Week 2 NFL Picks

It was a crazy opening week in the NFL and of course, there were plenty of overreactions on the Monday morning following the games. Perhaps the biggest one involving Caleb Williams and if he is "the guy" for the Chicago Bears? Looking ahead to Week 2, their are several teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start and not fall behind in their divisions. Let's dive into this week's slate of games and have a look at the picks.

**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Sept. 14)

Washington Commanders (1-0) @ Green Bay Packers (1-0)

The Packers looked every bit like a Super Bowl contender last week with Micah Parsons even getting his first sack in the green and gold. Jayden Daniels looked polished in his first start of the season and there doesn't appear to be any sophomore slump on the horizon. While I do think Dan Quinn's team will contend for the NFC East division crown, this is a difficult road spot here against the Packers. Pick: Packers, 27-20.

Line: Packers -3.5

ML: Packers

Spread: Packers

Cleveland Browns (0-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-1)

That was a tough loss for the Ravens on Sunday night after failing to hold a two score lead with less than five minutes left in the 4th quarter. That loss certainly could hurt late in the season if their fighting with the Bills for homefield advantage in the playoffs. I would expect them to play with an edge this week as they welcome back an old friend in Joe Flacco. Pick: Ravens, 30-17.

Line: Ravens -12

ML: Ravens

Spread: Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)

The Bengals managed to hold on for an opening week win for the first time in three years and will now look to start 2-0 against an upbeat, pesky Jags team. The offense wasn't flattering against the lowly Browns and we could chalk this up to the typical slow start in Cincy, but this is certainly something to keep an eye on early in the season. Pick: Bengals, 26-23.

Line: Bengals -3.5

ML: Bengals

Spread: Jaguars

New York Giants (0-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

Depsite an opening week loss to the Eagles, I thought the Cowboys did enough on both sides of the ball to win that game. Dak Prescott played one of his better games of the last two years, very efficient and had CeeDee Lamb not dropped a deep post late in the 4th, we might be talking about the Cowboys and a 2-0 start this week. Pick: Cowboys, 27-17.

Line: Cowboys -5.5

ML: Cowboys

Spread: Cowboys

Chicago Bears (0-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-1)

Critics were tough on Caleb Williams last week after some poor decision-making late in the game that contributed to a comeback win by the Vikings. I'm not sure all of it was warranted and Ben Johnson's offense can be intricate to learn. Now, they go into the Lions den and face a team hungry to avoid an 0-2 start to keep pace in the division. Pick: Lions, 27-24.

Line: Lions -6.5

ML: Lions

Spread: Bears

New England Patriots (0-1) @ Miami Dolphins (0-1)

The Dolphins had a terrible opening week as the offense just couldn't get on the same page. It would appear that Mike McDaniels' laid back style may not be what this team needs in the locker room and if they don't get a grip on things quickly, this season could spiral out of control. Pick: Dolphins, 24-20.

Line: Dolphins -2.5

ML: Dolphins

Spread: Dolphins

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ New Orleans Saints (0-1)

The injury bug has hit the Niners hard to open the season and they will be without Brock Purdy and George Kittle this week. That means Mac Jones will step in for the start, and I would imagine Christian McCaffrey will see plenty of work in what could be a grind of a game. Pick: 49ers, 21-15.

Line: 49ers -3

ML: 49ers

Spread: 49ers

Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ New York Jets (0-1)

The Bills are coming off a thrilling comeback win from last week and could be in for a tougher test than anticipated against the Jets. Justin Fields showed he could move the ball with relative ease against a stout Steelers defense and with the injuries piling up in the Bills' secondary, this could be a tight game. Pick: Bills, 24-20.

Line: Bills -6

ML: Bills

Spread: Jets

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

The Seahawks had a chance to win the game late against the Niners, but a strip sack of Sam Darnold closed the book. Now, it's an early road start travelling across the country where the Steelers' defense will be looking for a better effort than the 30 burger they allowed the Jets last week. Pick: Steelers, 23-16.

Line: Steelers -3.5

ML: Steelers

Spread: Steelers

Los Angeles Rams (1-0) @ Tennessee Titans (0-1)

The Rams started slow last week and then Matthew Stafford found his groove in the second half, securing the victory. I think we'll see a lot of low scoring games for this Rams team as the emphasis will be on defense first. Cam Ward is raw and still looking to get his feet under him in the NFL, so expect Sean McVay to take advantage of that. Pick: Rams, 20-16.

Line: Rams -5.5

ML: Rams

Spread: Titans

Carolina Panthers (0-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-0)

The Panthers really struggled offensively last week and will have to have the mind of a gold fish if they want to compete in this game. I'm not overly big on the Cardinals in general and a soft start with the Saints and Panthers might lead to 2-0, but be careful overvaluing them. Pick: Cardinals, 26-21.

Line: Cardinals -7

ML: Cardinals

Spread: Panthers

Denver Broncos (1-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-0)

I didn't particularly like some of Sean Payton's play calls in last week's win. He had an opportunity to close the game out earlier, but some perplexing pass calls in short yardage situations left me puzzled. The Colts very well could be better than we think and I'm going to lean on the home side here. Pick: Colts, 20-17.

Line: Broncos -1

ML: Colts

Spread: Colts

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)

This is the Super Bowl rematch from last season and one the Chiefs have likely had circled on their calendar heading into the season. Andy Reid's team is staring down the barrel of an 0-2 start and this is going to be a grind to prevent that from happening. Still, they've never lost three in a row during the Patrick Mahomes era and I expect them to come out on top in a defensive struggle. Pick: Chiefs, 23-21.

Line: Eagles -1

ML: Chiefs

Spread: Chiefs

Atlanta Falcons (0-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

J.J. McCarthy never wavered when he was down two scores in last week's game, asking for the offense to trust in him. He ended up delivering in a comeback win over the Bears and will look to have his team off to a 2-0 start. Pick: Vikings, 26-20.

Line: Vikings -3.5

ML: Vikings

Spread: Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ Houston Texans (0-1)

The Bucs look like they have all the tools to contend for the NFC Championship and Baker Mayfield got off to a great start last week. The Texans are desperate and you can tell that their run game is going to plague them all season long without Joe Mixon. I do like Demeco Ryans to rally the troops here though and stand pat at home. Pick: Texans, 27-24.

Line: Texans -2.5

ML: Texans

Spread: Texans

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)

The Chargers might be the dark horse to win the AFC West this season and Justin Herbert might finally have the run game he's been waiting for with the duo of Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris. Pete Carroll will have his team prepared for this game, so I still expect the Raiders to play with an edge and keep it tight. Pick: Chargers, 26-19.

Line: Chargers -3.5

ML: Chargers

Spread: Chargers

Results

Week 1

ML: 9-7

ATS: 6-10

Overall

ML: 9-7

ATS: 6-10