NFL week two predictions

After an eventful week one, Sam Popper has jumped out to an early lead. He had an outstanding 13-3 record and also was the only SCO expert to correctly pick the Jets to win. Jacob Popper and Abel Chanyalew also had solid weeks, each predicting 11 out of the 16 games correctly, and are not far behind. Rohan Oprisko finds himself in last place after having gone 9-7 this past week. There is plenty of football left, however, and the deficit is certainly not insurmountable. Week two holds a couple of intriguing match ups as RGIII and the Redskins take on the Packers and the 49ers face off against the Seahawks in the battle of the NFC West.

Standings

1. Sam 13-3

2. Jacob 11-5

2. Abel 11-5

4. Rohan 9-7Jets at Patriots

Sam: Patriots

Jacob: Patriots

Abel: Patriots

Rohan: Patriots

Sam says:

I saw the magic coming from the Jets last week, but it took everything in the tank and then some. Don't expect the same in New England against an angry Patriots team.

Jacob says:

Although they needed a field goal in the final seconds to win what many (including myself) thought would be a cakewalk against the Bills, Belichick and Pats will only use it as motivation to come out and whomp the Jets.

Abel says:

Even with a subpar performance against the Bills last week, picking the Patriots here is a no-brainer. The Jets, though victors in week 1, still have a lot of questions on offense.

Rohan says:

After a lucky win last week the Jets will not have the chance to get lucky against the Patriots who should dispose of them pretty easily.

Rams at Falcons

Sam: Falcons

Jacob: Falcons

Abel: Rams

Rohan: Falcons

Sam says:

Expect Steven Jackson to go off against his former team in a huge revenge game. This can open the door for Falcons' QB Matt Ryan to hit his big time targets Julio Jones and Roddy White often in this game.

Jacob says:

Matty Ice has a career record of 26-4 in the Georgia Dome, and the Falcons now realize that the race for the NFC South is going to be tight between them and New Orleans.

Abel says:

This my favorite upset pick for the week. The Rams' defense is underrated, and their offense is good enough to keep up with the Falcons. The Falcons' offensive line struggled last week and a very good Rams defensive line, led by ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long, is looking to exploit that.

Rohan says:

After a very close game in which they had a chance to win the game in the last minute but could not convert a touchdown, the Falcons will rebound back and beat the Rams at home.

Panthers at Bills

Sam: Panthers

Jacob: Panthers

Abel: Panthers

Rohan: Bills

Sam says:

Although they lost, the Panthers quietly had a wonderful week one, holding the Seahawks to only 12 points. I like their defense against Bills' QB E.J. Manuel in a reality check for Buffalo.

Jacob says:

The Panthers' defense was able to hold Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks offense to 12 points in a season opening loss. Look for their D to come up big again and for Cam Newton to shine against a lesser Bills' Defense.

Abel says:

Both teams are pretty evenly matched in my opinion. I'll give the edge to the Panthers because they have better quarterback in Cam Newton.

Rohan says:

After putting in a good show against the Patriots, EJ Manuel will have new confidence and will dispose of Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Vikings at Bears

Sam: Bears

Jacob: Bears

Abel: Bears

Rohan: Vikings

Sam says:

I like what I saw from Bears' RB Matt Forte against the Vikings defense that allowed huge production from Lions' RB Reggie Bush. Also, the Chicago defense forced turnovers last week against Bengals QB Andy Dalton, expect the same against Vikings QB Christian Ponder.

Jacob says:

The Bears' offense will again be able to put up just enough points to win and jump out to a 2-0 start.

Abel says:

I don't know if even the Bears' stout defense can bottle up the superhuman that is Adrian Peterson. But what I do know for sure is that Christian Ponder isn't very good, and Jay Cutler looks comfortable in the new offensive system.

Rohan says:

With AP poised to have another superb season, the Vikings have a slight advantage going into this one.

Redskins at Packers

Sam: Packers

Jacob: Packers

Abel: Packers

Rohan: Packers Sam says:

Having already got the practice against a mobile QB in week one, the Packers should be ready for the Skin's zone option scheme. Also, Aaron Rodgers should be slingin' the rock after a tough loss last week.

Jacob says:

RGIII looked rusty and the defense couldn't keep up with Chip Kelly's offense in week one. Look for Aaron Rodgers to go off in front of the Lambeau faithful.

Abel says:

Though it pains me to do so, I have to pick the Packers in this one. The Redskins' defense is shaky, at best, and the Packers are well equipped to take advantage of that.

Rohan says:

With RGIII failing to impress in his first game back from injury and the offensive having a poor performance, the Packers seem poised to take this one. The Packers were unlucky to go up against Colin Kaepernick and they will win their home opener.

Dolphins at Colts

Sam: Dolphins

Jacob: Colts

Abel: Dolphins

Rohan: Colts

Sam says:

The Dolphins defense looked impressive last week, but this is Andrew Luck not Brandon Weeden. The Colts can run and pass the football with ease and can make a major stop on defense if necessary.

Jacob says:

Luck and the Colts should be able to outlast Mike Wallace and the lesser Dolphins offense.

Abel says:

Another upset pick here, I think. In a close game like this, I would normally go with the team with the superior quarterback. But the Dolphins' defense is significantly better than the Colts', and I think that will be the deciding factor.

Rohan says:

With Andrew Luck looking like he is going into a sophomore slump, the Colts seem likely to take this one.

Cowboys at Chiefs

Sam: Chiefs

Jacob: Cowboys

Abel: Chiefs

Rohan: Chiefs

Sam says:

The Cowboys won last week but not easily, against a Giants team that put up 6 turnovers. That's not a very good sign in Big D. It will show when they travel to Kansas City in the Chiefs' home opener. With Jamal Charles fully healthy, expect the hometown Chiefs to win in an upset.

Jacob says:

The Chiefs just don't have the offensive firepower to keep up with Romo, Murray and the rest of the Dallas offense.

Abel says:

I'm feeling bold this week. I like the Chiefs at home. Dallas showed me very little in that turnover fest last week against the Giants, and the Chiefs' defense is quite underrated.

Rohan says:

Although the Cowboys did win their game against the Giants and the Cowboys' defense did impress, the Giants were terrible that game and the Cowboys did not convert all of their chances on the six turnovers that they received. Because of this the Chiefs will win with quarterback Alex Smith leading the charge.

Eagles at Chargers

Sam: Eagles

Jacob: Eagles

Abel: Eagles

Rohan: Eagles

Sam says:

With 53 plays run against the Skins in the first half, nobody can keep up with this Eagles' offense and all their speedy weapons.

Jacob says:

Chip Kelly's offense can be executed at the NFL level.

Abel says:

The Eagles impressed me last week as the offense and defense both played better than I expected. I think Chip Kelly's fast paced offense will be too much for the Chargers' defense to handle.

Rohan says:

Monday night's game proved that Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense does work in the NFL. With 56 plays in the first half the offense looked pretty potent. With P-Rive leading the Chargers I cannot see them doing well.

Browns at Ravens

Sam: Ravens

Jacob: Ravens

Abel: Ravens

Rohan: Browns

Sam says:

Although they surrendered 7 TD passes against Broncos' QB Peyton Manning last week, we can all take a deep breath and expect better of the defending champs in their first home game of the season.

Jacob says:

The Ravens' new defensive core has had a game to gel and they now get to go back home and play Brandon Weeden and the struggling Browns.

Abel says:

The Raven's defense definitely will not give up 49 points and seven touchdowns to Browns quarterback Brandon and should have a nice bounce back effort. But I still don't know who the Raven have to throw to on offense without Torrey Smith.

Rohan says:

Brandon Weeden will bounce back after his poor performance against the Dolphins. The Ravens need to find themselves and I don't think they will pull it off this week.

Titans at Texans

Sam: Texans

Jacob: Texans

Abel: Texans

Rohan: Texans

Sam says:

They survived a scare last week. The Texans are marching and with RB Arian Foster getting healthier, the Texans are becoming hard to beat.

Jacob says:

Although the Titans were able to pull a stunner against the Steelers in week one, I don't think they'll be able to match the Texans' offensive prowess. Look for the Texans to control time of possession by running with Foster.

Abel says:

The Titans made me proud last week as they proved my upset pick right. But I'm still worried about their offense, and the Texans should play better this week, after a suspect performance against the hapless Chargers.

Rohan says:

After a close game against the Chargers, I think the Texans will win this game because the Titans could not manage to put many points on the board last game. Sixteen points scored can only last you so long.

Lions at Cardinals

Sam: Lions

Jacob: Lions

Abel: Lions

Rohan: Lions

Sam says:

This matchup features quality skill players from the Lions' offense and the Cardinals' defense. Whichever team can win that battle should win the game. I'll take the Lions in a very close game.

Jacob says:

Playing in a dome will allow Stafford and Megatron to light up the Cardinals' secondary.

Abel says:

I don't have the guts to go against the Lions this week. Their discipline issues scare me, but I think their high-powered offense can carry them and that defensive line should cause problems for the Cardinals' offensive line, which gave up four sacks last week.

Rohan says:

After a close game against the Chargers, I think the Texans will win this game because the Titans could not manage to put many points on the board last game. Sixteen points scored can only last you so long.

Saints at Buccaneers

Sam: Saints

Jacob: Saints

Abel: Saints

Rohan: Saints

Sam says:

Remember last week when I said the Saints were flying severely under the radar? Well they beat the Falcons and they are still not being talked about much! Trust me; soon the Saints will be the hot team picked by many to go to the Superbowl, just like the Seahawks are now.

Jacob says:

If the Bucs' D can't even stop the Jets' offense, Drew Brees is gonna put up video game numbers.

Abel says:

Like the Eagles, the Saints both impressed me and proved me wrong last week. The offense is potent as usual, but defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's defense has improved significantly from last year's disaster. I vowed to never again pick the Bucs in a game this year after last week's debacle against the Jets, and I'm sticking to that.

Rohan says:

Although the Saints relied on their defense to win their last game against the Falcons, I think they will easily dispose of the Bucs who lost to the Jets. I mean seriously then Jets!

Jaguars at Raiders

Sam: Raiders

Jacob: Raiders

Abel: Raiders

Rohan: Raiders

Sam says:

Both QBs in this matchup can't throw the ball, but at least Raiders' QB Terrelle Pryor can run it. So I'll say Raiders.

Jacob says:

A matchup of basement dwellers will see the Raiders barely pull it out at home.

Abel says:

Both teams aren't very good, though the Raiders did exceed our (low) expectations. Blaine Gabbert is not the answer at quarterback for the Jaguars, and he will continue to struggle no matter the opponent. However, the Raiders might have something in quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Rohan says:

Although the Raiders did lose last week to the colts they will bounce back and defeat the poor Jaguars who are always crappy.

Broncos at Giants

Sam: Broncos

Jacob: Broncos

Abel: Broncos

Rohan: Broncos

Sam says:

In an interesting matchup of the Manning brothers, Peyton is coming off of a career best performance and Eli is coming off one he'd like to forget. I'll pick the Broncos because of their defense and Special Teams with returner Trindon Holliday.

Jacob says:

After his dominating 7TD performance last Thursday, it's hard to go against Peyton Manning in a duel against brother Eli.

Abel says:

I won't bother you with the clichéd nicknames for this game between the Manning brothers. I'll keep it simple: the Broncos were dominant in week one, and the Giants were a mess.

Rohan says:

Unlike his brother, Peyton Manning did not throw three interceptions like his brother did and instead threw for seven touchdowns leading the Broncos to victory. I see the Broncos winning this one as well.

49ers at Seahawks

Sam: 49ers

Jacob: 49ers

Abel: 49ers

Rohan: 49ers Sam says:

In the game of the week, arguably the best two NFL teams square off. The amazing production that QB Colin Kaepernick is churning for the 49ers leads me to pick them.

Jacob says:

Kaepernick and the 49ers' offense looked really good against Green Bay in a clash of the titans last week. Look for the 49ers' defense to come up with a clutch stop down the stretch.

Abel says:

These are two of the top teams in the league, let alone the NFC, so it should be a tight game. The 49ers were very impressive in their win over the Packers, and Colin Kaepernick is showing that he can make plays with his arm from the pocket, not just when he's on the run. I like Kaepernick more than the Seahawks' Russell Wilson, so I'll go with the 49ers in the game of the week.

Rohan says:

With Colin Kaepernick throwing for over 400 yards with the capable receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis I can't see the Seahawks even getting a sniff.

Steelers at Bengals

Sam: Bengals

Jacob: Bengals

Abel: Bengals

Rohan: Bengals

Sam says:

For the Steelers to win this game they need to figure out their offense. It engineered just a touchdown against the lowly Titans last week. The offense will get fixed, but not in one week. The Bengals are hungry for a win after losing a close one in Chicago last week.

Jacob says:

If the Steelers can't even stop the Titans A.J. Green is gonna have a ball.

Abel says:

The Steelers were lousy last week, especially on offense where they scored zero points until late in the fourth quarter. Though I think the Steelers' offense will improve, I believe the Bengals' stud receiver A.J. Green will light up the defense just like he did to the Bears.

Rohan says:

After a hard fought game against the bears the Bengals will win this week against the Steelers who only managed nine points on the board.