2021 NFL Week 2 Picks

NY Giants at Washington Football Team (-3 1/2, 41) 8:20 pm - The Giants are coming off a good old 27-13 whippin' by Denver last week to open the season 0-1. Worse yet, the game was at home for the Giants, who were never in it after the middle of the second quarter. Denver scored right at the end of the first half and eventually rolled up 24 straight points. The Giants scored on the final play of the game, which meant nothing.

Washington also starts out 0-1, but the manner of their loss to the Chargers was far different than that of the Giants. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was knocked out of the gas in the second quarter, but backup Taylor Heinicke directed a scoring drives near half time (field goal) and a third quarter TD that gave Washington a 16-13 lead. An unfortunate Washington fumble on their own 3-yard line gave the Chargers an easy score for the win.

Washington by a touchdown, maybe more.

Coin Flip: NY Giants

Prediction: Football Team 27 Giants 10

Sunday, September 19

New Orleans Saints (-3, 44 1/2) at Carolina Panthers 1:00 pm - Saints were absolutely overwhelming in their 38-3 win over Green Bay. The only problem they may have is staying emotionally connected for this road game against a division rival.

Carolina got an excellent game from Sam Darnold (24-35, 279 yds, 1 TD) in their 19-14 win, but he was facing the team that traded him, the Jets, so there was added incentive for him to win. He'll see a much better defense this week and probably won't have as many open receivers and may be under quite a bit of pressure from the Saints' front line defenders.

If New Orleans can contain Christian McCaffrey and Jameis Winston doesn't turn the ball over, this could be a cakewalk.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Saints 31 Panthers 20

Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears (-3, 45) 1:00 pm - Cincinnati showed plenty of heart in their 27-24 OT victory over visiting Minnesota last week, but it should not escape notice that the Bengals blew a 21-7 third quarter lead, allowing a 53-yard Greg Joseph field goal at the end of regulation to tie the game.

The Bears really got run over in the second half of their 34-14 loss at the Rams, but that was expected. Also as expected, Andy Dalton was picked once and fumbled once, a reality the Bears will have to live with anti Justin Fields starts full time, which is likely to be soon.

When it comes to QBs, Joe Burrow is likely going to leave a stronger legacy than Dalton, but when it comes to defense, the Bears are probably the better group right now. The Bengals are still young and learning.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Prediction: Bears 26 Bengals 21

Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (-12 1/2, 48) 1:00 pm - Houston really pasted Jacksonville last week, 37-21, thanks largely to three Trevor Lawrence interceptions and some heads up play from QB Tyrod Taylor (21-33, 291, 2TDs) and RB Mark Ingram (85 yards rushing). Taylor was able to spread out the Jaguar defense and roll for 449 yards total offense while the Houston defense held the Jags to just 76 yards on the ground.

Cleveland toughed it out with Kansas City for as long as they could, losing 33-29, which is no reason to hang heads, especially losing on KC's home turf. The Browns have as dynamic an offense as there is in the league. Houston is tased with stopping both Nick Chubb and Kareen Hunt while hoping Baker Mayfield doesn't tear up the secondary. Cleveland's defense is better than it showed against the Chiefs. Holding them to33 points might even be considered a win. Browns are giving up a huge number here, but it's their home opener, so the fans will be pumped.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Prediction: Browns 38 Texans 17

LA Rams (-4, 47 1/2) at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 pm - It could be a long season in Indianapolis. Carson Went wasn't the answer for the Eagles and he may not be for the Colts. Went was 25-38 for 251 and 2 TDs, but he was sacked three times as the Seahawks made quick work of them in a 28-16 win.

It looks like the Rams made the right move getting Matthew Stafford. He hit on 20 of 26 throws for 321 yards and three scores in LA's 34-14 romp over the Bears in their opener. They do hit the road here, but the Rams' defense held the Bears to 322 yards offense and are likely just getting started.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Prediction: Rams 34 Colts 17

Denver Broncos (-6, 45 1/2) at Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 pm - Teddy Bridgewater was rock solid in Denver's 27-13 win at the NY Giants last week and there's a good possibility that he's going to have a breakout season. He's in his 8th season, mature, and has all the skills, so Denver may contend for a playoff spot this season.

The Jaguars have a long way to go off last year's disappointing 1-15 campaign. Trevor Lawrence is likely to be a star, but it won't happen overnight. He threw three picks in the Jags' 37-21 loss to Houston last week. This could be quite the aerial show, but Denver's defense won't let it get out of hand.

Coin Flip: Denver

Prediction: Broncos 35 Jaguars 23

Buffalo Bills (-3 1/2, 47 1/2) at Miami Dolphins 1:00 pm - The Dolphins squeaked by the Patriots, 17-16, in New England last week, while the Bills squandered a 10-0 lead, losing to the visiting Steelers, 23-16. The Steelers scored all their points in the second half, while the Bills could only muster a pair of fourth quarter field goals after taking a 10-0 lead at the half.

Both of these teams are legitimate playoff squads and Buffalo won both of last year's meetings, but the score in Miami was 31-28. Don't be surprised if the Bills leave South Florida 0-2.

Coin Flip: Miami

Prediction: Dolphins 23 Bills 20

New England Patriots (-5, 43) at NY Jets 1:00 pm - Hate to play favorites here, as this is a fairly intense regional and divisional rivalry, plus this will be two highly touted rookie QBs - Zach Wilson for the Jets and Mac jones for the Patriots - going head to head for the first of what could be many times.

Both had solid debuts, but both lost. The Jets fell, 19-14 at Carolina, while the Patriots dropped a home decision, 17-16, to the Dolphins. Maybe there should be a category called "quality losses." In any case, this one is too close to call, so the flyboys at home getting five looks pretty juicy.

Coin Flip: New England

Prediction: Jets 23 Patriots 21

San Francisco 49ers (-3 1/2, 50) at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 pm - Fascinating match-up as this features two week one big winners. The 49ers had a huge, 28-point lead by the middle of the third quarter in their 41-33 win at Detroit, but kind of let it slip away a little at the end. The final result was really never in doubt.

Philly rolled over Atlanta, 32-6, as Jalen Hurts guided the Eagles on multiple scoring drives. Hurts went 27 of 35 for 264 yards and three TDs without a pick. Take note, though, the Falcons, like Detroit, may win only 3 or 4 games this season, so both teams have plenty to prove, especially the Eagles.

Coin Flip: San Francisco

Prediction: Eagles 31 49ers 27

Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5 1/2, 47 1/2) 1:00 pm - Derek Carr looked a lot like "Mad Bomber" Daryl Lamonica Monday night, throwing for 435 yards and 2 TDs (1 pick) in the Raiders' 33-27 OT win over the visiting Ravens. The AFC West may be the best division in the league top to bottom, all chasing after Mahomes and the Chiefs, so every game is huge for Las Vegas.

Pittsburgh's 23-16 win at Buffalo was typical Steelers grind it out form, coming from behind and doing real damage to Buffalo's self respect. The Steelers are always competitive and at home they're almost never blown out. This one figures to be close because the Raiders may be a lot better than many people think. Pittsburgh will not take them lightly.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Prediction: Raiders 25 Steelers 20

Click here for late games.

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IdleGuy.com April 2025, Vol. 2 #4