We are fully into week 2 after the Bills beat down of the Lions which brings us to our next Five for Friday. I went 2-3 with my five featured games and 7-6 overall. But everyone says week 1 is a liar and the most unpredictable week of the season so I’m sure I will do much better this week. Or at least like the Chargers, Broncos, Patriots and Rams, that is what I am hoping for. Let’s dive in.

Great O vs Great D: Vikings @ Bears 11 AM mountain time

The Vikings were all but done until Carson Wentz of all people led them back to victory. They were mostly helped with the blitzing Vikings. The Packers couldn’t run the ball and could not protect Jordan Love at all in the second half. Carson figured out if you throw it in the area of Justin Jefferson things go pretty well. Meanwhile, the Bears put up 59 points on the Panthers and ran and threw all over them. But their defense gave up 37 to the Panthers. So you have elite offense against elite defense. The Vikings should be able to score on the Bears but will they be able to score enough to keep up? Or will Brian Flores call so many blitzes that it actually slows down the Bears offense and lowers the arrogance of Ben Johnson ever so slightly? Unlike the Packers, the Bears can actually run the ball and sort of pass block. Unfortunately, we will have to deal with arrogant Ben Johnson for at least another week.

Bears 31 Vikings 27

The “Hey, What’s going on?” Game: Bengals @ Texans 11 AM mountain time

Last week the Bengals defense created 4 turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown. However, the offense looked average at best. Meanwhile the Texans amazing defense couldn’t stop Josh Allen and the Bills who put up 36 on the so called best defense. The Texans offense shockingly put up 31 which was a very good total especially for them. These teams seem backwards to me like we are living in some bizzaro world. Will things get back to normal this week? I think both of these teams can and will be good assuming they stay healthy. However, Joe Burrow is already having back issues. It’s been one week. Burrow will not be a threat to run like Allen was which should allow the Texans pass rush to get after him. The secondary is typically very good. So I don’t see this Texans giving up 30 plus again. However, I’m sure CJ Stroud will give the Bengals a couple more possessions. This is really a debate of which team’s elite side of the ball bounces back. I just can’t see this defense losing two in a row at home to start the season. They get enough pressure against an average at best offensive line to create problems and get the win.

Texans 27 Bengals 20

Super Bowl champs or September chumps?: Jags @ Broncos 2:05 PM mountain time

The Broncos came into the season with high hopes, just ask Sean Payton. Or don’t, he will tell you either way. I became a believer as well as the Broncos were my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl. Now I would be lying if I was disappointed in the result on Monday night. I’m not sure anyone expected the beatdown the Chiefs delivered to the Broncos on Monday night football. And while it was glorious to watch, I don’t foresee this being the Broncos reality this year. They have arguably the best roster in the AFC and have a hall of fame coach no matter how arrogant he is. But they do seem to have some issues. David Webb didn’t call a great game. Bo Nix looked mostly terrible and they can’t tackle anyone. And the schedule does not lighten up. They have the Jags this week and the Rams on Sunday night next week both at home. They are at the 49ers and Chargers after that and then wrap up the gauntlet with the Seahawks at home. If they can get through that at 3-3 then I think they will be just fine. Enter the Jags lead by Trevor Lawrence. They won big last week but they were playing the Browns. However, they beat the Broncos pretty easily last year as well. They are a very solid and complete team. They looked great on Sunday and it could be more of the same unless the Broncos turn it around. They say week 1 is a liar and Broncos fans across the country and especially in my family are hoping that it is true. If the Broncos lose this one it’s not the end of the season but it makes things much harder. I think they bounce back and win a close one with Bo Nix leading them to the winning score just like the old days of last year.

Broncos 27 Jags 24

Sunday Night Nemesis: Colts @ Chiefs 6:20 Mountain time

Monday night sure was fun! The Chiefs looked awesome especially on defense and in the run game. Kenneth Walker out gained the entire Broncos team which was quite enjoyable even if I had to enjoy it quietly for the sake of my marriage. I was especially surprised the defense played so well. Patrick looked okay but will get more comfortable and be better. I still don’t feel great about our tackles but if we can run the ball like that, it might not matter. The problem is we play the Colts. The Colts aren’t great but have been our nemesis in many playoff losses. And their defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo formerly of the Bengals has always given Patrick fits. However, what Lou has always done best is dare the Chiefs to run the ball. I think this year’s Chiefs team will gladly do that. The Colts have some good weapons and their running back Jonathan Taylor is one of the best in the league. I was very excited about the Chiefs pass rush and pass coverage. The run defense was fine but they weren’t really tested because for whatever reason the Broncos decided they should pass 80% of the time. I think this will be a much closer game as it is hard to match the intensity the Chiefs came out with in week 1. But I got faith they will still get the W.

Chiefs 27 Colts 17

Super Team vs Super concussion: Giants @ Rams 6:15 PM Mountain time

The Giants are 1-0 after beating the Cowboys at home on Sunday night. They have solid core of players although they all will eventually get hurt. Jaxson Dart played very well. Skattebo was solid and Nabers is incredibly talented. I thought Matt Nagy might make Dart terrible but luckily he and the offense looked good. The defense did enough to slow down a potent Cowboys offense. Meanwhile the Rams plan to show up a day before the game in Australia did not pay short term dividends as they got their butts kicked by the 49ers. On top of that, Myles Garrett heads to IR after playing one below average game for them. But that short trip to Australia was for the long game. So they should be fresh or whatever for Monday night football. Sean McVay is a heck of a coach so I assume he will turn things around quickly. And we should see a much more effective Rams offense assuming they aren’t jet lagged from the return flight. Much like the Broncos, the Rams really need this win to get back on track. I think the Rams offense will be back but the defense will still struggle. I can only assume a Giant or two will get injured and the Rams squeak this one out.

Rams 30 Giants 28

Other game predictions:

Panthers over Falcons

Eagles over Titans

Patriots over Steelers

Packers over Jets

Bucs over Browns

Ravens over Saints

Chargers over Raiders

Cowboys over Commanders

Seahawks over Cardinals

49ers over Dolphins