NFL Predictions: Week 2 Picks and Hot Takes From Across the League

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) attempts a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) attempts a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

Another year, another game, another dominating performance from Bill Belichick’s Patriots team. By now, it’s easy to wonder if you or I could suit up for New England under center and still beat playoff-caliber teams.

All in all, Belichick and his brilliant staff make it look so terribly easy to win games in the National Football League. Sans Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, it just didn’t matter. When one of Belichick’s warriors goes down, he finds a player like Chris Hogan who fits perfectly the mold that the Patriots own. It doesn’t always make sense how they’re able to do it, but time and time again New England wins games that end up being “surprises”. Perhaps we ought to stop underestimating them in even the bleakest situations, eh?

Miami finds itself in the same situation for another Ryan Tannehill-led season: just good enough to compete, simply not good enough to close and win when it counts. The Dolphins offense had every opportunity in the world to defeat Seattle in an opening week statement game, but there simply wasn’t a prescription for the woes that seem to creep up regularly with the Miami unit. Heading into this one against another top-tier opponent, it doesn’t seem likely that a win is on the horizon.

Anything is possible in this wild and wacky league that we call the NFL, but it’s difficult to imagine Belichick entering with anything but a brilliant blueprint to stop Adam Gase’s squad.

Patriots jump to a lead and never look back, defeat Dolphins, 24-13.

Next: Chiefs/Texans