Piece by Andrew Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
The 1st battle of Ohio has arrived, and the Browns’ defensive line is ready to take on Joe Burrow and Cincinnati. I predict that the Browns’ two key defensive linemen for week two are likely to be Myles Garrett and Sheldon Richardson. In 2019, Garrett had 10 sacks and Richardson had 10 tackles against Cincinnati. Garrett and Richardson should have at least eight tackles and two sacks for a Browns’ victory.
My Prediction: Browns 30- Bengals 24
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ defense will easily slow down the Jaguar offense. The Titans’ Head Coach Mike Vrabel and new defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be key figures who will help their team win. Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel has a new plan to lead a collaborative effort with his assistants and has hired linebacker coach Jason Haslett to boost the defense. The Jaguar offense was 20th in yards allowed per game (341.7 yards) and suffered in the offseason after they released lead rusher Leonard Fournette. As a member of the 2018 Houston Texans, Clowney recorded 8 tackles while limiting the Jaguars to 10 points in 2 games. The Jaguars struggling rushing game will give the Titan defense opportunities to get more tackles and give the TItans an easy win.
My Prediction: Titans 34- Jaguars 7
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Tom Brady may have a 3-3 record against the Panthers but he’ll outperform the Panthers offense in week two. I predict the Buccaneers’ key offensive player for the week will be wide receiver Chris Godwin. In September 2019, Godwin had a career day as he helped the Buccaneers win by receiving 121 yards on 8 receptions against the Panther defense. In 2019, the Panthers were 22nd in yards allowed per game. Godwin should get another 121 yards against the Panthers defense to help the Buccaneers sail to victory.
My Prediction: Buccaneers 35- Panthers 24
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Even though Ben Roethlisberger is looking to make a comeback this season, I predict that running back James Conner will carry 56 more yards to give the Steelers a victory over the Broncos. When the Steelers last played the Broncos, Conner led the team with 53 rushing yards. Broncos’ weaker defense can be attributed to the loss of linebacker Von Miller who suffered a season-ending injury two weeks ago during practice.
My Prediction: Steelers 28- Broncos 17
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Rams will want revenge on the Eagles for beating them in 2 straight matchups, but they will have their work cut out for them. Wide receiver Robert Woods is coming off 2 straight 1,000 receiving yard seasons and will be a key player again. The last time the Rams lost to the Eagles, Woods was 2nd on the team with 74 receiving yards. In 2019, the Eagles defense allowed 332 yards per game which should create room for Woods to get 85 receiving yards to help the Rams get the win.
My Prediction: Rams 28- Eagles 25
San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets
49ers will win by a horrible Jets defensive line. In 2019, the Jets had one of the worst defensive lines in the NFL with 273 yards allowed per game. The Jets are no match for the 49ers after losing All-Pro safety Jamal Adams. The 49ers’ key offensive player will be tight end George Kittle. Kittle hasn’t faced the Jets yet, but he has 2 straight 1,000+ receiving yard seasons. He will record 60 yards to help the 49ers get an easy win.
My Prediction: 49ers 37- Jets 17
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
The Bills defense will shut down a terrible Dolphins offense. In 2019, The Dolphins had one of the worst offenses averaging only 4,960 total yards. The Bills key player will be cornerback Tre’ Davius White who will help the Bills slow down the Dolphins’ offense. In 2019, the Bills had one of the best defenses in the league as cornerback Tre’ Davius White recorded 55 tackles including 11 against the Dolphins. White will record 5 tackles against the Dolphins to help the Bills get the win.
My Prediction: Bills 30- Dolphins 16
Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
However, the Colts offense will come out as the winners since Quarterback Philip Rivers will overcome the Viking defense. As a 2019 Los Angeles Charger, he didn’t beat the Vikings but he threw over 300 passing yards against them. The Vikings lost talent in their defensive line after losing Everson Griffen. Rivers has thrown over 4,000 passing yards for 7 straight seasons. Rivers will throw 320 passing yards over the opposing defense to get a Colts victory.
My Prediction: Colts 28- Vikings 27
Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys
In 2019, the Falcons improved their defense and will beat the Cowboy offense. The Falcons key player will be linebacker Deion Jones who has 409 career tackles and 9 interceptions. As a member of the 2017 Falcons, Jones recorded 4 tackles including 2 tackles for losses against the Cowboys. The Cowboy offensive tackle La’el Collins has a hip injury which can make a hole in the Cowboy offense. Jones will get 3 tackles to help the Falcons hold off the Cowboy offense and get the win.
My Prediction: Falcons 24- Cowboys 23
New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears
The Bears defense will outperform the Giants offense. The Bears key player will be linebacker Raquan Smith who has 222 career tackles in 2 seasons including 4 tackles in a 2019 game against the Giants. In 2019, the Giants had a 22nd ranked offense that averaged 338.5 yards per game. Smith will record 3 tackles against the Giants to help the Bears win.
My Prediction: Bears 31- Giants 24
Washington Football Team vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals key player will be wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald who currently has the 2nd-most career receiving yards list with over 17,000 yards. The last time the Cardinals faced Washington, Fitzgerald led the team with 76 receiving yards and averaged 10.9 yards per carry. In 2019, Washington lost defensive coverage when cornerback Josh Norman was traded to the Buffalo Bills. Larry Fitzgerald will get 100 receiving yards against the Washington defense to get a Cardinal victory.
My Prediction: Cardinals 28- Washington 21
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chiefs will continue their road to another title by using wide receiver Tyreek Hill to dominate the Chargers defense. The Chargers suffered after they lost leading offensive tackle Thomas Davis. In the last Chiefs-Chargers game, Hill led the Chiefs with 61 receiving yards in a 31-21 win. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill will run for 60 receiving yards around the Charger defense and help the Chiefs win.
My Prediction: Chiefs 34- Chargers 12
Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will rush through the Texans defense that lost linebacker D.J. Reader in the offseason. In 2019, the Ravens had one of the best offenses in the league as Jackson led the team with 3,127 passing and 1,206 rushing yards. In 2019, Jackson threw for 222 yards as the Ravens crushed the Texans 41-7. Jackson will get for 320 passing yards and 95 rushing yards to give the Ravens an easy win.
My Prediction: Ravens 41- Texans 17
New Orleans Saints vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will run through the Raider defense. After losing Khalil Mack, the Raider defense is still struggling after allowing over 5,677 total yards in 2019. As a member of the 2019 Denver Broncos, Sanders got 82 receiving yards and averaged 17.2 yards per attempt. Sanders will receive 89 yards to help the Saints win.
My Prediction: Saints 33- Raiders 24
Comments