KCOU Sports Staff NFL Picks – Week Two


By KCOU Sports Staff
Each week throughout the 2019 season, the KCOU Sports will post an article including the staff’s picks for that week’s slate of games. Welcome to 2019 in the NFL and KCOU!
Here is the document featuring the game by game picks for each of the KCOU Sports staffers and their season records:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PTRkX6zH29uszS-_64-5bm3uUoXfjTYun97mC8D7yf8/edit?usp=sharing
Thursday Night: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
Year 100 in the NFL begins its second week with an NFC South Divisional showdown. 
Jameis Winston threw two pick-sixes last week against a San Francisco defense that intercepted just three passes all of last season. This is week two of a “prove-it” season for Jameis and he didn’t instill any confidence in anyone last week.
Carolina lost by a meager field goal against the defending NFC Champion Rams last week. As long as Cam Newton stays healthy, *crosses fingers*, Carolina is sure to be a contender in the division. They come in almost a touchdown favorite against Tampa. 
“Cam Newton didn’t exactly impress against the Rams last week, but Jameis Winston showed, despite new head coach Bruce Arians, he’s still the same turnover prone quarterback throwing three interceptions against a defense that recorded two all of last season. Expect Winston to make more of the same mistakes as the Panthers take care of the Bucs.” – Logan Franz
Buccaneers: 2
Panthers: 40
Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos
The Bears are frontrunners for most disappointing performance of week one after scoring just three measly points against rival Green Bay. The defense shined, but Matt Nagy and MItch Trubisky did not show the improvement Bears fans were looking for in their first installment of year two together.
Another frontrunner for disappointment of the week was the Denver Broncos. They lost 24-16, in a game that didn’t feel even that close, to the chaotic Oakland Raiders. Joe Flacco looked below average and the defense, expected to be top 10, allowed third down conversion after third down conversion.
An interesting note to point out: the Bears are coming in on 10 days of rest, while the Broncos will have had just six. 
“Mitchell Trubisky has proven to be the X-factor for the Chicago Bears. After his dismal performance in the loss to the Packers him and his offense needs to help the star-studded defense who only gave up 10 points to an Aaron Rodgers team. This Bears team has talent, but it’s tough to win games when you don’t score the ball.” – Gerald Hopkins
Bears: 37
Broncos: 5 
Arizona Cardinals @ Baltimore Ravens
On paper this matchup looks lopsided, but that is why you play the games.
Arizona was absolutely atrocious offensively in the first half on Sunday. The second half was a different story. Kyler Murray was extremely efficient and led scoring drive after scoring drive en route to tying Detroit in Arizona on Sunday.
Baltimore looked like the best team in football in their win over Miami on Sunday. They won 59-10 and were in complete control from the first minute of the game. Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s first two catches went for touchdowns and Lamar Jackson hit every throw. 
This is one of our handful of unanimous selections for week two. 
“Lamar Jackson will continue throwing the ball against another bad defense in Arizona. Through 2 weeks, the Ravens will be the team to beat in the AFC North.” – Chuck Ryan
“I like the Ravens to win big at home over the Cardinals. The Ravens looked really good in their week one game against the Dolphins. Kyler Murray struggled against the Lions until the latter stages of the game. Arizona also has to fly across the country to Baltimore for an early kickoff.”  – Ben Krakow
“I want to pick the Cardinals after Kyler Murray seemed to hit his stride in the second half against the Lions. However, the Ravens absolutely crushed the lowly Dolphins 59-10. I’m going to go with Lamar Jackson in this one. Baltimore by 10 points.” – Aaron Moser
Cardinals: 0
Ravens: 42
San Francisco 49ers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati looked the best of any team that was supposed to be terrible in week one. They only lost by a point in Seattle as the Seahawks won their 11th consecutive home opener. Andy Dalton looked competent and John Ross had a good start to his season of rejuvenation. 
San Francisco played a close game until their defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the second half in a 31-17 win over Tampa Bay. The best thing to come out of week one for San Francisco was the health of Jimmy Garappolo. With somebody who has seen two season ending injuries in three seasons; you have to take everything play-by-play and he escaped week one unscathed. 
49ers: 25
Bengals: 17
Los Angeles Chargers @ Detroit Lions
The Lions tied the Cardinals after blowing an 18-point second half lead. Their defense looked tired and Matthew Stafford’s usual magic never appeared. They’re in the running for most dull franchise in 2019 and tying in week one certainly helped that image.
The Chargers beat Indianapolis in overtime. Austin Ekeler looked really good filling in as the starting running back and the offense seemed to flow. However, they were a couple of Adam Vinatieri missed kicks away from losing a home game to a team quarterbacked by Jacoby Brissett. Ford Field is always a tough environment and it’s a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff for a team from Los Angeles.
Chargers: 38
Lions: 4
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will vie for first in the NFC North on Sunday. The winner takes sole possession of the top spot in the NFL’s most competitive division. 
Both teams looked very good in week one. Minnesota beat Atlanta 28-12 after leading by four touchdowns entering the fourth. Green Bay’s defense was suffocating in a 10-3 win over the Bears in Matt Lefleur’s NFL head coaching debut. 
Both teams looked elite in week one and this should be a very good game. 
“The Minnesota Vikings in Lambeau are my survivor pick.” – Nash Walker
Vikings: 19
Packers: 23
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
Nick Foles is on injured reserve for the time being and controls have been handed over to Gardner Minshew.
I hesitate to sound the alarm bells in Jacksonville for two reasons. The first being the fact that Minshew, a Mike Leach product, was extremely efficient in week one. The rookie completed 22 of his 25 throws and consistently fit passes into tight windows. The second reason is Foles’ history. He’s only ever good when he comes in to play mid-season. He’s won a Super Bowl taking over mid-season. Jacksonville acquired Josh Dobbs from Pittsburgh this week for a fifth round pick.
Houston played in the best game of week one and maybe a top five game in NFL history. It was the first game in Monday Night Football history with two lead-changes in the final minute of regulation. Deshaun Watson had a 75-yard touchdown drive to give Houston the lead with 37 seconds to go. He did it in two plays. TWO PLAYS. A 38-yard throw to DeAndre Hopkins and a 37 yard throw to Kenny Stills and just like that Houston led. Of course Drew Brees and Wil Lutz’ magical leg ended the celebration in the US’ fourth largest city.  
Jaguars: 7
Texans: 35
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
“I’m going to put this bluntly. The Miami Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL. I will be absolutely shocked if the Patriots don’t beat them by 50 just to one-up John Harbaugh and the Ravens. If Miami somehow uses their home field voodoo magic to miraculously beat the Patriots again, I’m buying a Fitzpatrick jersey and will never trash the Dolphins again.” – Hal Estep
“I feel strongly about the Pats and Dolphins. The Dolphins looked dysfunctional last week against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Lamar Jackson isn’t Tom Brady.” – Ashley Wright
Patriots: 42
Dolphins: 0
Buffalo Bills @ New York Giants
“Giants vs. Bills will be interesting if Daniel Jones plays this game. Watch out for him.” – Wilson Truong
“Buffalo completed a fourth-quarter comeback no one saw coming after a dreadful offensive start that included a safety and four turnovers, one being a pick-six. Nonetheless,  the Bills were able to erase a late 16-point deficit and upset the Jets on the road. Meanwhile, the Giants were absolutely humiliated in Dallas last week and showed no signs of improvement from a year ago. Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense need to improve, and the incapabilities of the Giants’ defense provide a great opportunity. If Buffalo’s defense once again rises to the occasion and is able to at least somewhat contain Saquon Barkley, they should have no trouble picking up another road win against this Giants team that looked completely discombobulated on both sides of the ball in Week 1. Bills 23, Giants 16.” – Cole Banker
Bills: 30
Giants: 12
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Neither Seattle nor Pittsburgh looked very good in week one, but there was one difference that changes the way their fan bases feel: opponent. 
Seattle looked poor against the lowly Bengals, but somehow won 21-20. Pittsburgh looked bad against the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and got dismantled 33-3. 
The Steelers come in as a slight favorite and this is another example of a west coast team playing in the early window; a historically rough spot for western teams.
Seahawks: 26
Steelers: 16
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
The Colts lost in overtime to the Chargers in week one. If not for missed kicks from Adam Vinatieri; they would be 1-0. 
Tennessee’s defense played lights out the entire game, but really turned it up after halftime. They picked off Baker Mayfield three times and led the way in Tennessee’s 43-13 win over the ultra-hyped Cleveland Browns.
This is a divisional matchup and should be a close game given how Tennessee plays to the style of their opponent and how the Titans have maybe the least home-field advantage in all of football. 
Colts: 10
Titans: 32
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
“The Cowboys are primed for a commanding Week 2 victory over the Redskins. Washington had a good offensive showing against a talented Eagles team, but the defense struggled against the pass and failed to protect a 17-0 lead, falling 32-27. The Redskins will most likely again have trouble this week defending against Dak Prescott, especially with the Cowboys talented receiving core, which includes Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and a still impressive Randall Cobb. Also, look for Ezekiel Elliot to get going after a quiet Week 1 against New York.”  – Teddy Maiorca
“The Redskins suck. There is no way they win on Sunday, because they suck.” – Josh Neighbors 
Cowboys: 42
Redskins: 0
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
Sammy Watkins and Patrick Mahomes had enormous week ones. Tyreek Hill is out for the time being, but that shouldn’t slow this offense. Even though the Raiders looked good week one, it was against the Broncos. Don’t expect this game to be close.” – Korbett Koselak
“Oakland proved they don’t need AB to move the ball. KC will win this game, but it won’t be the blowout many people think. 34-27 final score.” – Ben Greenberger
Chiefs: 42
Raiders: 0
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams
“The game of the week will definitely be Saints and Rams. Fans have been wanting a rematch of the NFC Championship due to the blown calls by the officials. I think this game stays close throughout but the Rams defense will be the X-Factor.” – Nick Swanson
“Saints win over the Rams. Rematch of last year’s NFC championship, only this time the refs aren’t going to get in the way. It will be a high scoring game, but in this shootout I have to go with the veteran Drew Brees with the highest paid receiver in the league, over the Rams’ recently paid Goff. Ultimately we will see who is worth the money, but I think the saints win this high scoring game 41-35.” – Davis Suppes
Saints: 26 
Rams: 16
Sunday Night: Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons
Washington grabbed an early 17-0 lead over Philadelphia, but the Eagles stormed back thanks in large part to two 50+ yard touchdowns from Carson Wentz to DeSean Jackson.
The Falcons offense sputtered in Minnesota mustering just 12 points all game and none in the first three quarters. Both teams look to make statements in a marquee matchup week two. 
Eagles: 36
Falcons: 6
Monday Night: Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets
“Le’Veon Bell should have a feast day against the Cleveland Browns. Bell is one of the best dual-threat running backs in football. The Browns struggled to contain Derrick Henry and the running game of the Tennessee Titans last week and the same with happen with Bell.” – Nick Catlin
“Yeah, the Browns played awful last week but I feel that they will come back better than ever. There is no easier matchup to come back from than a game with the Jets. The Browns will win, and they’ll win big.”  – Patrick Herion
“It’s a week we here inside Daniel’s mind call “bounce back.” Browns over the Jets is as “lock” as Drewrue himself. I know from reading about the legend of the 2019 Browns that it gets real good starting week 2. Call me teller ’cause I’m banking on it.” – Daniel Virag
Browns: 34
Jets: 8
Edited by Korbett Koselak | ktk2b2@mail.missouri.edu

© 2024 KCOU. All Rights Reserved.