NFL Previews and Predictions: Week 2

Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants

Realistically, Arizona should have won by more against the San Diego Chargers. Carson Palmer looked very sharp under center, throwing for over 300 yards in the process. Turnovers killed the Cardinals in Week 1, but they’ll get things straightened out. Head coach Bruce Arians demands discipline, and this looks like a playoff team early on.

New York does have an improved defense, but it didn’t show in Week 1. No matter how many upgrades the team made this offseason, it won’t make a difference if Eli Manning and this offense can’t get things figured out. The offensive line didn’t give Eli a sufficient amount of time to throw, and when he did have the time, he wasn’t accurate. The running game was nonexistent for the most part, especially since they were down early.

Cardinals win 27-17

New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings

Aug 23, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) escapes the tackle of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker James-Michael Johnson (52) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Minnesota won the game 30-12. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The last time that the Patriots lost two straight games to open a season was back in 2001, and the team went on to win the Super Bowl. I’m not sure that New England will want to follow that same exact pattern, but you catch my drift. The offensive line looked like a problem in Week 1, but this is still going to be an elite team. Tom Brady is still the quarterback. The defense has talent at every level. Bill Belichick’s team will be fine.

It’s hard to tell how good the Vikings are going to be this season. They went into St. Louis in Week 1, and stomped the Rams. Granted they were down to their third string quarterback, but their offense looked really explosive. Cordarrelle Patterson is a name that people need to remember. That being said, they are still playing the Patriots, in perfect conditions.

Patriots win 34-21

New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns

The Saints are a different team away from home. We’ve known that for a long time now. Drew Brees and this offense are unbelievably loaded, but the defense didn’t do much to stop Matt Ryan last week. Obviously Brian Hoyer and the Browns aren’t Atlanta, but they do have weapons.

Cleveland fell just short against the Steelers in Week 1, but this team looks like they can win six or seven games. We already knew that the defense was going to be good, but the offense was surprisingly fun to watch as well. They didn’t do anything flashy, but they did manage to come back from a 27-3 deficit at halftime. Brees and the Saints will get everything that they can handle on the road.

Browns win 31-28

Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals

The Falcons were probably the most impressive team, not named the Seattle Seahawks Week 1, defeating the New Orleans Saints, who are widely considered a Super Bowl contender. Matt Ryan went back and forth with Drew Brees, and actually came out on top. The Bengals don’t have the offensive firepower of the Saints, but they do boast a loaded defense. The Falcons lost left tackle Jake Matthews against New Orleans, and Cincinnati will feast on any offensive deficiency.

Andy Dalton didn’t look phenomenal against the Ravens. Luckily for him, kicker Mike Nugent did. Seriously though, I still believe that this team will win the division again. They are the most complete team in the AFC North. Dalton has plenty of weapons in the passing game, in addition to a run game that features two young studs, Giovanni Bernard and Jeremy Hill. That defense is pretty darn good too.

Bengals win 31-24