NFL Picks Week 2: Vikings Battle Eagles on Thursday Night
NFL Week 1 is in the books. Surprises abounded with Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, an Aaron Rodgers-less Jets squad, and the Rams pulling off major upset victories. On to NFL Week 2 where it doesn’t get any easier for the team the Bucs beat, the Minnesota Vikings, which travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on Thursday.
NFL Week 2 Picks
Thursday, Sep 14
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles -6.5
Minnesota’s defense isn’t very good. That’s apparent after watching Baker Mayfield and the Bucs score a road victory over the Vikes as a -6.5 NFL Week 1 dog.
The above image says it all. Philadelphia’s pass rush should get to Kirk Cousins. Even if it doesn’t, the Vikings’ D won’t hold up against Jalen Hurts and Philly’s offense.
Week 2 Pick: Eagles -6.5
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NFL Week 2 Games
Sunday, Sep 17
Green Bay Packers -2 at Atlanta Falcons
The line opened Atlanta -1.5. As of the Wednesday before, the Packers have flipped to a -2 chalk. Is Green Bay worth a look to beat the Falcons on the road?
Jordan Love had great success versus a bad Chicago defense. But this will be Green Bay’s second road game in as many weeks. Also, the Falcons have a serious weapon in Bijan Robinson. So although the money is flying to Green Bay, the ATL gets the nod.
Week 2 Pick: Falcons +2
Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills -8.5
The line has dropped a whole point from Vegas +9.5 to Raiders +8.5. One thing we noticed in Vegas’ victory over the Denver Broncos is that Jimmy Garoppolo really understands Josh McDaniels’ system.
The Bills had no excuse for losing to the Jets after Rodgers went down with the Achilles tear. Raiders cover.
Week 2 Pick: Raiders +8.5
Jacksonville Jaguars -3.5 at Indianapolis Colts
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals -3
Baltimore is a hot pick after watching how badly the Bengals played versus the Browns. Two things about that game: 1) Browns versus Bengals is a rivalry where Cleveland had home field advantage and 2) the game was Joe Burrow’s first on-field action in a long time.
Cincinnati will be more focused in this. The game will be difficult, but we’re going against the public by choosing the Midwest Tigers to cover.
Week 2 Pick: Cincinnati -3
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions -5.5
Beware backing teams in NFL Week 2 coming off upset victories versus favored squads. The old adage is no more important to keep in mind than in Seattle at Detroit.
The Lions beat the Kansas City Chiefs by a single point even though Kadarius Toney’s dropped pass, not sure what to call it, led to a Lions’ pick six and Patrick Mahomes couldn’t throw to the injured Travis Kelce.
The Rams caught the Seahawks napping. Pete Carroll is going to have the Hawks more focused on Sunday.
Week 2 Pick: Seahawks +5.5
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Indianapolis Colts -1.5 at Houston Texans
It’s tough to back the Texans. Houston will win some games, but Indianapolis has the look of a possible playoff contender. If Anthony Richardson goes, the Colts should win this by at least 3 points.
Week 2 Pick: Colts -1.5
Kansas City Chiefs -3 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kelce may or may not play. Almost as important? Chirs Jones is back, but it’s doubtful he’s ready to chase around Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. On paper, the wrong team is favored in this matchup. The Jags get it done and they may win by 6 points, possibly, 7.
Week 2 Pick: Jaguars +3
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Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3
The Bears’ offense didn’t look sharp versus a rival, the Green Bay Packers. Tampa’s defense was solid against Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson.
The key will be Baker Mayfield. Baker is a solid starting NFL quarterback. Just because the Browns couldn’t make the relationship work, it doesn’t mean the Bucs won’t. Mayfield shreds the Bears’ secondary for a win that rolls past the 3-point spread.
Week 2 Pick: Buccaneers -3
Los Angeles Chargers -3 at Tennessee Titans
The Saints picked off Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill three times. New Orleans also sacked Tanny 3 times.
The Bolts played a much better team, the Miami Dolphins, in an NFL Week 1 loss. The Chargers will have success containing Derrick Henry. So the Chargers are the pick to cover.
Week 2 Pick: Chargers -3
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New York Giants -5.5 at Arizona Cardinals
Don’t let the 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys fool you. Dallas ran back a blocked field goal for a TD on the Giants’ first possession, kicked a field goal on the Cowboys’ first possession, and then ran back a Daniel Jones interception 22 yards for a pick six.
So before the Giants’ defense could settle into the game, the Cowboys were up 16-0. At that point, the G-Men didn’t give up, but they had no energy left to fight the Cowboys.
The Giants will be focused and ready to paste a Cardinals squad that played well above it’s talent level in a loss to the D.C Commanders in week 1.
NFL Week 2 Pick: Giants -5.5
San Francisco 49ers -7.5 at L.A. Rams
The Rams played an excellent game to upset the Seahawks in Seattle in the first matchup. But on Sunday, LAR faces the most complete squad in the NFL. The 49ers should win a second straight via blowout. Think at least a 14-point difference.
NFL Week 2 Pick: 49ers -7.5
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New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys -9.5
Aaron Rodgers goes down for the season and the Cowboys become -9.5 spread line favorites. It doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Yes, Zach Wilson isn’t as good as a future hall of fame quarterback. Did oddsmakers see how the Jets D punished Josh Allen and the Bills offense, though? Dak Prescott isn’t Aaron Rodgers either. So give us the 9.5 points on the Jets defense to keep this close.
NFL Week 2 Pick: Jets +9.5
Washington Commanders at Denver Broncos -3.5
The hook will be important in this. Washington shouldn’t win, but it’s difficult seeing the D.C. defense giving up a ton of points to a lethargic Denver Broncos offense.
What happened to Russell Wilson and Sean Payton putting together a game plan to dominate the Raiders’ defense? The Commanders have a top three defensive line. Russ could struggle again.
NFL Week 2 Pick: Commanders +3.5
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Miami Dolphins -2.5 at New England Patriots
Pats versus Dolphins is one of the best rivalries in the NFL. The home team almost always picks it up.
Also, the Patriots almost pulled off an upset victory over the Eagles in NFL Week 1. The wrong side is the chalk.
NFL Week 2 Pick: New England +2.5
Monday, Sep 18
New Orleans Saints -3 at Carolina Panthers
The Saints always struggle when they take on the Panthers in Carolina. Often, New Orleans loses, which is why the line is just 3 points.
However, the Saints D will force Bryce Young into bad throws because Carolina’s offensive line won’t stop New Orleans’ pass rush. Also, Derek Carr should be sharper than he was versus Tennessee.
NFL Week 2 Pick: Saints -3
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Cleveland Browns -3 at Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s easy to choose Cleveland after seeing what they did to Joe Burrow and the Bengals. But if there is one NFL team that projects to suffer a bounce after a big victory this week, it’s the Browns.
Not only that, but Mike Tomlin beats Cleveland like he’s beating a rug on a clothes line. The Steelers have home field advantage and face a much different team than the juggernaut San Francisco 49ers. Steel Town covers.
NFL Week 2 Pick: Steelers +3