NFL Picks and Predictions – Week 2

NFL Picks – Cardinals at Colts

Both teams are 0-1 and in need of a win.  Also each team will be without it’s best player as the Colts’ Andrew Luck is still not ready to play and the Cardinals running back David Johnson is out indefinitely with a wrist injury.

With Luck not playing that means the Colts will have to go with either Scott Tolzien or Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.  Tolzien struggled mightily last week and Brissett is new and still learning the system.  This gives the Cardinals defense an advantage.

However, the Cardinals must figure out how to replace Johnson’s production on offense. He’s not only their best running back but their best receiver as well.  So it’s on head coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer to find ways to put points on the board  minus David Johnson.

I think the Cardinals offense still has enough weapons to score on the Colts defense.  But the Colt’s offense will struggle against the Arizona Cardinals defense.   Cardinals will bounce back in week two and get the win on the road.

Winner:   Cardinals

Score prediction:       23-16  Cardinals  

Points spread:      Cardinals  -7.0

Over/under:  44 – Under

1:00 pm – FOX

NFL Picks – Titans at Jaguars

A huge battle in the AFC South early in the season.  The Jacksonville Jaguars have a shot a going 2-0 and vaulting themselves to the top of the division and the Tennessee Titans are trying to stave off an 0-2 start.

The Jaguars defense dominated the Houston Texans in week one .and will look for that to continue into week 2.  HOwever, the Titans quarterback situation is better than the Jags will face when they take on the Titans.

There’s no Tom Savage and there’s no rookie in Deshaun Watson for the defense to confuse.  The Titans’ Marcus Mariota is one of the up and coming quarterbacks in the NFL, so he presents the Jaguars with some problems.

So how will the Jaguars respond to  higher expectations?  They got the big win against the Texans but can they keep the momentum going?  I don’t think they will and it comes down to the quarterbacks.

This is a game where the Jaguars can’t protect Blake Bortles.  At some point he will have to make some plays and take some chances in order for the Jaguars to win.  Marcus Mariota is a quarterback who can do that.  Bortles isn’t.  Titans win a close one on the road.

Winner:   Titans

Score prediction:       23-20  Titans  

Points spread:      Titans  -2.0

Over/under:  42.5 – Over

1:00 pm – CBS