2011 NFL Week 2 Predictions by an Average Sports Fan

The first week of the 2011 NFL season gave us plenty of high scores and unexpected winners like the Buffalo Bill or the Cincinnati Bengals. Can these teams keep it up or will NFL fans see the team revert to their old forms?

These are the predictions for the game from Week 2 of the 2011 NFL Season. Hopefully I shall do a better job this week than the 9-7 record I posted to open the season. Especially since I am participating in a NFL Pick'em Contest with quality competition.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

The Jaguars, who managed to escape Tennessee with a narrow win, will now face the Jets, who are going to be riding high from their last minute win over Dallas. If the Jaguars are going to win, they need even more from Maurice Jones-Drew who scampered for 97 yards last week. The Jets defense is going to shut down the Jaguars offense and keep them in check the entire time while they fine tune their running game.

Jets 31 Jaguars 10

Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans

Even though the Ravens are fresh off a dominating win over their division rival, do not expect them to take the Titans lightly. Especially their wide receiver Kenny Britt, who hauled in 5 receptions for 136 yards with 2 touchdowns during open weekend. Maybe Chris Johnson should take lessons from the Ravens' Ray Rice on how to be a dual threat out of the backfield? The Ravens are going to be one of the top teams in the AFC this year and will easily handle the Titans.

Ravens 27 Titans 10

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions

During the opening weekend, the Chiefs fell flat on their face when they were embarrassed by Buffalo. On the flip side, the Lions opened with a solid win on the road. The Chiefs are going to have a difficult time against the Lions defense that only gave up 56 yards on the ground. The Lions will remain in a groove this week and come away with a win at home to go 2-0 this season.

Lions 31 Chiefs 17

Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins

Each team enters this contest with a 1-0 record after winning their home openers for the 2011 NFL season. Both teams are coming off impressive wins where their respective quarterbacks, Rex Grossman and Kevin Kolb, each threw for more than 300 yards. While each team will try to run the ball, their passing units will win the game. Whichever quarterback makes the least mistakes will end up on the winning side.

Redskins 24 Cardinals 17

Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints

Even in the loss, the Saints served noticed that they are a team to be reckoned with this season. Their offense is capable of putting up points even when their defense is unable to stop the opponent. Meanwhile the Bears showed us that last year was not a fluke and they are going to be a difficult team to play this year. The big difference in the game is going to be the turnovers tossed by Cutler.

Saints 28 Bears 24

Oakland Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills

The Bills came out like gangbusters last week and exploded for 41 points against a playoff team from 2010. The Raiders will bring with them a running game led by Darren McFadden who sliced and diced his way through the Broncos defense. The Bills offense will find some holes in the Raiders' defense, just enough to give them a narrow win as Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to shine as their quarterback.

Bills 24 Raiders 21

Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts

Maybe the Browns inability to stop the Bengals last week was a result of them being rusty from the lockout. If not, this is going to be a long season for Cleveland fans. They will be taking on a Colts team that is trying to find their identity since they will be without the services of Peyton Manning for an undetermined amount of time. Kerry Collins will have a better grasp of the playbook this week but it won't be enough.

Browns 24 Colts 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Some may say the Buccaneers were close to winning the game but in reality they were lucky to have a shot at the end. Their running game was unable to find any room last week, something that will need to change against the Vikings who did a good job holding the Chargers in check. The Vikings are going to be competitive this year but will not have enough to win the close games.

Buccaneers 24 Vikings 20

Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers

After Cam Newton threw for over 400 yards against the Cardinals, the NFL fans began to drool at the thought of another shootout between the Panthers and the Packers. They will be disappointed when the Packers attacking defense gives the rookie quarterback problems and hold him in check. The Packers are going to continue to show why they are the top dog in the NFL with a road win.

Packers 31 Panthers 14

Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

If you are looking for the team who has the most to prove this week, look no further than the Steelers. After they were embarrassed by the Ravens, they are going to be ready to welcome the Seahawks to their home turf. This is not good for the Seahawks' quarterback Tavaris Jackson who looked serviceable last week. The defense is going to make life a living hell for him and lead the Steelers to a win.

Steelers 27 Seahawks 10

Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Cowboys lost a game thanks to several bone head plays, one in particular by their quarterback Tony Romo. Expect to see a heavy helping of Felix Jones this week as the Boys try to earn a win against a 49ers unit that was led by their defense. The Cowboys defense is going to control the tempo of this game and earn them an easy win on the road.

Cowboys 31 49ers 10

Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins

The good news for the Dolphins and the Texans is that they showed from week one that they are going to be able to put some points up on the board. The problem is that they will need to be consistent this year with their production. The Texans running game is going to give them the edge as they earn a win for the first road game of the year.

Texans 28 Dolphins 24

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos

The Bengals were one of the big shockers during the opening week of the NFL season and will be primed to take on a Broncos team that is coming off Monday Night Football and is still trying to find their runnin game. The Bengals have a decent running game that will protect their quarterback and give them some running room. The game will be a close one and the deciding factor is going to be the turnover margin.

Bengals 24 Broncos 20

San Diego Chargers vs. New England Patriots

The Chargers had a nice come from behind win against the Vikings and will be prepared when they go on the road to face the Patriots, whose offense looks in mid-season form. NFL fans will have the chance to see two of the best, Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers, go head-to-head in an aerial assault that is going to make mincemeat of the passing defenses. Makes you wonder if they could combine for over 1,000 yards passing in the game.

Patriots 31 Chargers 27

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons

After a slow start, the Eagles bounced back and showed the rest of the NFL why they are going to be one of the heavy favorites to advance deep into the playoffs. On the flip side, the Falcons looked nothing like the team that won 13 games last year. The story line all week will be the return of Michael Vick to the Atlanta. The Eagles offense is going to be too much and they will keep the Falcons winless on the year.

Eagles 31 Falcons 21

St. Louis Rams vs. New York Giants

While the Rams lost in Week one, they are much more concerned about the health of their key players, Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson. The Giants are still smarting from a loss to the rival Redskins. The Rams are going to rely upon Cadillac Williams and their defense to should the load. In the end, the Giants are going to squeak by with a win despite two more turnovers by Eli Manning.

Giants 17 Rams 10

2011 NFL Season Record 9-7