We're on to week two, and here's a look at each of our picks for this afternoon's home opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
PatsFans.com Staff Predictions:
WEEK 2: New England vs Arizona
 | Ian Logue Prediction: NE 28-17 This is one of those times where something strange could happen and Arizona could come in and makes a game of it. Or they could come in and look like the Cardinals that we've come to expect. Either way I think they have their moments, but I expect Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd to have big afternoons against this secondary and we'll see them improve to 2-0. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Vince Wilfork |
 | Bob George Prediction: NE 37-17 Kolb replaces the injured Skelton and needs time to get comfortable in the starting role, but Gillette Stadium is a lousy comfort zone for him. Patriots can key on stopping Larry Fitzgerald like Chris Johnson last week. Tom Brady will make Wes Welker happy with more looks, but he will have his pickings. Patriots fine if they don't spend the entire game looking ahead to Baltimore next week. Offensive Player of the Game: Tom Brady Defensive Player of the Game: Vince Wilfork |
 | Derek Havens Prediction: NE 31-16 The Patriots host the Cardinals and look for their second win of the 2012 season. Despite Arizona's talented defense, New England should prove to be too much to handle. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Devin McCourty |
 | Russ Goldman Prediction: NE 31-17 The Cardinals offensive line is pretty week, and I can see the Patriots front seven taking advantage of this unit to get pressure on the quarterback. I was encouraged by the play of the Patriots offensive line in the first game, but the Cardinals front seven is a much tougher test. If the line can give Brady time to throw, the Patriots could have a comfortable win. Offensive Player of the Game: Rob Gronkowski Defensive Player of the Game: Chandler Jones |
 | Steve Balestrieri Prediction: NE 37-13 New England has too many weapons and Arizona's offensive lime struggles will ne too much to bear. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Dont'a Hightower |
 | Christine Roy Prediction: NE 31-17 The quarterback situation in Arizona is still a race between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb. Skelton is out with an injury so it's Kolb who will take the reigns against the New England Patriots. Ultimately it will be a distraction for the Cardinals and although they have a weapon in Larry Fitzgerald, I do not see them as being much of a problem for this Patriots team. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Dont'a Hightower |
 | Ryan Hannable Prediction: NE 37-17 The Patriots should have no problem with this matchup as they look to continue where they left off last week and build a big lead early on. The defense should play as well as they did last week, if not be better, and the majority of the Cardinals' points should come in garbage time. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Devin McCourty |
 | Damien Jarrett Prediction: NE 38-16 This team is no pushover...a team who are 8-2 in their last ten games...and will be the offensive line's first big test. Their front seven has a good mix of youth and veteran leadership and will be aggressive from the get-go. Look for some quick screens, draws and one to three step drops to isolate their formidable pass rush. The Patriots will eventually run away with this one as Offensive Line troubles continue to cause problems for Arizona. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Zoltan Mesko |
 | John Morgan Prediction: NE 31-13 The Cardinals have a mediocre quarterback behind an inconsistent offensive line and no running game to help him out. Their defensive line (Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams, and Calais Campbell) is very good though, as are ILBs Daryl Washington and Paris Lenon; the Pats offensive line will have its hands full. The New England offense will still be able to win enough battles to score enough to win; even with Larry Fitzgerald the Arizona offense won't be able to keep up. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Chandler Jones |
 | Dave King Prediction: NE 34-14 The Cardinals will quickly abandon the run game after the first quarter and go to the air with their Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald to try and keep pace with the high-power Patriot offense. Kevin Kolb will notch a few completions but none that will enable him to keep pace with Tom Brady's 300-yard, three Touchdown performance. Wes Welker makes his presence known with seven catches and the Pats "D" puts the finishing touches on the victory with another big interception in the fourth quarter. Offensive Player of the Game: Wes Welker Defensive Player of the Game: Patrick Chung |
This is an archived article originally published on
September 16, 2012.
Content reflects the editorial context of its original publication date.
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