Hi, hello & welcome to Week 2 of the National Football League! Hopefully you read the TNF column on Thursday and got some good money out of it. Now we’re running through the rest of the games! Odds provided by Vegas Insider. (We use the consensus line on the far right.)

Sunday, September 19

New Orleans (-3) vs. Carolina

Panthers when they seen the Saints are up next on their schedule, pic.twitter.com/DZ6bs1Jl8M

— Saints4lyfe (@Nawlins4lyfe) September 14, 2021

The most impressive showing of Week 1 had to be that of the Saints, who made Aaron Rodgers look like an old QB that wasn’t exactly focused on football during his off-season. Jameis Winston was very effective, pretty much everything went right for the Saints in their temporary home of Jacksonville. This week they visit the other 1995 expansion team, who took care of business against the Jets but weren’t quite as impressive in the process. A win is a win though, and the Panthers have a chance to start the Sam Darnold Era 2-0.

Unfortunately for the Saints, they lost some key pieces this week in Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Davenport & Erik McCoy. They also have some illness issues regarding the coaching staff, with seven coaches in total out this week due to virus. I can see the Saints overcoming the issues and winning, but the Panthers should be able to keep things close.

Houston vs. Cleveland (-13)

I can’t wait to watch the Texans dominate in Cleveland this Sunday #Browns pic.twitter.com/wZ4gh5uxO3

— DollarDog Nick (@DollarDogSports) September 16, 2021

The Texans got an easy win over a Jaguars team that might somehow be worse than people expected, while the Browns came up just a bit short against a Chiefs team that seems destined for another Super Bowl run. While the way the Browns lost had to be a bitter pill to swallow, they should feel good about their future prospects. They’ll win this game, the question is if they can cover the spread here.

I don’t think they do. Tyrod Taylor might not be the sexiest QB choice out there, but he doesn’t make mistakes and can keep the Texans close in games like this one where they’re out-manned.

Cincinnati vs. Chicago (-2.5)

Confirmed.
Ja'Marr Chase can catch the ball

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 12, 2021

The most encouraging development from the Bengals’ Week 1 victory over the Vikings? Ja’Marr Chase catching the football. It seemed like that was going to be an issue during an unimpressive training camp & preseason for the rookie, and he admitted to having problems seeing the football. He didn’t last Sunday. While it took overtime to get the job done, Cincinnati actually finishing a job is a good sign. The less said about Chicago’s Week 1, the better. I told you about Prime Time Andy Dalton, and the Bears laying an egg in the evening certainly wasn’t anything new.

Things will be better this week. The Bears will be back home, Dalton will be in a more friendly setting, and the Bears defense should be able to get to Joe Burrow more often than they got to Matthew Stafford. We know good things don’t last for the Bengals, & I think they lose by at least one field goal.

Las Vegas vs. Pittsburgh (-6.5)

Raiders QB Derek Carr says the 'Immaculate Reception' was an incomplete pass. 'The ball touched the ground' #Steelers pic.twitter.com/4njHxHLXis

— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) September 16, 2021

You gotta love it when football players remember history, right? Derek Carr knows that the Steelers have always been favored by NFL management, while the Raiders are typically on the wrong end of league decisions. Indeed, that “Immaculate Reception” was actually an incomplete pass. People outside of Pittsburgh know this. People inside Pittsburgh, well they’re not very happy when the truth gets pointed out.

Unfortunately, the Raiders/Steelers rivalry from back in the day hasn’t been too active recently. They haven’t met in the playoffs since 1984. The Steelers have certainly been in the playoffs more often recently, and a win on the road in Buffalo has given their fans hope. They’ll need to win games like this one, which I do see happening this week. However, I’ll take the six points and count on the Raiders keeping things close. They’ll be feeling good after that win over Baltimore on Monday night.

Buffalo (-3) vs. Miami

McDermott emphasized a focus on hydration with the #Bills heading down to Miami to play the Dolphins this week. pic.twitter.com/m71Y5Mk5Vg

— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) September 15, 2021

These teams also faced off in Week 2 last season. If this season’s game is anything like that one was, we’ll be in for a treat. The Bills won 31-28, with Josh Allen throwing for 415 yards & 4 touchdowns in a performance that was a sign of things to come. Stefon Diggs had 153 yards and a touchdown. As for Miami, Ryan Fitzpatrick had a FitzMagic kind of day & Mike Gesicki put up 130 yards and a touchdown.

The Dolphins were looking forward to Will Fuller debuting this week, but that won’t happen due to a “personal issue”. That’s rarely good. They got a narrow win over the Patriots last week, I see them narrowly losing to the Bills this week. Feels like a three-point game, so keep an eye on that spread.

LA Rams (-3.5) vs. Indianapolis

A reminder: Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James will receive their Hall of Fame rings during halftime of Sunday's Colts-Rams game. Both were inducted in August. pic.twitter.com/fRKpGJ5VRJ

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 14, 2021

Here’s a secret that might affect your opinion of my NFL fandom & expertise: I really don’t care about Hard Knocks except when my favorite team is on it. In-season might make things different, but the fact it’s the Colts…eh. They don’t seem like the most interesting bunch, but maybe they’ll surprise us. Carson Wentz might be fun, we don’t really know.

What we think we know? The Rams will win this game by a decent margin. They’re got the better roster by a wide margin at most areas of the ball.

San Francisco (-3) vs. Philadelphia

"If the 49ers lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, I'll shave my eyebrow off."

—@BartScott57 😳 pic.twitter.com/I5vZb1tFIN

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 16, 2021

I’m not sure what Bart Scott’s issue with Philadelphia is. Could be he just knows how over-sensitive & easily riled up Eagles fans can be, and trolling them is a good way to generate interest. The Eagles looked pretty good in Week 1, so I wouldn’t feel as confident about the 49ers as Bart obviously does.

In fact, I’ll take the Eagles here. Waiting to see that Super Bowl contender people tell me that San Francisco is.

Denver (-6) vs. Jacksonville

How Urban Meyer pulling up to the Jags halloween party pic.twitter.com/A7rgmh9DeO

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 15, 2021

Denver’s had their first two games on the road, which would normally be tough except they’re visiting some of the worst teams in football. Can you believe the Jags were favored on the road last week? I still don’t get that one. The most interesting thing in Jacksonville this season will be when Urban Meyer decides to pull a Bobby Petrino and get outta there.

Am I going to take Teddy Bridgewater on the road two weeks in a row? You know I am! Broncos will take care of business here.

New England (-6) vs. NY Jets

Este domingo los Patriots enfrentan a los Jets.

We shall never forget. pic.twitter.com/sbr4Tv5GgB

— 🇹🇭SOY PATRIOTA🇹🇭 (@SoyPatriota_) September 15, 2021

It feels like these Patriots/Jets games are always closer than one thinks they will be, so it’s tempting to just take the Jets and the points. Then you think about Zach Wilson against a Bill Belichick defense, and you wonder if the Jets will score six points. It’s a good question, but I’ll stick with my initial feeling on the matter. Wilson will at least get a few moments to shine.

As long as he doesn’t run into a lineman’s butt, things should be ok.

Minnesota vs. Arizona (-3.5)

Gus Johnson at all times pic.twitter.com/kSmlUfEhsJ

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) September 11, 2021

Games that Gus Johnson calls seem to lend themselves to excitement. This has been proven time & again through the years, so it’s a good thing that Fox has him calling a number of NFL games this season. He’ll be joined by Aqib Talib, who people either think is very entertaining or can’t understand. Doesn’t seem to be much of a middle ground there.

The Cardinals looked much better in Week 1 than the Vikings did, but this game needs to be close since that’s when Gus is at his best. So hopefully the Vikings at least keep it close.

Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay (-12.5)

Super Bowl rings don’t impress my kid apparently. Now, plastic princess costume jewelry is another story….⁦@Buccaneers⁩ #nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/exPOvVUHkv

— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) September 16, 2021

We got bit by the Bucs and a high point spread in Week 1. Are we going to do it again? Of course we are, we don’t bet against Tom Brady. Also, the Falcons looked dreadful against the Eagles, and I’m going to need to see something of value from them to pick them here.

Tennessee vs. Seattle (-6.5)

#NFL Week 2 broadcast maps (CBS Late)

🔴 Cowboys @ Chargers
🔵 Titans @ Seahawks pic.twitter.com/MVEgI4MZXH

— 🏈 404 LEGION 🏈 PITTS SZN (0-1) (@CantGuardPitts) September 17, 2021

The Titans were probably the biggest disappointment of Week 1, getting owned by the Cardinals in Nashville and not looking like the playoff contender we thought/think they were/are. I don’t think the Titans are as bad as they looked in Week 1, but it’s not going to get any easier for them in Week 2.

That being said, I like the number for the Titans. We know the Seahawks are all about those games are closer than you think they should be. Also, as the maps show, not many people will actually see this game, so there’s no reason for Russell Wilson to get too excited.

Dallas vs. LA Chargers (-3.5)

I'm really looking forward to watching the Chargers vs. the Cowboys next Sunday! Justin Herbert vs. Dak Prescott, Keenan Allen vs. Amari Cooper, and Joey Bosa vs. Jaylon Smith…it looks to be one of the most entertaining games of the season!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 14, 2021

The Cowboys have themselves a pretty tough opening schedule, following up Week 1 in Tampa with a trip to LA to take on the Chargers. There should be plenty of Cowboy fans at the new stadium, so that’s nice. Dallas’s performance against Tampa was pretty nice as well, and gives on some hope for their chances in the NFC East.

It’s just too bad they’ll be starting off 0-2. Justin Herbert should be able to have a big game against the Cowboys secondary, and I’m pretty sure all his receivers are healthy. There’s a bonus. Chargers take this one.

Kansas City (-4) vs. Baltimore

Lamar Jackson: “It’s not about me and Mahomes. It’s about the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs.” pic.twitter.com/nZFAMh5tiJ

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 15, 2021

It absolutely is about Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson. Not like that’s different from pretty much any other NFL game. Things are always about the quarterbacks, and when you have two of the best in the game in the same game, that’s where our minds are going to wander to. However, since Lamar wants us to talk about the rest of his team, it’s worth pointing out that the rest of his team has issues. We got every washed running back in the league lining up to get carries for this team. You saw how they fell apart late against the Raiders. That defense doesn’t look like a typical Ravens defense.

The Chiefs took awhile to get going against the Browns, but you knew they’d get it done eventually. They’ll get it done here too.

Monday, September 20

Detroit vs. Green Bay (-11.5)

Just got off the phone with Davante Adams. Asked him if he had a message for those who are worried after the Packers' Week 1 loss and he pulled out the classic Aaron Rodgers quote:

"Just to relax, as 12 said years ago. There's a lot of football left." pic.twitter.com/bybg2SzmXF

— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) September 15, 2021

R-E-L-A-X. We remember Aaron Rodgers telling everybody to do just that after fans got uneasy over some Green Bay early season struggles. Sure enough, the Packers righted the ship. I have no doubt they’ll do just that here against a Lions team that historically has had problems winning in Lambeau Field and looked pretty abysmal for most of their Week 1 meeting with the 49ers.

That being said, I can easily see Detroit doing the same darn thing they did last week, making things close late & getting within that 11.5 number. Maybe another one of those backdoor covers will be in line for us on a Monday night. That would be fun for everybody, especially if you take my advice and put yo money on the Lions.

• Week 1 Record: 7-8-1
• Overall Record: 8-8-1