2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2

Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) at Chicago Bears (0-1)

Sunday, September 19, 1PM ET

Are the Cincinnati Bengals actually good this year? I don’t know for sure. They survived a close call against the Minnesota Vikings, and their offense impressed in spurts. I’m just not sure if they’re ready to rack up wins on a weekly basis.

I guess we’ll find out this weekend when they take on the Chicago Bears, who are coming off a disappointing showing against the Rams. The offense was inconsistent, and the defense failed to slow just about anything Los Angeles threw at them. While that was the case in Week 1, I’m expecting an improved effort in Week 2.

The Bears defense will show up against the Bengals, putting plenty of pressure on youngster Joe Burrow and making life difficult for Joe Mixon. That should open some extra doors for Andy Dalton, David Montgomery and the rest of the Chicago offense to find the end zone, resulting in more points than we saw from them in Week 1.

Cincinnati plays well, but the Bears defense and a big game from Montgomery are too much to overcome. Chicago sneaks by with the victory and earns the NFC North’s first win of the year.

Prediction: Bears win 26-24