Dan Kohn's Week 2 NFL predictions
Now Darrell Bevell has done it. The Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator has angered Mama Beast Mode.
Delisa Lynch, mother of Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, has called for Bevell’s firing after Seattle failed to convert on a 4th-and-1 in an overtime loss at St. Louis last week, citing poor play calling.
Guess there will be no more Skittles for him.
Bevell, of course, also is a former standout quarterback at the University of Wisconsin.
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Denver at Kansas City: It looked like high-pitched Peyton Manning from the NFL Sunday Ticket commercials guided the Broncos against the Ravens last week. Still, Denver got the job done. Not this time. Andy Reid has Kansas City playing at a high level right out of the gate, which means Manning and company struggle again. Chiefs 30, Broncos 23.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans: If the Buccaneers can’t beat the lowly Titans at home, who can they beat? To say Jameis Winston had a rough day would be an understatement. He joined Brett Favre as the only other quarterback in the past 25 years to throw an interception for a touchdown on his first professional pass. It will be closer than it should be, but Drew Brees helps the Saints pull it out. Saints 28, Buccaneers 17.
Detroit at Minnesota: It’s hard to believe but, barring a tie, one of these teams will start the season 0-2. The Vikings were a major disappointment on Monday night. Look for Teddy Bridgewater to bounce back at home. The Lions’ defensive woes will continue after giving up nearly 500 total yards to the Chargers in the opener. Vikings 24, Lions 21.
Arizona at Chicago: The Bears were impressive in an eight-point loss to Green Bay in the opener, but will face a stiffer defensive test as Matt Forte goes up a Cardinals defense that allowed just 54 rushing yards to the Saints. The Cardinals allowed New Orleans to pass for more than 400 yards, but Jay Cutler is no Drew Brees. Cardinals 28, Bears 23.
Houston at Carolina: The Texans are one of those teams that win and lose when they shouldn’t. The Panthers managed just 263 total yards against the lowly Jaguars but hung tough and ultimately won in part to a stingy defense. They will need that formula to work again in their home opener. Panthers 17, Texans 14.
San Francisco at Pittsburgh: Those may have been the NFL’s ugliest alternative uniforms ever, or at least close. Still, the 49ers found a way to silence Adrian Peterson and the Vikings on Monday night. They will need another such effort if they are to pull out a win against a Steelers team which will have had 10 days to prepare for this game. Steelers 31, 49ers 25.
New England at Buffalo: New Bills coach Rex Ryan has been licking his chops for this game all summer. Trouble is, either a Ryan-led team does really well against the Patriots, or really bad. There doesn’t seem to be an in-between. For now, Ryan can run for mayor of Buffalo. Bills 31, Patriots 28.
San Diego at Cincinnati: The Chargers rallied for 30 straight points on Sunday to beat the Lions at home. Similarly, the Bengals put a beatdown on the Raiders. Look for Cincinnati’s fortunes to continue, at least for one more week. Bengals 30, Chargers 20.
Tennessee at Cleveland: History could be made if Johnny Manziel gets the start for the Browns. It would be the first time a Heisman Trophy winner (Marcus Mariota) faces two former Heisman Trophy winners (Winston and Manziel) in back-to-back weeks to start a career. More importantly, the Titans start the season off 2-0, matching last year’s win total. The Browns continue to be a mess. Titans 20, Browns 17.
Atlanta at New York Giants: The Falcons were impressive in slowing down the potent Philadelphia offense on Monday. The Giants inexplicably didn’t go for the touchdown right away with less than 2 minutes left and then failed to run down the clock in a loss at Dallas on Sunday night. New York rebounds with a much better effort this time around. Giants 26, Falcons 21.
St. Louis at Washington: Nick Foles proved his worth in driving the Rams to the tying, then winning scores in an overtime victory over Seattle. After starting fast, Washington gagged away a 10-point lead against Miami. Things are going to get ugly in the nation’s capital this season. Rams 24, Redskins 14.
Baltimore at Oakland: The Ravens played just well enough not to win at Denver in the opener. They get things straight this time around against a banged-up Oakland defense. Ravens 31, Raiders 16.
Miami at Jacksonville: The Dolphins needed a late rally in Washington in a game in which they had the ball for only a little more than 22 minutes. They figure a way to keep it a bit longer this time around as they finish the road trip 2-0. Dolphins 24, Jaguars 13.
Dallas at Philadelphia: The Cowboys were lucky to get the win in the waning seconds against the Giants last week, while the Eagles weren’t as fortunate as a late field goal sailed wide in Atlanta. If Philadelphia is the team to beat in the NFC East, this is a must win. The Eagles also must protect Sam Bradford better if they want him to finish the season upright. Eagles 34, Cowboys 31.
Seattle at Green Bay: The Packers look to avenge last season’s bitter NFC championship game defeat against Seattle. Motivated or not, if the Packers don’t get their run defense fixed, the Seahawks will run all over Green Bay. The notoriously-slow starting Packers get enough fixed to get the win at home in front of a raucous crowd. Packers 21, Seahawks 17.
New York Jets at Indianapolis: The Jets will face a real test this week against a Colts team still smarting from a beating at Buffalo. Andrew Luck and company are at home where it is nice and cozy in the dome. Colts 42, Jets 24,
Last week: 9-7 (.563).
For the season: 9-7 (.563).
Picking the Packers: 1-0 (1.000).
Dan Kohn: 920-993-1000, ext. 305, or dkohn@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @PCDanKohn