NFL Round 2 - Sunday Preview

Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) @ Houston Texans (1-0) - NRG Stadium

The Chiefs and Texans meet again in the same venue where  Kansas City ended the Texans season 30-0 in the AFC Wild Card Round in 2015. The Chiefs made a miracle recovery last week at home rallying from a 24-3 deficit to overcome San Diego in overtime 33-27. The Texans' much vaunted defence made an immediate impact last week as they sacked Jay Cutler 5 times and intercepted him once on the way to grinding out a 23-14 victory. Brock Osweiler made a solid debut at quarterback while Lamar Miller rushed for over 100 yards on the ground. 

Verdict - Chiefs 24 Texans 17

I think this game will be much closer affair than the beat down the Chiefs dished out in the Wild Card Game. However, I still can't take the Texans here. The Chiefs are a very experienced team that has won 11 straight regular season games and I think they know how to grind out these defensive struggles with Alex Smith unlikely to make any mistakes at quarterback. 

Seattle Seahawks (1-0) @ Los Angeles Rams (0-1) - Los Angeles Coliseum

The Rams kick off their return to Los Angeles as they host Division foes the Seahawks at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Sunday. The Rams made a giant egg on prime time with a dismal 28-0 loss to the 49ers at Levi Stadium in Monday Night Football. The Rams wereawful with the football with every single possession ending with a turnover or a punt. They can take some solace from the fact they knocked off the Seahawks twice in 2015. The Seahawks themselves were unconvincing relying on a late 80-yard drive from Russell Wilson to rescue them to a 12-10 home win over Miami. 

Verdict - Seahawks 23 Rams 6

How can you possibly consider the Rams after last week's horror show. While the new home crowd and surroundings will surely give them a lift, I didn't see anything in their offence to show they can turn things around quickly. Seattle on the other hand were rusty last week and I think should be able to put in a more efficient offensive performance. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-1) - University of Phoenix Stadium

The Cardinals will be desperate to bounce back in the same building where they were stunned by an under strength  New England last week. The Cardinals' defence failed to put the pressure they anticipated on Garoppolo and their offence left plenty of points on the field in the 23-21 loss. It was a different story for the Buccaneers who went to division rivals the Falcons and pulled off an impressive 31-24 victory. James Winston was outstanding in the win, throwing for 281 yards and 4 touchdowns to show he already looks like a far more polished player coming off his rookie season. 

Verdict - Cardinals 34 Bucs 24

It is hard to see Arizona dropping 2 in a row at home as favourites. Last week's loss much surely be a wake up call to the Cardinals who were heavy favourites going into the game. I think Tampa showed last week they are a side on the improve and if they can pull off a victory in Arizona, many people will be looking at them as a side to be reckoned with this year.

Indianapolis Colts (0-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-0) - Sports Authority Field

The Broncos go in search of back-to-back home victories to start their Super Bowl defence as they take on the Colts at home on Sunday. The Broncos were victorious in the much hyped Super Bowl match-up last week, relying heavily on their much vaunted defence to pull out a 21-20 victory. Trevor Siemien had a mixed debut against a tough Carolina defence throwing 18/26 for 178 yards and 1 touchdown to 2 interceptions. The Colts slumped to a shock 39-35 loss to the unheralded Lions at home as their defence was gouged by Matt Stafford. Andrew Luck made an impressive return throwing for nearly 400 yards and 4 touchdowns without an interception.

Verdict - Broncos 26 Colts 17

It's very tough to win in Denver and despite many people tipping them to struggle, the Broncos showed again last week they are a force to be reckoned with particularly at home. While Andrew Luck was impressive last week, he will be under far more pressure here and his penchant for taking risks might result in a costly couple of turnovers here. 

Atlanta Falcons (0-1) @ Oakland Raiders (1-0) - O.co Coliseum

The Raiders are looking to open season 2-0 for the first time since they went to the Super Bowl back in 2002. They host a Falcons team coming off 31-24 home defeat to the Buccaneers last week. The Raiders won a shoot out in New Orleans last week rallying from a 17 point deficit to defeat the Saints 35-34. Head Coach Jack Del Rio's gamble to go for a 2 point conversion late in the game paid dividends with Derek Carr hooking up with Michael Crabtree to steal the win. Carr started the season impressively throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

Verdict - Raiders 33 Falcons 30

This has all the hallmarks of a wild shoot out here in Oakland. I do not trust the Raiders defence and I think the Falcons are a sneaky chance of pulling off an upset here. Matt Ryan has an explosive offence of his own and he can trade touchdowns here with Derek Carr. I just fancy Oakland because they really need this home opener as this is a win they would have been banking on heading into the season. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) @ San Diego Chargers (0-1) - Qualcomm Stadium

The Chargers and Jaguars lock horns looking for their first win of the season at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday. Both sides went down narrowly in week 1 with the Chargers bombing a 21 point lead losing in Overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs. Phillip Rivers has an outstanding record against the Jaguars overall going 5-1 with 15 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions. The Jaguars slowed down Aaron Rodgers last week but still went down 27-23. The Jags held Green Bay to under 300 yards of total offence before their final drive stalled 14 yards short of victory.

Verdict - Jaguars 30 Chargers 28

San Diego are the masters at finding ways to lose a game and maybe they can do that again here. This should be an open game with plenty of chances takes from both sides. I think overall the Jags have a little more upside in them than the Chargers this year and can create an upset here in San Diego. 

Green Bay Packers (1-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-0) - U.S Bank Stadium 

The Viking and Packers collide in an explosive AFC North divisional match up in Minnesota on Sunday Night Football. The Vikings are considered by many the only threat in the North to the Packers crown and they get an early test of their credentials here. The Vikings  defence dominated in their away victory at Tennessee as they shut down Marcus Mariota. Sam Bradford is likely to make his Vikings debut here after sitting out the opening day. Aaron Rodgers washed under 200 yards in Jacksonville and will be looking for a firmer commanding performance on prime time here.

Verdict -  Packers 29 Vikings 21

Few question marks around the Vikings offence here as I think Sam Bradford could be shaky on debut. At home I expect the Vikings defence to start the game fast, but I expect Aaron Rodgers to take charge in the second half. The Packers have a good record against the Vikings and I think they can win a key divisional match up here on the road.