NFC picks and predictions for Week 2

Article continues below … NFC Chicago Bears (0-1) at Detroit Lions (0-1) Key matchup: Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and running back Tarik Cohen will face off against the Lions’ Matthew Stafford and wide receiver…

NFC picks and predictions for Week 2

Article continues below …

NFC

Chicago Bears (0-1) at Detroit Lions (0-1)

Key matchup: Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and running back Tarik Cohen will face off against the Lions’ Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Marvin Jones, Jr. It should be an entertaining game, especially in the secondary.

By the numbers: Bears won the first meeting, 30-23, but the Lions clinched the division a week later. Chicago has a 59-61-3 record against Detroit during the regular season, but the Lions are still waiting for their first win against the Bears during the regular season since 1993.

Noteworthy: The Lions were struggling offensively in Week 1 before a second-half defensive strike led to a 17-10 win. Then, in the next three games, the Lions scored 31, 41 and 27 points. Now, Detroit faces another divisional rival for the first time this season.

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)

Key matchup: Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson vs. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, of course, had the MVP-level stats in Week 1, as he rushed for 190 yards, threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson and his offense will try to stop Rodgers’ early-season offensive assault.

By the numbers: The Packers are 1-7 all-time against the Seahawks, although Seattle lost by 24 points at home to Green Bay last season.

Noteworthy: The Packers and Seahawks will meet for the first time this season. After an ugly home opener, the Packers will be excited to see if they are improved with the win over Minnesota.

NFC West (Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams)

Key matchup: Rams quarterback Jared Goff vs. Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher. Bettcher has been in place in Arizona since 2017, but the rest of the Cardinals defense is pretty much the same as last season. Goff, meanwhile, is one of the more offensive-minded quarterbacks in the NFL, and his weapons have improved immensely. The only way Goff and the Rams can win this game is if the Arizona offense sputters.

By the numbers: If the Rams want to remain undefeated, they must reach the end zone early. They scored three touchdowns on just 19 first-half possessions last week, which is like only scoring one touchdown in the entire first half on offense. At the very least, the Rams should put up at least 35 points, which they did in the season opener.

Noteworthy: The Cardinals, after a horrific 31-point home loss to Oakland, have just three total points in their last four games. It’s clear that they’re capable of winning in the NFL, but the NFL isn’t the SEC or Major League Baseball. It’s tough to win games when you don’t score many points.

NFC North (Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears)

Key matchup: Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins vs. Bears linebacker Roquan Smith. Cousins and the Vikings are worried about their offense becoming bogged down by a slow start. The Bears will also want to get on the board early to pull away from Minnesota.

By the numbers: The Vikings, of course, will be targeting a win in this game to help their chances in the NFC North race. With a win, the Vikings and Bears would be tied for the lead and control their own fate. The Vikings beat the Bears, 31-23, in Week 1 and are hoping to avenge their loss.

Noteworthy: The Bears were one of just seven teams that was never in the playoffs last season, so their history with the Vikings is a little different.

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What’s your prediction for Sunday?

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