o
Perhaps we can have this as an ongoing thread for the 2025 season ??? The title of the thread is apt for it, even if the OP's original intentions were to specifically and only discuss the predictions for the first game of the season ...... maybe the moderators can put (2025 Season) in parenthesis in the thread title to augment it (Sunday Predictions, 2025 Season).
NFL Week 2 Picks, Predictions, Schedule, Odds
(Multiple ESPN Contributors)
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ies-stats-2025
Broncos (1-0) at Colts (1-0)
4:05 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup rating: 54.9/100
ESPN BET: DEN -1.5 (43.5 O/U)
What We're Hearing on the Broncos: l A Colts offense that scored on all seven possessions in the team's Week 1 win has the attention of the Broncos' defense, with coach Sean Payton calling it "impressive." Denver leads the league in several defensive categories after its win and will look to make QB Daniel Jones less comfortable than he was in his 22-of-29, 272-yard performance against Miami. Coordinator Vance Joseph likes to blitz early and often -- typically with five-man pressures. But Jones repeatedly punished the Dolphins, who had the second-highest blitz rate (48.5%), so Denver will have to be judicious. (Jeff Legwold)
What We're Hearing on the Colts: l New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo put Miami in the spin cycle with a masterful game plan and savvy blitz calls. But he acknowledges the challenge against Payton will be a difficult one. "He's just always changing within the game, going to have things specific to your team that he's playing against. [He] does just a great job calling the game and trying to keep you off balance." The Colts held Miami to 211 total yards and produced three turnovers, but this will be one of the week's more interesting game-within-the-game situations as these two play-callers match wits. (Stephen Holder)
Stat to Know: l Broncos QB Bo Nix has had five games with multiple interceptions since the start of last season, tied with Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay) for most in the NFL in that span. (ESPN Research Team)
Bold Prediction: l Colts WR Josh Downs will bounce back after a quiet Week 1 and deliver a 70-plus-yard day. With CB Pat Surtain II presumably taking away an outside receiver, Downs should get more looks in the slot. (Seth Walder)
o