In Week One, the NFC North games were spread out from Thursday evening through late afternoon on Sunday. In Week Two, all four games are taking place simultaneously, during the early-game time slot on Sunday afternoon.
The Bears, who were lucky to escape Week One with a win, will be playing in Dallas against the frustrated 0-1 Cowboys. I have no doubt which is the better team, and with it being played on the better team’s field, I think the only question is by how much Dallas will win.
The luckless Lions, meanwhile, get to host the Philadelphia Eagles. I will be very interested to see Michael Vick against that Detroit defensive line and scheme. No team wants to open up 0-2, and so everyone involved will feel that there’s a lot at stake. If the game were in Philly, I’d give the Lions no chance. Even as it is, I don’t give them much of a chance. I predict a Lion loss.
The Vikings also get to play at home this week, and they’ve had a long week to prepare for the visiting Dolphins. Miami didn’t look great in their Week One win, and so I expect Minnesota to rebound here and even their record at 1-1.
Finally, the Packers get to host the Bills. Buffalo is reputedly one of the worst teams in the league and we are presumably one of the best. Plus, it’s the home opener at Lambeau. No contest, right? Last year’s debacle in Tampa makes me reluctant to speak with too much confidence about this game, but I do think we’ll get the job done. Look for Green Bay to advance to 2-0 and an early sole possession of first place in the NFC North.
Meanwhile, it seems to me that the most interesting games this week are all in the AFC.
The Ravens in Cincy should be fascinating. Baltimore looked dominant, while the Bengals came into the season with high hopes that were summarily dashed by New England’s beat-down.
Speaking of New England, they play the Jets this weekend, which is a match-up roughly equivalent to the Ravens-Bengals game. Another game in which the home team had great expectations but underperformed in Week One, and now has to host a tough 1-0 divisional opponent in Week Two.
Finally, I am interested, too, to see how the Steelers fare against the Titans. I think they dodged a bullet last week against the disappointing Falcons. I’d be very surprised if they could get out of Tennessee 2-0.
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