The New Orleans Saints face the Baltimore Ravens in the second road game of the season. The Saints had an exciting but unfruitful overtime finish last week in Detroit, a game that they could have truly stolen. Ultimately, they just couldn’t convert on a game-winning two-point conversion attempt. Now the Black and Gold turn their attention to an even tougher road test in Baltimore. Pulling out a road win against this perennial AFC power will take even more of what they showed in the second half in Detroit.
For the first half and early third quarter last week, it seemed the Saints had no drive, no clue, and sadly, no heart. Then, without warning, they struck, and proved to the fans, and to themselves, they had heart, and a lot of it. Now they must overcome the team named after Edgar Allen Poe’s famous story “The Raven”, and the Saints will have to bring back that energy once again in order to earn their first win of the season. Despite taking that loss a week ago, the Saints showed a lot of heart, and much like Poe’s titular “Tell-Tale Heart”, the Saints’ heart cannot be ignored. It simply will not be ignored.
Last week, I went 10-6
I told you so: Raiders over Dolphins!
What do I know: Titans over Jets?
WEEK 2
Thursday, September 17th – Thursday Night Football
Lions(1-0) at Bills(1-0)
Buffalo follows-up their huge win in Houston last week, with another high-octane game to open up their new stadium. Buffalo wins 38-34.
Pick: Bills
***
Sunday, September 20th – Early Games
Panthers(0-1) at Falcons(0-1)
Carolina had a great offensive output last week, only to see their defense get demolished by a much more dynamic offense. Carolina won’t have to worry about that happening against Atlanta’s offense this week. Carolina wins 30-14.
Pick: Panthers
***
Vikings(1-0) at Bears(1-0)
Chicago looked to have the NFL’s best offense in Week 1, but things will get closer this week against Minnesota’s tricky defense. This will be a close one. Chicago wins 23-21.
Pick: Bears
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Bengals(1-0) at Texans(0-1) – Game of the Week
Joe Burrow and the Cincy offense facing Will Anderson and the Houston defense will be one of the best matchups you will see all season. Cincy pulls it out with a game-winning field goal in the closing moments, handing Houston a second-straight heartbreaking loss. Cincinnati wins 32-29.
Pick: Bengals
***
Steelers(1-0) at Patriots(0-1)
New England came out of Week 1 with a disappointing loss, but they will rebound against Pittsburgh, who took advantage of a gimme win against Atlanta last week. New England wins 21-14.
Pick: Patriots
***
Packers(0-1) at Jets(1-0)
Few would have expected the Jets to come into this game with a better record than Green Bay, but things will even out when this game is done. Green Bay wins 34-12.
Pick: Packers
***
Browns(0-1) at Buccaneers(0-1)
Tampa’s defense gladly welcomes the severe downgrade from Cincinnati’s offense to Cleveland’s, and will take advantage of that to pick up the win. Tampa Bay wins 23-21.
Pick: Buccaneers
***
Eagles(1-0) at Titans(0-1)
After Tennessee’s disappointing Week 1 loss, they will follow it up with another loss against Philly. Philadelphia win 29-16.
Pick: Eagles
***
Saints(0-1) at Ravens(1-0)
Baltimore finds themselves coming off a dominant performance in Indianapolis, a game that was never in doubt following Indy’s opening touchdown. Now they host a Saints team that came within a two-point conversion attempt in overtime from being 1-0 themselves. The Saints now face a Ravens team who have taken some significant injuries to their wide receiver room. The timing on that front couldn’t have been better, but the impact may not be as significant, as Baltimore runs their offense primarily through the premier rushing abilities of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
To be honest, the Saints were never favorites in this game at any point in the offseason, and that hasn’t changed now, but last week’s late game performance is giving some hope where none may have existed before. While the Ravens aren’t some unstoppable juggernaut, the Saints have historically struggled against them, going 2-6 all-time. The Saints defense will have to withstand the punishing and explosive Ravens ground attack, and that will unfortunately prove to be too much to overcome in this one. Baltimore wins 36-27.
Pick: Ravens
***
Sunday, September 20th – Late Games
Jaguars(1-0) at Broncos(0-1)
Following a disappointing performance in Kansas City, Denver bounces back with a late game-winner by Wil Lutz, against a very good Jacksonville team. Denver wins 29-26.
Pick: Broncos
***
Raiders(1-0) at Chargers(0-1)
The Chargers are coming off the weakest performance of Week 1 and they know they can’t afford another loss here to Vegas. Los Angeles wins 26-12.
Pick: Chargers
***
Seahawks(1-0) at Cardinals(1-0)
Drew Lock continues to play in place of an injured Sam Darnold, and will pick up another win, against an Arizona team that surprised a week ago. Seattle wins 34-21.
Pick: Seahawks
***
Commanders(0-1) at Cowboys(0-1)
After falling on their faces last Sunday Night, Dallas rebounds with an offensive outburst at home against their division rivals. Dallas wins 37-24.
Pick: Cowboys
***
Dolphins(0-1) at 49ers(1-0)
It’s going to be a long season in Miami, and that continues against a San Francisco team that looks like a contender once again. San Francisco wins 31-17.
Pick: 49ers
***
Sunday Night Football
Colts(0-1) at Chiefs(1-0)
Kansas City looked quite good in Week 1, while Indianapolis looked quite the opposite, and those trajectories will continue here. Kansas City wins 31-20.
Pick: Chiefs
***
Monday, September 21st – Monday Night Football
Giants(1-0) at Rams(0-1)
The Giants started the Harbaugh-era with a divisional home win last week, while the Rams traveled all the way to Australia just to get punched in the gut. Both teams will swing back to who they are this week. Los Angeles wins 31-17.
Pick: Rams
***
That’s how I see it, tell us how you see Week 2 playing out. Leave your comments and insight below. Who Dat!
