NFL Week 2 Picks

By Denny Basens, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

One week of football is in the books with a lot of action and excitement taking place across the league in the first week of the season.

We're back again for Week 2, making picks of the weekend games.

San Francisco at Carolina

Chip Kelly won't get a poorly coached Rams team to take advantage of this week. Carolina will be ready to roll after a loss on Opening Night, they'll rout the 49ers without much difficulty. 

Pick: Carolina 30, San Francisco 10

Baltimore at Cleveland

Robert Griffin III's injury may actually be to the Browns benefit. Josh McCown is the better quarterback, and should make the Browns a more efficient offense than they were against the Eagles. McCown threw for over 400 yards against Baltimore last year, and the Browns could be primed for the upset this week. 

Pick: Cleveland 27, Baltimore 20

Tennessee at Detroit

I was impressed by what Matt Stafford and the Lions accomplished against the Colts a week ago. A matchup at home against a poor Titans team could send the Lions to a good 2-0 start. 

Pick: Detroit 23, Tennessee 13

Kansas City at Houston

No miracle comeback this week for the Chiefs. The Houston defense represents a much stiffer challenge, and with the Kansas City defense struggling without Justin Houston, the Texans are primed for a good showing at home. 

Pick: Houston 24, Kansas City 17

Miami at New England

The Patriots are coming off of an impressive win against the Cardinals, but they aren't unbeatable. Miami showed some toughness in a bitter loss to the Seahawks, but they probably don't have the firepower they need to pull off the road upset. 

Pick: New England 20, Miami 17

New Orleans at New York

A rematch of last year's wild shootout. The Giants defense has much better talent than it did a year ago, but this should still be a high-scoring affair. I don't think Drew Brees loses two games in a row in that fashion. 

Pick: New Orleans 38, New York 30

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh

The Steelers are on a short week, but their offense looked to be in mid-season form during their win over the Redskins. The Bengals will give their division rival a game, but ultimately come up short on the road. 

Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Cincinnati 20

Dallas at Washington

Both NFC East teams come off of disappointing losses. This is a game that probably is more important for the Redskins at home, as defending division champions. Until the Dallas offense shows that they can score touchdowns instead of field goals, it's hard to pick them. 

Pick: Washington 20, Dallas 16

Tampa Bay at Arizona

Must-win situation for the Cardinals at home after a disappointing effort against the short-handed Patriots. The Bucs are improving, but aren't ready to pull off a road upset of this magnitude. 

Pick: Arizona 30, Tampa Bay 20

Seattle at Los Angeles

After a pitiful showing on Monday night, the Rams actually want to reward Jeff Fisher with a contract extension? Perhaps another blowout against another division rival will shift management's flawed thinking on that one. 

Pick: Seattle 35, Los Angeles 10

Indianapolis at Denver

Andrew Luck may take a beating from the Denver pass rush, but he's always played the Broncos well throughout his career. I don't think Trevor Siemian can win two in a row against another elite quarterback. 

Pick: Indianapolis 24, Denver 20

Atlanta @ Oakland

The Raiders are for real. The Falcons are mediocre. Oakland makes another statement with a convincing win to get to 2-0. 

Pick: Oakland 30, Atlanta 23

Jacksonville at San Diego

The Chargers are in disarray after last week's meltdown, as well as the loss of Keenan Allen to a season-ending injury. The Jags hung tough with the Packers last week, and should come out fired up, ready to claim their first win of the season. 

Pick: Jacksonville 33, San Diego 20

Green Bay at Minnesota

Sam Bradford starts his first game for the Vikings, and shows them what they're in for with him under center: disappointment. 

Pick: Green Bay 27, Minnesota 13

Philadelphia at Chicago

Turnover-prone Jay Cutler is a perfect matchup for the Eagles' defense. Chicago is a tough place to go on the road and win, but the Bears are a poor enough team that the Birds should be able to come out on top. 

Pick: Philadelphia 24, Chicago 13