Mattie T’s Week 2 NFL Predictions

After a pretty damn good Week 1, let’s see if i can keep it rollin….

Wk 1: 13-3

Season: 13-3 (.813)

Carolina at Atlanta.

I think this game almost classifies as a must-win for the Panthers, seeing that they have a Monday Night showdown coming up in one week against the Cowboys in Big D.

Jake Delhomme did throw for a season-high 295 yards against Atlanta last season, but a bulk of that came during a 45-28 blowout loss in a game where Michael Turner (rushed for 117 yards & 4 TD’s) nearly outscored Carolina’s entire team by himself.

The Panthers had trouble stopping the run last week during their embarassing blowout loss to the Eagles during their home opener, which will be very problematic against Turner & Jerius Norwood.

Look for Atlanta to win this one & improve Matt Ryan’s Georgia Dome record to 9-1 as a starter.

Minnesota at Detroit.

This is about as bad as it can get for the woeful Lions. Just one week after letting New Orleans pile up 515 yards from scrimmage against them, Detroit’s defense will now have to face the future HOF’er Brett Favre and the best running back in the league, who goes by the name of Adrian Peterson.

I expect the Lions to come out & show a lot of emotion in their home opener, while starting linebacker Larry Foote has already promised to talk trash with “anyone in a Viking uniform not named Brett Favre”.

We’ll see if Foote will be talking while his team is getting blown out in the 4th quarter. Look for Minnesota to win easily this week.

Cincinnati at Green Bay.

It apparently didn’t take Chad OchoCinco very long to recover from the Bengals’ stunning Week 1 loss to the Broncos.

The colorful wideout has already promised to do a “Lambeau Leap” provided that he scores on Sunday. Upon further review, it looks that OchoCinco has not scored a TD on the road in 6 consecutive games.

Maybe the Packers will let him get a “cheapie” celebration during their blowout win. Look for Green Bay to roll big tomorrow.

Arizona at Jacksonville.

I know that Arizona had a terrible case of the East Coast blues last season, but that could change tomorrow as they travel to Jacksonville to try & spoil the Jaguars’ home opener which will be played in front of a sparse crowd & local TV blackouts.

Jacksonville’s secondary worries me, as Reggie Wayne was able to explode for a 10 catch, 162 yard game on them last week. Larry Fitzgerald presents an even bigger concern, and hopes to have a healthy Anquan Boldin & Steve Breaston alongside him for tomorrow. The twosome are dealing with hamstring injuries & are both questionable for Sunday.

This should be a good & close game, but i think Arizona will squeak out a close win before a huge Sunday Night clash next week with the aformentioned Indianapolis Colts.

Oakland at Kansas City.

This game should present a bit of intrigue, as Matt Cassel could make his Chiefs debut & find himself running away from ex-teammate Richard Seymour, who made an immediate impact with his new team as he sacked Philip Rivers twice during the Raiders’ heartbreaking Week 1 loss.

Kansas City will try to keep Darren McFadden in check this time around, as the 2nd year back from Arkansas exploded for a career-high 164 rushing yards on September 14th, 2008 during Oakland’s 23-8 win.

Cassel is a game-time decision, but i think he will play & lead the Chiefs to a close win in their home opener.

New England at N.Y. Jets.

Just because Eric Mangini has left town doesn’t mean that the Jets won’t back away from the decade’s most successful team.

Head coach Rex Ryan has already provided New England with bulletin board material, as he vows not to “bow down and kiss Bill Belichick’s (Super Bowl) rings”. Star safety Kerry Rhodes has spent time this week jawing with ex-Patriot & current NBC analyst Rodney Harrison, so Gang Green will have to back their mighty words up with some strong play on Sunday.

Problem is, Tom Brady has never lost a game to the Jets at the Meadowlands in 7 career starts there, while Bill Belichick is sure to come up with a scheme to try & rattle rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

We will see if Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is the real deal this week, as he gets to cover Randy Moss one week after limiting the Texans’ Andre Johnson to just 1 catch for 7 yards.

This should be an entertaining game, but look for Tom Brady to lead another clutch late drive & lift New England to a comeback victory.

New Orleans at Philadelphia.

I was really looking forward to this matchup, but the rib injury to Donovan McNabb is going to temper expectations of a possible NFC Playoff preview.

In steps Kevin Kolb, who will make his first NFL start on Sunday & against a Saints defense that is known to give up some big plays.

For any chance for Philadelphia to pull off the win, they will need a huge game out of Brian Westbrook, who has done well against New Orleans in the past.

This should be a close game, but i think the Saints will edge out a close win at the Linc.

Houston at Tennessee.

All eyes will be on Steve Slaton this Sunday, as the 2nd year back from West Virginia will look to notch his 3rd straight 100-yard game against the Titans’ run defense.

Tennessee will be up to the challenge, as they held Pittsburgh to a balky 36 rushing yards (1.6 yards per carry average) despite suffering a heartbreaking Week 1 overtime loss.

Andre Johnson will be a player to watch for the Texans, as he exploded for a career-high 207 receiving yards in last season’s Week 15 win over the Titans.

Look for Tennessee to dominate this game with their defense & a strong game from Chris Johnson, who should go over the 100-yard mark on Sunday.

St. Louis at Washington.

The Rams haven’t won a road game since October 12th of 2008, which was at FedEx Field. The Redskins will try to avoid a repeat performance, as they will make their 2009 season opener on Sunday.

St. Louis was so woeful offensively against Seattle that they only produced 1 drive that lasted 6 plays or more, which wound up with a 37-yard FG miss by Josh Brown.

Clinton Portis ran for 129 yards in the teams’ last meeting, and there’s no reason to think he won’t do it again on Sunday. I like for Washington to win this game big.

Seattle at San Francisco.

This might be just Week 2, but a big NFC west showdown awaits in Monster Park as the winner of this game takes over 1st place in the division.

The Seahawks could get a huge boost to their offensive line with the return of All-Pro tackle Walter Jones, who is healing faster than expected just 1 month after knee surgery.

Frank Gore has good career numbers (95.3 yards per game) against Seattle, but just 1 touchdown in 7 games.

Should be close, but i like Matt Hasselbeck’s veteran leadership over the unproven Shaun Hill. I like the Seahawks to win a big road game here & take over 1st place in the NFC West.

Tampa Bay at Buffalo.

After suffering a heartbreaking Monday Night loss, the Bills will try to rebound on a short week in their home opener.

Terrell Owens shouldn’t be unhappy after Sunday, as he will face a pass defense that had several breakdowns while getting shredded by 353 yards by his ex-quarterback, Tony Romo.

Tampa Bay might have to depend on Michael Clayton a bit more than usual on Sunday, as Antonio Bryant is doubtful with a knee injury. Maurice Stovall will step into the starting lineup, but has never caught more than 5 passes in a game for his career.

Pittsburgh at Chicago.

Despite a career-high 4 interceptions from Jay Cutler, the Bears still almost had a chance to walk out of Lambeau Field with a win in Week 1. His past history suggests that he’ll bounce back against a Steeler defense that will be without Troy Polamalu.

Chicago will make a few changes defensively on Sunday, as Zachary Bowman will be starting in place of Nate Vasher, who got beaten on Greg Jennings’ game-winning 50 yard touchdown grab last week.

Surpringisly, Pittsburgh has lost 10 of 11 career trips to Soldier Field & haven’t won there since 1995. I think the Bears will find a way to pull out an emotional home win, as they cannot afford to start 0-2 with a key road game coming up against Seattle.

Cleveland at Denver.

Can Josh McDaniels really start 2-0 with his Broncos after suffering an horrific offseason?

It could be reality against the Browns, as rookie back Knowshon Moreno looks to have a big home debut against a Cleveland run defense that got torched by Adrian Peterson in Week 1.

Brady Quinn does have experience against Denver, as he threw for a career-high 239 yards against them on November 6th of last season during Cleveland’s 34-30 loss.

I don’t see the Browns winning this game unless they get a big performance from Braylon Edwards, who caught just 1 reception for 15 yards in last season’s meeting. Look for Denver to win this one & possibly be atop the AFC West standings.

Baltimore at San Diego.

The Ravens know who they are preparing for now at running back, as Darren Sproles will take the place of an injured LaDainian Tomlinson (ankle).

San Diego also suffered a huge blow defensively, as nose tackle Jamal Williams has been placed on IR with a triceps injury, which will end his season.

That will spell trouble against a Baltimore team that ran for 198 yards last week  & got a career-best 307 yards out of 2nd yr quarterback Joe Flacco.

Baltimore should dominate this game with their outstanding defense & will win a big road game here.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas.

Tony Romo could have a splendid debut in the “new” Texas Stadium, as he will face a depleted Giants secondary that could be without Kenny Phillips & Kevin Dockery for Sunday night.

Romo has won his last 4 starts against the Giants, which dates back to December 3rd of 2006.

In what should be an NFL record for home attendance (over 100,000 expected), look for the Cowboys to deliver a huge road win to put themselves on top of the NFC East.

Indianpolis at Miami.

The Colts are hoping that Hank Baskett can quickly fill the void of injured wideout Anthony Gonzalez, who will miss the next 2-to-8 weeks of action with a knee injury.

Reggie Wayne will make his homecoming on Monday night, but the University of Miami alum is only averaging 27.2 yards per game in 5 career meetings against Miami with no touchdowns.

Ronnie Brown had success in his 1 previous game against Indianapolis, as he rushed for 115 yards during a 27-22 loss in the 2006 season.

Miami should control this game with their run offense, as i am picking them to make a Dolphin-sized upset over Indianapolis.