2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-1)

Thursday, September 12, 8:20PM ET

I apologize. Last week, I said that I was buying into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a sleeper team in 2019. After watching what they did in Week 1, I’m retracting that statement. I’ll probably regret that later, but I just can’t trust Jameis Winston to led this team to consistent wins.

The interceptions and mental mistakes just come too often with Winston. He’s an extremely talented passer, but his inability to make smart decisions under pressure will continue to cost this Buccaneers team in 2019. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa Bay took a different approach under center next season.

For the time being, they’re stuck with Winston. That won’t bode well for them against a tough, opportunistic Carolina Panthers defense. Combine that with the explosiveness that the Panthers offense bring to the table (or, more accurately, that Christian McCaffrey brings), and Tampa Bay’s got a recipe for disaster.

The Buccaneers will keep things close in the first half. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, though, the Panthers should be cruising after capitalizing on the mistakes of Winston and the Buccaneers’ unreliable offense.

Prediction: Panthers win 31-17