JETS (1-1) at DOLPHINS (1-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: The Jets’ defense is allowing 130.5 yards on the ground, and the Dolphins haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 16 consecutive games. Forcing Mark Sanchez to win with his arm is enough to sap confidence from any Jets fan. Make it a venue call.

Prediction: Dolphins, 20-17

BILLS (1-1) at BROWNS (0-2), 1 p.m.

Outlook: The Dog panel actually was deadlocked on Jags-Colts and this game as the worst matchup of the week. So it went to the tiebreaker: Cities Where I’d Least Like To Live. Buffalo has a hot runner in C.J. Spiller, but otherwise this game tips toward the Browns. Rookie QB Brandon Weeden showed signs of life last week, fellow rookie Trent Richardson rushed for 109 yards, and the defense is surprisingly solid and will get to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Prediction: Browns, 24-23

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RAMS (1-1) at BEARS (1-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Erratic Jay Cutler and da Bears looked awful against Green Bay last week but should enjoy a nice home bounceback. Both teams’ top RBs are hobbled (Steven Jackson, Matt Forte). So give me the better team, at home, with a long week to prepare. Plus, Cutler has won five in a row at Soldier Field.

Prediction: Bears, 27-20

BUCCANEERS (1-1) at COWBOYS (1-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: After his team’s big laydown in Seattle last week, Jerry Jones is liable to storm the field if Dallas drops this one. I’m hunching a rout by the Cowboys. Dallas has won four in a row in series, Tony Romo is 11-0 on TDs/picks in past three meetings with Bucs, and Tampa’s defense has done little to suggest it might start turning this around here.

Prediction: Cowboys, 34-16

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49ERS (2-0) at VIKINGS (1-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: If anybody can find a weakness in San Francisco, let me know. It’s early, but Niners were my preseason Super Bowl pick and I’m feeling good. Alex Smith is so efficient (216 consecutive passes with no INT), and that defense is terrific. WR Randy Moss plays his ex-team for the first time and should leave his former home with a smile on his face.

Prediction: 49ers, 24-13

CHIEFS (0-2) at SAINTS (0-2), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Welcome to the Disappointment Bowl. The fact one of these winless teams is the week’s biggest point-spread favorite tells you how awful the other has been. Have a feeling the desperation will make for a very entertaining game, but New Orleans is still a tough place to bring a defense that just isn’t playing well.

Prediction: Saints, 37-24

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BENGALS (1-1) at REDSKINS (1-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Robert Griffin III is the first rookie QB since 1969 with TD passes of 65-plus yards in both of his first two games. Long-suffering Redskins fans are psyched, this is their home opener, and the place should be electric.

Prediction: Redskins, 30-27

LIONS (1-1) at TITANS (0-2), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Titans tend to play NFC teams well (14-3 run), but that’s a trend to ignore. Lions Coach Jim Schwartz, a former 10-year Tennessee assistant, simply brings a clearly superior team into his old stadium. Lions have a banged-up secondary, but assuming WR Calvin Johnson plays (ankle, questionable), Detroit shouldn’t have much trouble.

Prediction: Lions, 27-20

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JAGUARS (0-2) at COLTS (1-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Here are a couple lower-tier teams trying to find their way forward with young quarterbacks, but there the similarities end. One of those QBs happens to be a superstar-in-the-making in Andrew Luck. The other is so-so Blaine Gabbert, about whom the best that can be said is that the jury is out. Give me Luck any day.

Prediction: Colts, 20-10

EAGLES (2-0) at CARDINALS (2-0), 4:05 p.m.

Outlook: Bird Bowl is an interesting matchup, with Arizona trying to jump out to 3-0 for first time in 25 seasons in the desert, and Philly the first team ever to start 2-0 with two 1-point wins. Eagles also are first team since 1983 to be 2-0 despite nine turnovers. Arizona has become credible — 9-2 run since last midseason — but I don’t see Cards and Kevin Kolb (facing his ex-team) with enough punch to get past Philly’s big defense.

Prediction: Eagles, 23-16

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FALCONS (2-0) at CHARGERS (2-0), 4:05 p.m.

Outlook: San Diego hasn’t been 3-0 since 2002 but has a great chance to get there in this one. Atlanta is a better all-round team, but Falcons are making a long trip on a short week, which disproportionately favors the home team. Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers could make it a shootout.

Prediction: Chargers, 28-27

TEXANS (2-0) at BRONCOS (1-1), 4:25 p.m.

Outlook: Always a risk betting against Peyton Manning at home getting points, but I’d do it. Houston’s great defense will hassle Manning, flush him out, annoy him and, yes, tip a pass or three. On the other side, Matt Schaub is 10-1 on TDs/picks in his past six road games.

Prediction: Texans, 24-20

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STEELERS (1-1) at RAIDERS (0-2), 4:25 p.m.

Outlook: Both teams are struggling to run, so give me Ben Roethlisberger over Carson Palmer, and give me Pittsburgh’s defense over the Oakland defense that made Miami look like a juggernaut and turned Reggie Bush into Barry Sanders. Raiders are desperate and home before their goony fans, but better team trumps intangibles almost every time.

Prediction: Steelers, 27-17

PATRIOTS (1-1) at RAVENS (1-1), 8:20 p.m.

Outlook: It’s a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game and it’s worthy of prime time again. Four other games had the GOTW committee’s eye but it’s tough to ignore a mighty home team — Ravens have won 11 in a row in Baltimore — against a league power out to rebound from an embarrassing (and rare) home loss. I can’t remember the last time I picked against the Ravens at home and I might regret it here if they can get Ray Rice going. But Bill Belichick is 7-1 all-time in this series for a reason, and I see New England’s loss to Arizona as an aberration, not the ominous beginning of a sharp decline. Baltimore’s defense is not as vaunted as in years past, and Tom Brady does not lose two in a row.

Prediction: Patriots, 27-24

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MONDAY

PACKERS (1-1) at SEAHAWKS (1-1), 8:30 p.m.

Outlook: MNF has a good one, with both teams coming off very impressive wins, Packers over Chicago and Seahawks routing Dallas. Seattle is a strong home team with another big upset shot. Seahawks have a tough secondary, and Packers’ defense is big on sacking, meaning both QBs will be under pressure.

Prediction: Packers, 34-27.

— Greg Cote, The Miami Herald; last week: 12-4; season, 19-13


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