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Results:
NFL Week 1: Coin 6-9-1; Rick: 8-7-1
Cumulative: Coin: 6-9-1; Rick: 8-7-1
Thursday, September 13
8:20 pm Baltimore Ravens (-1 1/2, 44) at Cincinnati Bengals - Baltimore's 47-3 mashing of the Bills was impressive, but how the Bengals held off a determined Colts team on the road, 34-23, in week 1 was perhaps a better all-around game. Considering that the Bills may have the worst starting quarterbacks in the league and no quality receivers underweights what the Ravens did on Sunday.
This being a divisional game, home field is advantageous, as is knowledge of the other side. Last season, Baltimore blanked the Bengals in week 1, 20-0, but Cincy had the last laugh, topping the Ravens in Baltimore, 31-27, denying Baltimore a playoff spot. This is going to be hotly-contested. Take the Bengals to flip the script.
Coin Flip: Baltimore
PREDICTION: Bengals 27 Ravens 26
Sunday, September 16
1:00 pm Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-4 1/2, 44) - Atlanta has serious red zone issues, as displayed against the Eagles in last Thursday's 18-12 defeat. Having a few extra day to mull over the situation isn't likely to help and Carolina's defense is very good, as evidenced by week 1's 16-8 smothering of the Cowboys.
Last season, the Panthers won at home, 20-17, over the Falcons, but dropped the season finale, 22-10, in Atlanta. That final game may have been academic, as both teams were pretty much assured to be wild cards. The Panthers may have been mailing it in. Judging by last week's outcomes, the Panthers look like a solid pick, especially if they're getting points.
Coin Flip: Carolina
PREDICTION: Panthers 21 Falcons 9
1:00 pm Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints (-8, 50) - The Browns just played the Steelers to a 21-21 draw in week 1, while the Saints were exposed as naked on defense in a 48-40 home loss to the Buccaneers.
Cleveland is a better team with Tyrod Taylor at QB and their defense will continue to improve. They're still looking for a win after going 0-16 last year. New Orleans would make a great place to celebrate. If the Browns get a good look at the Saints' game film, they're sure to find areas of exploitation and the bonus points won't even matter.
Coin Flip: New Orleans
PREDICTION: Browns 34 Saints 26
1:00 pm Houston Texans (-3, 41) at Tennessee Titans - Texans favored on the road and low point total is telling you everything. Texans should romp underperforming Titans.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
PREDICTION: Texans 23 Titans 13
1:00 pm Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins (-5, 46) - Sorry, Colts fans, the Redskins look like the real deal after they handled Arizona, 24-6, last week. Indy didn't show much on defense in their 34-23 home loss to the Bengals and that's a severe issue against Washington, because the Redskins have some fleet receivers that are as yet unknown.
Their names will be more recognizable after this game.
Coin Flip: Washington
PREDICTION: Redskins 31 Colts 17
1:00 pm Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5, 52) - This may be the end of the road for Big Ben Roethlisberger. He was picked off three times and sacked four times by the Browns in Pittsburgh's season-opening 21-all tie.
The Chiefs dominated the Chargers in Los Angeles. Pat Mahomes threw for 256 yards and 4 TDs and Tyreek Hill ran wild. The Steelers simply don't have enough speed or coverage depth to contain KC's explosive offense.
Coin Flip: Kansas City
PREDICTION: Chiefs 34 Steelers 16
1:00 pm Los Angeles Chargers (-7 1/2, 44) at Buffalo Bills - The Chargers have a distinctive edge at QB. Phillip Rivers is head and shoulders better than either Nathan Peterman or Josh Allen. The two were a combined 11-for-33 for 98 yards in Buffalo's 47-3 humiliation at Baltimore.
Expect a similar result.
Coin Flip: Buffalo
PREDICTION: Chargers 30 Bills 12
1:00 pm Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-3, 44) - The Dolphins may have handled Tennessee at home (the Titans-Dolphins game was delayed twice by lightning for almost four hours in what became the longest game in NFL history), 27-20, but facing the rejuvenated Jets at home in week 2 is going to be an experience of a different kind.
The Jets made a statement on Monday night in Detroit, smashing the Lions, 48-17, with a relentless defense and opportunistic offense that left Lions' fans shaking their collective heads. No issues for the Jets with Sam Darnold at QB and the Jets go 2-0.
Coin Flip: Miami
PREDICTION: Jets 31 Dolphins 16
1:00 pm Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-1 1/2, 44) - Match-up of the week in many expert opinions. Minnesota disposed of the 49ers (now a contender in the NFC West), 24-16, while the Packers executed a comeback for the ages, with Aaron Rodgers rejoining the fray in the second half to lead Green Bay to the 24-23 victory.
The Vikings won both meetings against the Packers last season, but that is a little misleading, because Aaron Rodgers didn't play in either contest. The Vikings have a top-notch defense and regardless of whether Rodgers suits up or not, they're the choice to win the division for a second straight season, including this big one against their fiercest rival.
Coin Flip: Minnesota
PREDICTION: Vikings 23 Packers 20
1:00 pm Philadelphia Eagles (-3, 43 1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Eagles looked like champions in their week 1 victory over Atlanta while the Buccaneers stunned everybody by stunning the Saints in New Orleans behind Ryan Fitzpatrick's 417 passing yards in a 48-40 victory.
The Bucs aren't going to have such an easy time against Philly's super tough defense. Very little fall-off for the Eagles on the road. They were 6-2 away from home last season.
Coin Flip: Philadelphia
PREDICTION: Eagles 34 Buccaneers 23
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