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Monday Night Football doubleheader predictions

Week 2 is almost in the books, with two more games to go. Tonight’s Monday Night Football doubleheader consists of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) taking on the Houston Texans (0-1) at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) vs. the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) at 10 p.m. ET.

Many of our writers at A to Z Sports got together and offered their predictions for the games. Let’s see what the consensus looks like for the MNF doubleheader:

Bucs vs. Texans

Kyle Crabbs: “This is one of the most compelling matchups of the week. Tampa Bay, under the direction of Todd Bowles, poses a major challenge for Houston’s remodeled offensive line. The lack of synchrony in Houston’s offensive attack with a new coordinator stacked on top of it makes this a dangerous matchup for the Texans.

“DeMeco Ryans and his defense will have something to say about it all, however. The Texans have a fierce defense of their own and Tampa Bay’s struggles running the football with a new offensive coordinator in Week 1 run the risk of putting Mayfield into high-risk throws that could prompt the turnovers Houston needs to pull this one out. I look for Tampa Bay, with their bevy of receiving weapons on offense and attacking the weaker offensive in Houston, to get the job done.” Bucs 20, Texans 16

Rob Gregson: “I know it’s only Week 2, but we are approaching must-win territory for the Houston Texans. A poor showing on offense in Week 1 preludes four tough contests, starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. I think this one will be a shoot-out. The Texans’ offense hasn’t looked the same since 2023, and the Buccaneers are no pushovers on defense, but Michael Penix looked good in Week 1.

“So I believe Stroud will overcome deficiencies on the offensive line, make a few big throws late, and ultimately propel the Texans to victory. But it won’t come easy. I thought Baker Mayfield’s arm looked better than ever in Week 1, and we know the Bucs are going to air out, even against a tough Texans secondary. It should be a fun shootout under the lights.” Texans 38, Bucs 33

Adam Holt: “This is a matchup that is really interesting due to the perceived strengths of the two teams. The Bucs passing offense will face a Houston secondary with plenty of talent and turnover-creating ability. Baker Mayfield has to take care of the football. Emeka Egbuka is already living up to the offseason hype, though, and should be able to make some plays thanks to the attention Mike Evans will draw. Tampa Bay’s run game is an even bigger piece of the puzzle, however, and it needs to be a factor.

“As for the Texans, they are an enigma of a team. C.J. Stroud has showed incredible potential at times. In other instances, he and his offense has been one of the least efficient in the AFC. With an offensive line that doesn’t look much better (if at all) than last year’s, the physical prowess and speed of the front seven for Tampa Bay will be a huge concern for them. Stroud is probably gonna have to get the ball out early, and the aggressiveness of Todd Bowles’ DBs can disrupt those attempts too often. In the end, it’s tough to project the Texans to win this game for me right now. Give me the Bucs.” Bucs 23, Texans 17

Read more: Bucs vs. Texans predictions

Chargers vs. Raiders

Brentley Weismann: “The Chargers will take the trip to Las Vegas to face their division rival on Monday night. The two teams enter the primetime match-up 1-0, and both are feeling optimistic about their seasons. The Chargers looked terrific offensively in Week 1 against the Chiefs, and quarterback Justin Herbert played one of his best games as a pro. The receiving core looked very deep as Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston all made plays for the Bolts.

“The key to the Chargers’ win last week was the time Herbert had to throw, and that was primarily due to Joe Alt, who was outstanding at left tackle following the season-ending injury to Rashawn Slater. Alt will have his hands full with Maxx Crosby this week, and if he can handle business, I expect the Chargers offense to move the ball with ease. I expect a high-scoring game as both offenses proved they can move the football, but I trust Herbert more than I do Geno Smith.” Chargers 28, Raiders 21

Justin Churchill: “I know what it looks like, but I legitimately think the Raiders are a much different team than the one we are used to seeing. I think that knocking the rust off in Week 1 against the New England Patriots in a game played in wet conditions will only help them get ready for a game in perfect conditions. Their offense appears to be very good, and I’m not sure the Chargers’ defense is as strong, as evidenced by the Kansas City Chiefs’ performance on the offensive side of the ball in Week 1.

“With Ashton Jeanty being unleashed more against a defensive line that may be weaker at run defense, and the passing game being more accessible, I can see the Raiders having the horses to outscore LAC in this one.” Raiders 27, Chargers 24

Charles Goldman: “The Chargers had double-digit wins over the Raiders last season, but I think this game will be much closer. Coaching is the great equalizer in the NFL, and these teams both have excellent head coaches who have been around the block a few times. In my eyes, this is the type of game that’s going to come down to who blinks first. I think the Las Vegas Raiders have more weaknesses coming into this game on paper, but it’s ultimately going to be up to Chargers QB Justin Herbert to rise to the occasion.” Chargers 28, Raiders 27

Read more: Chargers vs. Raiders predictions

There are 9 teams at 0-2: When does each one get its first win?

There are 10 winless teams left, with nine of those teams sitting at 0-2 (the Texans are 0-1 heading into tonight’s MNF matchup). We all know that playoff chances plummet for teams that start 0-3, which is why these nine squads will be desperate for a victory next week.

Kyle Crabbs examined the current situation for all nine 0-2 teams and laid out a prediction for when each of them will earn their first win. Here’s what he came up with:

New Orleans Saints: “The Saints have been scrappy in each of their first two games, posting one-score losses to the Cardinals and 49ers at home. That’s the good news. The bad news is they’re on the road in Seattle and Buffalo the next two weeks — the latter coming with the Bills getting extra rest before the game. Look for Week 5 or Week 6 to bring the first win of the year for the Saints, when they play the Giants and Patriots at home.” Prediction: First win comes vs. New England Patriots in Week 6

New York Jets: “New York, after a scrappy matchup with the Steelers in Week 1, got a taste of some tough medicine in Week 2. They could be eyeing a Week 4 matchup in Miami with the Dolphins as a breakthrough matchup, but Miami is at home and will be coming off of extra rest after playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 3. If the Jets don’t get a breakthrough there, Week 5 at home versus the Cowboys could be a winning spot — but the Week 7 matchup versus the Carolina Panthers in New York feels like the safe prediction.” Prediction: vs. Carolina Panthers in Week 7

Miami Dolphins: “Miami let a come from behind victory slip through their fingertips on Sunday with shoddy operations in the final two minutes. Even then, De’Von Achane was a few inches along the sideline away from saving the day anyway. Unlike the teams spotlighted so far, there’s no first-year coach in Miami running the show — it’s Year 4 under Mike McDaniel, which makes issues like that inexcusable.

“Their reward for 0-2 is a trip to Buffalo on Thursday night. And that makes the question whether or not owner Stephen Ross makes early changes to his football operation if Miami loses there. Going from Thursday to Monday gives the Dolphins almost two weeks of prep to play another team on this list in Week 4 — lots of logic would dictate that’s a winning spot so long as McDaniel’s bunch can figure out who is supposed to be on the field and avoid pre-snap penalties.” Prediction: vs. New York Jets in Week 4

Cleveland Browns: “This one gets a little scary. The next three are against NFC North opponents (Green Bay, Detroit, and Minnesota). The Vikings are a little shoddy offensively right now but it’s hard to imagine Cleveland consistently working that defense. After that trio of games, it’s a date in Pittsburgh. Winnable games become more available after that stretch, including Miami, at New England, at New York (Jets) in succession and then at Las Vegas in November and home against Tennessee in early December.” Prediction: vs. Miami Dolphins in Week 7

Kansas City Chiefs: “Yeah, don’t expect the Chiefs here very long.” Prediction: vs. New York Giants in Week 3

Read predictions for Bears, Giants, Panthers, Titans here

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