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NFL Week 2 2019: Picks and predictions

By Matt Verderame

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings and teammates celebrate a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings and teammates celebrate a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans celebrates after throwing for a touchdown during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans celebrates after throwing for a touchdown during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-9)

The easy pick is Houston, but can the Texans (0-1) block the Jaguars (0-1) at all? Jacksonville beat up Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson was just sacked six times in New Orleans. The Texans likely find a way, but Watson will be sore.

Pick: Houston 24, Jacksonville 23

San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals (-1.5)

The Bengals (0-1) really showed something up in Seattle. The 49ers (1-0) looked uneven against the Buccaneers, relying on a pair of pick-sixes to win. Is Cincinnati a mirage after almost beating Seattle, or is this a decent team?

Pick: Cincinnati 29, San Francisco 27

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers (-4)

The Steelers (0-1) need this game. The Seahawks (1-0) have a chance to really elevate their stock in the NFC West race with a key road win. Give me Pittsburgh in its own building, playing desperate, but I don’t feel great about it.

Pick: Pittsburgh 31, Seattle 28

Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at Detroit Lions

How could anybody pick the Lions (0-0-1) after that disaster against the Cards on Sunday? Detroit looks like, well, Detroit. The Chargers (1-0) are dealing with their annual crush of injuries, but they prevail here.

Pick: Los Angeles 23, Detroit 20

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-3)

Best game of the week. The Vikings (1-0) and Packers (1-0) are the NFC North’s two best teams, and one gets a nice leg up in the race early. Green Bay is at home and has the better quarterback, so give me the Packers in a tight one.

Pick: Green Bay 21, Minnesota 20

New England Patriots (-19) at Miami Dolphins

This is like a 26-year-old bodybuilder fighting an infant.

Pick: New England 52, Miami 13