ESPN senior writer Mike Sando asks league insiders to pick winners in selected games each week. Three evaluators joined the panel for Week 2. This week's games include Eagles-Chiefs, Cowboys-Broncos, Vikings-Steelers, Packers-Falcons and Lions-Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday: 1 p.m. ET, Fox | Point spread: KC by 4.5
None of the three insiders bit on the Eagles after watching Kansas City pull away from New England in the season opener.
"Some could have seen New England having miscommunication issues on defense, but the surprise was Kareem Hunt annihilating them and creating a different element for the KC offense," one of the insiders said. "I like Philly's roster more, but with KC at home, I'm picking KC."
Kansas City will have had three additional preparation days after opening the season on a Thursday night. The Chiefs will not have safety Eric Berry, who has been on the field for all but 69 defensive snaps over the team's past 35 regular-season and postseason games, dating to Week 2 of the 2015 season.
Berry's season-ending Achilles tendon injury will make it tough for Kansas City to contend ultimately, one of the insiders said, although a dominant season from Hunt could change his mind. Another insider, though impressed by the Chiefs' big win at New England, said contending would have been tough even with Berry available.
"I don't think Alex [Smith] can take it the whole way," this insider said.
Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos
Sunday: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox | Point spread: DAL by 2.5
Two of the three insiders are taking Dallas on the road. The one insider taking the Broncos picked against them last week and went 3-2 in his picks as a result. Was it really wise to double down?
"I just think Denver's defense will give Dak [Prescott] some trouble," this insider said. "Dak will have some trouble trying to squeeze the ball into some tight places, and I think that will cause some turnovers."
Prescott has thrown only five interceptions in 18 career games, counting the playoffs. His only two-pick game came against the Giants in Week 14 last season. The Broncos' defense has collected more than one pick in a game against four quarterbacks over that span: Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, Jameis Winston and Blake Bortles. That included a three-pick game for Rivers in Week 8 last season.
"Denver is a solid team," another insider said, "but comparing Dak to [Trevor] Siemian, I am going with the better QB and the better running game. I feel good about it just because the Dallas O-line can give Dak protection, they can run it, they can establish play-action and the quarterback's job is so much easier."
The third insider said he thought Dallas and Pittsburgh had the best offenses in the league.
"I think the Dallas offensive line and run game is better than the Denver defense," this insider said. "The only way Denver is successful against Dallas is if they get favorable third downs and keep Dallas behind the chains a little bit. In a matchup situation, it totally favors Dallas."
Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday: 1 p.m., Fox | Point spread: PIT by 6
Two of the three insiders are taking the Steelers. The one picking Minnesota had questions about the Steelers, both early in the season and overall.
"I like Ben [Roethlisberger], but his best days are behind him," the insider picking Minnesota said. "He can still stand back there and throw it, but when you're talking about retirement, I don't think it's a great sign. Le'Veon [Bell] is two-three weeks away from being who he really is. It should be good game."
All three insiders were eager to see the Steelers' offense matched against the Vikings' defense.
"I'm still not buying Minnesota's offensive line yet," an insider picking the Steelers said, "but I will tell you, Sam Bradford is starting off like he started off last year -- super hot. That game Monday night was amazing. It looked like the first four-five weeks of last season, but I'm telling you, he is one of those guys who can only take so many [hits] and then it just goes downhill."
The balance RB Dalvin Cook might bring to the Vikings' offense could be one differentiator from last season for Minnesota, even if the line falters some.
"Is the Vikings' offense as explosive as it was Monday night, or is it a little bit of the New Orleans defense being that bad?" the third insider asked.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC | Point spread: ATL by 2.5
Two of the three insiders are taking the Falcons to win at home, as Green Bay follows a heavyweight battle in Week 1 (a win against the Seattle Seahawks) with another one.
"It is 50-50 and I will take Atlanta because of home field," one of the insiders said. "Atlanta, two years ago, could not win a game. Then, last year, they go to the Super Bowl and have the MVP. This is a unique team. They can run the ball, their QB is highly intelligent and they have receivers to make plays down the field. Green Bay's corners will struggle some, but [Aaron] Rodgers will make his plays."
The insider picking Green Bay conceded he could be reading too much into the Falcons' narrow victory at Chicago in Week 1.
"I'm not feeling the playcalling of Atlanta still," this insider said. "Chicago out-physicaled them and did everything to beat Atlanta except score the last touchdown. I feel like it's different for Atlanta this year, or maybe I am underestimating Chicago. One or the other."
The third insider thought the game would come down to Green Bay's corners.
"Chicago exposed Atlanta a little bit with the odd-man fronts, and then Chicago's front seven is really good," this insider said. "But the doom in the end for Chicago was the back end, and that is a little bit of a weakness for Green Bay as well. Atlanta is the best team in the NFL to me, they are at home and I'll take them, but it won't be a surprise if Green Bay beats them."
Detroit Lions at New York Giants
Monday: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN | Point spread: NYG by 3.5
You won't need a ticket broker to find available seats on the Giants' bandwagon. One bad game at Dallas was enough for two insiders to take the Lions in this Monday night matchup. They see this game as a test to determine whether the Giants' offense is really as bad as it looked in the opener.
"Detroit has one of the least talented defenses," one of the insiders said. "It says a lot about [coordinator] Teryl Austin, what he can get out of his defense -- a lot like Rod Marinelli in Dallas. I was a little surprised Arizona could not move the ball better against Detroit. I'm not high on the Lions' defense, so if New York continues to struggle, that is a major red flag."
This insider picked the Giants regardless.
"Odell Beckham Jr. will probably play this week, but he still will not be all the way back," another insider said. "They looked totally out of sync. They looked so bad. Eli [Manning] looks so scared in the pocket. It is unbelievable."