Dan Caesar’s Week 2 NFL picks
Lions at Panthers
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Detroit 1-0, Carolina 1-0
Line: Panthers by 2 1/2 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Carolina is expected to have QB Cam Newton back after he missed the opener because of rib injuries, and he could be rusty. The new-look Panthers defense will brace for Detroit’s revamped aerial attack, which Matthew Stafford operated superbly in the Lions’ opener. Detroit was 5-11 on the road over the last two seasons. But it can win here.
Pick: Lions 27-23
Dolphins at Bills
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Miami 1-0, Buffalo 1-0
Line: Pick ’em O/U: 42 1/2
Synopsis: Both come off upset wins. The Dolphins got a big game from new RB Knowshon Moreno (134 rushing yards), but he faces a defense here that gave up just 86 yards on the ground last week. The Bills piled up 193 yards on the ground last week but face a ‘D’ that permitted just 89 a week ago.
Pick: Bills 23-17
Jaguars at Redskins
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Jacksonville 0-1, Washington 0-1
Line: Redskins by 6 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Maybe Jacksonville is the cure for a ’Skins team that has lost 10 in a row, as it was outscored 34-0 in the second half by Philly last week after leading 17-0. However, the Jags did record five sacks and will be coming at ’Skins QB Robert Griffin III. Washington needs this one badly.
Pick: Redskins 26-17
Cowboys at Titans
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Dallas 0-1, Tennessee 1-0
Line: Titans by 3 1/2 O/U: 49 1/2
Synopsis: Tennessee flying high after its opening-day upset in Kansas City now gets to feast on the lowly Dallas defense. The ’Boys were throttled at home by San Francisco last week and QB Tony Romo looked bad in his first regular-season outing since having back surgery (three interceptions). He faces a defense that recorded three interceptions last week.
Pick: Titans 27-17
Cardinals at Giants
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Arizona 1-0, New York 0-1
Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2 O/U: 42 1/2
Synopsis: Arizona finished strong in its comeback win over the Chargers and faces a team here that was out of synch in losing to Detroit. The Giants managed just 197 yards and now face one of the NFL’s top defenses – one that gave up just 52 rushing yards last week. In NY’s favor, Arizona travels cross country after playing late Monday night.
Pick: Giants 20-17
Patriots at Vikings
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (CBS)
Records: New England 0-1, Minnesota 1-0
Line: Patriots by 6 O/U: 48
Synopsis: New England blew a 10-point second-half lead and lost at Miami last week, now tries to avoid an 0-2 start, which it hasn’t had since 2001. Minnesota stymied the Rams last week but now is minus key RB Adrian Peterson, who is deactivated following his indictment Friday in child abuse case. The Vikings do have emerging WR Cordarrelle Patterson.
Pick: Vikings 26-20
Saints at Browns
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: New Orleans 0-1, Cleveland 0-1
Line: Saints by 6 1/2 O/U: 47 1/2
Synopsis: New Orleans’ defense was ripped by Atlanta last week but gets a softer spot here vs. Cleveland’s banged-up attack. Lead RB Ben Tate (sprained knee) is out. As usual, the Saints’ offense is potent and QB Drew Brees now has an additional weapon in rookie WR Brandin Cooks.
Pick: Saints 30-24
Falcons at Bengals
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Atlanta 1-0, Cincinnati 1-0
Line: Bengals by 5 1/2 O/U: 48 1/2
Synopsis: Atlanta’s Matt Ryan threw for 448 yards and three TDs last week at home vs. the Saints but has a much tougher test here. The Falcons are on the road and Cincinnati is stingy at home – where it has won nine in a row in the regular season. Bengals QB Andy Dalton faces a defense that allowed 472 yards last week to the Saints.
Pick: Bengals 27-20
Rams at Buccaneers
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
Records: St. Louis 0-1, Tampa Bay 0-1
Line: Bucs by 6 O/U: 37 1/2
Synopsis: Rams looked like the NFL’s worst team last week in blowout loss at home and now are probably down to third-string QB Austin Davis. Teams whose QB makes his first NFL start, as Davis would here, are 21-49 over the last 7-plus seasons (0-1 this year). Bucs click.
Pick: Bucs 24-13
Texans at Raiders
Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.
Records: Houston 1-0, Oakland 0-1
Line: Texans by 3 O/U: 40
Synopsis: Houston was much improved defensively in victory over Washington but lost top draft pick Jadeveon Clowney to a knee injury that will K.O. him for at least a month. The Raiders gave up 212 rushing yards last week to the Jets, not a good sign with the Texans’ Arian Foster looking strong after recovering from back surgery.
Pick: Texans 26-17
Jets at Packers
Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.
Records: New York 1-0, Green Bay 0-1
Line: Packers by 8 O/U: 46
Synopsis: Green Bay is mad as it comes off its pounding at Seattle, and RB Eddie Lacy is set to start after suffering a concussion in that game. The Packers’ run defense is poor (it allowed 207 yards last week) and the Jets love to run – 212 yards last week (102 by Chris Ivory). NY stays close.
Pick: Packers 27-20
Chiefs at Broncos
Kickoff: 1:15 p.m. (CBS)
Records: Kansas City 0-1, Denver 1-0
Line: Broncos by 12 O/U: 51 1/2
Synopsis: Kansas City, a big disappointment in its opener, goes to the madhouse in Denver. Plus KC lost two defensive starters last week for the rest of the year to injury. Denver’s Peyton Manning threw for 323 and 403 yards against the Chiefs last year; look for more of that here.
Pick: Broncos 37-20
Bears at 49ers
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (NBC)
Records: Chicago 0-1, San Francisco 1-0
Line: 49ers by 7 O/U: 48 1/2
Synopsis: San Francisco’s defense is in flux because of injuries and suspensions, but was solid last week in a throttling of Dallas and now faces a team whose top two receivers are banged up. The availability of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery is in question.
Pick: 49ers 30-17
Eagles at Colts
Monday: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Records: Philadelphia 1-0, Indianapolis 0-1
Line: Colts by 3 O/U: 54 1/2
Synopsis: Philadelphia didn’t have a sack last week and had to rally to beat lowly Jacksonville, not a good sign here as it goes on the road to face QB Andrew Luck. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ O-line is banged up as Indy’s ‘D’ looks to get back on track after enduring Denver’s attack last week.
Pick: Colts 33-27