One week of the NFL season is in the books. That means it’s time for my 2012 NFL Week 2 predictions and picks. Week 2 kicks off on Thursday night at Lambeau Field as the Packers host the Chicago Bears.
This could be an interesting matchup early in the season. The rivalry is always a great one between Green Bay and Chicago. In fact, the two will meet head to head twice as usual during the regular season. I think the second contest could be the more critical of the two and it will be played at Soldier Field. In NFL week 2, I think the Packers will have too much of a home field advantage for the Bears to weather. Still, I think it will be a close one with the Packers getting the edge 30-24.
Let’s move to the Sunday NFL week 2 schedule. Kansas City travels to Buffalo to face the Bills. Can the Chiefs pull out a huge early season road win? I’m going with Buffalo in this one in a 16-13 squeaker. Scott Norwood makes the game winning field goal(or maybe the ghost of).
Cleveland is at Cincy to play the Bengals. The Browns are young and still rebuilding and I believe that will show in week 2. Bengals win handily 31-10 in the Ohio rivalry.
Minnesota travels to Indianapolis for the home debut of Andrew Luck. I think Luck will have a huge home opener at Lucas Oil Stadium as the Colts win 30-16.
Carolina hosts New Orleans in what could be an offensive shootout. The Panthers will start well but I think the Saints will rally late for a 31-28 victory.
My 2012 NFL week 2 predictions and picks continue with Houston at Jacksonville. Can the Jags play the upset card against one of the favorites in the AFC? I don’t see it happening. The Texans win going away thanks to a powerful running game 27-23.
Oakland is at Miami also in week 2. The Raiders should be able to claw out a win on the road but you never know with the Raiders. Oakland gets a Sebastian Janokowski field goal as time expires for a 20-17 victory.
Arizona has the tough taks of facing New England in the Patriots home opener. Tom Brady goes deep 4 times as the home folks win easily 33-13.
Tampa Bay hits the road for a date at a very hostile New York Giants team. The Bucs will get blasted 37-9.
Baltimore plays at Philadelphia in another interesting week 2 NFL matchup. The Ravens will play well on the road but I think the Eagles escape with a hard fought 26-20 win.
Washington is in St. Louis to battle the Rams. My predictions and picks for this game? I think the Redskins pick up a 26-20 road win.
Dallas is at Seattle trying to make it 2-0 on the road. The Cowboys could certainly make some noise starting the season with back to back road wins. I think they’ll do it. Dallas wins 35-20 thanks to 3 touchdown runs from Demarco Murray. Romo adds 2 touchdown passes of his own in the victory.
The New York Jets hit the road for a date at Pittsburgh. Nobody wants to play at Pittsburgh. The Steel Curtain rises in a 23-9 win.
Tennessee heads to San Diego for a matchup against the Chargers. Can the Titans pull out an early season road win? I think the Titans behind Jake Locker will pull off a bit of an upset 27-20.
San Francisco tries to knock off Detroit at home in another NFL week 2 matchup. The 49’ers just can’t muster enough offense against a hungry Lions defense and lose 27-23.
The final game of the week takes place on Monday night as Peyton Manning and Denver travel to Atlanta. The Falcons and Broncos could certainly air it out. I predict that the Falcons hold home court–but in overtime with a 27-24 win.
That’s it for my 2012 NFL week 12 predictions and picks. I’ll return next week with another round of predictions! Until then, have a wonderful week and enjoy the games.
