The NFL is officially back. Excitement and disappointment have already begun flooding fan bases after Week 1. After an exciting opening week, here are my full predictions for NFL Week 2.
The Lions snuck out with an overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns, while QB Jared Goff threw for 206 yards and two more scores. Their offense is still finding its groove. Four first-half punts and a fumble show they’re not all the way back yet.
The Bills won a thriller of their own on Sunday, as Josh Allen exorcised the demons of Houston. They defeated the Texans 36-31 thanks to a late go-ahead touchdown from Josh Palmer. Buffalo looks like a contender again, even in a tough matchup. Expect another nailbiter from each of these teams.
Score Prediction: Bills 31- Lions 28
The Falcons turned to backup QB Cooper Rush on Sunday, and he struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 12/22 with 143 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Neither team looked overly impressive, but Atlanta may be in for a long season.
The Panthers’ defense gave up 59 points on Sunday. To be fair, they went up against the Chicago Bears’ high-octane offense. Carolina still scored 37 points thanks to Bryce Young’s 361 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. This team is sneaky good, even if the defense is chock-full of holes.
Score Prediction: Panthers 35- Falcons 20
The Saints’ effort on Sunday was extremely admirable. They brought the Lions down to the wire with Tyler Shough going 35/56 for 410 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. They’re in for a much tougher test this week.
The Ravens were humming beautifully in a 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Henry also logged 144 rushing yards and three scores. It’s easy to overreact after one week, but this could be the best Ravens team we’ve seen in years.
Score Prediction: Ravens 38- Saints 27
The Vikings’ comeback win on Sunday was electrifying. They scored four unanswered touchdowns to defeat the Green Bay Packers 39-22. For most of the game, however, they struggled heavily. Brian Flores’ defense will have a mountain to climb in Week 2.
After the Bears’ 59-point performance, Ben Johnson’s offense is on track to dominate the NFL. Minnesota’s defense turned things around but also allowed 22 points in three quarters. It’ll be hard to bet against Caleb Williams and Co., and even harder not to predict another high-scoring game.
Score Prediction: Bears 42- Vikings 28
The Texans’ defense was surprisingly underwhelming against the Bills, allowing 36 points for the first time since December 24th, 2023. It’s also the first time C.J. Stroud has thrown for over 270 yards and multiple touchdowns since Week 7 of the 2025 season. In a losing effort, they may have finally found a rhythm.
The Bengals may have finally fixed their defense. They logged four sacks, four fumbles, and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Joe Burrow and the offense left some to be desired, with Ja’Marr Chase catching only two passes for 12 yards. This may be a massive defensive battle on Sunday, but Cincy has the stronger offense.
Score Predictions: Bengals 17- Texans 14
After another embarrassing performance against the Seattle Seahawks’ dominant defense, the Patriots’ legitimacy is in question. Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter and was sacked three times.
The Steelers weren’t much more exciting on Sunday. They survived a 20-13 victory against an underwhelming Falcons team. Pittsburgh’s defense looks good again, but this is the time for Maye to get back to elite-level play. It might be an ugly game, but the Pats’ defense is still strong, even if the offense struggles.
Score Prediction: Patriots 24- Steelers 17
The Jets’ win over the Tennessee Titans was surprising, or at least the final score was. Neither team is a contender this year, but New York looked competent behind Geno Smith’s 215 pass-yard performance. They will unfortunately have tougher matchups this year.
The Packers were impressive for the majority of their loss to the Vikings. Their run game was almost nonexistent, but Jordan Love’s connection with Christian Watson is exciting. This is the perfect chance for a Green Bay bounce back.
Score Prediction: Packers 28- Jets 17
There’s no nice way to say the Browns are not a good football team, at least not with Deshaun Watson under center. They put up a measly 10 points while the defense allowed Trevor Lawrence to throw four touchdowns. As messy as their QB room is, the veteran isn’t the answer.
The Buccaneers were beaten by Cincinnati’s defense, but similar to the Packers, this is a perfect bounce-back game. This one shouldn’t be close, especially if Baker Mayfield can find his rhythm against a bad defense.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 31- Browns 17
The Titans managed 10 points against the Jets in Week 1. Cam Ward threw for 140 yards and one touchdown but was sacked three times. They’re going up against a significantly better defense.
The Eagles held the Washington Commanders to just nine points through three quarters. A late surge by Jayden Daniels closed the gap, but it was too little too late. With a new offensive system under Sean Mannion, Philly will only continue to improve moving forward.
Score Prediction: Eagles 28- Titans 13
After the Jaguars’ dominant win over Cleveland, Liam Coen’s offense looks like a well-oiled machine. Lawrence looks like the prince that was promised in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they might be a real contender.
The Broncos were disappointing in their Monday night opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Bo Nix threw for 131 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 31-10 effort. With him returning from injury and the addition of Jaylen Waddle, the offense will readjust in time.
Score Prediction: Broncos 20- Jaguars 17
The Raiders played surprisingly well in their 27-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Whether that’s an indictment of the Dolphins or encouraging for Vegas remains to be seen. Kirk Cousins went 21/30 for 160 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Chargers were a much different surprise. They lost 26-14 to the Arizona Cardinals, a team heavily expected to be among the worst in the NFL. LA’s offense looked disjointed at times. Justin Herbert threw 17/27 for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He was also sacked three times.
The Chargers are too talented to play that poorly again, especially against a flimsy Raiders team. Week 2 is all about bounce-backs, and this will be another one.
Score Prediction: Chargers 21- Raiders 13
As surprising as the Cardinals were in Week 1, this might be the lock of the week. The Seahawks’ defense shook the Patriots once again, and they should do the same to Arizona. Even without Sam Darnold, they’re the more complete team.
Score Prediction: Seahawks 17- Cardinals 10
The Cowboys’ loss to the New York Giants was baffling considering the offseason hype around DC Christian Parker. It may just be a matter of settling into a new system, but they were extremely disappointing.
The Commanders’ offense was stagnant for most of their 24-22 loss to the Eagles. If not for a couple of late scores, that game would’ve been much uglier. Washington’s upside isn’t as high as Dallas ‘, but this should be a close game.
Score Prediction: Cowboys 21- Commanders 17
We have another lock of the week. The 49ers dominated the Los Angeles Rams in Australia 27-7. Brock Purdy looked like his old self again with 205 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception against Myles Garrett and Co.
The Dolphins are a real contender for the worst team in the NFL, and their Week 1 performance was proof of that. This one could be a trap game, but it shouldn’t be close.
Score Prediction: 49ers 31- Dolphins 10
After losing 41-23 to the Ravens, the Colts don’t look like the same team they were a year ago. Daniel Jones is making his way back from injury, going 19/31 for 166 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. While Jonathan Taylor rushed for 98 yards and two scores, Indy’s defense left plenty to be desired.
The Chiefs are back to their winning ways after a 31-10 win over the Broncos. Patrick Mahomes rushed for a touchdown, but still didn’t look like he was completely back after a torn ACL in November.
Kenneth Walker’s 173 rushing yards and one touchdown are a sign of Kansas City’s future. Just like the Ravens with Derrick Henry, the Chiefs and Walker will run all over Indy.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 27- Colts 17
Closing out the week will be the new-look Giants heading to LA to face the Rams. LA is now without Myles Garrett after he underwent knee surgery, but they may have Aaron Donald back in the lineup.
The Giants were impressive in John Harbaugh’s debut as head coach. In a 28-20 victory over the Cowboys, the offense not only looked competent, but dangerous. Both teams have undergone major changes since their last meeting in December 2023.
New York proved it shouldn’t be written off so easily, but the Rams are loaded with talent. This may not be the beatdown many expected before Week 1, but it’s hard to bet against a super team.
Score Prediction: Rams 27- Giants 20
The 2026 NFL season started with a bang. Week 1 tied for the highest-scoring opening weekend in league history. There are some exciting matchups in Week 2. This is where winning teams prove themselves, and losing teams correct course.
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