After Week 1, 16 teams are without a win while the other 16 teams are undefeated. Here’s what results we could be seeing by the end of Monday night:
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns (TNF @ 8:20pm): Both teams struggled to begin the 2020 season with a lackluster offense for both the Bengals and Browns. Cleveland could not hold a candle to their powerhouse rival Baltimore Ravens, as Joe Burrow could not become the first rookie QB since David Carr in 2002 to accomplish a win in their first NFL game. After this game, one of these teams will be 1-1 with renewed hope in their own way. Baker Mayfield couldn’t capitalize a potentially big offense that the Ravens’ defense overpowered, while Burrow struggled to utilize his weapons in Joe Mixon, A.J. Green, and Tyler Boyd. The team with a better chance to play offensively could be Cleveland with a home game to be what they have not been in forever.
PREDICTION: Cleveland wins 20-17
New York Giants @ Chicago Bears (1pm): As if the offense for both Cleveland and Cincinnati wasn’t bad enough in Week 1, both the Giants and Bears had their own struggles on offense, but Chicago was the one that was able to revamp their offense late in the game at Detroit with just enough time for a comeback win. Offense could once again be a struggle for both teams at Soldier Field, so another defensive battle could be featured between these two teams, and from the looks of things, Chicago at home could barely etch out the Giants once again.
PREDICTION: Chicago wins 23-14
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles (1pm): It has been almost 16 years since the Rams defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, and despite everything they have, the Eagles have always mentioned to be better. But, things can be different this time around. The Eagles do have a lot to learn after blowing a 17-point lead in D.C. against the Washington Football Team. The Rams have appeared to pass their first toughest test of the season with their new changes after they defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles have won at L.A. in the last two matchups, but the Rams, with their defense consisting of veteran Aaron Donald, may finally have the edge this time around.
PREDICTION: Rams win 31-20
Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys (1pm): Atlanta and Dallas can be tough offensively, but both teams appear to have suffered problems defensively. The Falcons do not appear to have enough talent to play defense well after giving up 38 points to Seattle, while Dallas lost big weapons on defense such as Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee. If anything, a shootout is expected in Arlington on Sunday afternoon, and with both teams having big-time offensive players, the Cowboys’ offensive line continues to play to the best of their abilities, and despite only 17 points at SoFi Stadium, expect a whole lot more from Dak Prescott and his lethal weapons.
PREDICTION: Dallas wins 34-28
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1pm): Anyone’s guess in this NFC South rivalry what could be expected. The Panthers kept it close against the Raiders last week but could not contain Josh Jacobs to keep him from taking them down. For Brady, he nearly slumped in his Bucs debut and barely had Mike Evans after he was almost inactive, and Chris Godwin has entered the concussion protocol. Brady has been more use to winning than losing in his career, and it may still be a process for him to be with someone new. The Saints were difficult as they have been the last few years, but the Panthers may be relatively better for Brady, as he may finally get his first win over Carolina since before Cam Newton was drafted by them in 2011.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers win 30-21
San Francisco 49ers @ New York Jets (1pm): It may not have been too much of a surprise when the Jets looked weak at Buffalo, but it was a big surprise when Kyler Murray found his first win ever over Jimmy G and the 49ers at Levi Stadium. The offense was already hit when Deebo Samuel has injured during the offseason, but a silver lining may have happened with the signing of Mohammed Sanu early this week. Reuniting with Kyle Shanahan, Sanu could be the missing piece for the 49ers offense that has what they need to trample over the Jets.
PREDICTION: 49ers win 35-17
Denver Broncos @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1pm): Big Ben looked stellar in his return from injury and has given the Steelers a chance to see the light at the end of the tunnel as their first home game of the season will be hosting the Denver Broncos, coming off a late loss to the Tennessee Titans thanks to a chip shot by Stephen Gostkowski after struggling earlier in the game. The Broncos’ offense is unpredictable, and even if there is a problem for the Steelers’ banged-up O-line, their defense has risen up to the challenge and can overcome Drew Lock.
PREDICTION: Steelers win 28-16
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans (1pm): Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars spoiled Phillip Rivers’ debut as a Colt with a lot of unspoken heroes rising up, giving them something to think about for the entire season other than tanking for Trevor Lawrence. The Titans barely escaped a win in Denver after Gostkowski’s missed field goals nearly cost Tennessee the game, until he hit one with less than 15 seconds to go. Derrick Henry’s carries Monday night nearly failed to support his rushing yards, but against Jacksonville, it can be a very different story.
PREDICTION: Titans win 27-17
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (1pm): It’s what everyone expects; Detroit continues to fail and Green Bay continues to rise. The Packers more than rose to the occasion in Minneapolis last week as the underdog by smashing the Vikings’ defense, with the Packers’ star receiver Davante Adams putting up a career performance. With Green Bay’s first game at Lambeau Field this season coming up, expect nothing less from Aaron Rodgers and his offense that can remain strong.
PREDICTION: Packers win 34-17
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins (1pm): Buffalo took a great start to the game last week against the Jets as their step towards improving with each season. Playing at Miami may once again be an easy win for Josh Allen and the Bills. Fitzpatrick could not spoil the Pats at Foxborough the same way they did in last year’s regular-season finale, and with both sides of the team still unclear with their identity, they may struggle at home.
PREDICTION: Buffalo wins 30-14
Minnesota Vikings @ Indianapolis Colts (1pm): To begin the season, both the Vikings and Colts had big expectations, but laid an egg in their own ways last week, as the Vikings’ defense got exposed by the Packers, and the Colts got upset by the Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Both teams may try to rebound this upcoming weekend, and have different strategies. Kirk Cousins struggled early with his offense last week, and after a good start for the Colts, Rivers started to struggle and is still looking for his first win as a Colt. The Colts offense will look different with Marlon Mack out for the rest of the season, leaving rookie RB Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines to support the ground game, and with stepping up, they can light up the Vikings too.
PREDICTION: Colts win 29-24
Washington Football Team @ Arizona Cardinals (4:05pm): Washington surprised many people last week after doing to the Eagles what the Eagles did to them last year: come back from an early 17-point deficit at home to take down their NFC East rival. The Eagles appeared to have it all, but Washington’s defense made 8 sacks and Boston Scott failed to be very effective in Miles Sanders’ absence due to injury. If Washington wants to spoil the Cardinals, defense will have to be big once more. But, Kyler Murray has appeared to find the right ingredient on offense with DeAndre Hopkins putting up a stellar performance in his Cardinals debut, shocking San Francisco. Murray has himself and Kenyan Drake to run anywhere, and play his weapons correctly.
PREDICTION: Cardinals win 33-21
Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans (4:25pm): One of the youngest AFC QB rivalries is renewed at NRG Stadium. Baltimore did everything right when they overpowered Cleveland last week, while Houston looks to rebound after their season-opening game at Kansas City did not look too pretty. Baltimore dominated Houston last season, but if Watson can get his receivers in line, the offense will improve as David Johnson looked like a running back that the Texans can rely on. Baltimore plays defense big, but Houston’s attempt at revenge may be enough.
PREDICTION: Texans win 28-27
Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers (4:25pm): After a rough start, Tyrod Taylor’s debut as a Charger was enough thanks to a Bengals’ OPI and missed game-tying FG by Randy Bullock to go 1-0. However, the Chargers just barely defeated the Bengals, and playing against Kansas City is a whole different ball game. The Chiefs looked great on offense as they usually do against Houston, and despite the Chargers holding Joe Burrow to 13 points, Joey Bosa may start to get overwhelmed by Patrick Mahomes’ passing attack in the air and rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Hilaire attack on the ground.
PREDICTION: Chiefs win 35-16
New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks (SNF @ 8:20pm): The rivalry between the Patriots and Seahawks appeared to begin in 2012, and since then, the Seahawks have won 3 of the last 4 games, with their lone loss in Super Bowl XLIX. However, with Brady in Tampa Bay, Cam Newton’s rivalry with Russell Wilson continues, and after taking down Miami last week, this will be one of the toughest tests for Newton this season. The Seahawks’ offense overpowered the Falcons with 38 points last week, and despite a tough Patriots’ defense, the Seahawks have found answers in the regular season to bring the Pats to their knees, and Wilson will see a Patriots QB compete with him for rushing yards.
PREDICTION: Seahawks win 27-20
New Orleans Saints @ Las Vegas Raiders (MNF @ 8:15pm): The Raiders will host the powerhouse at Saints in their first game ever at Allegiant Stadium. Both of these teams have a purpose this season, and the Saints are once again poised for a championship run, while the Raiders have continued their attempts at improvement. Josh Jacobs’ performance last week gives a big boost to the ground game, while the weapons for Derek Carr could be better, as Henry Ruggs is shaking off an injury, Waller trying to best their star TE, and Nelson Agholor bringing in Carr’s lone TD pass. The Saints are ready to play too, but with Michael Thomas out for a while with a high-ankle injury, the Raiders are eyeing an upset, and are within their rights to surprise Drew Brees.
PREDICTION: Raiders win 31-28
Zachary Wilson 