2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)

Sunday, September 15, 1PM ET

Yikes! That was not what I expected from the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. I was convinced the Seahawks would make easy work of them, but Andy Dalton and the rest of the Cincinnati offense had different plans. Despite the loss, the Bengals looked good to start the season.

As for the San Francisco 49ers, their win seemed more a product of poor play by the Buccaneers than of their own performance. Tampa Bay had outscored them in the self-inflicted wound department, but the 49ers weren’t far behind. That type of sloppy play isn’t going to get it done in Week 2.

That’s why I’m rolling with the Bengals to take the W here. The offense looked much improved under new head coach Zac Taylor, and the defense held its own as well. You better believe they’ll make the most of every mistake Jimmy Garoppolo makes, allowing the 49ers to dig themselves into a hole early.

The scoreboard will make you think it’s closer than it actually was. Despite a late score to keep it interesting, the 49ers will look like the inferior team in this one. Cincinnati gets back on track with a win, making us think twice about their potential in 2019.

Prediction: Bengals win 22-18