2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2

New Orleans Saints (1-0) at Carolina Panthers (1-0)

Sunday, September 19, 1PM ET

For the second week in a row, I’m including the New Orleans Saints in my upset of the week. However, this time around, I’m calling for them to be on the losing end, as the Carolina Panthers get a big early-season win to remain relevant when not many expected them to be.

Sam Darnold looked like a quality NFL quarterback outside of a Jets jersey. Christian McCaffrey is back, healthy and racking up yards at an alarming pace. The Carolina defense looks like it has the potential to be an exceptional group, especially if it can find some consistent production in the pass-rushing department.

Now I know the Saints showed out in Week 1, steamrolling the favored Green Bay Packers and making a mockery of Aaron Rodgers. I also know that Jameis Winston is historically a wildly inconsistent quarterback. During his Tampa Bay days, he’d throw for five touchdowns one game and five interceptions the next. We could see something similar in Week 2.

The Saints don’t get blown out like the Packers did, but it’s not like the Panthers have a high-octane offense. They rely on steady McCaffrey production, smart play from Darnold, and a quickly improving defense to slide by with the upset win.

Prediction: Panthers win 18-15