NFL Week 2 picks: Can 49ers rebound vs. lowly Jets?
Week 1 of the NFL delivered mostly crowd-less stadiums, Tom Brady in a new uniform, the Raiders' debut as Las Vegas' team and a couple surprises on the scoreboard.
The 49ers' "Revenge Tour" started with a thud, as Jimmy Garoppolo was less than pedestrian in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles blew a 17-point lead to the Washington Football Team and Mitchell Trubisky looked competent for a brief spell while leading the Chicago Bears to a win.
Week 2 arrives with a few expected to be contenders needing a win to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole out of the shoot, while teams like the Cardinals, Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars look to add another win to place themselves in the early mix for the playoffs.
Each week, I'll give my winners for each NFL game (odds provided by our partner, PointsBet).
I missed Week 1 so the record stands at 0-0 with 16 weeks to go.
Let's get started.
Line: Browns -6
The Kevin Stefanski era in Cleveland didn't get off to a good start, as the Baltimore Ravens shredded the Browns 38-6.
Baker Mayfield and Co. should bounce back Thursday night, though. The Bengals are coming off a a tough loss in Week 1. Joe Burrow is legit, but the Browns should have a strong offensive game and earn a much-needed early-season win.
Pick: Browns 27, Bengals 23
Line: Bears -5.5
Trubisky led the Bears to a season-opening win against the Lions, but don't be fooled. He's still the same old Mitch. That being said, the Giants are 12-37 over the last three seasons, and it doesn't look like much has changed. Their offensive line is bad, and Daniel Jones can only do so much.
Trubisky throws a couple head-scratching picks, but the Bears do just enough to move to 2-0.
Pick: Bears 17, Giants 13
Line: Cowboys -4.5
Matt Ryan threw the ball all over the yard on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. The problem was that Russell Wilson shredded Atlanta's defense.
The Cowboys were disappointing in Week 1, as there seemed be no difference between the Mike McCarthy and Jason Garrett eras. Still, the Cowboys are the better team. Dak Prescott throws for 320 yards and three touchdowns as the Cowboys cruise at Jerruh World.
Pick: Cowboys 31, Falcons 24
Line: Packers -6
Aaron Rodgers looked like he was on a mission in Week 1, throwing for 364 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Vikings. The Lions are about two losses away from quitting on Matt Patricia. Make it one after this week.
Pick: Packers 34, Lions 20
Line: Colts -3
The Vikings are better than they showed against Rodgers and the Packers in Week 1. Philip Rivers looked like the same old gunslinger in his Indy debut, throwing two interceptions in a loss to the Jaguars.
Mike Zimmer's defense forces a couple of turnovers and Adam Thielen finds the end zone twice as the Vikings get back to .500.
Pick: Vikings 24, Colts 21
Line: Bills -5.5
The Josh Allen experience was in full force in Week 1. He threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, but also lost two fumbles in a win over the New York Jets. Allen's play could bite the Bills eventually, but it won't be Sunday in Miami.
The Dolphins still are rebuilding and haven't handed the keys over to Tua Tagovailoa just yet. The Bills' ground game gets it done in South Beach.
Pick: Bills 24, Dolphins 14
Line: N/A
Yes, the Eagles blew a 17-point lead to the Washington Football Team in Week 1. And yes, the Eagles are dealing with some key injuries. But this is a tough spot for the Rams to go across the country to face a team needing a win. Carson Wentz delivers the magic in a tight one.
Pick: Eagles 24, Rams 21
Line: Steelers -7.5
The Steelers looked good in beating up a bad Giants team. Both teams are on a short week, but the Broncos are banged up and have to travel to Steel City. Steelers roll behind a big game from Ben Roethlisberger and the passing attack.
Pick: Steelers 31, Broncos 20
Line: Bucs -8.5
Yeah, Tom Brady was shaky in his Bucs debut, but I have no doubt this offense will start to click in time. In the meantime, the Bucs should have no problem taking apart a Panthers defense that got torched by Derek Carr and the Raiders.
Pick: Bucs 34, Panthers 20
Line: Titans -8.5
Ryan Tannehill is starting to turn back into a pumpkin, but the Jaguars aren't the defense to expose him. Jacksonville didn't force a punt in their Week 1 upset of the Colts.
Expect a lot of Derrick Henry in Nashville.
Pick: Titans 30, Jaguars 17
Line: Ravens -7
The Texans looked awful in a Week 1 thumping at the hands of the Chiefs. It shouldn't get any better in Week 2. Lamar Jackson looked ticked off in tearing apart the Browns and he should do the same Houston's patchwork defense.
Pick: Ravens 34, Texans 23
Line: Chiefs -8.5
Patrick Mahomes vs. the Chiefs' defense? Sign me up. The Chargers did a pretty decent job containing him last year. That holds true again Sunday, but Tyrod Taylor can't do enough to pull off the upset.
Pick: Chiefs 24, Chargers 20
Line: Cardinals -7
The Football Team tried to make a name for itself with a Week 1 upset of the Eagles. But the WFT averaged barely over three yards per play in the win. That won't be good enough against a Cardinals team that is the real deal. Kyler Murray puts on a show as the birds roll in the desert.
Pick: Cardinals 34, Football Team 17
Line: Seahawks -4
Cam Newton was exciting in his Patriots debut, but Russell Wilson was electric in dismantling the Falcons. The Patriots defense is average after their number of COVID opt-outs. Wilson picks apart Bill Belichick's defense and the Seahawks move to 2-0.
Pick: Seahawks 28, Patriots 20
Line: Saints -5.5
This should have been a rocking opener fit for Las Vegas. Sadly there will be no fans in attendance, but the Raiders still will be juiced to prove they've made a leap this year. The Silver and Black's offense was solid against the Panthers, but the defense was leaky. Too leaky to beat Drew Brees, who has a big game in Sin City.
Pick: Saints 28, Raiders 17
Line: 49ers -7
The 49ers are as banged up as it comes, especially in the secondary and at wide receiver. But the Jets are without Le'Veon Bell and have injury issues out wide as well. Plus, Adam Gase's club just outright stinks.
It's a sweat-free bounce back for the 49ers at the Meadowlands.
Pick: 49ers 31, Jets 14
