Sometimes you have to feel out the NFL season and which teams were prepared coming out of training camp and the preseason. Clearly the Miami Dolphins aren’t up to snuff. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills offense looks like its in midseason form. The Los Angeles Rams defense could be one of the league’s best. Here’s what we got on tap for our Week 2 NFL picks.
Week 1 results: 9-7
Week 2 Matchups
(Thursday) Washington Commanders @ Green Bay Packers, 8:15 PM EST
Jayden Daniels and Jordan Love are two quarterbacks with a lot of potential still to be extracted from their playcallers Matt LaFleur and Kliff Kingsbury. Jordan Love has more pressure on him this season but with another piece like Matthew Golden, I think Love and the Packers finish as a top 3 team in the NFC.
Jayden Daniels keeps it interesting but I don’t see their defense slowing Green Bay down enough.
Pick: Packers win 30-21
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 PM EST
Despite their preseason efforts to gain momentum for Week 1, the Bengals still only managed 17 points against the Browns. Burrow only threw for 113 yards and the offense only managed 11 first downs. The running game wasn’t any better with Chase Brown only totaling 43 yards on 21 carries. I’m going to take the Jaguars in an upset until the Bengals show they are in midseason form.
Pick: Jaguars win 24-17
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM EST
Baltimore gave away their Sunday night game to Buffalo and I imagine they will be out for blood in Week 2; playing at home. Cleveland showed some fight despite their assets. Still, Lamar Jackson will be too much for Cleveland to contain and I think John Harbaugh plays more aggressively in this one.
Pick: Ravens win 28-13
Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets, 1:00 PM EST
Josh Allen was MVP of the 2024-2025 season for a reason. If a 41 year old Aaron Rodgers can throw for four touchdowns against New York, it’s safe to assume that Josh Allen should have his way and then some.
Pick: Bills win 37-20
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM EST
Miami’s situation is an avalanche waiting to happen. It appears that Mike McDaniel’s time is very limited. I’m not sure if he makes it through the year to be honest. Tua really handcuffs the Dolphins offense and the team might want to make Zach Wilson its quarterback moving forward.
Admittingly, I expected more out of Drake Maye and the Patriots against Las Vegas. But I’ll double down and take Maye over Tua in Week 2.
Pick: Patriots win 23-9
San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM EST
Brock Purdy’s is out because of a turf toe while also nursing a left shoulder injury. George Kittle is out for multiple weeks because of a hamstring injury. Still, San Francisco was better than expected against a tough Seattle defense. I believe Kyle Shanahan will lean on McCaffrey and the ground game to get out of New Orleans with a win; improving to 2-0 on the season and on the road.
Pick: 49ers win 17-7
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 PM EST
If CeeDee Lamb catches any of his dropped passes, Dallas likely pulls off the upset in Week 1 at Philadelphia. I was pleasantly surprised by Brian Schottenheimer’s team, especially their defense without Micah Parsons. Dallas’s defense front whipped Philadelphia’s offensive line in the second half.
The Giants are a walking nightmare at the quarterback position. Russell Wilson’s career is over and New York may be the frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pick: Cowboys win 20-3
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM EST
In Week 2, we already get a reunion of Ben Johnson visiting his former club. While Ben Johnson will be hungry for this game, I think the Lions will avoid an 0-2 hole with Dan Campbell in charge. It’s worth noting that Jared Goff is winless in his career without Sean McVay and Ben Johnson. Too soon?
Pick: Lions win 27-17
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 PM EST
Speaking of reunions, DK Metcalf will get to face off against Seattle after the team traded him this offseason.
I get the sense that Jalen Ramsey will shadow Jaxon Smith-Njigba; preventing the Seattle offense from sustaining drives. Sam Darnold didn’t show much in his first opportunity and I’m not convinced the change from Minnesota to Seattle is going to help his career. Mike Tomlin will exploit the Seattle offensive line and pressure him early and often.
Pick: Steelers win 20-12
Los Angeles Rams @ Tennessee Titans, 1:00 PM EST
17 years separate the two quarterbacks but a pair of first overall picks will take center stage in Nashville. Cam Ward vs. Matthew Stafford. The only problem is that Ward does not have the weapons that Stafford does. This could very well be a Davante Adams coming out party type game.
Los Angeles’s defense was spectacular in a week one tussle with Houston. CJ Stroud, a consensus top 15 quarterback, was held in check all game. I imagine Cam Ward will face the same tough sledding against LA’s relentless pressure.
Pick: Rams win 30-16
Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts, 4:05 PM EST
The surprise of week 1 was Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts. Granted, they were playing the Dolphins and those same Dolphins could be in contention for the number one pick.
I still like the Broncos here who will pose more of a challenge to Daniel Jones in the passing game. And I’m not ready to panic on Bo Nix’s week one box score.
Pick: Broncos win 24-19
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM EST
Carolina just hasn’t been able to go anywhere for awhile. The sand in Bryce Young’s hourglass is running out. Jonathan Gannon’s defense showed in Week 1 that they are a unit on the rise. Once again, I’ll buy the redbirds.
Pick: Cardinals win 30-13
Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 PM EST
Super Bowl LIX rematch. The Chiefs will be without Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Patrick Mahomes is able to freestyle and create a lot of magic. And he could do that in the team’s home opener. I believe what is holding the Chiefs back is Jawaan Taylor. He is the weak link on that offensive line. His 49.5 PFF grade agrees.
The Chiefs won’t run the ball enough; putting Mahomes in too many difficult situations. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts will game manage enough on Philadelphia’s offense; giving them the win on the road.
Pick: Eagles win 24-18
(Sunday Night Football) Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 PM EST
Kirk Cousins returns home to Minnesota…except he won’t be starting for either team.
JJ McCarthy was able to turn things on in the 4th quarter against the Bears but Raheem Morris’s defense should be a tougher test than Ben Johnson’s Bears defense.
Pick: Falcons win 24-17
(Monday Night Football) Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans, 7:00 PM EST
This one is tough. Two strong defenses on Monday Night Football. The difference here will be the offensive line play. Tampa Bay has the edge especially with Houston nursing some injuries.
Pick: Buccaneers win 16-13
(Monday Night Football) Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders, 10:00 PM EST
The Chargers introduced themselves as legitimate AFC contenders after upsetting the Chiefs in Brazil. Justin Herbert looks ready to take the next step in the quarterback hierarchy. The Raiders grabbed a nice win over New England but will fall to the more physical Chargers.
Pick: Chargers 27-19
Who is your lock of the week? Who is your upset of the week? Do the Rams win? Add your picks in the comments below?
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