NFL Week 2: Picks and predictions

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-9.5)

The Ravens (1-0) don’t have much of an offense, but the defense is legit. Cleveland (0-1) is finally going in the right direction, but this is a tough ask. DeShone Kizer is in for a rough day.

Pick: Baltimore 23, Cleveland 13

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (-5)

Nobody looked better than Kansas City (1-0) in Week 1. The Chiefs rolled up 537 yards and 42 points against the Patriots in a road-win slaughter. The Eagles (1-0) are a good team, but going into Arrowhead Stadium against a superior team is rough, especially for the home opener.

Pick: Kansas City 27, Philadelphia 20

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5)

Give the Bears (0-1) credit. They played the Falcons right to the end at Solider Field, almost pulled off a huge upset. This week, Chicago goes on the road and takes on Tampa Bay (0-0), which has had two weeks to prepare. The Buccaneers are also healthy, and Chicago is decidedly not.

Pick: Tampa Bay 30, Chicago 13

Tennessee Titans (-2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

This is suddenly an interesting and borderline important game. If Jacksonville (1-0) wins, it has a two-game lead on the Titans (0-1) in the AC South. It’s early, but Tennessee has to find a way here, and I suspect it does.

Pick: Tennessee 20, Jacksonville 16

Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers (-8.5)

Sean McDermott goes back to his stomping grounds with his Bills (1-0) hoping to pull off the upset. Carolina (1-0) was dominant in its season-opening win over the 49ers, and while Buffalo will play hard, this shouldn’t be close.

Pick: Carolina 22, Buffalo 14

New England Patriots (-7) at New Orleans Saints

Here’s my hunch: New England (0-1) is irate after that showing against the Chiefs. Tom Brady is going to light up New Orleans (0-1) like the Christmas tree in Times Square. It’s going to ugly, although the Saints almost get the backdoor cover with Drew Brees throwing for 400 yards.

Pick: New England 38, New Orleans 27