NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down Week 2

Houston (+6.5) at Cincinnati, 38.0 o/u – Thursday, 8:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: One of these teams will be in serious trouble after Thursday, as both put together awful offensive performances in Week 1 losses. Tom Savage's tenure as Houston's starter lasted all of one dreadful half, but he could be back in action in Week 2 if rookie Deshaun Watson's ankle doesn't hold up. J.J. Watt was also nearly invisible, but he could find it much easier sledding against a Bengals offensive line that left Andy Dalton hanging out to dry last week, as he got sacked five times and pressured into throwing four picks by the Ravens.

The Skinny:
• 2016 HOU offense: 17.4 PPG (T-28th), 116.2 rushing yds/gm (8th), 213.6 passing yds/gm (29th), 32 sacks allowed (T-11th), 24 turnovers (T-19th)
• 2016 CIN offense: 20.3 PPG (24th), 110.6 rushing yds/gm (13th), 262.9 passing yds/gm (13th), 41 sacks allowed (T-25th), 17 turnovers (T-8th)
• 2016 HOU defense: 20.5 PPG allowed (11th), 99.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (12th), 214.0 passing yds/gm allowed (2nd), 31 sacks (T-24th), 17 turnovers (T-26th)
• 2016 CIN defense: 19.7 PPG allowed (8th), 113.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (21st), 249.1 passing yds/gm allowed (11th), 33 sacks (T-19th), 20 turnovers (T-19th)
• CIN record when Dalton gets sacked three or more times: 12-17-1 (plus 0-3 in postseason); when sacked two or fewer times: 44-19-1 (plus 0-1 in postseason)
• Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Lamar Miller grinds out 80 combined yards. Watson starts, throwing for 220 yards and a TD to Jaelen Strong while running for 40 more. Joe Mixon leads the muddled Bengals backfield with 60 combined yards. Dalton is on the run again, getting sacked four times, and while he does throw for 250 yards and a touchdown to A.J. Green he also throws a pick-six to Kevin Johnson. Texans, 20-10

Cleveland (+8) at Baltimore, 39.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: DeShone Kizer had a solid debut and may have a bona fide No. 1 receiver to throw to in Corey Coleman, which – assuming they can keep it up – at least gives the Browns a chance to stay competitive in most or all of their games this season, which would be a big step forward for the franchise. The Ravens' shredding of the Bengals' offensive line last week was very impressive, but as yet we don't really know whether it said more about Baltimore's pass rush or Cincinnati's tissue-paper o-line. After Thursday, though, I suspect it's the latter.

The Skinny:
•2016 CLE offense: 16.5 PPG (31st), 107.0 rushing yds/gm (19th), 230.8 passing yds/gm (27th), 66 sacks allowed (32nd), 25 turnovers (T-21st)
•2016 BAL offense: 21.4 PPG (21st), 91.4 rushing yds/gm (28th), 271.4 passing yds/gm (11th), 33 sacks allowed (T-13th), 23 turnovers (T-17th)
•2016 CLE defense: 28.3 PPG allowed (30th), 142.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (31st), 260.8 passing yds/gm allowed (20th), 26 sacks (T-30th), 13 turnovers (T-30th)
•2016 BAL defense: 20.1 PPG allowed (9th), 89.4 rushing yds/gm allowed (5th), 246.7 passing yds/gm allowed (10th), 31 sacks (T-24th), 28 turnovers (T-4th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 8-2 Baltimore, average score BAL 24-CLE 18, average margin of victory eight points
•Joe Flacco, career record when throwing for less than 200 yards: 29-20 (plus 4-3 in postseason)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Duke Johnson leads the Browns backfield with 90 combined yards and a receiving TD. Kizer throws for 200 yards and runs for 40 more. Terrance West bangs out 110 yards and a score. Flacco throws for less than 200 yards but does hit Ben Watson for a touchdown. Ravens, 20-13

Chicago (+7) at Tampa Bay, 43.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: While higher-profile rookie RBs like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook and Kareen Hunt has big debuts of their own, Tarik Cohen's explosion against the Falcons was the most surprising of the bunch. With Jordan Howard nursing a shoulder injury, the Bears lacking reliable targets on the outside and there being a good chance they're playing from behind most of the time, don't expect Cohen to be a Week 1 flash in the pan. The Bucs will play their season opener after Irma washed away their scheduled Week 1 game, and it's tough to say whether the circumstances will help or hinder them – a lot of teams looked like they could have used extra prep time before Week 1, but the Texans didn't handle the emotional stress of their post-Harvey home opener very well. Plus, there's the whole Mike Glennon revenge game narrative, if you're into that sort of thing.

The Skinny:
•2016 CHI offense: 17.4 PPG (T-28th), 108.4 rushing yds/gm (17th), 258.7 passing yds/gm (15th), 28 sacks allowed (T-7th), 31 turnovers (30th)
•2016 TB offense: 22.1 PPG (T-18th), 101.0 rushing yds/gm (24th), 260.3 passing yds/gm (14th), 35 sacks allowed (T-16th), 27 turnovers (T-24th)
•2016 CHI defense: 24.9 PPG allowed (24th), 121.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (27th), 239.3 passing yds/gm allowed (6th), 37 sacks (12th), 11 turnovers (32nd)
•2016 TB defense: 23.1 PPG allowed (15th), 117.2 rushing yds/gm allowed (22nd), 265.4 passing yds/gm allowed (22nd), 38 sacks (T-9th), 29 turnovers (3rd)
•Football Outsiders 2016 ranking versus receiver type: TB, 26th against RBs (plus 16.6 percent DVOA); CHI, 27th against WR1s (plus 12.3 percent DVOA), 28th against TEs (plus 18.2 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Howard rushes for 50 yards but again gets overshadowed by Cohen, who piles up 130 combined yards and a TD. Glennon throws for 230 yards and a touchdown to Michael Burton. Jacquizz Rodgers gains 70 yards, while Charles Sims adds 50 combined yards, Jameis Winston has a big game, throwing for 320 yards and three TDs, two to Mike Evans (who hauls in 130 yards) and one to O.J. Howard. Buccaneers, 27-17

Minnesota (+5.5) at Pittsburgh, 45.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: For maybe the first time in his career, Sam Bradford looked like a legitimate No. 1 overall pick las week, and having a decent offensive line in front of him and a strong running game to support him couldn't have hurt. His left knee – the same one he's had two previous surgeries on – is beginning to act up, though, so hold off on the redemption talk for now. As has been the case for a while, the road Steelers were a disappointment even in victory, but Le'Veon Bell's had another week to get his legs under him and the home Steelers should be a much more impressive outfit.

The Skinny:
•2016 MIN offense: 20.4 PPG (23rd), 75.3 rushing yds/gm (32nd), 257.4 passing yds/gm (17th), 38 sacks allowed (23rd), 16 turnovers (7th)
•2016 PIT offense: 24.9 PPG (T-10th), 110.0 rushing yds/gm (14th), 273.6 passing yds/gm (10th), 21 sacks allowed (2nd), 18 turnovers (T-11th)
•2016 MIN defense: 19.2 PPG allowed (6th), 106.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (20th), 227.3 passing yds/gm allowed (4th), 41 sacks (5th), 27 turnovers (T-7th)
•2016 PIT defense: 20.4 PPG allowed (10th), 100.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (13th), 258.8 passing yds/gm allowed (19th), 38 sacks (T-9th), 23 turnovers (T-14th)
•Football Outsiders 2016 ranking versus receiver type: PIT, 32nd against WR1s (plus 19.8 percent)
•Ben Roethlisberger splits since 2014: at home (22 games), 17-5, 68.2 percent completion rate, 7,312 passing yards, 62:20 TD:INT, 8.6 YPA; away (26 games), 16-10, 64.8 percent completion rate, 6.983 passing yards, 26:24 TD:INT, 7.4 YPA
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Dalvin Cook picks up 100 combined yards and his first NFL touchdown. Bradford throws for a more modest 260 yards and a TD to Adam Thielen. Bell steps up with 110 combined yards and two scores, one rushing and one receiving. Roethlisberger throws for 280 yards and a second TD to Antonio Brown. Steelers, 27-23

New England at New Orleans (+6.5), 55.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Everyone seems to be looking at this game and thinking, "Wow, the Saints defense made Sam Bradford look like Tom Brady. Imagine what the real thing can do against them?" However, nobody seems to be thinking, "Man, the Patriots defense made Alex Smith look like Drew Brees. Imagine what the real thing can do against them?" Situations like this, when we think we know something about teams but really don't yet, are why Week 2 is simultaneously the most fun and the most aggravating slate of the year.

The Skinny:
•2016 NE offense: 27.6 PPG (3rd), 117.0 rushing yds/gm (7th), 278.5 passing yds/gm (5th), 24 sacks allowed (5th), 11 turnovers (T-1st)
•2016 NO offense: 29.3 PPG (2nd), 108.9 rushing yds/gm (16th), 328.6 passing yds/gm (1st), 27 sacks allowed (6th), 24 turnovers (T-19th)
•2016 NE defense: 15.6 PPG allowed (1st), 88.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 237.9 passing yds/gm allowed (12th), 34 sacks (T-16th), 23 turnovers (T-14th)
•2016 NO defense: 28.4 PPG allowed (31st), 101.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (14th), 287.1 passing yds/gm allowed (31st), 30 sacks (27th), 21 turnovers (T-17th)
•Brady after a loss, last five seasons: 12-3, 61.7 percent completion rate, 254.1 passing yds/gm, 28:7 TD:INT, 7.0 YPA
•Brees career stats against NE, four games: 3-1, 63.4 percent completion rate, 239.8 passing yds/gm, 10:1 TD:INT, 9.5 YPA
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: James White leads the Pats backfield with 80 combined yards and a receiving TD, while Mike Gillislee punches in a short score as well. Brady throws for 280 yards and two more touchdowns to Rob Gronkowski and Brandin Cooks, with Cooks going over 100 yards. Mark Ingram responds with 70 rushing yards. Brees throws for 310 yards and four TDs, hitting Michael Thomas twice and Alvin Kamara and Brandon Coleman once each, but Brees' comeback attempt comes up short. Patriots, 34-31

Philadelphia (+5.5) at Kansas City, 47.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The second Andy Reid Bowl gets ever more incestuous this time around, with former Reid offensive coordinator Doug Pederson now at the helm for Philly. That's probably good news for both defenses, as they shouldn't be facing many formations they haven't seen over and over in practice. Eric Barry's season-ending injury is a huge blow to the Chiefs, but the Eagles counter by losing Ronald Darby for a month or more.

The Skinny:
•2016 PHI offense: 22.9 PPG (16th), 113.3 rushing yds/gm (11th), 237.4 passing yds/gm (24th), 33 sacks allowed (T-13th), 20 turnovers (14th)
•2016 KC offense: 24.3 PPG (13th), 109.3 rushing yds/gm (15th), 244.6 passing yds/gm (T-21st), 32 sacks allowed (T-11th), 17 turnovers (T-8th)
•2016 PHI defense: 20.7 PPG allowed (12th), 103.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (15th), 252.4 passing yds/gm allowed (14th), 34 sacks (T-16th), 26 turnovers (10th)
•2016 KC defense: 19.4 PPG allowed (7th), 121.1 rushing yds/gm allowed (26th), 247.4 passing yds/gm allowed (18th), 28 sacks (28th), 33 turnovers (1st)
•Football Outsiders 2016 ranking versus receiver type: KC, fourth against RBs (minus 20.5 percent DVOA); PHI, first against TEs (minus 52.8 percent DVOA)
•Carson Wentz career stats in September, four games: 4-0, 65.3 percent completion rate, 269 passing yds/gm, 7:1 TD:INT, 7.6 YPA
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: LeGarrette Blount leads the Eagles' backfield with 50 yards. Wentz throws for 240 yards and a TD to Zach Ertz, but gets picked off twice. Kareen Hunt piles up 90 combined yards and a TD, while Alex Smith throws for 250 yards and touchdowns to Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley. Chiefs, 27-13

Tennessee at Jacksonville (+2.5), 43.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Weird as it is to say about a game in Week 2 – or any game involving the Jaguars, for that matter – this one could have serious implications for the AFC South title. The Colts seem like a lost cause until Capt. Luck is cured of the rickets or whatever is it that's wrong with his shoulder, while the Texans might have won Thursday night, but they hardly looked like threats. That leaves these two fighting over the division title. Corey Davis looks like the real deal for the Titans and gives Marcus Mariota a legit downfield option, but the Jags' defense might finally be ready to capitalize on all those early draft picks the front office has been throwing at the unit, with Dante Fowler's 53-yard fumble return for a score last week perhaps the start of something good for a franchise that hasn't finished above .500 since ... (checks record books) 2007???

The Skinny:
•2016 TEN offense: 23.8 PPG (14th), 136.7 rushing yds/gm (3rd), 232.5 passing yds/gm (25th), 28 sacks allowed (T-7th), 18 turnovers (T-11th)
•2016 JAC offense: 19.9 PPG (25th), 101.9 rushing yds/gm (22nd), 245.3 passing yds/gm (20th), 34 sacks allowed (15th), 29 turnovers (T-27th)
•2016 TEN defense: 23.6 PPG allowed (T-16th), 88.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (2nd), 286.6 passing yds/gm allowed (30th), 40 sacks (T-6th), 18 turnovers (T-23rd)
•2016 JAC defense: 25.0 PPG allowed (25th), 106.4 rushing yds/g, allowed (19th), 226.7 passing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 33 sacks (T-19th), 13 turnovers (T-30th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 5-5, average score TEN 24-JAC 24, average margin of victory eight points
•Blake Bortles career stats versus TEN, six games: 3-3, 64.8 percent completion rate, 279.5 passing yds/gm, 12:2 TD:INT, 7.3 YPA
•Weather forecast: clear, 10 mph wind, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: DeMarco Murray manages 60 yards. Mariota throws for 230 yards and a touchdown to Eric Decker. Leonard Fournette thunders for 90 yards and a TD. Bortles throws for 220 yards and touchdowns to Allen Hurns and Chris Ivory. Jaguars, 24-13

Arizona at Indianapolis (+7), 44.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The loss of both David Johnson and Carson Palmer leaves the Cards in ... wait, what? That was Palmer playing last week? Yikes. The 37-year-old looked more like 137 in that loss in Detroit, but he could rally against a Colts defense that made Jared Goff look competent. Indy has its own QB issues, though, and will give Jacoby Brissett a shot. Someone will need to explain to me why trading a recent first-round pick in Phillip Dorsett to land Brissett was a smarter move than just signing Colin Kaepernick. You can't even use the "he's not a scheme fit" excuse anymore, because Brissett is even more of a square peg trying to fit into an offense built for Andrew Luck than Kaep is. I'm sure the long history of former Brady backups thriving in other organizations was the deciding factor.

The Skinny:
•2016 ARI offense: 26.1 PPG (6th), 108.3 rushing yds/gm (18th), 276.6 passing yds/gm (7th), 41 sacks allowed (T-25th), 28 turnovers (26th)
•2016 IND offense: 25.7 PPG (8th), 101.8 rushing yds/gm (23rd), 280.7 passing yds/gm (4th), 44 sacks allowed (28th), 22 turnovers (16th)
•2016 ARI defense: 22.6 PPG allowed (14th), 94.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (9th), 233.7 passing yds/gm allowed (5th), 48 sacks (1st), 28 turnovers (T-4th)
•2016 IND defense: 24.5 PPG allowed (22nd), 120.4 rushing yds/gm allowed (25th), 275.7 passing yds/gm allowed (27th), 33 sacks (T-19th), 17 turnovers (T-26th)
•Football Outsiders 2016 ranking versus receiver type: ARI, first against RBs (minus 43.5 percent DVOA); IND, 29th against WR1s (plus 13.7 percent DVOA), 31st against TEs (plus 33.1 percent DVOA), 31st against RBs (38.5 percent DVOA).
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Kerwynn Williams does a respectable DJ impression, amassing 120 combined yards, but it's Andre Ellington who catches a receiving TD. Palmer throws for 280 yards and a second score to Larry Fitzgerald. Frank Gore plugs ahead for 60 yards. Brissett does a solid Deshaun Watson impression, throwing for less than 200 yards but running in a TD. Cardinals, 20-10

Buffalo (+7) at Carolina, 43.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Bills essentially got a warmup game to start the year when they faced the Jets, and appear to be in as good a shape as they're going to get as they head to Carolina. In the offseason game of goal-line back musical chairs, Mike Tolbert seems to have landed in Mike Gillislee's old role, and LeSean McCoy's handcuff is usually someone worth paying attention to. The Panthers also got a gimme against the Niners, but Cam Newton didn't appear to be close to 100 percent healthy. If he doesn't kick things into gear soon, even as easy schedule may not save their season.

The Skinny:
•2016 BUF offense: 24.9 PPG (T-10th), 164.4 rushing yds/gm (1st), 203.1 passing yds/gm (31st), 46 sacks allowed (29th), 12 turnovers (3rd)
•2016 CAR offense: 23.1 PPG (15th), 113.4 rushing yds/gm (10th), 247.6 passing yds/gm (19th), 36 sacks allowed (T-19th), 29 turnovers (T-27th)
•2016 BUF defense: 23.6 PPG allowed (T-16th), 133.1 rushing yds/gm allowed (29th), 239.7 passing yds/gm allowed (7th), 39 sacks (8th), 18 turnovers (T-23rd)
•2016 CAR defense: 25.1 PPG allowed (26th), 91.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (6th), 285.1 passing yds/gm allowed (29th), 47 sacks (2nd), 27 turnovers (T-7th)
•CAR record since 2012: when allowing 100-plus rushing yards, 15-16-1 (plus 0-2 in postseason); when allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards, 33-16 (plus 3-1 in postseason)
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: McCoy gets held to 70 yards. Tyrod Taylor throws for 240 yards and a TD to Jordan Matthews. Jonathan Stewart bangs out 60 yards, but Christian McCaffrey rips off 110 combined yards and his first NFL touchdown. Newton doesn't run much again, but throws for 250 yards and a score to Kelvin Benjamin. Panthers, 20-10

NY Jets (+14) at Oakland, 43.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Story: Josh McCown has already avoided being the first (or even the second) starting QB to lose his job this season, so it's pretty much all gravy for him from here. Marshawn Lynch looked downright spry last week against the Titans, and while on paper the Jets still have some talent on their defensive line, they didn't seem particularly motivated to stop Shady McCoy. Once Beast Mode By the Bay has run over them for a half or so, they could be about as effective as subway turnstiles in stopping the Raiders' run game.

The Skinny:
•2016 NYJ offense: 17.2 PPG (30th), 112.6 rushing yds/gm (12th), 227.8 passing yds/gm (28th), 35 sacks allowed (T-16th), 34 turnovers (31st)
•2016 OAK offense: 26.0 PPG (7th), 120.1 rushing yds/gm (6th), 258.6 passing yds/gm (16th), 18 sacks allowed (1st), 14 turnovers (4th)
•2016 NYJ defense: 25.6 PPG allowed (28th), 98.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (11th), 254.8 passing yds/gm allowed (15th), 27 sacks (29th), 14 turnovers (T-28th)
•2016 OAK defense: 24.1 PPG allowed (20th), 117.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (23rd), 266.7 passing yds/gm allowed (24th), 25 sacks (32nd), 30 turnovers (2nd)
•Football Outsiders 2016 ranking versus receiver type: NYJ, 32nd against WR2s (plus 25.1 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Bilal Powell leads the Jets backfield with 60 combined yards, while Matt Forte adds 50. McCown throws for less than 200 yards again, and lobs a pick-six to Karl Joseph before being lifted for Bryce Petty in the second half. Lynch rumbles for 130 yards and two TDs. Derek Carr throws for 230 yards and a scores to Michael Crabtree. Raiders, 34-6

Miami (+4.5) at LA Chargers, 45.0 o/u – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Story: We'll finally get a chance to see how the J-Squad of Jay Cutler, Jay Ajayi and Jarvis Landry look for the Dolphins. It's hard to get excited about Cutler, but that's par for the course for the master of sideline body language, and it's not like he's replacing Dan Marino. The Chargers will also be without their top corner in Jason Verrett, so while Philip Rivers' comeback attempt against the Broncos might give them a little swagger, this is still a team with a lot to prove on offense.

The Skinny:
•2016 MIA offense: 22.7 PPG (17th), 114.0 rushing yds/gm (9th), 232.3 passing yds/gm (26th), 30 sacks allowed (10th), 23 turnovers (T-17th)
•2016 LAC offense: 25,6 PPG (9th), 94.4 rushing yds/gm (26th), 274.1 passing yds/gm (9th), 36 sacks allowed (T-19th), 35 turnovers (32nd)
•2016 MIA defense: 23.8 PPG allowed (18th), 140.4 rushing yds/gm allowed (30th), 256.3 passing yds/gm allowed (16th), 33 sacks (T-19th), 25 turnovers (T-11th)
•2016 LAC defense: 26.4 PPG allowed (29th), 97.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (10th), 263.6 passing yds/gm allowed (21st), 35 sacks (T-14th), 28 turnovers (T-4th)
•Philip Rivers career stats versus MIA, seven games: 3-4, 59.0 percent completion rate, 263.1 passing yards/game, 9:10 TD:INT, 8.0 YPA
•Jay Cutler career stats versus LAC, seven games: 3-4, 62.7 percent completion rate, 267.4 passing yards/game, 11:8 TD:INT, 7.0 YPA
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Ajayi busts out of the starting gate with 100 rushing yards and a TD. Cutler throws for 220 yards and touchdowns to Landry and DeVante Parker. Melvin Gordon picks up 120 combined yards and a score, while Rivers throws for 270 yards and TDs to Hunter Henry and Tyrell Williams. Chargers, 30-27

San Francisco (+14) at Seattle, 42.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: Carlos Hyde's involvement in the passing game last week – he tied his career high with six targets, catching all six – wasn't a surprise for a running back in a Kyle Shanahan scheme, but it does give him a more secure floor for value on a team that likely will have to abandon its running attack a lot when it falls behind. The Seattle offensive line remains the club's Achilles' heel, and while it contributed mightily to Eddie Lacy's miserable Seahawks debut, it should have an easier time keeping Russell Wilson upright against a Niners pass rush that has some talent but failed to bring down Cam Newton even once last week.

The Skinny:
•2016 SF offense: 19.3 PPG (27th), 126.2 rushing yds/gm (4th), 197.9 passing yds/gm (32nd), 47 sacks allowed (30th), 25 turnovers (T-21st)
•2016 SEA offense: 22.1 PPG (T-18th), 99.4 rushing yds/gm (25th), 276.4 passing yds/gm (8th), 42 sacks allowed (27th), 18 turnovers (T-11th)
•2016 SF defense: 30.0 PPG allowed (32nd), 165.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (32nd), 250.8 passing yds/gm allowed (12th), 33 sacks (T-19th), 20 turnovers (T-19th)
•2016 SEA defense: 18.3 PPG allowed (3rd), 92.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (7th), 242.8 passing yds/gm allowed (8th), 42 sacks (T-3rd), 19 turnovers (22nd)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 8-2 SEA with Seahawks winning six straight (plus 1-0 SEA in postseason), average score SEA 24-SF 12, average margin of victory 14 points
•Russell Wilson career stats versus SF, 10 games: 8-2, 62.0 percent completion rate, 203.4 passing yards/game, 14:7 TD:INT, 8.4 YPA
•Weather forecast: 10 mph wind, 54 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Hyde manages 70 combined yards but does score. Brian Hoyer once again throws for less than 200 yards without a TD. Thomas Rawls returns to the lineup and piles up 100 yards in a little more than a half before tweaking his ankle again. Lacy bashes out another 50 yards and a touchdown in the second half. Wilson throws for 230 yards and TDs to Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham. Seahawks, 30-7

Washington (+2.5) at L.A. Rams, 46.0 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: Washington did a good job of hiding Jordan Reed's toe injury in the preseason, but turning eight targets into only 36 yards isn't a good sign for his production, even if it did come against an Eagles defense extremely stingy against TEs. The Colts did a fantastic job of making the Rams offense look effective (aside from Todd Gurley and his 2.1 YPC, anyway), but they'll need to do it again against a real opponent before I buy in, even if it means I lose my seat on the Cooper Kupp bandwagon as it fills up. L.A. also gets Aaron Donald back from his holdout, but it might not be until next week before we get a good sense of how defensive coordinator Wade Phillips plans to unleash him.

The Skinny:
•2016 WAS offense: 24.8 PPG (12th), 106.0 rushing yds/gm (21st), 309.3 passing yds/gm (3rd), 23 sacks allowed (4th), 21 turnovers (15th)
•2016 LAR offense: 14.0 PPG (32nd), 78.3 rushing yds/gm (31st), 207.1 passing yds/gm (30th), 49 sacks allowed (31st), 29 turnovers (T-27th)
•2016 WAS defense: 23.9 PPG allowed (19th), 119.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (24th), 273.9 passing yds/gm allowed (26th), 38 sacks (T-9th), 21 turnovers (T-17th)
•2016 LAR defense: 24.6 PPG allowed (23rd), 103.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (16th), 245.5 passing yds/gm allowed (9th), 31 sacks (T-24th), 18 turnovers (T-23rd)
•Kirk Cousins has been sacked four or more times just three times since becoming the WAS starter in 2015, including Week 1. WAS is 0-3 in those games.
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Rob Kelley rushes for 40 yards. Cousins throws for 250 yards and TDs to Terrelle Pryor and Ryan Grant. Gurley grinds out 80 yards. Jared Goff throws for 210 yards and a score to Sammy Watkins. Washington, 17-16

Dallas at Denver (+2), 42.0 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: The week's marquee matchup between the Dallas offense and the Denver defense might end up taking a back seat to what happens on the other side of the ball. The Cowboys' pass rush looked much improved against an awful Giants O-line, led by DeMarcus Lawrence, while Trevor Siemian seemed more willing to take some downfield shots in Week 1, even against a strong Chargers secondary. If the two presumably dominant units battle each other to a standstill, it might come down to which team can get some juice elsewhere to determine a winner.

The Skinny:
•2016 DAL offense: 26.3 PPG (5th), 149.8 rushing yds/gm (2nd), 237.4 passing yds/gm (23rd), 28 sacks allowed (T-7th), 15 turnovers (T-5th)
•2016 DEN offense: 20.8 PPG (22nd), 92.8 rushing yds/gm (27th), 244.6 passing yds/gm (T-21st), 40 sacks allowed (24th), 25 turnovers (T-21st)
•2016 DAL defense: 19.1 PPG allowed (5th), 83.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (1st), 273.5 passing yds/gm allowed (25th), 36 sacks (13th), 20 turnovers (T-19th)
•2016 DEN defense: 18.6 PPG allowed (4th), 130.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (28th), 200.0 passing yds/gm allowed (1st), 42 sacks (T-3rd), 27 turnovers (T-7th)
•Football Outsiders 2016 rankings versus receiver type: DEN, second against WR1s (minus 29.6 percent DVOA), first against WR2s (minus 58.5 percent DVOA), fourth against other WRs (minus 24.0 percent DVOA), fifth against TEs (minus 20.7 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Ezekiel Elliott gallops for 130 combined yards and a TD, breaking Marcus Allen's 31-year-old record for consecutive games with at least 80 rushing yards. Dak Prescott throws for 220 yards and a touchdown to Brice Butler. C.J. Anderson bangs out 70 yards. Siemian throws for 250 yards and TDs to Emmanuel Sanders and Jeff Heuerman, but also gets sacked three times and loses a key fumble. Cowboys, 23-20

Green Bay (+2.5) at Atlanta, 53.5 o/u – Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: Green Bay pretty much did Green Bay things in its opener, but as with seemingly half the league, some O-line issues cropped up that it will need to fix if Aaron Rodgers is going to maintain his usual efficiency. Atlanta won in Chicago but didn't look like last year's offensive juggernaut, as Matt Ryan's only TD pass came basically on a broken play. If Austin Hooper is emerging as another weapon for Ryan, though, they should quickly begin forcing defenses to pick their poison again.

The Skinny:
•2016 GB offense: 27.0 PPG (4th), 106.3 rushing yds/gm (20th), 277.8 passing yds/gm (6th), 35 sacks allowed (T-16th), 17 turnovers (T-8th)
•2016 ATL offense: 33.8 PPG (1st), 120.5 rushing yds/gm (5th), 310.0 passing yds/gm (2nd), 37 sacks allowed (T-21st), 11 turnovers (T-1st)
•2016 GB defense: 24.3 PPG allowed (21st), 94.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (8th), 287.7 passing yds/gm allowed (32nd), 40 sacks (T-6th), 25 turnovers (T-11th)
•2016 ATL defense: 25.4 PPG allowed (27th), 104.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (17th), 280.9 passing yds/gm allowed (28th), 34 sacks (T-16th), 22 turnovers (16th)
•Aaron Rodgers career stats versus ATL, five games: 2-3, 69.7 percent completion rate, 325.2 passing yards/game, 13:1 TD:INT, 8.8 YPA. No, I don't know how he lost those three games either.
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Ty Montgomery picks up 70 combined yards and a score. Rodgers throws for 340 yards and three TDs, hitting Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Martellus Bennett. Devonta Freeman gains 60 combined yards and a TD, while Tevin Coleman adds 50. Ryan throws for 270 yards and touchdowns to Julio Jones, who tops 100 yards, and Taylor Gabriel. Packers, 31-27

Detroit (+3.5) at N.Y. Giants, 43.5 o/u – Monday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: Whether it's Madonna, Green Day or Cliff Richard, everybody is adapting their favorite song with "holiday" in the title to celebrate Detroit's newest rookie wideout sensation. The fact that Matthew Stafford was willing to look Kenny Golladay's way so often, in such crucial situations, says more about his prospects than his raw Week 1 numbers – not that there was anything wrong with those numbers at all. If you have Marvin Jones shares, I'd be worried. I'd also be worried if I were a Giants fan or had any major stake in their skill players, because their offensive line is the wrong kind of offensive in every way. This gif of right tackle Bobby Hart being tossed aside like yesterday's garbage by Cowboys end DeMarcus Lawrence, who's not exactly an All Pro, may well end up being the enduring image of their season if the unit doesn't shape up in a hurry. At least there's a good chance they get Odell Beckham back Monday, but he'll need to do most of his work after the catch because Eli Manning might not have enough time to let him get downfield on a route.

The Skinny:
•2016 DET offense: 21.6 PPG (20th), 81.9 rushing yds/gm (30th), 270.4 passing yds/gm (12th), 37 sacks allowed (T-21st), 15 turnovers (T-5th)
•2016 NYG offense: 19.4 PPG (26th), 88.3 rushing yds/gm (29th), 251.7 passing yds/gm (18th), 22 sacks allowed (3rd), 27 turnovers (T-24th)
•2016 DET defense: 22.4 PPG allowed (13th), 106.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (18th), 258.5 passing yds/gm allowed (18th), 26 sacks (30th), 14 turnovers (T-28th)
•2016 NYG defense: 17.8 PPG allowed (2nd), 88.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-4th), 266.3 passing yds/gm allowed (23rd), 35 sacks (T-14th), 25 turnovers (T-11th)
•Football Outsiders 2016 ranking versus receiver types: DET, 32nd against other WRs (plus 27.4 percent DVOA), 29th against TEs (plus 21.7 percent DVOA), 29th against RBs (plus 34.4 percent DVOA); NYG, first against WR1s (minus 29.7 percent DVOA), third against RBs (minus 25.8 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: 12 mph wind, 24 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Ameer Abdullah gains 60 yards. Stafford throws for 240 yards and a TD to Eric Ebron. Paul Perkins picks up 50 combined yards, while Shane Vereen adds 40 yards and a score. Manning throws for 220 yards and two more touchdowns, one to Beckham and one to Sterling Shepard. Giants, 24-13

2017 regular-season record: 9-6, 8-6-1 ATS, 5-9-1 o/u
2016 regular-season record: 155-99-2, 110-136-10 ATS, 139-112-5 o/u
2015 regular-season record: 157-99, 137-111-8 ATS