Week 2 Game Previews: Replacement Officials

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How about those replacement officials? Sadly, we will never know what could have happened in the minute that was lost during the Sunday night game last week. Even with questionable officiating, the games will still go on. Lets take a look at the game previews for the second week of the National Football League season.

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Both the Chiefs and the Bills had disappointed loses in the first week of the season. Kansas City played good in the first half against the Falcons, but fell apart in the second half. Expect Matt Cassel to have a strong game against a Bills team that allowed 266 passing yards to the Jets. The running back duo for the Chiefs should also have a good game. The Bills lost two key offensive players, Fred Jackson and David Nelson last week. Running back C.J. Spiller is capable of being the every-down back for the Bills though. This should come down to the wire with both teams looking to have a bounce back game.
Final Score Prediction: 24-21 Chiefs
Game Day Weather: 63 F
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns will travel to Cincinnati in the battle for Ohio. Cincinnati swept the 2011 meetings, and they lead the series 41 to 36. Andy Dalton will look to get back on track this week by targeting second year wide receiver, A.J. Green. Luckily for Green, he will face Sheldon Brown instead of suspended Joe Haden. The running game should continue to do well against a decent Browns run defense. Rookie Brandon Weeden did not have a good start to his NFL career last week by throwing four interceptions in the Browns’ disappointing loss to the Eagles. Trent Richardson health is still a concern for the Browns, so he will be back on a touch count this week.
Final Score Prediction: 20-14 Bengals
Game Day Weather: 76 F
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts
The 0-1 Colts will host the 1-0 Vikings at Lucas Oil Stadium. Last week, Andrew Luck and the offense struggled on third down conversions. Look for them to improve this week in that category. The Vikings front seven should pose some problems for Donald Brown this week. Wide receiver Austin Collie is listed as doubtful, so Reggie Wayne will be Luck’s main target. Christian Ponder had a decent game last week, but the real story was the health of Adrian Peterson, who was able to punch in two scores even though he had limited touches. The combination of Peterson and Gerhart will be a problem for the Colts. While Percy Harvin does not have the speed and height of Brandon Marshall, he should do fairly well against the weak Colts secondary.
Final Score Prediction: 24-17 Colts
Game Day Weather: Dome
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
Both the Saints and the Panthers start a surprising 0-1 after week one. The Saints allowed a league-worst 459 yards against the Redskins last week, so the Panthers offense should be in for a big day. Steve Smith could sit out this week which would leave Brandon LaFell as the number one receiver. On the Saints side, Drew Brees wants to have a fast turnaround after a rough outing last week. The Saints running game which struggled against the Redskins will look to get going against the Panthers.
Final Score Prediction: 35-28 Saints
Game Day Weather: 83 F with chance of thunderstorms
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins
Coming off a disappointing loss Monday night, the Raiders will travel to Miami to play the Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Carson Palmer was a bright spot last week, completing 69.6 percent of his passes. He used his check-downs quite a bit, and that will continue against the Dolphins. The beneficiary of the high amount of check-downs was Daren McFadden, who had 13 receptions, the second most in a single game in the Raiders history. Reggie Bush is the only offensive weapon for the Dolphins, so expect a long day for the Ryan Tannehill.
Final Score Prediction: 23-13 Raiders
Game Day Weather: 88 F with scattered thunderstorms
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The AFC South showdown will feature the Texans and the Jaguars. Rashard Jennings is out this week due to a knee injury, so Maurice Jones-Drew will get the majority of carries. Expect Blaine Gabbert to struggle this week against the strong Houston defense. Despite some health concerns for Arian Foster, it looks like he will play. Matt Schaub was an efficient passer last week, completing the ball to Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels 11 times.
Final Score Prediction: 28-14 Texans
Game Day Weather: 87 F with chance of showers
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots
The Cardinals will look to pull a huge upset against the Patriots this week. John Skelton is doubtful for the game, so Kevin Kolb will be penciled in as the starter. He is in for a rough day against the improved New England defense. The Cardinals running game will have a rough time getting started as well. On the other side of the ball, the up-tempo New England offense should move the ball up and down the field with ease. Wes Welker wants to be a bigger part of the game plan this week, although his best years are behind him. The Patriots should get up early, so expect a heavy dose of Stevan Ridley.
Final Score Prediction: 30-14 Patriots
Game Day Weather: 71 F
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants
The young Buccaneers team that is coming off a big win will face the Giants. Josh Freeman had a good game even though he went to the check-down wide receiver instead of targeting Vincent Jackson, who was open down the field. Many found out the reason behind Doug Martin’s nickname Muscle Hamster. He had 24 rushing attempts for 95 yards, which makes it clear that he is the main back in Tampa Bay. Victor Cruz had a team high 11 targets; however, he dropped three passes. Look for him to get back on track against a weaker Tampa Bay opponent. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw looked slow, and he could be challenged by rookie David Wilson for snaps if Wilson can hold onto the football.
Final Score Prediction: 24-17 Giants
Game Day Weather: 77 F
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Baltimore Raves at Philadelphia Eagles
One of the best games of the week features the Ravens against the Eagles. The Ravens had a great start to their season but will have a tough match-up against an Eagles defense that allowed just 210 total yards a week ago. Expect Ray Rice to get more involved in the running game. Michael Vick threw four interceptions against the Browns; that will have to improve against the Ravens. Both his top targets, Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson, are listed as questionable this week. The Ravens defense will struggle to keep LeSean McCoy in check.
Final Score Prediction: 28-24 Ravens
Game Day Weather: 77 F
Game Time: Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams
After coming off a big win, the Redskins will travel to St. Louis to play the Rams. Robert Griffin III put his athleticism on display against the Saints; however, he could have a larger challenge against the Rams, who picked off Matthew Stafford three times last week. Running back Alfred Morris will get the start for the Redskins after scoring two touchdowns last week. The Rams offensive line struggled allowing three sacks against the Lions. They will need to improve for the Rams to have a chance in this game.
Final Score Prediction: 28-13 Redskins
Game Day Weather: Dome
Game Time: Sunday 4:05 PM Eastern

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
The Cowboys will take on the Seahawks after they beat the defending Super Bowl Champions in the first game of the year. DeMarco Murray and Jason Witten were both full participants in practice, which is good news for the Cowboys. The Seahawks defense allowed just 253 total yards last week, but they were going against a weak Arizona offense. The Seahawks struggled to keep Russell Wilson protected, and that will have to change against Demarcus Ware and the Cowboys. Look for Marshawn Lynch to get the majority of carries for the Seahawks. Expect the 12th man to keep this game closer then some may think.
Final Score Prediction: 21-17 Cowboys
Game Day Weather: 72 F
Game Time: Sunday 4:05 PM Eastern

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
Rex Ryan’s Jets will take on Mike Tomlin’s Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers fell apart in the second half against the Broncos last week. Their defense allowed 334 total yards; however, they should improve this week at home. The Jets surprised many when they put up 48 points against the improved Bills defense. They will have a more difficult time against a motivated Steelers squad. Darrelle Revis is out this week, so look for Wallace and Brown to have solid games. Running back C.J. Spiller went for 169 yards against the Jets, so Jonathan Dwyer could be in for a big day.
Final Score Prediction: 28-17 Steelers
Game Day Weather: 73 F
Game Time: Sunday 4:25 PM Eastern

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers will host the Titans in what could be a close game. Kenny Britt and Jake Locker are questionable going into the game, but both should suit up. Rookie Kendall Wright could be in for a great game with Kenny Britt on a snap count and with Nate Washington listed as questionable. The offensive line concerns for the Titans were seen last week, which meant a long day for Chris Johsnon. For the Chargers, it looks like Robert Meachem is the go-to receiver. Ryan Mathews should sit out again, so Ronnie Brown and Curtis Brinkley will get the workload for the Chargers.
Final Score Prediction: 28-21 Chargers
Game Day Weather: 94 F
Game Time: Sunday 4:25 PM Eastern

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
The Lions take on a 49ers team that is coming off a big victory over the Packers. After holding Aaron Rodgers to 303 yards and two touchdowns, the 49ers will look to keep Matthew Stafford in check. Kevin Smith will have a rough time finding space against the front seven of the 49ers. On the other side of the ball, the 49ers running game could struggle against the Lions. Alex Smith will try to find Randy Moss for the big play to help open up running lanes.
Final Score Prediction: 21-17 49ers
Game Day Weather: 79 F
Game Time: Sunday 8:20 PM Eastern

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons
After a big home win to start the season, the Broncos will travel to Atlanta to face the up-tempo offense of the Falcons. Last week, the Falcons played well on the road against the Chiefs, especially in the second half. The wide receiver duo of Roddy White and Julio Jones will need to repeat their success against the Broncos. The Broncos allowed just 284 yards against the Steelers offense, so do not expect the Falcons to put up 40 points again. Peyton Manning looked like he never missed a game this past Sunday night, and he should not slow down against a Falcons team that allowed 152 yards passing against the Chiefs. This should be a high scoring game, which is good news for fantasy football owners.
Final Score Prediction: 30-27 Falcons
Game Day Weather: Dome
Game Time: Monday 8:30 PM Eastern