NFL Round 2 -Sunday Preview
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-1) - FirstEnergyStadium
The Browns and Ravens collide in a bitter AFC North divisional rivalry in Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday. The Ravens' defence started the season in outstanding fashion holding Buffalo to just 186 yards of total offence in their 13-7 win at home last week. This game the Ravens will sense a similar opportunity to beat up on a Browns' outfit that lost starting quarterback Robert Griffin III to a long term injury in their season opener. Veteran journeyman quarterback Josh McCown starts in his place. The Ravens have an imposing record in Cleveland winning 7 of their past 8 clashes. The Browns take their home bow after they were handsomely beaten by rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles in a poor 29-10 in Philadelphia.
Verdict Ravens 23 Browns 10
I think the Ravens' defence can really dominate this game against a Browns' offence not known for its potency. Given the Browns beat the Ravens,their fans will be right up for this home opener. I expect this game to stay closely contested, however I expect the Ravens to start the season 2-0.
Tennessee Titans (0-1) @ Detroit Lions(1-0) - Ford Field
The Lions will be looking to make a rare 2-0 to season 2016 as they take on the Titans in their home opener on Sunday at Ford Field. The Lions were surprise winners in Indianapolis last week with a dominant performance from quarterback Matt Stafford leading them to a shoot out 39-35 win. Stafford was near flawless in going 31/39 for 340 yards with 3 touchdowns and one interception. Without Calvin Johnson, Stafford was ablate spread the ball to different receivers and it may actually benefit the Lions in a bizarre away. The Titans dropped their opening game with quarterback Marcus Mariota throwing a pick-six and losing a fumble in their 25-16 loss to the Vikings.
Verdict - Lions 30 Titans 25
I don't love the Lions here, but at home they deserve to be favourites. They are a very hard team to trust, however their form was far better than many expected in Round 1. I think the Titans can run the ball really well here, however if it becomes a shoot out, you have to fancy Detroit with Stafford starting the year well.
Miami Dolphins (0-1) @ New England Patriots (1-0) - Gillette Stadium
The Dolphins face one of the toughest road trips in football as they head to Gillette Stadium to take on a Patriots' team that opened the season in grand style. Despite missing star quarterback Tom Brady and star tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots stunned Arizona in the desert 23-21. Jimmy Garoppolo made an outstanding debut in place of Brady going 24/33 for 262 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions against a highly ranked defence. The Dolphins nearly pulled off a huge shock as their defence played a huge game in their 12-10 loss in Seattle. Ndamukong Suh played a big game up front and will need to create the same pressure up front if the Dolphins are a chance of an upset here.
Verdict Patriots 23 Dolphins 20
I think the Dolphins are a sneaky chance in this game after their bruising opening performance. The Patriots are off a short turn around and the Dolphins will have had time to have a look at the film of Jimmy Garoppolo. However you can't help but be impressed with the Patriots' ability to win in a hostile environment against a top team. They don't lose too many at home to divisional rivals.
New Orleans Saints (0-1) @ NewYork Giants (1-0) - MetLife Stadium
The Saints take the trek to MetLifeStadium to take on the Giants after their late game meltdown against the Raiders last week. The Saints led the game by 17 points courtesy of a big performance from Drew Brees. However their defence gave up 18 points in the 4th quarter as they imploded to a 35-34 loss in their homeowner. The Giants held on to beat division rivals Dallas in Dallas 20-19 in a bruising encounter last Sunday. Eli Manning was held to just over 200 yards as he functioned rather than flourished in starting 2016.
Verdict - Giants 35 Saints 31
I think this could easily turn into another shoot-out here. The Saints defence was picked apart at times last week and I expect star Giants' receiver Odell Beckham Junior to have a big afternoon against the dodgy Saints' secondary. One thing about the Giants though is they rarely make things easy for themselves and I expect New Orleans and Drew Brees to also have their way during periods of this game. This Game could easily comedown to who ever has the last possession.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) - Heinz Field
One of the marquee matches of the round sees divisional foes the Bengals and Steelers lock horns at Heinz Field on Sunday. The teams last met in a chippy and physical AFC Wild Card Playoff game where the Bengals ill-discipline cost them as the Steelers prevailed late 18-16. The Steelers could hardly have been more impressive in their 37-16 demolition of Washington in Washington on Monday night. The Steelers' offence was high powered with Big Ben throwing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns and DeAngelo Williams dominating on the ground running for 143 yards from 26 carries. Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Antonio Brown had a day out scoring 2 touchdowns on his way to 126 yards from 8 receptions. The Bengals were forced to graft for their 23-22 victory at the Jets having to make a 47-yard field goal to seal the game. Andy Dalton and AJ Green combined for huge games with Dalton throwing for over 350 yards and Brown having 12 receptions and a touchdown for 180 yards.
Verdict - Steelers 36 Bengals 21
I think the Steelers are one of the teams to beat this year and I think they can beat the Bengals at home. I expect this game to be really fiery and physical given the bitter fallout between the two teams from the AFC Wild Card Game. Ultimately I think the Steelers can be more explosive on offence and they are a difficult side to beat at home. Big Ben is fit and healthy and whilst that is the case I think the Steelers are going to score 30 plus at home.
Dallas Cowboys (0-1) @ Washington Redskins (0-1) - FedExField
Both the Cowboys and Redskins will be desperate to avoid an 0-2 start as they clash in Washington on Sunday. The Cowboys blew a late chance to win against the Giants as Terence Williams failed to get out of bounds as time expired in their 20-19 defeat to the Giants at home. Star Receiver Dez Bryant had a frustrating afternoon managing just 1 reception for 8 yards. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott had a promising debut going 25/45 for 227 without a touchdown or interception. The Redskins' defence was gouged several times in their 37-16 loss to the Steelers at home on Monday Night Football. Despite throwing for over 300 yards, Kirk Cousins failed to throw for a touchdown and was picked off twice.
Verdict - Dallas 29 Redskins 16
I am going for an upset here. I think the Cowboys have proved here the last 2 years they are often a better side on the road than they are at home. Their only away victory in the division last year was at Washington, and I think they have the ability to control the clock and get their running game going. I think Kirk Cousins has shaky last week and the Cowboys can pick him off a couple of times.
San Fransisco 49ers (1-0) @ Carolina Panthers (0-1) - Bank of America Stadium
The Panthers will be looking for a quick bounce back as they host their home opener against the 49ers on Sunday. The Panthers were beaten as favourites once more in the Super Bowl rematch to open the NFL season with a missed 50-yard field goal consigning them to a 23-21 loss to Denver on opening night in Denver. The 49ers defence put in a dominant display as they shut out the LA Rams with a massive 28-0 victory at Levi Stadium on Monday Night.
Verdict - Panthers 34 49ers 13
It is hard to look past the Panthers at home despite the 49ers' showing last week. Carolina were unbeaten at home last year and the 49ers really struggled for any victories on the road. I think this game is tough and physical in the first half before the Panthers pull away in the second half for a comfortable win.