NFL Previews and Predictions: Week 2
By Matt Reed
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers
This could be one of the most intriguing games of Week 2. The Detroit Lions smacked the Giants on Monday night,
Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) makes a catch and runs from New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (21) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
and despite having a short week, this team has to be very confident. Matthew Stafford had a QBR of 97.5 against New York, the best in the NFL for Week 1. The Lions didn’t get to run the ball very much, and likely won’t again against a stout Carolina defense. It will be important that Stafford puts points up on the board early in this game.
The Panthers were without Cam Newton in Week 1, but Derek Anderson did a nice job filling in. It isn’t clear if Newton will be back in Week 2, but if he isn’t available, Panthers fan shouldn’t be overly concerned. Carolina still have one of the best defenses in the league, and they’ll be able to put up points against a weak Detroit secondary.
Lions win 28-17
St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The St. Louis Rams were pummeled in their Week 1 home loss against the Vikings. After Sam Bradford went down in the team’s third preseason game, I didn’t see this team doing much, but the loss of Shaun Hill makes St. Louis’ season appear all the more bleak. Their defense will keep them in some games, but the Bucs are the better this week.
Tampa had the opportunity to come back in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, but their effort was too little, too late. Josh McCown struggled in his debut, but with the weapons that this team has in the passing game, this looks like a good week to break out.
Buccaneers win 28-14
Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers
They are the champions for a reason. Seattle looked like the best team in Week 1 as well. Russell Wilson looks like he’s ready to take that next step into being an elite quarterback, and Marshawn Lynch is running better than ever. Oh yeah, and that defense is pretty formidable as well.
The Chargers are a talented team, and had a very good chance to beat the Cardinals in Week 1, but they look too one-dimensional in their offensive attack. Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead were stagnant in the running game game on Monday night, and things won’t get much better in that department against Seattle. Starting 0-2 is tough to overcome for most teams, but I still believe that San Diego is talented enough to bounce back.
Seahawks win 34-21
New York Jets at Green Bay Packers
The New York Jets did some good things in Week 1. They got after rookie quarterback Derek Carr, not giving him much time to throw the ball. The rushing game, led by Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory, looked like the perfect pairing for Rex Ryan’s ground-and-pound attack. Look for the Jets to get the run game established early against the Packers. Geno Smith appears to be improved from his rookie season, but still needs to cut down on the mistakes. The Jets should’ve won by at least two more scores, had Smith not fumbled inside the five and overthrown Greg Salas on separate drives.
Green Bay lost to Seattle in Week 1, but the Jets are completely different animal. While Rex Ryan does boast a talented front-seven, an elite talent like Aaron Rodgers should be able to exploit New York’s inexperienced secondary, even if Dee Milliner is back. Rodgers will need to be on his toes though, especially if right tackle Bryan Bulaga is still out. Green Bay’s quarterback was put under serious duress against the Seahawks, especially after Bulaga left the game.
Packers win 28-16