Colin Cowherd’s “Blazin’ 5” kicked off the season with a rocky start in Week 1, ending up with a less-than-stellar record of 1-3-1.
Onto week 2…
Blazing 5 Record
2024 Season: 3-6-1
Past Records
- 2024: 3-6-1 (33.3%)
- 2023: 45-35-5 (56.3%)
- 2022: 44-37-4 (54.3%)
- 2021: 39-47 (45.3%)
- 2020: 40-42-2 (48.8%)
- 2019: 42-41-3 (50.6%)
- 2018: 43-33-2 (57.7%)
- 2017: 43-29-3 (59.7%)
- 2016: 44-33-3 (57.1%)
Colin Cowherd Week 2 2024 Blazing 5
- 49ers at Vikings (+5) Winner
- Saints at Cowboys (-6) Loser
- Jets (-4) at Titans Winner
- Steelers at Broncos (+2.5) Loser
- Bears at Texans (-6.5) Loser
Vikings (+5) vs 49ers [Vikings]
- Spread: Vikings +5
- Pick: Vikings to cover, 49ers to win narrowly, 26-23
Colin Cowherd presents several reasons for picking the Vikings to cover the spread against the 49ers:
1. 49ers on a Short Week
The 49ers are playing on a short week after their Monday Night Football game against the Jets. Cowherd believes it’s hard for teams to play two perfect games back-to-back, especially with the quick turnaround.
2. 49ers Injuries
Christian McCaffrey is still out for the 49ers, and they lost receiver Jauan Jennings to an injury in Week 1. Cowherd thinks these injuries will make it tough for the 49ers to replicate their dominant performance against the Jets.
3. Vikings Pass Offense
Even with backup quarterbacks, the Vikings’ pass offense under Kevin O’Connell has been putting up top-5 numbers in the league. Sam Darnold looked sharp in Week 1 against the Giants, completing nearly 80% of his passes. Cowherd believes the Vikings’ passing attack will give the 49ers’ defense trouble.
4. Vikings Defense
The Vikings held the Giants to under 10 points in Week 1 and had 5 sacks. Cowherd thinks their defense, led by Brian Flores, will put pressure on Brock Purdy and make it difficult for the 49ers’ offense to move the ball consistently.
5. Vikings Home Field Advantage
The Vikings have won 7 straight home games against the 49ers dating back to 1992. Cowherd believes their home field advantage will be a factor, especially with the 49ers playing on short rest.
Cowherd believes the Vikings’ defense, passing offense, and home field edge, combined with the 49ers’ short week and injuries, will allow Minnesota to keep the game close and potentially pull off the upset.
Cowherd predicts that while the 49ers will ultimately win the game, 26-23, but the Vikings will cover the spread.
Cowboys (-6) vs Saints [Cowboys]
- Spread: Cowboys -6
- Pick: Cowboys to win and cover, 30-20
Cowherd cites several reasons for picking the Cowboys to win and cover the 6-point spread against the Saints:
1. Home Field Dominance
He points out that under head coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys have been unbeatable at home as favorites, rolling over inferior teams. Last season, they went 8-0 at home, scoring an average of 37 points per game.
2. Dak Prescott’s Home Splits
Dak Prescott has been exceptional at home, especially as a favorite. Cowherd believes the Cowboys will play “bully ball” and take advantage of their home-field advantage.
3. Cowboys Defense
The Cowboys’ defense had 6 sacks in Week 1 and looks to be the strength of the team this season. Cowherd expects them to put pressure on the Saints’ offense and make life difficult for Andy Dalton.
4. Saints’ Road Struggles
Last season, the Saints were 1-5 against playoff teams but 9-3 against non-playoff teams, especially at home. Cowherd thinks the Cowboys are the superior team and will take care of business at home.
Cowherd predicts a final score of 30-20, with the Cowboys winning and covering the 6-point spread. He believes this could be one of the best bets on the board for Week 2.
Jets (-4) at Titans [Jets]
- Spread: Jets -4
- Pick: Jets to win and cover, 24-10
Colin Cowherd has several reasons for picking the Jets to win and cover the spread against the Titans:
1. Improvement Potential
Cowherd believes that the Jets’ offense, despite a rough start in Week 1, has the potential to improve significantly. Aaron Rodgers, who was the fourth highest-graded passer last season, is expected to bounce back after a disappointing performance against a strong 49ers defense.
2. Offensive Line Development
The Jets’ offensive line is composed of new players, and Cowherd anticipates that they will improve as they gain experience together. He mentions that it typically takes a few weeks for an offensive line to gel, and he expects the Jets to be more effective in this matchup.
3. Titans’ Quarterback Concerns
Cowherd expresses skepticism about the Titans’ quarterback, Will Levis, suggesting that he may not be capable of leading the team effectively. Levis struggled in Week 1, throwing two interceptions and failing to generate consistent offense. Cowherd believes the Jets’ defense will be able to exploit this weakness.
4. Jets’ Defensive Strength
The Jets’ defense is expected to perform well against the Titans. Cowherd notes that the Jets were physically humiliated in their last game, but he believes they will come out with a chip on their shoulder and play with intensity against a less formidable Titans offense.
5. Motivation to Avoid 0-2 Start
Cowherd emphasizes the importance of this game for the Jets, as starting the season 0-2 would significantly diminish their playoff chances. He believes this urgency will motivate the Jets to perform at a higher level.
Cowherd predicts a decisive win for the Jets, citing their potential for improvement on offense, the struggles of the Titans’ quarterback, and the motivation to avoid an early-season deficit. He sees a final score of 24-10 in favor of the Jets.
Broncos (+2.5) vs Steelers [Broncos]
- Spread: Broncos +2.5
- Pick: Broncos to win outright, 23-20
Colin Cowherd provides several reasons for picking the Broncos to win against the Steelers:
1. Home Field Advantage
Cowherd emphasizes the significance of playing at home in Denver, especially with the high altitude. He believes this will be a challenging environment for the Steelers, who are traveling cross-country for a second consecutive road game.
2. Broncos’ Defensive Performance
He notes that the Broncos’ defense showed promise in their Week 1 loss to the Seahawks, limiting Seattle’s passing game to just 158 yards. Cowherd believes that even without elite personnel, the Broncos’ defense can make plays and disrupt the Steelers’ offense.
3. Steelers’ Offensive Struggles
Cowherd points out that the Steelers had the 28th-ranked scoring offense last season and suggests that their offensive struggles are likely to continue. He highlights the challenges the Steelers face in generating consistent offensive production against a solid Broncos defense.
4. Coaching and Strategy
Cowherd praises Sean Payton as one of the smartest offensive coaches in the league. He believes Payton will devise a game plan that maximizes the Broncos’ strengths while exploiting the weaknesses of the Steelers’ defense.
5. Pittsburgh’s Road Game Challenges
He mentions that the Steelers are facing a tough situation with back-to-back road games, which can be taxing on players. The combination of travel fatigue and the altitude in Denver could hinder their performance.
Cowherd predicts a close game with the Broncos winning 23-20, citing their home advantage, defensive capabilities, and the Steelers’ ongoing offensive issues as key factors in his decision.
Texans (-6.5) vs Bears [Texans]
- Spread: Texans -6.5
- Pick: Texans to win and cover, 27-17
Colin Cowherd has several reasons for picking the Texans to win and cover the spread against the Bears:
1. Strong Offensive Performance
Cowherd highlights the Texans’ offensive capabilities, particularly the performance of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back Joe Mixon. In their Week 1 game, Stroud threw for two touchdowns, and Mixon rushed for 159 yards, showcasing a potent offense that Cowherd believes will continue to excel against the Bears.
2. Bears’ Offensive Struggles
Despite winning their opener against the Titans, Cowherd points out that the Bears’ offense struggled significantly, managing only 148 total yards and failing to score a touchdown. He expresses skepticism about their ability to improve quickly and compete against a stronger Texans defense.
3. Defensive Matchup
Cowherd notes that the Bears’ defense will face a tough challenge against the Texans’ offensive weapons, including Mixon and the receiving trio of Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and Stefon Diggs. He believes the Texans’ offense will dominate time of possession, limiting the Bears’ opportunities to score.
4. Recent Trends
Cowherd references the Bears’ historical struggles in prime-time games, particularly on Sunday Night Football, where they have lost their last seven straight. This trend adds to his belief that the Texans will capitalize on their home-field advantage.
5. Overall Team Development
Cowherd is optimistic about the Texans’ trajectory, suggesting that they are a team on the rise with playoff aspirations. In contrast, he views the Bears as still trying to find their footing, especially with a rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, who may face difficulties against a well-coached Texans defense led by DeMeco Ryans.
Cowherd predicts a 27-17 victory for the Texans, citing their offensive strength, the Bears’ offensive woes, and the Texans’ defensive capabilities as key factors in his decision.