NFL tips for week 2: Summary of expert predictions for Patriots-Seahawks

NFL Picks for Week 2: Expert Predictions for Patriots-Seahawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The New England Patriots surprised many football fans and experts in Week 1 when they went to Cincinnati and defeated the Bengals.

And the Patriots didn't just leave Paycor Stadium with a 16-10 win, it was a well-deserved win. The Patriots weren't just lucky. They were the better team.

New England won the possession battle 2-0, won the time of possession battle, dominated the running game and did an excellent job of slowing down Cincinnati's high-powered passing offense.

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According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Patriots pulled off their biggest upset since 2018 in Week 1. Can they produce a similar performance against the Seattle Seahawks in their home opener on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium?

The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 26-20 at home in Week 1. They made life difficult for Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who threw for just 138 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

This game will probably be decided on the ground.

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in Week 1. The Seahawks as a team rushed for 146 yards (4.4 per run) and two touchdowns. Walker is questionable for Sunday's game due to an oblique abdominal muscle injury. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. If he doesn't play or is limited, backup running back Zach Charbonnet could play a bigger role.

The Patriots rushed for 170 yards (4.4 per carry) against the Bengals, the sixth-highest team total in Week 1. Patriots running back Rhamonde Stevenson did most of the work, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown. The team that can establish the running game, run down the clock and not lose the ball is likely to win.

Will the Patriots start 2-0 for the first time since 2019, or will the Seahawks travel across the country and win their second straight game in Foxboro?

Here is a summary of the expert tips for this Week 2 game (with score prediction where available).

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: 16-13 Patriots

Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: 19-17 Seahawks

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 20-16 Patriots

Kalyn Kahler, ESPN: Patriots

Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots

Dan Graziano, ESPN: Seahawks

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN: Seahawks

Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated: Patriots

Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated: Seahawks

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: Patriots

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: 26-17 Seahawks