Tag: NFL Week 2

Texans move up one spot in NFL.com Week 2 power rankings

The Houston Texans actually moved up one spot despite losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 2 NFL.com power rankings.

[jwplayer ybRPk7Ku]

Even though the Houston Texans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 34-20 in Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium, they actually went up in NFL.com’s power rankings.

Dan Hanzus presented his power rankings for Week 2, and the Texans moved up from No. 16 to No. 15 overall.

Deshaun Watson can’t do it by himself . Too often, that’s how it feels when watching the Texans on offense. A play breaks down, and the quarterback does his dancing magician act behind the line, eyes always upfield in search of the big play. The genius of Watson is that sometimes, this works … but not on Thursday night. Will Fuller did most of his damage after the game was decided, and Randall Cobb was virtually invisible in his Texans debut. Houston’s defense deserves credit for not allowing Patrick Mahomes to go wild, and new running back David Johnson moved like a veteran with something to prove, but these two teams exist in different worlds. Just like January.

The Texans were the only team in the top-16 to lose a game in Week 1 and move up in the power rankings. The Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions dropped their Opening Day bouts, but they were already on the south side of No. 20 to begin with.

The Tennessee Titans held forth at No. 5. The Indianapolis Colts dropped to No. 18 after starting out at 11. The Jacksonville Jaguars moved up from No. 32 overall to 29th.

The Browns Wire Podcast: Bengals vs. Browns ultimate preview, NFL best bets and more

Listen on how to win an Autin Hooper autographed photo

Welcome to The Browns Wire Podcast, hosted by Josh Keatley (@JoshKeatley16). This week, Adam Moore (@Moore2102) and I speak to Ryan Keeffe (@rkweefe) and talk about a wide range of topics:

  • Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Ultimate Preview
  • NFL odd and best bets
  • College Football odds and best bets
  • Austin Hooper Autograph Giveaway

Now recording live on Facebook!

It’s also available on all of your favorite podcast apps, including iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher and Spotify. Thanks for listening!

Will Texans WR Keke Coutee be more involved against the Ravens?

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien says that receiver Keke Coutee could help the team possibly as early as Week 2 versus the Baltimore Ravens.

[jwplayer RH0PZgcB]

The Houston Texans may see more from receiver Keke Coutee as they take on the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at 3:25 p.m. at NRG Stadium.

According to coach and general manager Bill O’Brien via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the former 2018 fourth-round pick from Texas Tech may see activation and opportunities against the Ravens as the Texans open their home venue to zero fans for Week 2.

“Doing a really good job,” O’Brien said of Coutee. “Was injured in camp, has more to do with that injury. I believe will help us possibly this week, this year. We feel good about Keke.”

Coutee sustained a stress fracture in his foot that kept him out of multiple practices midway through training camp, and he was ultimately inactive against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1.

If Coutee were able to go at some point, the Texans could add a receiver who is a quick option for quarterback Deshaun Watson. DeAndre Carter, who is the team’s returner, played 13 snaps at receiver against the Chiefs. Realistically, this is where Coutee would come in as Will Fuller, Randall Cobb, Brandin Cooks, and Kenny Stills took the majority of the team’s snaps at receiver in Week 1.

Browns sell out all available seats for Thursday’s home opener

Fans still want to see the team even during the COVID-19 pandemic

There won’t be many fans in the stands at FirstEnergy Stadium for Thursday night’s home opener, but it’s certainly not for lack of interest.

The Browns quickly sold out all 6,000 tickets made available for the limited seating capacity for the visit from the Cincinnati Bengals. The reduced capacity at the nearly 68,000-seat venue is due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Browns only recently had their plan for the limited seating allowance, with heavy limits on fan movement, spacing and interactions, approved by Ohio governor Mike DeWine.

Season-ticket holders were given priority to purchase the limited rations. Any worries about fans being repulsed by the stripped-down experience, or the Browns’ awful performance in Week 1, quickly went away. Tickets are currently starting at over $200 on the secondary market.

Browns still big favorites to beat the Bengals

The Browns are 6-point favorites in their home opener

[jwplayer sjzbfvXH-ThvAeFxT]

No NFL team had a worse point differential in Week 1 than the Cleveland Browns. Yet the 32-point loss in Baltimore didn’t do much to alter the Browns’ status as big favorites for the Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Browns remain 6-point favorites to beat the Bengals as of 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday at BetMGM. The over/under for the game is set at a low 43.5 points, meaning the oddsmakers at BetMGM believe the Browns will prevail at home 25-19 or 24-18, depending on your preference of over or under.

Cincinnati also lost in Week 1, falling at home to the Los Angeles Chargers, 16-13. Rookie QB Joe Burrow impressively rallied the team late but WR A.J. Green was called for offensive pass interference on the potential game-winning touchdown and then kicked Randy Bullock shanked the game-tying field attempt.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.
Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence
on news coverage.

[lawrence-related id=52290]

Ravens open as heavy favorites over Texans for NFL Week 2 odds

After beating up on the Browns in Week 1, at least one oddsmaker is giving the Baltimore Ravens odds to do it in Week 2 to the Texans

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to stay perfect as they head to Houston to take on the Texans for Week 2. The Ravens are fresh off decimating the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 while the Texans are still licking their wounds from a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Though the Texans are no slouch, having gone deep in the playoffs last season, the Ravens are heavy favorites opening this week. According to BetMGM, Baltimore is a 7-point favorite for Week 2.

That isn’t the biggest spread of the week thus far but it’s a pretty impressive one for a few reasons. The game is in Houston, and while fans won’t be in attendance, the home team typically gets a little boost to the point spread to compensate for it. Secondly, the Texans are a strong team that went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs for most of their Week 1 contest. Considering the Ravens were 7.5-point favorites over the Browns and ended up beating them 38-6, that’s quite a lot of confidence to place in Baltimore this week.

Then again, there’s also some solid reasons for BetMGM having that level of confidence.

The Ravens looked like the same regular-season team that was so dominant last season. They played hard-hitting defense and while the run game didn’t gash Cleveland, it did a fair job of picking up yards and first downs when needed. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is already making a serious run at winning back-to-back MVP awards, posting the highest passer rating of Week 1.

Baltimore also blew Houston out of the water in their matchup last season. In Week 11, the Ravens beat the Texans 41-7 in a game that was effectively over by halftime. Baltimore turned on the jets in the second half and gained a massive lead over Houston, benching Jackson at about the midpoint of the fourth quarter to coast the rest of the way with backup Robert Griffin III.

That makes this a tough Ravens bet to call. With such a massive spread, the odds aren’t exactly on Baltimore’s side here. But with how dominant they were in Week 1 and how they beat up on Houston last season, there’s little reason to believe this won’t be another slaughter.

If you really believe in the Ravens, or just really don’t believe in the Texans, a $100 bet would return $91. Make sure you get over to BetMGM to lock in the spread now before it potentially changes later this week and the Ravens’ odds get worse.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=47631]

Texans take a tumble in John McClain’s NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans have taken a tumble in the latest local power rankings from the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain.

[jwplayer m3NyfXFf]

The Houston Texans dropped near No. 20 in the latest local power rankings.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans dropped to No. 19 in his latest NFL power rankings ahead of Week 2.

The Texans couldn’t stop the run or protect Deshaun Watson at Kansas City, where they lost a fourth consecutive opener.

McClain originally had the Texans ranked No. 11 before their 34-20 loss to Kansas City in the Thursday night opener at Arrowhead Stadium. Being unable to stop the run and failing to ignite the deep passing attack factored into the Texans’ loss, and subsequently their drop in the power rankings.

The Tennessee Titans moved up one spot from No. 9 to No. 8. The Jacksonville Jaguars jumped from No. 24 to No. 13 thanks to their 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts, who dropped from No. 15 to No. 23 in the power rankings.

The Texans have a tough challenge ahead of them going against the Baltimore Ravens, who trounced the Cleveland Browns 38-6 in Week 1. Houston at least gets the benefit of playing the Ravens at NRG Stadium, though with no fans.

Nonetheless, receiver Brandin Cooks remains confident.

“I’m confident,” Cooks said. “Confident going into last game. I think going into this game, we’ve got that same confidence. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to execute throughout the week so you can continue to keep that. I think we’ll definitely do that.”

If the Texans can beat the Ravens, they will even their record at 1-1 and should take a few leaps in the power rankings.

Browns injury update: Jedrick Wills back at practice, Jack Conklin sidelined

Wills quickly improving but Conklin remains idle two days in a row

With just one more day of preparation and rehabilitation before the Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, the injury status of the team remains troubling.

Starting right tackle Jack Conklin missed his second consecutive practice on Tuesday. He is working through separate injuries to his finger and his ankle.

Also out on both Monday and Tuesday:

  • CB Greedy Williams (shoulder)
  • CB Kevin Johnson (liver)
  • LB Jacob Phillips (knee)
  • LB Mack Wilson (knee)

On the positive side of the ledger, starting left tackle Jedrick Wills and swing tackle Chris Hubbard both returned to the practice field. Wills left Sunday’s game with a leg injury and was a limited participant on Monday. The Browns have listed it as a shin injury. Hubbard missed Week 1.

Defensive end Olivier Vernon and center JC Tretter were both limited in Monday’s practice but were spotted doing drills in the portion of practice open to the media on Tuesday.

The official game status designations will be made later.

NFL Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 2

The Week 2 NFL predictions, TV schedules, game previews, fantasy players to watch, and game times.

The Week 2 NFL predictions, TV schedules, game previews, fantasy players to watch, and game times.

All Listed Gametimes EST

Results So Far: SU 11-5, ATS 10-6, o/u: 7-9

[jwplayer A5CcSmHY]

Click on each game for game preview & prediction when they’re posted over the next few days

Thursday, September 17

Cincinnati at Cleveland

CFN Cincinnati at Cleveland Prediction, Preview
8:20 NFL
Line: Cleveland -5.5, o/u: 43.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Sunday, September 20

New York Giants at Chicago

CFN NY Giants at Chicago Prediction, Preview
1:00 CBS
Line: Chicago -5.5, o/u: 42
– Bet on this at BetMGM

[lawrence-related id=519378]

Atlanta at Dallas

CFN Atlanta at Dallas Prediction, Preview
1:00 FOX
Line: Dallas -5, o/u: 52.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Detroit at Green Bay

CFN Detroit at Green Bay Prediction, Preview
1:00 FOX
Line: Green Bay -6, o/u: 47.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Jacksonville at Tennessee

CFN Jacksonville at Tennessee Prediction, Preview
1:00 CBS
Line: Tennessee -9, o/u: 43
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Minnesota at Indianapolis

CFN Minnesota at Indianapolis Prediction, Preview
1:00 FOX
Line: Indianapolis -3, o/u: 48
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Buffalo at Miami

CFN Buffalo at Miami Prediction, Preview
1:00 CBS
Line: Buffalo -5.5, o/u: 41.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

San Francisco at New York Jets

CFN San Francisco at NY Jets Prediction, Preview
1:00 FOX
Line: San Francisco -7, o/u: 42.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia

CFN Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Prediction, Preview
1:00 FOX
Line: Los Angeles Rams -1, o/u: 46
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Denver at Pittsburgh

CFN Denver at Pittsburgh Prediction, Preview
1:00 CBS
Line: Pittsburgh -7, o/u: 41
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Carolina at Tampa Bay

CFN Carolina at Tampa Bay Prediction, Preview
1:00 FOX
Line: Tampa Bay -9, o/u: 48.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Washington at Arizona

CFN Washington at Arizona Prediction, Preview
4:05 FOX
Line: Arizona -6.5, o/u: 46.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers

CFN Kansas City at LA Chargers Prediction, Preview
4:25 CBS
Line: Kansas City -8.5, o/u: 47
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Baltimore at Houston

CFN Baltimore at Houston Prediction, Preview
4:35 CBS
Line: Baltimore -7, o/u: 51.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

New England at Seattle

CFN New England at Seattle Prediction, Preview
8:20 NBC
Line: Seattle -4, o/u: 45
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Monday, September 21

New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas

CFN New Orleans at Las Vegas Prediction, Preview
8:15 ESPN
Line: New Orleans -6, o/u: 51.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

[protected-iframe id=”04daad028ca8412ced4fb4d52b9bed54-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Aaron Donald turns his world-destroying sights on Carson Wentz

The Philadelphia Eagles struggled to protect Carson Wentz on Sunday. Now they face Aaron Donald.

One of the more stunning results of Week 1 was how the Washington Football Team was able to dismantle the protection around Carson Wentz. Washington sacked the Philadelphia Eagles passer eight times en route to their victory, leaving Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson wondering exactly how they can right the ship.

They’ll need an answer fast, because this guy is coming to town:

Aaron Donald continued his one-man wrecking crew ways on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, pressuring Dak Prescott early and often and providing the timeline with many clips like this. Donald was credited with four tackles (one solo), a sack and a tackle for the loss. But as the film indicates, his disruptive presence up front was a huge factor in the Los Angeles Rams’ victory over the visiting Cowboys.

Donald got his sack on the first possession of the game from Dallas. Facing a 2nd and 9 in Rams territory, the Cowboys want to double-team Donald in this protection scheme, but the Rams employ a blitz from the second level that forces one of the offensive lineman to scrape off Donald and help out. That leaves Zack Martin, an elite offensive lineman, alone on Donald, and the defender forces his way to Prescott for the sack:

On this third down play, Donald aligns on the left tackle. But he cuts to the inside and uses a powerful bull rush move to drive the pocket back into the lap of Prescott, putting the quarterback under duress again and forcing an underthrown pass:

On a second down play in the fourth quarter, Donald uses a powerful push/pull move on the left guard before getting to Prescott just as he releases a throw:

Then of course there is this moment from the second quarter:

In case you missed the end of this play, watch how Donald destroys everyone in his path, including running back Ezekiel Elliott:

Finally, remember that debate last week about Donald’s run defense? Take a look at this play. On the final play of the first quarter the Cowboys face a 1st and 10 on their own 20-yard line. Prescott aligns in the shotgun with Elliott standing to his right. They will run to the left side here, pulling the left tackle and the left guard in front of the running back:

Of course, that means the tight end has to block down on Donald.

It does not go well:

Donald gets upfield in a flash, knifing into the backfield past the block attempt. Even though Elliott has a convoy of body mass in front of him – and the Rams are outflanked to the edge – Donald’s penetration forces the running back to stop and change direction in the backfield. Elliott cuts away from the convoy on the edge and into the interior, where the Rams have the advantage. He is stopped for no gain.

This week Donald gets to operate against a team that struggled to protect its passer in its opening game, leading to moments like this:

Getting Lane Johnson back will be a start. But if the Eagles cannot protect Wentz better on Sunday, your Twitter timeline will be filled with even more video clips of Donald destroying worlds.