Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is officially in the books, and we already have plenty to talk about. Some teams came out looking like legitimate contenders, others raised some early concerns, and a few reminded everyone why you can never predict exactly what will happen in the NFL.

Now it’s time to turn our attention to Week 2. My Week 1 Predictions garnered a 10-5 record. My goal every season has been to finish with a winning percentage of 70. My winning percentage entering this week is 66.7%.

This week’s schedule features several intriguing matchups, including Lions-Bills on Thursday Night Football, Eagles-Titans, Vikings-Bears, Commanders-Cowboys, Colts-Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, and Giants-Rams on Monday night.

Here are my Sports and Music Dad NFL Week 2 predictions.

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills

This is one of my favorite matchups of the week. Detroit escaped Week 1 with a 31-30 win over New Orleans, while Buffalo opened the year with a 36-31 win over Houston. Josh Allen had a strong showing against one of the best defenses in the league.

Both offenses can put points on the board, so this could turn into a Thursday night shootout. Playing in Buffalo gives the Bills the slight advantage. Last season, this was a Super Bowl matchup many had wanted. We get it two years later, but it’ll be on a Thursday Night in the regular season. Prediction: Bills Win

Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans

Philadelphia survived a tough divisional battle against Washington in Week 1, winning 24-22. Now the Eagles hit the road against Tennessee. The Eagles defense looked strong for most part of that game against Washington.

Tennessee looked horrible in their loss to the New York Jets. Tennessee will bring a different fight to the Eagles because they are one of the standards in the league. The Titans can’t be overlooked, but I like Philadelphia’s overall roster and ability to make plays when the game is on the line. I expect another competitive game, but the Birds leave Tennessee at 2-0. Prediction: Eagles Win

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

Pittsburgh opened the season with a 20-13 victory over Atlanta. The Steelers’ formula doesn’t need to be complicated: play tough defense, control the football and avoid costly mistakes. I’m still not sold on the offense of the Steelers.

The Patriots have their home opener after falling to Seattle in the season opener. The Patriots lost A.J. Brown to a high ankle sprain, and he will miss at least a month. This feels like a defensive game in the making. I’m going with the home team to win in a low scoring game. Prediction: Patriots Win

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

Chicago produced one of Week 1’s biggest statements with an explosive 59-37 victory over Carolina. Minnesota also looked impressive with a 39-22 win over Green Bay. The Bears have arguably the best 1-2 punch at the running back position. There’s a reason why they extended DeAndre Swift before the start of the season.

Kyler Murray was injured early on in his Vikings debut, but Carson Wentz filled in nicely for him. Wentz turned back the clock and put on an amazing performance against Green Bay. That makes this an early NFC North showdown worth watching. The Bears were one of my top 5 NFC teams to start the season and I’m picking them to win at home. Prediction: Bears Win

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Neither team wants to start the season by falling into an early hole, especially against a division rival. The Atlanta Falcons had a quarterback issue before their opening game. Tua was scheduled to start but injured his oblique. Cooper Rush got the start and didn’t play horribly considering the time he had to prepare.

Carolina’s defense has to be much better after giving up 59 points in Week 1. Atlanta also needs to bounce back after losing to Pittsburgh. The Panthers seem to always beat the Falcons in Atlanta. Both teams will rebound and play better, but I’m going with the home team to win. Prediction: Falcons Win

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets

The Jets opened their season with a road victory over Tennessee, while Green Bay struggled defensively against Minnesota. New York have upgraded their team on both sides of the ball.

This is a difficult game to predict because Green Bay has enough talent to rebound quickly. The Jets could surprise some teams if they’re not prepared. The Packers are still looking for a running in the absence of Josh Jacobs. I’m thinking Green Bay does enough to leave New York with their first win of the season. Prediction: Packers Win

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens

New Orleans came painfully close to beating Detroit in Week 1, losing 31-30. Unfortunately for the Saints, things don’t get any easier with a trip to Baltimore. Baltimore is one of my favorites from the AFC to make a Super Bowl run.

New Orleans is one of those teams that are putting some pieces together. They may be a year or two away from doing great things. The Ravens scored 41 points against Indianapolis in their opener. Baltimore has too much firepower for me to pick against them at home. Prediction: Ravens Win

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

This could quietly become one of the most entertaining games of Week 2. Both teams were in my top 5 AFC teams to start the season. There are a couple of things to look for on the Cincinnati Bengals side. Ja’Marr Chase should have a two catch, 12 yards performance. The other is Joe Burrow and him saying he has back tightness.

Cincinnati started the season with a win over Tampa Bay, while Houston scored 31 points but still came up short against Buffalo. I expect plenty of offense from both teams. I’m going with the Houston Texans because I’m not seeing them dropping their first two home games. Prediction: Texans Win

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cleveland struggled in its opener against Jacksonville, while Tampa Bay lost a competitive game to Cincinnati. The Browns looked like the worst team in the league a week ago. Cleveland is staying in Florida but hoping for another outcome.

This feels like a good opportunity for the Buccaneers to get their first victory of the season, especially playing at home. I’m picking a Tampa victory and discussions of Shedeur replacing Deshaun Watson for their home opener. Prediction: Buccaneers Win

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos

Jacksonville was impressive in Week 1 with a 34-10 win over Cleveland. Denver, meanwhile, had a rough night against Kansas City. Jacksonville was impressive, but was it them or the fact it came against Cleveland? They will have a tough test in the Mile High City this weekend. Can they keep up with that momentum from a week ago?

Denver was blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs in the Monday Night game. The game will not define this team, and we shouldn’t put too much stock into it. The Broncos still have one of the best defenses in the league. Bo Nix is still having to get over the mental hurdle of his ankle injury. I’m picking the Broncos to rebound and get their first win in a close one. Prediction: Broncos Win

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers

The Raiders opened the year with a convincing 27-13 victory over Miami. The Chargers, meanwhile, were beaten 26-14 by Arizona. Who had the Chargers losing to the Arizona Cardinals? Justin Herbert is starting to get more eyes on his performances, and the Raiders have some good pieces on defense.

Kirk Cousins seem to have a grasp on this Raiders offense. The Chargers will get after him because of his lack of being mobile. I’m going with the Chargers to get their first win of the season. Prediction: Chargers Win

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

Arizona got everyone’s attention by beating the Chargers in Week 1. Seattle also enters this NFC West battle with plenty to prove. The defending champions defeated the Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch. They lost Sam Darnold early in the game with a hip injury. Darnold has been ruled out, and they’ll go with Drew Lock again.

Arizona looked like a different team in their opening season win over the Chargers. I’m thinking this will be a close game and I’m going with the champions to edge the Cardinals. Prediction: Seahawks Win

Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco made a huge statement in its opener with a 27-7 victory over the Rams. Miami, on the other hand, struggled in a loss to Las Vegas. The Niners were healthy and they totally dominated the Rams on both sides of the ball. San Francisco had a week and a half to get their bodies right from their Australia trip.

Miami is expected to have a bad year, and this game could get ugly in the second half. Prediction: 49ers Win

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys

Nothing beats an NFC East rivalry game.

Washington nearly knocked off Philadelphia in Week 1, while Dallas lost to the Giants. Both teams will be hungry to avoid another divisional loss. Neither one of these teams want to begin the season with a 0-2 record. This should be an excellent matchup between Dak Prescott and Jayden Daniels.

I’m expecting a physical game that remains close deep into the fourth quarter. With the Cowboys at home, I’m going with Dallas to get by the Commanders. Prediction: Cowboys Win

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs — Sunday Night Football

Kansas City looked impressive in its 31-10 victory over Denver. The Chiefs now get another prime-time game at home. I’ve asked the question, are the Kansas City Chiefs back? There’s a video asking the same question also.

Indianapolis will have to play significantly better after giving up 41 points against Baltimore. It’s tough for any team to go from Baltimore to Kansas City. Going into Kansas City and slowing down that offense is a difficult assignment. The Chiefs move to 2-0. Prediction: Chiefs Win

New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams — Monday Night Football

The Giants started their season with a big NFC East win over Dallas. The Rams had a much rougher opening week, falling 27-7 to San Francisco. New York is expected to surprise some teams this season. Los Angeles will be without Myles Garrett for at least four games after being put on IR. Will Aaron Donald make his return for this Monday Night Game?

Los Angeles should play better in Week 2, especially at home. The Rams should be able to go after the young secondary of the Giants. I’m picking the Los Angeles Rams to win at home. Prediction: Rams Win

Final Thoughts

Week 1 gave us our first glimpse at what these teams could become, but we shouldn’t overreact to one game. Some teams that struggled will bounce back, and a few teams that looked dominant will quickly discover how unpredictable the NFL can be.

That’s what makes Week 2 so interesting.

I’m especially watching the Eagles as they travel to Tennessee. Philadelphia escaped its opener against Washington and now has an opportunity to start the season 2-0. As an Eagles fan, I’m riding with the Birds again this week.

What do you think about my picks? Which teams do you have winning in Week 2? Drop your predictions in the comments and let me know which pick you disagree with the most.