockett caught 2 touchdowns, and Cris Carson set the tone with 91 yards on 16 rushes. Even more impressively, the aerial attack thrived despite DK Metcalf's limited catches. Metcalf only caught 4 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, but the offense hummed on without missing a beat. The Seahawks will be licking their lips at their matchup with the Titans defense this week after they were annihilated by the Cardinals. The Titans defense will find itself spread out too thin by Carson in the backfield as well as the prolific wide receivers. Tennessee will have to generate pass rush against an also exploitable Seattle offensive line to gain any sense of control of the game, otherwise Wilson is going to cook them up. 

Last week was a horrible day at the office for the Titans, but they seldom put in consecutive losses last season. Staring at an 0-2 start in 2021, the Titans will steal a thriller in Seattle, and Henry fantasy owners will be more than satisfied this weekend. 

Prediction: Titans 33, Seahawks 26

Chiefs @ Ravens

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for the 4th time, and are looking to both put an end to their losing streak against Kansas City, and avoid opening the season at 0-2. They stormed out to an early 14-0 lead before losing to the Raiders in overtime, and crumbled down the stretch. Baltimore's issues are the same as they've been the last 3 seasons concerning limited playmaking at the receiver position, but their offensive line is far worse than they were a year ago. The Ravens have to keep Jackson upright against a formidable Chiefs defensive line, otherwise the Ravens offense is going to run out of ideas. A fast start similar to Monday night is equally crucial, since the limited passing attack is not built to come from behind against the most volatile offense in the AFC. Jackson's legs will play a heavy role in the contest early to account for a weaker offensive line, but it may only go so far.

The Chiefs opened with a thrilling win over the Browns in the opener, but they had to fight for it. For the first time in a long time, the Chiefs were tested in the regular season by an AFC opponent. The Browns marched up and down the field for 457 yards of offense against the Chiefs defense, which is a paramount concern as the Chiefs look to clinch their 3rd straight Super Bowl appearance this season. But the Ravens are an opportune matchup for Mahomes to thrive. In 3 career games against the Ravens, Mahomes has completed 70.5 percent of his passes, 9 tochdowns, and an average of 379 passing yards per game. Tyreek Hill in particular has been a thorn in Baltimore's secondary, which doesn't have the speed to contain him. Mahomes' connections with Hill and Travis Kelce are lethal, and especially lethal for the Ravens. 

Last week proved that both these AFC juggernauts are vulnerable, and may be in decline from a year ago. But Baltimore's offensive limitations have been well-documented in recent meetings with Kansas City, and the Ravens still don't stack up to beat the Chiefs in a one-off game. 

Prediction: Chiefs 34, Ravens 20

Lions @ Packers

In another turn of events in the never-ending Aaron Rodgers saga, he was horrible against the Saints. The reigning MVP completed just over half his passes for 133 yards and 2 interceptions, scoring just 3 points on the day. The Saints defense schooled the Packers offense, and rang the alarm bells for the lifelessness in the Packers offense. The ground game failed, the passing game failed, the coaches failed, and the team fell flat on its face completely. Rodgers has to rally the troops and regroup with the Lions in town, and revert back to their 2020 form. He owns the Lions in his career, throwing for 46 touchdowns to 8 interceptions in 22 career games against Detroit. This Lions team is as vulnerable as any he has ever faced, and they cannot cope with the playmaking ability at any level of the offense. Aaron Jones is poised for a breakout game after the 49ers running backs frolicked against the Lions last week, and Davante Adams is bound for a fantasy palooza. 

Dan Campbell's Lions came out firing in Week 1, nearly rallying to come all the way back from a 24 point deficit. The Lions are not the most talented squad, but they played with the heart of actual lions in their loss to a Super Bowl hopeful. They face another Super Bowl hopeful this week and will look to spoil Green Bay's Lambeau homecoming. The game marks an opportunity for Jared Goff to avenge his woeful playoff performance against the Packers in the Divisional Round last season, and for him to prove on the national stage that he is a franchise quarterback. The Lions role players on offense stepped up a week ago and will look to carry that momentum into Green Bay, against a defense that was torched for 38 points. 

The gap in talent between these teams is wide, but the Lions proved they can still be competitive in spite of their shortcomings on the roster. But there's no need to overreact from Week 1. Rodgers and the Packers are fine, and they will be dialed in come Monday night. 

Prediction: Lions 17, Packers 26