Week 1 was fantastic but we expect Week 2 to be just as good thanks to some tantalizing quarterback matchups. Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) and Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) lead their respective teams in the Sunday nighter; Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) will both try to keep their teams out of an 0-2 hole; and the Manning brothers, Peyton (Denver Broncos) and Eli (New York Giants), will gather in a family affair.
Here?s our rundown for Week 2 of the NFL season:
Top Three Must-See Games of the Week:
1. San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Two of the top teams in the NFC will square off on Sunday Night Football. The 49ers and Seahawks are the two teams favored to win the NFC at Bovada, and we?ll get our first look at which of the two is superior.
The Seahawks pounded the 49ers 42-13 in their visit to CenturyLink Field in Week 16 last year. The 49ers were embarrassed as Kaepernick, the running game and the defense all put forth uncharacteristically bad performances. The Seahawks are always a tough team to beat at home, but expect the 49ers to be focused with revenge on their minds.
2. Denver Broncos @ New York Giants
It?s time for Manning Bowl 2013! Peyton?s Broncos visit Eli?s Giants on Sunday and it appears that the older brother has the upper hand with -4.5 odds. The Broncos crushed the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 and even though they had a shaky first half, they still racked up 49 points. Meanwhile, the Giants coughed up six turnovers and 36 points in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. That?s part of why the Giants are a five-point underdog at home for this contest, but the family ties might make this game closer than the oddsmakers think.
3. Washington Redskins @ Green Bay Packers
Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins looked rusty in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and they?ll have to perk up quickly as they travel to Lambeau Field in Week 2. The Green Bay Packers also dropped their Week 1 contest, which means that one of these two 2012 playoff teams will be 0-2 after Sunday.
Rodgers and company, who are -7 favorites, will be licking their chops at facing a defense that gave up 26 points and 322 yards in the first half last week. It goes without saying that Washington?s defense must play better for them to have any shot of leaving Lambeau with a win.
The Biggest Underdog with a Reasonable Chance to Win is the Miami Dolphins (+3)
The Colts were a playoff team last year and they have the home-field advantage in this one but the Dolphins still have a very good chance of leaving Indianapolis with the win. That?s because the Colts offensive line, which gave up 41 sacks last season and started off the 2013 season by giving up four more in Week 1, might have a tough time with the Dolphins front seven. Outspoken Colts owner Jim Irsay took to Twitter to ?demand? better protection for franchise quarterback Andrew Luck but considering the Dolphins tied for a league-high six sacks in Week 1, Irsay?s demands may not be met. Miami has a good shot to win here.
The Best Suicide Pool Pick of the Week is the Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)
We?re not 100% certain that Chip Kelly?s up-tempo offense will revolutionize the NFL, but it should shellshock the San Diego Chargers. Even though the final score in the Houston-San Diego Monday night contest indicated a close game, the stats didn?t. Houston outgained San Diego 449-263 in total yards, 26-14 in first downs and won the time of possession battle 36:31-23:29. The Eagles offense should be ready for them.
