The New Orleans Saints face the San Francisco 49ers in the second home game of the season. The Saints had a disappointing finish last week against the Arizona Cardinals, in a game that they could have come away victorious in. Ultimately, they just couldn’t make the plays needed to secure the win in the biggest moments. Now, with a longtime NFC rival coming into the Dome, the Saints look to capitalize on the moments ahead.
Now, surprisingly, the Saints have been presented a golden opportunity to snatch
an unlikely victory from the jaws of almost certain defeat. As the Niners will be without their biggest weapon in TE George Kittle, and will also be without their starting QB in Brock Purdy. Can the Saints take advantage of Kyle Shanahan’s depleted offense? Will it even matter, against Robert Saleh’s talented defense. That remains to be seen, but the opportunity to win their first game of the season is here.
Last week I went 9-7
I told you so: Packers over Lions!
What do I know: Dolphins over Colts?
WEEK 2
Thursday, September 11th – Thursday Night Football
Commanders(1-0) at Packers(1-0)
Washington’s offense was on a roll in Week 1, but the degree of difficulty increases at Lambeau, against a Green Bay team that looked equally impressive in their opener. Points won’t be easy to come by in this one, but the Packers defense will be a bit better. Green Bay wins 23-17.
Pick: Packers
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Sunday, September 14th – Early Games
Browns(0-1) at Ravens(0-1)
Baltimore had a tremendous performance on Sunday Night, with an equally tremendous collapse. They can either rise to the occasion and move their season along, or they can let that loss ruin them mentally against their division rival. They will rise to the occasion here. Baltimore wins 30-20.
Pick: Ravens
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Jaguars(1-0) at Bengals(1-0)
Cincy had a surprisingly slow offensive performance last week, but they will find that next gear against Jacksonville. Cincinnati wins 30-26.
Pick: Bengals
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Giants(0-1) at Cowboys(0-1)
Following a disappointing loss on opening night, Dallas gets another divisional rival, but this time it’s the one that isn’t good. Dallas wins 24-17.
Pick: Cowboys
***
Bears(0-1) at Lions(0-1)
The two teams starting off in a hole in the NFC North, following last week’s losses to the other two teams in the division, now find themselves in a must-win position. Detroit’s offensive weapons make the difference in this one. Detroit wins 29-19.
Pick: Lions
***
Patriots(0-1) at Dolphins(0-1)
Miami’s once-potent offense sputtered to a halt against Indy last week, and that sputtering will continue at home against the Pats. New England wins 34-10.
Pick: Patriots
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Bills(1-0) at Jets(0-1)
Buffalo is coming into this one fresh off a phenomenal comeback against Baltimore in a Game of the Year contender, while the Jets are fresh off a humbling loss to Pittsburgh. Buffalo could easily overlook their divisional rival here, but they won’t. Buffalo wins 31-17.
Pick: Bills
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Seahawks(0-1) at Steelers(1-0)
The Aaron Rodgers experiment in Pittsburgh started off better than anyone could have expected, and that success will continue here in their home opener. Pittsburgh wins 30-20.
Pick: Steelers
***
Rams(1-0) at Titans(0-1)
The Tennessee offense struggled last week in Denver, and those struggles will continue at home against the Rams. Los Angeles wins 26-21.
Pick: Rams
***
49ers(1-0) at Saints(0-1)
The losses of George Kittle and Brock Purdy will undoubtedly be the main story of this game, but it may be how the Saints rebound from some of their own injuries, like the loss of Justin Blackmon at safety, that ultimately tell the tale. The Niners certainly are a tough team to face, but they are not as good a roster as they have been in recent years, even compared to the six-win team they fielded a year ago. Losing key contributors like Kittle and Purdy truly begins to even things out, especially when you factor in the loss of star WR Brandon Aiyuk.
With their stars healthy, San Francisco likely wins much like Arizona did a week ago. But without them, the Saints can pull out a win no one thought was attainable since the schedule was released. The Niners defense will understandably get all of the attention, but the Saints defense will be up to the challenge, and Mac Jones should be in for a very long afternoon against Brandon Staley’s defense. It was only last season that Staley was an assistant to Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, and that will be a significant factor for the Saints in this matchup. Golden opportunities don’t always present themselves, but the Saints can and will take advantage of this one. Saints win 24-17.
Pick: Saints
***
Sunday, September 14th – Late Games
Panthers(0-1) at Cardinals(1-0)
Behind some poor defensive play by both teams, this game will be much closer than expected, but the home team prevails in the end. Arizona wins 28-26.
Pick: Cardinals
***
Broncos(1-0) at Colts(1-0)
Indianapolis shocked Miami last week in one of the most stunning games of the weekend, but now they face a Denver team that will be a far greater challenge. Denver wins 20-14.
Pick: Broncos
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Eagles(1-0) at Chiefs(0-1) – Game of the Week
This rematch of February’s disappointing Super Bowl LIX should hopefully be much better than that contest, and it will be, but the victory will go to Philly again, sending Kansas City into full-blown panic mode. Philadelphia wins 31-27
Pick: Eagles
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Sunday Night Football
Falcons(0-1) at Vikings(1-0)
Atlanta let a huge opportunity slip through their fingers last week, as they are prone to do, while Minnesota made a statement in their opener. Minnesota will double down on their success, while Atlanta doubles up on their losses. Minnesota wins 38-24.
Pick: Vikings
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Monday, September 17th – Monday Night Football Doubleheader
Buccaneers(1-0) at Texans(0-1)
Another week, another clash with a reigning NFC division champion for Houston. The road is tough for the Texans so far, and it will get easier, but not until after this loss. Tampa will find a way to win once again. Tampa Bay wins 24-17.
Pick: Buccaneers
***
Chargers(1-0) at Raiders(1-0)
These AFC West rivals enter this matchup coming off of big wins in Week 1, and both know a win here puts them in a great position in the division. The Bolts will continue to roll, thanks to a fantastic offensive performance. Los Angeles wins 28-17.
Pick: Chargers
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That’s how I see it, tell us how you see Week 2 playing out. Leave your comments and insight below. Who Dat!
