I didn’t have the
best week in week 1. I went 9-7 in this contest but I’m hoping to rebound in
week 2. I if you have any comments or want to join in the fun you can reach me
at garyldibertonsports.blogspot.com
RAVENS (1-0) AT
BENGALS (1-0)
THURSDAY, 8:20 P.M. ET, PAUL BROWN STADIUM, CINCINNATI
TV: NFL Network
LINE: Ravens by 1 1 / 2
RAVENS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The Ravens will want to keep spreading it out to keep the
defense honest. Baltimore’s 47-3 win over Buffalo featured three players with
seven or more carries and seven targets with three or more catches, which could
negate a strong Cincinnati pass rush. Baltimore’s defense will try to shatter
the rhythm with the pass rush. Baltimore broke through for six sacks in Week 1
(two by DB Tavon Young ),which is big against a timing- based
Cincinnati offense that rattled off 24 second-half points against the
Indianapolis Colts.
BENGALS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Cincinnati wants to get DE Carl Lawson involved.
The defense struggled when Indianapolis kept two tight ends on the field,
forcing the Bengals to stay in a base 4-3. QB Joe Flacco can carve up a defense
if he gets comfortable, something Lawson prevents. RB Joe Mixon set
up the deep-hitters by rushing for 95 yards and a score on a 5.6 per-carry
average in Week 1 and turned seven targets into five catches for 54 yards.
Doing so against Baltimore will keep the defense guessing and spaced.
WHO WINS?
If this were a normal Sunday game it would be easier to buy
into Cincinnati’s strong second half, but the slow start and recent history
suggest a 47-point offense and six-sack defense should prevail in crunch time
against a familiar foe. RAVENS, 24-21
PANTHERS (1-0) AT
FALCONS (0-1)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM, ATLANTA
TV: Fox
LINE: Falcons by 4 1 / 2
PANTHERS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The Panthers beat the Cowboys 16-8 in their season opener
but also saw TE Greg Olsen and OT Daryl Williams get
injured. The Panthers have to continue using QB Cam Newton and RB Christian
McCaffrey heavily as rushers. They also need one of their receivers outside
of Devin Funchess to produce. Against Dallas, the rest of the
Carolina wide receivers had four catches for 38 yards. The Panthers defensive
backs (CB James Bradberry in particular) must do a better job of
covering WR Julio Jones, who had 198 receiving yards in two games between the
teams last season.
FALCONS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Falcons QB Matt Ryan has to be more
accurate and timely with his passes. Ryan was sacked four times and had a
passer rating of 57.4 in a Week 1 loss to Philadelphia. Carolina’s front seven
is nasty as well, so RT Ryan Schraeder will also have to step
up his game after allowing nine pressures in the season opener. TE Austin
Hooper and rookie WR Calvin Ridley have to bounce back
after quiet debuts. Defensively, Falcons DE Vic Beasley must
get more pressure on QB Cam Newton than he did on QB Nick Foles, whom he didn’t
hit once.
WHO WINS?
Ryan is much better than the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, and
he’ll be the difference in Week 2. FALCONS, 27-24 Tim Weaver
COLTS (0-1) AT
REDSKINS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, FEDEXFIELD, LANDOVER, MARYLAND
TV: CBS
LINE: Redskins by 5 1 / 2
COLTS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The Colts will find success against the Redskins if they are
able to establish an up-tempo rhythm on offense. Getting the ball out of Andrew
Luck’s hands quickly will ensure he stays clean in the pocket and it
will help set up big plays downfield. The continued use of the tight end
position with Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron will also
open things up for the offense. On defense, the Colts will want to keep Alex
Smith in the pocket and force him to make throws. Allowing him to extend plays
outside of the pocket could prove to be too much for the young defense.
REDSKINS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
A smart aerial attack by Alex Smith as well
as strong performances from RBs Adrian Peterson and Chris
Thompson will force the Colts on their heels all game long. Washington
will also need its tough offensive line to continue to do the dirty work that
allows the offense to thrive. Defensively, Washington will focus on pressuring
Luck, which could keep the Colts from getting into any offensive rhythm. But
Washington’s secondary, led by Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar, will
factor heavily in limiting Luck’s options.
WHO WINS?
With Smith guiding its offense, Washington takes advantage
of Indianapolis on its home field. The Colts present a tough challenge, though.
REDSKINS 23-17
TEXANS (0-1) AT
TITANS (0-1)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, NISSAN STADIUM, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
TV: CBS
LINE: No line
TEXANS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
QB Deshaun Watson has to get off to a
faster start. He was 5 of 13 for 61 yards with an interception in the first
half in Week 1 at New England, and then went 12 of 21 for 115 yards and a
touchdown in the second half. If he puts together a complete game, the Texans
offense will have a much better rhythm. Tennessee’s offensive line is banged
up, so getting pressure with DE Jadeveon Clowney and DE J.J.
Watt will be essential for Houston’s defense.
TITANS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Tennessee was disjointed on offense for much of the opener
at Miami, which lasted more than seven hours because of lightning delays. QB Marcus
Mariota threw two bad interceptions, RB Derrick Henry never
got rolling (26 yards on 10 carries) and WR Rishard Matthews had
zero targets. The Titans need more from those three if they’re going to move
the football against Houston, especially with TE Delanie Walker
injured.
WHO WINS?
The Titans offense didn’t instill much confidence with its
performance in the season opener. It won’t get easier with TE Delanie Walker sidelined
by an ankle injury. The Texans hung tough against the Patriots and might have
won if they had gotten off to a better start. Houston seems readier for this
game, especially if the injuries to Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota (elbow) and Pro
Bowl LT Taylor Lewan (concussion) keep them out. TEXANS,
24-13
EAGLES (1-0) AT
BUCS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM, TAMPA, FLORIDA
TV: Fox
LINE: Eagles by 3
EAGLES’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The ugly wins still count, and Eagles fans are thankful for
that after their season-opening victory over the Falcons. QB Nick Foles
has had plenty of success against the Bucs, so the quarterback situation
shouldn’t be a huge concern for the defending Super Bowl champions. On both
sides of the ball, Philly will use its schematic creativity to catch the Bucs
off guard. The Bucs held off the Saints in large part by avoiding any turnovers
on offense, and the Eagles will need to force takeaways if they want to stay
undefeated.
BUCCANEERS’ KEYS
TO VICTORY
In a Week 1 upset of the Saints, the Bucs proved they have
the firepower to win a shootout. The biggest questions that remain: Can they
replicate that output consistently, and can their defense be effective enough
to make it unnecessary? Sure, Tampa Bay tied a franchise record with 48 points
at New Orleans, but it needed them all because the defense gave up 40 to Drew
Brees and company. Bucs fans can’t expect 400-yard, five touchdown performances
with no turnovers from backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick every week.
WHO WINS?
Both of these teams won last week, but the mood is decidedly
different for each club because of the ways they made it happen. The Bucs will
get deflated by a more experienced team. EAGLES, 34-24
CHIEFS (1-0) AT
STEELERS (0-0-1)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, HEINZ FIELD, PITTSBURGH
TV: CBS
LINE: Steelers by 5
CHIEFS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Kansas City allowed 424 yards passing and 123 yards rushing
in a 38-28 Week 1 win over the Chargers. After Steelers RB James Conner get
nearly 200 yards of offense against the Browns, the Chiefs will need to tighten
up their defense. They have also introduced some option concepts, which got QB Patrick
Mahomes, hit hard, and they could adjust to protect him better. In its
Week 1 tie vs. the Browns, Pittsburgh had 10 hits and seven sacks on Cleveland
QB Tyrod Taylor. Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill had three total
touchdowns (one on a punt return).Mahomes found two other receivers
for touchdowns, but the Chiefs managed just 106 yards rushing. Better
balance on offense would help.
STEELERS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Pittsburgh has some soul searching to do after its tie, in
which QB Ben Roethlisberger accounted for five turnovers. The
defense looked elite at times but allowed Taylor to rush eight times for 77
yards (a warning sign considering Mahomes is mobile) and the Browns to average
4.7 yards per carry. Some Pittsburgh defensive players, such as CB Artie Burns, must
play with more discipline. Without holdout RB Le’Veon Bell, it’s
too early to tell if this team is a Super Bowl contender or an
inconsistent group.
WHO WINS?
I’m a Steeler fan through and through. I covered the as a
reporter for 33 years. However what the Steelers showed me against the Browns
that they weren’t ready to play. Will Big Ben show up this week? Let’s hope so.
Momentum is king, and the Chiefs have it. CHIEFS, 35-28
DOLPHINS (1-0) AT
JETS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, METLIFE STADIUM, EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW
JERSEY
TV: CBS
LINE: Even
JETS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
If the Jets give QB Sam Darnold space to
operate, they should be fine against a lackluster Dolphins team. Darnold has
the mobility, accuracy and arm strength to extend plays on his own, and he’s
coming off the Week 1 high of a blowout loss over the Lions. But the offensive
line still needs to consistently prove it can give him time in the pocket to
take shots down the field. The line struggled mightily last season, but the
unit looks much improved with the addition of C Spencer Long and
healthier incumbents.
DOLPHINS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Just as the Jets need to protect Darnold to win, the
Dolphins need to knock down the rookie. Miami boasts a better pass
rush than New York saw against the Lions. Defensive ends Cameron Wake and
Robert Quinn will keep the Jets busy in the trenches, giving Miami a
shot at rattling Darnold.
WHO WINS?
The Dolphins shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Jets
aside from their pass rush. Even if the rush succeeds, Darnold has the
composure and athleticism to shake off and avoid sacks. Miami’s other top
threat is its WR core with DeVante Parker , Danny Amendola and
Kenny Stills , but the Jets secondary should have no problem
shutting them and QB Ryan Tannehill down. It intercepted
Matthew Stafford four times in Week 1. JETS, 21-10
CHARGERS (0-1) AT
BILLS (0-1)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, NEW ERA FIELD, ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK
TV: CBS
LINE: Chargers by 7 1 / 2
CHARGERS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Buffalo, look no
further than the Chargers’ 54-24 defeat of the visiting Bills last year for
your keys. The Bills offensive line has been in shambles in 2018. With or
without DE Joey Bosa (foot), the Chargers should spend plenty of
time in Buffalo’s backfield. The Bills defense has struggled just as much. QB Philip
Rivers should pick on Buffalo’s No. 2 cornerback, whoever it is —
either Phillip Gaines or 10-year veteran Vontae Davis, a healthy scratch in the
season opener.
BILLS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Get the offensive line fixed. Period. Buffalo needs to
get something going in the air or else opposing defenses are going to continue
to stack the box against RB LeSean McCoy. Buffalo wide
receivers didn’t do much to help the Bills quarterbacks in Week 1, either. WR Kelvin
Benjamin, who had one catch on seven targets in Week 1, has to show up.
Defensively, the Bills pass rush has to help out the secondary by stalling
drives. Baltimore had plenty of time to sling it against the Bills secondary.
WHO WINS?
Could the Bills really be as bad as they were against the
Ravens? We’ll find out. What’s more certain is that the Chargers, particularity
on offense, looked better against the Chiefs in their season-opening loss. CHARGERS,
31-10
VIKINGS (1-0) AT
PACKERS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, LAMBEAU FIELD, GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN
TV: Fox
LINE: Packers by 1 1 / 2
PACKERS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
QB Aaron Rodgers could play after injuring
his knee in the comeback win over the Bears, but he’ll need to be as well
protected as he was for long stretches in the second half of the opener. The
injury limited Rodgers to the pocket and forced quick, on-time throws. Can the
Packers execute the same plan against the Vikings’ fast, aggressive defense?
Green Bay’s defense will need to find ways to limit WRs Adam Thielen and Stefon
Diggs (145 receiving yards and a touchdown vs. the 49ers in QB Kirk Cousins’
debut). DeShone Keizer is Rodgers’ backup if he can’t go.
VIKINGS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Keeping Rodgers in the pocket shouldn’t be a problem, so the
Vikings will have a simple goal on defense: Shut down the quick throws and
collapse the pocket. Coach Mike Zimmer’s group has the talent
up front and in the secondary to get it done. On offense, the Vikings might
lean on RB Dalvin Cook, who produced 95 total yards in Week 1. The
Bears found success getting the ball to RBs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, who
combined for 148 total yards.
WHO WINS?
The Vikings should benefit greatly from Rodgers’ injury,
which could immobilize the MVP quarterback and take away his ability to extend
plays. Minnesota is balanced enough on offense to steal a win at Lambeau Field.
VIKINGS, 23-20
BROWNS (0-0-1) AT
SAINTS (0-1)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, MERCEDES-BENZ SUPERDOME, NEW ORLEANS
TV: Fox
LINE: Saints by 8
BROWNS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Saints DB Marshon Lattimore handled Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR
Mike Evans with ease last season but was lit up for seven catches and 147 yards
in the opener. Browns WR Josh Gordon is the same caliber of player
as Evans and maybe even better. The Saints also fielded a soft run defense,
providing opportunities for a strong Browns backfield loaded with RBs Carlos
Hyde, Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson Jr. QB Tyrod
Taylor can make plays with his legs, and the Saints allowed too many
easy gains to Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
SAINTS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The defense was shredded by Tampa Bay, never sacking QB Ryan
Fitzpatrick and logging just two unpenalized hits — one of those coming from
rookie DE Marcus Davenport. They were soft in run defense,
too, as Fitzpatrick scrambled untouched for two first downs and a score. The
Saints must dial up creative blitzing from DB Vonn Bell, physical
coverage from DB Marshon Lattimore and impactful play from DE
nCameron Jordan.
WHO WINS?
The Saints were handled by an opponent widely forecast to be
beneath them. The Browns punched far above their weight class in taking the
Pittsburgh Steelers deep into overtime and have the firepower to take advantage
if the Saints make more mistakes. BROWNS, 35-33
LIONS (0-1) AT
49ERS (0-1)
SUNDAY, 4:05 P.M. ET, LEVI’S STADIUM, SANTA CLARA,
CALIFORNIA
TV: Fox
LINE: 49ers by 3 1 / 2
LIONS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Detroit has to take advantage of weaknesses in the 49ers’
linebacking corps. That means using RB Theo Riddick and RB Kerryon
Johnson as receivers out of the backfield better than it did in Week
1and utilizing WR Golden Tate and WR Marvin Jones Jr. on
underneath routes. That also would help nullify some of the 49ers’ interior
pass rush, which came up with three sacks in Week 1. On defense, the Lions have
to take advantage of a sloppy 49ers offense that turned the ball over four
times in the opener.
49ERS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The 49ers’ turnovers against the Vikings included
a fumble at the 1yard line and three interceptions thrown by QB Jimmy
Garoppolo. They have to limit those crushing mistakes and convert in the
red zone. San Francisco went 1-for-4 in red zone tries, and its lone touchdown
was a miracle heave from Garoppolo to rookie WR Dante Pettis.
WHO WINS?
San Francisco left its Week 1 game against the Vikings
banged up at linebacker and in the offensive line. Despite a blowout loss to
the Jets in Week 1, the Lions bring in a fairly complete team that could
exploit some of the 49ers’ weaknesses. Even if Garoppolo plays better, the Lions
offense should have enough to win, especially if the 49ers don’t get healthier
by game time. LIONS, 27-24
CARDINALS (0-1) AT
RAMS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 4:05 P.M. ET, LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM
TV: Fox
LINE: Rams by 10
CARDINALS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Arizona looked overmatched in Week 1 against the Redskins,
offensively and defensively. The Cardinals have to get RB David Johnson more
involved after giving him nine carries against Washington. Johnson and WR Larry
Fitzgerald are Arizona’s top playmakers and possibly its only reliable
ones. QB Sam Bradford was accurate vs. Washington, but he has to
take more shots against a ballhawking Rams secondary.
RAMS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The Cardinals have one shutdown
cornerback, Patrick Peterson, but they’re suspect on the other
side of the field. CB Jamar Taylor struggles in coverage, and with the Rams’
talent at wide receiver, QB Jared Goff should be able to find
strong matchups away from Peterson with WR Robert Woods and WR Brandin
Cooks .He’d be wise to target Taylor and CB Bene’ Benwikere to move the
ball downfield more easily, which will open up things for RB Todd
Gurley.
WHO WINS?
Los Angeles is simply the better team here, particularly on
offense. The Cardinals are dependent on Johnson, so if the Rams can stop him,
they’ll come away with a win in Week 2. It’s still early in the season, but Los
Angeles should win this game fairly easily. RAMS, 35-24
PATRIOTS (1-0) AT
JAGUARS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, TIAA BANK STADIUM, JACKSONVILLE,
FLORIDA
TV: CBS
LINE: Patriots by 1 1 / 2
PATRIOTS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Teams with tough defensive lines usually give the Patriots
issues, as the Jaguars proved in the AFC Championship Game last season. The
most important task for the Patriots will be to keep QB Tom Brady upright.
The Patriots should focus on the rush — while the Jags’ passing defense was
statistically first last season, their rushing defense ranked 21st. They had
more problems in Week 1 trying to stop Giants RB Saquon Barkley, who rushed 18
times for 106 yards, including a 68-yard TD.
JAGUARS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The defense’s top priority will be to put heat on Brady, as
it did early and effectively in the AFC Championship Game. The unit is well
suited to do that and looked sharp again in the season opener. On offense, RB Leonard
Fournette will be the key to controlling the clock if he is good to go
after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1. QB Blake Bortles will
need to repeat the performance he had against the PATRIOTS IN JANUARY.
WHO WINS?
The Jags’ biggest mistakes in their last matchup with the
Patriots were mostly coaching ones — they weren’t aggressive enough. But Tom
Coughlin, the Jaguars’ executive vice president of football
operations, knows what it takes to beat Patriots coach Bill Belichick; he
did it twice in the Super Bowl. JAGUARS, 27-24
RAIDERS (0-1) VS.
BRONCOS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, BRONCOS STADIUM AT MILE HIGH,
DENVER
TV: CBS
LINE: Broncos by 4 1 / 2
BRONCOS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
QB Case Keenum needs to protect the
football better. Denver was able to overcome Keenum’s three interceptions
against the Seahawks, but the Broncos likely won’t be able to do that on a
consistent basis, especially against tougher opponents. Rookie RB Phillip
Lindsay gained 102 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown against
Seattle, and the Broncos should continue to feed him. On defense, Denver’s
formula is simple: get after the quarterback, and it produced six sacks and two
interceptions in Week 1.
RAIDERS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Protecting QB Derek Carr will be
imperative. Denver OLBs Von Miller and Bradley Chubb combined to record
3 1 / 2 sacks in the opener, and Oakland’s offense won’t be able
to get into a rhythm if Carr is taking a lot of hits. RT Donald Penn allowed
only three sacks last season, so he appears up to the task. But rookie LT Kolton
Miller might have a tough time going up against either Von Miller or
Chubb.
WHO WINS?
Denver is carrying momentum from a 27-24 season-opening win
over the Seahawks. Denver is always tough at home and will be tough to beat if
Keenum (329 yards passing in Week 1) cuts down on his interceptions. BRONCOS,
28-17
GIANTS (0-1) AT
COWBOYS (0-1)
SUNDAY, 8:20 P.M. ET, AT& T STADIUM, ARLINGTON, TEXAS
TV: NBC
LINE: Cowboys by 3 1 ⁄ 2
GIANTS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The Giants couldn’t protect QB Eli Manning or
open running lanes against the Jaguars, which led to forced throws and third-and
long situations. Against Dallas, the Giants must establish the run, work off
the play-action pass and allow Manning time to go through his reads.
Defensively, it will be all about stopping RB Ezekiel Elliott and finding a way
to pressure QB Dak Prescott without letting him take off. That latter tactic
has proven Prescott vulnerable.
COWBOYS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
It will be simple: Take advantage of the
Giants’ poor offensive line and put consistent pressure on Eli Manning
while meeting Saquon Barkley and the other running backs in the backfield. On
the opposite side of the ball, it will be all about taking advantage of Alec
Ogletree and the linebackers, who continue to struggle with coverage in the
middle of the field.
WHO WINS?
There’s no easy way to predict how a Giants-Cowboys game
will go, which is essentially the case for any NFC East rivalry game. However,
the intensity of the rivalry basically means all logic can be thrown out the
window. The game likely will come down to the final moments, as it often does,
and will be determined by which team comes up clutch. If Manning really does
have a big year left, this will be an opportunity to show it. GIANTS, 23-17
SEAHAWKS (0-1) AT
BEARS (0-1)
MONDAY, 8:15 P.M. ET, SOLDIER FIELD, CHICAGO
TV: ESPN
LINE: Bears by 3
SEAHAWKS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
Seattle had a great chance to knock off the Broncos in Week
1, but its new-look defense stumbled. The Seahawks struggled with Denver’s
two-headed running back duo of Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, and they’ll
have a similar challenge with Chicago RBs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. In
order for Seattle to win this game, it has to keep Chicago’s backfield tandem
in check, both as runners and receivers. LB Bobby Wagner is an
elite defender, as is FS Earl Thomas, but they can’t do it on
their own.
BEARS’ KEYS TO
VICTORY
The Bears had a win within their grasp against the Packers,
but a lack of pass rush and an anemic offense in the second half spoiled the
victory. The sheer dominance and remarkable comeback from QB Aaron Rodgers
didn’t help. OLB Khalil Mack should play more in Week 2 and
will wreak havoc on a suspect offensive line in Seattle, which doesn’t bode
well for QB Russell Wilson. But as long as QB Mitchell Trubisky takes
care of the football and lets the Bears defense do its job, Chicago has a great
chance.
WHO WINS?
The Bears thrive on pressuring the quarterback and running
the football, two areas in which the Seahawks struggle to counter. As a result,
the Bears will win on the backs of Mack and Howard. BEARS, 24-21
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