Week 1 of the 2020 NFL Season is in the books and we weren’t left disappointed for talking points. We now look ahead to Week 2 and, more specifically, what we can expect from the games live on Sky Sports on Sunday and Monday night.
SUNDAY 6:00pm GAME:
Minnesota Vikings @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday’s televised games open with 2 teams who are looking to redeem themselves from disappointing week 1 performances going head to head. The Minnesota Vikings suffered a convincing loss at home to their bitter rivals the Green Bay Packers, with Aaron Rodgers launching an aerial assault that reminded everyone just what he is capable of.Indianapolis will be equally frustrated with themselves afterthey left Jacksonville empty handed in a game they were heavy favourites to win.
Both of these teams will have considered themselves playoff calibre teams and, needless to say, big improvements are needed from both if they are to avoid an 0-2 start.
PP Betting:
Money line: Vikings6/4Colts8/15
Points Spread: Colts -35/6
Over/Under:48.5
The Over 48.5 looks like the best shout to me here. The inexperienced Vikings cornerback unit will still be reeling from last week, but they do have a very potent offense capable of making it a potential shootout.
Fantasy Football:
Must Start:
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is the obvious standout name. If he is available to you, it’s a no brainer to start him.
Solid Options:
Rookie Jonathan Taylor will surely see a big increase in his usage after Marlon Mack suffered a season ending injury, and he has more than enough ability to be an RB2 candidate.
Adam Thielen had 110yds and 2 TD’s off just 6 receptions and Cousins will look to get him the ball as much as possible.
Breakout potential:
Justin Jefferson of Minnesota and Indy’s Parris Campbell are both very promising youngsters and could be in a position to take advantage of good match ups if given the chance.
My Prediction:
I think the Colts’ are in a better spot to put their week 1 issuesbehind them but this could go down to the wire.
32–28 Indianapolis
SUNDAY 9:25pm GAME
Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
The 2nd game of the day has the Baltimore Ravens look to follow up in their annihilation of the Cleveland Browns as they travel to the Lone Star State to face the Houston Texans.The schedule certainly hasn’t done the Texans any early favours as they’re coming off an opening day defeat to last season’s Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs. This week’s task isn’t a whole lot easier and the Texans will need to bring their ‘A’ game to be in with any chance of bouncing back.
PP Betting:
Money line:Ravens3/10Texans5/2
Points Spread:Ravens -7
Over/Under:50
I find it very difficult to see the Texans staying within 7 points of the Ravens. My gut feeling tells me this could get ugly for Houston pretty quickly and the over/under could be decided simply by how much mercy Baltimore are willing to show them.
Fantasy Outlook:
Must Start:
No prizes for guessing that Lamar Jackson is the premier asset in this game.
Solid Options:
Deshaun Watson may be in line for plenty of garbage time stats but turnovers could be a banana skin here.
Mark Andrews is arguably the top fantasy Tight End not named Kelce or Kittle.
And Marquise Brown is as dangerous of a home run hitter as you’ll find in the league.
Breakout Potential:
Keep an eye out for Jordan Akins. The Houston depth chart has him behind Darren Fells, but Watson wasted no time in looking for him when he was on the field last week.
My Prediction:
Only 1 way I see this going, a handy win for Baltimore. I’ll be surprised if it’s competitive.
36-16 Baltimore
SUNDAY NIGHT LATE GAME:
New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks
The late game Sunday night features a repeat of Super Bowl 49 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams have undergone huge makeovers since Malcolm Butler stuck a dagger in the hearts of the Seahawks in Phoenix. They both come into this game feeling good after opening the season with a win and will be relishing the task of getting one over on an old foe.
PP Betting:
Money line:Patriots8/5Seahawks1/2
Points Spread:Seahawks -4
Over/Under:44.5
Nothing jumps out to me there; I think Paddy Power have called it pretty much spot on. The Patriots defense are still excellent, and I think Seattle can contain Cam Newton far better than the Dolphins did last week. So, 44.5 is realistic in my opinion. And I’m not sure I see more than 1 score between them. 13/2 on a Patriots – Seahawks Double Result is about the closest I could come to a bet I would be happy with.
Fantasy Outlook:
Must Start:
As highly as I rate Russell Wilson (most disrespected man in football) I just don’t think this will be the kind of game to get big points out of either him or Cam Newton. I don’t see anyone in this game you should feel the need to start.
Solid Options:
By all means start either Wilson or Newton if you don’t have anyone you feel really confident in, both team’s defences may be the best value options. DK Metcalf should be in WR2/Flex consideration too.
My Prediction:
Belichick is a defensive genius and I trust him to keep them in a tight game. But Seattle just have a bit too much for them I reckon
22– 20 Seattle
MONDAY NIGHT GAME
New Orleans Saints @ Las Vegas Raiders
The last game of the week marks a new era for the Raiders franchise as they finally have a stadium they are happy to call home. The impressive Allegiant Stadium cost $1.8 billion to build and has 65,000 seats but those seats will be empty for the entirety of their first season in Las Vegas. What may be an even more important factor this Sunday is they decided to put a roof on it because this week they welcome the New Orleans Saints and Quarterback Drew Brees to town. Brees is a sure–fire 1st ballot Hall of Famer and holds multiple notable NFL Career passing records and playing in a Dome certainly helps him, especially now given his advanced age and seemingly declining arm strength.
PP Betting:
Money line:Saints4/9Raiders9/5
Points Spread:Saints -5.5
Over/Under:49.5
The big question for me here is how much will the absence of Michael Thomas hinder the Saints? If you’re feeling brave, the Raiders are a good underdog at 9/5. The Under 49 and a half could be worth a shout too. But this is being pretty optimistic.
Fantasy Outlook:
Must Start:
Alvin Kamara is an obvious choice. With Thomas out, he will surely be the Saints’ clear primary weapon.
Josh Jacobs is another one I wouldn’t be able to leave out.
Solid Options:
Darren Waller had an outstanding year last season and should be a big weapon for the Raiders gain this time around.
Emmanuel Sanders will be a prime candidate for more targets with Thomas on the side-line.
And we can’t leave out Brees himself.
Breakout Potential:
Not so much a “breakout” as he has been around a while but jack of all trades Taysom Hill is usually good for a big week or 2 every season. Don’t be surprised if this is one of them.
Those who know me know I’m very high on Henry Ruggs, he’s a threat to go to the house on any given play.
And it probably won’t be this early but it’s worth keeping an eye on Adam Trautman, who I thought was the best Tight End in the draft this year.
My Prediction:
Thomas’ absence makes this a tougher prediction than it would have been, but I still think the Saints have enough to deal with the Raiders.
34-20 Saints
