It's football.
The Kansas City Chiefs host the Los Angeles Chargers in the Thursday night game and it should be a shootout once again as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look to outscore Justin Herbert and the Chargers. The Chiefs put up 44 points on the Cardinals last weekend while the Chargers defense made life miserable for the Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr in a 24-19 victory. Mahomes had five touchdown passes while Herbert threw for three touchdowns in their respective teams win.
The teams split the two games a year ago and it could happen again this season. But tonight (in Kansas City) the Chargers will be without their best wide receiver as Keenan Allen is nursing a sore hamstring and that could be a big factor as the number two wideout for L.A. (Mike Williams) was uncharacteristically quiet last week, making just two receptions for a measly ten yards. That won't cut it against the Chiefs and if Herbert and Williams don't make the big plays, it could lead to a tough night for L.A. and an easier win than expected for the Chiefs.
Another big game early in this 2022 season is on Sunday in New Orleans between the Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team New Orleans has owned in recent times, winning the last four games between them. Bucs QB Tom Brady has had a tough go against the Saints since he took over for the team two years ago and would like to see things be different in this NFC South tilt. The team that has the ball last could win this one.
The Miami Dolphins will get a tougher test this week when they travel to face the Baltimore Ravens in what could be a lower scoring game as both teams feature strong defenses. Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (Miami) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore) can take off and make things happen when the passing options aren't in range and both teams could run the football if needed. This game could very well go down to the wire and be decided by a field goal.
The San Francisco 49ers will look to rebound at home against the Seattle Seahawks, who surprised the Denver Broncos on Monday night in a squeaker. The 49ers got stuck in the mud last Sunday in Chicago as a torrential down pour throughout the game limited their offense and they lost, 19-10 to the Bears. Quarterback Trey Lance wants to atone for the dismal effort while the Seahawks would like to get a second straight win with strong defense.
The Sunday night game features the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers up in Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. The Bears defense will look to get after Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who had a rough opening game against Minnesota, getting sacked four times and throwing an interception and no touchdown passes in the 23-7 loss.
The Minnesota Vikings play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night and this could be a high scoring game in Philly with the running game being a strong point for both teams. The Eagles piled up 216 rushing yards last week in a 38-35 road win in Detroit and had four rushing touchdowns. Minnesota ran for 126 yards and feature back Dalvin Cook gained 90 rushing yards in their victory.
All in all, it looks to be another week of possible surprises (Heftyinfo had a rough opening week with an 8-7-1 pick 'em record) around the NFL. But that is why they play the games and anything can and usually will happen in the games. The following will provide a brief analysis of the action this week and the picks for all 16 games appear as well.
L.A. Chargers (1-0) at Kansas City (1-0) - Chiefs should win this game, but it won't be easy as the Chargers defense showed something last week against the Raiders.
N.Y. Jets (0-1) at Cleveland (1-0) - The Browns squandered a big lead last week, but managed a last second win in Carolina. The Jets were blown out by Baltimore in their opener. Look for another victory for the Browns.
Washington (1-0) at Detroit (0-1) - The Lions are looking to restore the roar and the Commanders could be just the thing for that to happen this Sunday in Motown.
Tampa Bay (1-0) at New Orleans (1-0) - Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have to beat the Saints at some point don't they? But the Saints will have something to say about it for sure.
Carolina (0-1) at N.Y. Giants (1-0) - What's this? The New York Giants at 2-0 in the early part of the season? It could very well happen, but Baker Mayfield and the Panthers felt they had one stolen away last week and will be ready in this one.
New England (0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0) - The Steelers and the Patriots . . . not the marquee matchup it once was.
Indianapolis (0-0-1) at Jacksonville (0-1) - The last time the Colts played the Jaguars, they got crushed and were knocked out of playoff contention. But that was with a different quarterback, so can Matt Ryan make the difference this time around?
Miami (1-0) at Baltimore (1-0) - This one could be the most exciting game of the week. Look for the Ravens to pull it out late.
Atlanta (0-1) at L.A. Rams (0-1) - After the debacle in their home opener, the Rams are angry and the Falcons could be the recipients of that. But the Falcons are also smarting after blowing a big lead and losing in their home opener.
Seattle (1-0) at San Francisco (0-1) - The 49ers need this game. Seattle is riding high after their big win on Monday night. Toss up.
Cincinnati (0-1) at Dallas (0-1) - Not to many people thought BOTH of these teams would be winless entering this game. Bengals should get it done with Dallas missing Dak Prescott (thumb surgery) for the next couple of months.
Houston (0-0-1) at Denver (0-1) - The Broncos need to let Russ cook and get it done this time against a Texans team that showed a lot of spunk against Indianapolis last week.
Arizona (0-1) at Las Vegas (0-1) - Early season game between two teams that need a win to avoid possibly being two games back already. Take the Raiders.
Chicago (1-0) at Green Bay (0-1) - Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears . . . but maybe not this time. Toss up here.
Tennessee (0-1) at Buffalo (1-0) - In this Monday night game, the Bills should have their way against a Titans team that looked totally inept in the second half of a loss to the Giants. The Bills crushed it in their big win against the defending champion L.A. Rams.
Minnesota (1-0) at Philadelphia (1-0) - The Eagles can score points, but they also give up a lot of points. The Vikings showed they can have balance on offense and their defense gets after people. Toss up in this game.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Two . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Kansas City over L.A. Chargers
Cleveland over N.Y. Jets
Detroit over Washington
Tampa Bay over New Orleans
N.Y. Giants over Carolina
Pittsburgh over New England
Indianapolis over Jacksonville
Baltimore over Miami
L.A. RAMS over Atlanta
San Francisco over Seattle
Cincinnati over Dallas
Denver over Houston
Las Vegas over Arizona
Green Bay over Chicago
Buffalo over Tennessee
Philadelphia over Minnesota
Last Week's Record - 8-7-1
SEASON RECORD - 8-7-1
Lock of the Week Record - 0-1
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