One of the biggest surprises in the first week of the NFL season saw the Arizona Cardinals go into SoFi Stadium and upset the Los Angeles Chargers to give coach Mike LaFleur a successful debut.
For their reward, the Cardinals get to home in Week 2 ... and face the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in an NFC West contest.
The week starts with a great game and finishes with another team that surprised in its opener as the New York Giants hit SoFi to face the Los Angeles Rams. Will a home team in LA be upset again for the second week in a row?
Ranking this week's games and predicting the outcomes:
16. Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, Sept. 20, FOX, 1 p.m.
One team in the winless NFC South should wind up with a victory here ... unless these two play to a tie. Prediction: Falcons 17, Panthers 16
15. Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers, Sept. 20, FOX, 4:25 p.m.
No knock on
the home team after its win over the Rams in Australia, but the Niners would have to have to the worst and longest case of jet lag to lose to this Miami team. The Hurricanes play more interesting football than the Dolphins. Prediction: 49ers 27, Dolphins 13
14. Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans, Sept. 20, FOX, 1 p.m.
The Titans couldn't handle a team that boasts green as a primary color in the Jets. How are they going to deal with another that is the defending NFC East champions, the Eagles? Not well. Prediction: Eagles 31, Titans 10
13. Green Bay Packers at New York Jets, Sept. 20, FOX, 1 p.m.
The green teams meet in New York. Aaron Glenn gets to try and prove the opening win at Tennessee wasn't simply because the Titans are terrible. Green Bay needs to recover from its massive collapse against the Vikings. This feels like a bounce-back game for the Pack. But you know it won't be easy. Prediction: Packers 27, Jets 23
12. Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers, Sept. 20, CBS, 1 p.m.
Jim Harbaugh had best hope Mike McDaniel and the offense don't sputter and issue another clunker. Losing two in a row at home to home the season would be a fiasco. Kirk Cousins should have more problems with the Bolts defense than he did against the Fish at home. Prediction: Chargers 23, Raiders 16
11. Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sept. 20, CBS, 1 p.m.
A Baker Mayfield revenge game of sorts and the Bucs have to be smarting after losing their opener to the other Ohio team in the NFL. Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Browns 13
10. Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys, Sept. 20, FOX, 4:25 p.m.
Both teams come off losses in division games. The Commanders looked good against the Eagles as Jayden Daniels seemed to regain his rookie form. Dak Prescott will continue to have problems if the defense can't stop opponents. Two drives in the second half is inexcusable. Prediction: Commanders 26, Cowboys 23
9. Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 20, FOX, 4:25 p.m.
This game has more interest because of Sam Darnold's injury situation. Drew Lock at the signals for Seattle is a huge benefit for Arizona. Jacoby Brissett looked extremely comfortable with the skill position players around him. Arizona's defense played well at the Chargers. Prediction: Seahawks 21, Cardinals 17
8. New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens, Sept. 20, CBS, 1 p.m.
The Saints had no answer for Jahmyr Gibbs. How are they supposed to contain Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Zay Flowers' tender hamstring would cramp Jackson's passing game if he can't go or is limited. Prediction: Ravens 37, Saints 20
7. Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, Sept. 20, FOX, 1 p.m.
NFC North teams meet at Soldier Field. The Vikings stunned the Packers as Carson Wentz recalled his glory days in a thrilling comeback. The Bears shred the Panthers for 59 points. Caleb Williams and Co. won't come close to that number again, right? Prediction: Bears 27, Vikings 20
6. Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots, Sept. 20, CBS, 1 p.m.
This one has defensive battle all over it. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense is far from dynamic. Drake Maye had trouble with Seattle secondary. This won't be easier. Prediction: Steelers 16, Patriots 13
5. Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 20, NBC, 8:20 p.m.
Main reason for this being a top five encounter is the continued interest in Patrick Mahomes' recovery from last season's injury. The Chiefs looked like their old selves in dismantling the Broncos. The Colts looked like the same team from the second half of last year while being walloped by the Ravens. Remember, it is a short week for KC after the Monday nighter. Prediction: Chiefs 27, Colts 17
4. New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 21, ABC/ESPN, 8:15 p.m.
Get to hear all about John Harbaugh on Monday Night Football. And what will the Rams be like after the loss to the Niners in Australia and losing Myles Garrett. This feels like a tricky spot for the home team despite how they have been picked a Super Bowl favorites. Prediction: Giants 20, Rams 17
3. Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans, Sept. 20, CBS, 1 p.m.
Coming off a strong opener against the Buccaneers, the Bengals head to Texas to face a Houston team that could not stop the Bills. Was this a fluke or are there issues with the Texans defense? If the latter is the case, Joe Burrow could present all sorts of issues. Prediction: Texans 34, Bengals 29
2. Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos, Sept. 20, CBS, 4:05 p.m.
The Jaguars looked dominant in crushing the Browns. The Broncos could not have looked worse in the loss to the Chiefs. Until Davis Webb proves he has the chops to be an OC, there are concerns with Denver. Sean Payton should have him on a short leash. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence the Jags have become a force. Prediction: Jags 24, Broncos 23
1. Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills, Sept. 17, Amazon Prime, 8:15 p.m.
This is a Thursday night special. The Lions and Bills open Highmark Stadium with a game that figures to have a ton of offense. The Lions defense was strafed by Tyler Shough. What will Josh Allen do at home? Buffalo let up a lot of points against Houston but stiffened when necessary. Prediction: Bills 41, Lions 37
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL Week 2 predictions as teams look to bounce back
