It is Week 2 of the NFL season and we are back with our picks for every game on the schedule both straight up and against the spread.
Week 1 saw Alan take the crown for top performer, picking 11 games straight up correctly with seven wins against the spread. Adam joined him with seven correct predictions ATS but could only muster eight when just looking at the actual result.
Jonny too had a decent start with 10 games called correctly but only six when looking at the lines. Neil was bottom of the pile getting just eight right straight up and a paltry five against the spread. Poor show.
For season-long records check out the bottom of the piece but let’s get on with the selections and comments on every one of the 16 NFL games coming up this week…
*All odds correct as of 11AM, Wednesday 13 September. Odds subject to change.
Friday – 1:20AM:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Vikings
- Alan: Eagles
- Jonny: Vikings
- Neil: Vikings
Money Line: Eagles 1/3 & Vikings 12/5
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Eagles
- Alan: Eagles
- Jonny: Eagles
- Neil: Eagles
Comments: The Eagles are looking to start their season 2-0 for the second successive season after holding onto a 25-20 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 1. They flew (pardon the pun) out of the blocks to an early 16-0 after the first quarter, but it’s fair to say were hanging on towards the end at Foxborough. A victory is a victory, however, and Philly have won nine of their last 11 at home, so it’s difficult to back against them here.
However, despite Minnesota’s loss to Tampa Bay last week, I still fancy them to cover the spread in this one. They’ll be eager to bounce back from a one-score loss, and still managed to display the quality they have on offense. I think Justin Jefferson, who led the NFL with 1,809 receiving yards last year, can have a big impact on this game, hauling in nine passes for 150 yards in the season-opener. – JW
Sunday – 18:00:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Ravens
- Alan: Bengals
- Jonny: Ravens
- Neil: Ravens
Money Line: Bengals 8/15 & Ravens 6/4
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Bengals
- Alan: Bengals
- Jonny: Ravens
- Neil: Ravens
Comments: Forget the Chiefs, the shock score of the weekend was the Bengals being held to just 3(THREE) points by the Browns.
Joe Burrow couldn’t get anything going and threw for just 82 yards in a 14/31 stat line. Surely they can’t be that bad again? Could they?
Meanwhile, the Ravens shut down a toothless Texans side and eased to a 25-9 victory, where Lamar Jackson was efficient without being spectacular.
Baltimore suffered a fair few injuries at the weekend and it’s for this reason alone, I’m picking the Bengals to get over the line. Just… – AR
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Buccaneers
- Alan: Bears
- Jonny: Buccaneers
- Neil: Buccaneers
Money Line: Buccaneers 4/6 & Bears 5/4
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Buccaneers
- Alan: Bears
- Jonny: Buccaneers
- Neil: Buccaneers
Comments: Disappointing Bears’ loss at Soldier Field last week to the Packers, while Tampa’s new QB Baker Mayfield helped his club to an exciting win at Minnesota in a tight one.
At Raymond James TB are being asked to concede around 2.5 on the spread, indicating that another head-scratcher could be on the cards.
Bears’ QB Justin Fields had a sack/fumble-infested 2022, but remains a talent. Is this the year we get to see it in bloom? Seems like forever since Chicago have had an elite QB. Remember Rex Grossman? Who could forget ..
Another matchup that will divide opinion, but won’t drain my pocket – AF
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Chargers
- Alan: Titans
- Jonny: Titans
- Neil: Chargers
Money Line: Titans 13/10 & Chargers 8/13
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Chargers
- Alan: Titans
- Jonny: Chargers
- Neil: Chargers
Comments: The Bolts played out a thriller at home against the Dolphins in week one, ultimately falling short 36-34.
Austin Ekeler in particular looked explosive on a surprisingly heavy rush offense and he can cause havoc again here.
The Titans struggled to get their offensive side going in their loss to the Saints and another loss here could prompt sack calls for head coach Mike Vrabel.
Los Angeles were 7-3 ATS on the road last season and they can get their act in gear here against Tennessee – AR
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Chiefs
- Alan: Jaguars
- Jonny: Chiefs
- Neil: Chiefs
Money Line: Jaguars 7/5 & Chiefs 4/7
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Chiefs
- Alan: Jaguars
- Jonny: Chiefs
- Neil: Chiefs
Comments: Seeing the Chiefs’ giving just 2.5 points at home is flat out weird but this line totally hinges on the availability of tight end, Travis Kelce.
We saw in Week 1 just how important he is to the Andy Reid offense. Kansas City were stunned at home but I think most people firmly believe that had Kelce been healthy, the home side win by a score or more. I firmly sign-up to that notion.
The Jags are a good team who could easily win ten-games or more and win the AFC South. I just don’t see them going into Arrowhead and handing the defending Super Bowl champions their second-straight defeat.
All signs point towards Kelce being back for this matchup and that I think is enough to get KC over the line with a few points to spare. – NM
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Lions
- Alan: Lions
- Jonny: Seahawks
- Neil: Seahawks
Money Line: Lions 2/5 & Seahawks 2/1
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Lions
- Alan: Lions
- Jonny: Seahawks
- Neil: Seahawks
Comments: Here is my upset special of the week because not only am I taking the points with Seattle, I’m rolling with them straight up.
These two teams couldn’t have had a more different start to their 2023 campaigns. The Lions went to Kansas City and took down the defending champs whereas the Seahawks lost by 17 points at home to a Cooper Kupp-less Rams squad.
However, Aaron Donald will not be in the face of Geno Smith nor blocking up the running lanes on Sunday. With a plethora of quality receiving talent but a solid backfield, I like Pete Carroll’s men to even up their record.
As I said previously, I think had Travis Kelce played last week then Detroit loses by at least a score and that result has skewed this line. Seattle are at home and they are nowhere near as bad as they looked in their opener – NM
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Packers
- Alan: Falcons
- Jonny: Falcons
- Neil: Packers
Money Line: Falcons 21/20 & Packers 4/5
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Packers
- Alan: Falcons
- Jonny: Packers
- Neil: Packers
Comments: Next up are two franchises that got off to winning starts in week one, as the Packers downed the Bears 38-20 and the Falcons nullified the Panthers to win 24-10.
Huge questions were asked about Green Bay in the aftermath of the Aaron Rodgers trade but given what happened in week 1, it looks like the trade of the century.
New starting QB Jordan Love looked extremely sharp, throwing three touchdown passes for 245 yards and Aaron Jones looked a threat with the ball in his hand as well as on the receiving end.
The Falcons Desmond Ridder made very few errors but it was running backs, Tyler Allgeier and rookie Bijan Robinson who did all the damage.
I’m taking the Pack to win this one by at least a field goal. – AR
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Raiders
- Alan: Raiders
- Jonny: Bills
- Neil: Raiders
Money Line: Bills 2/9 & Raiders 17/5
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Bills
- Alan: Bills
- Jonny: Bills
- Neil: Bills
Comments: Jimmy Garoppolo did enough for the Raiders to edge out the Denver Broncos in Week 1, but the Bills are a lot better than the Broncos.
Saying that, the Bills did struggle against the Jets last week, and it was a poor performance by QB Josh Allen, by his own lofty standards, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble.
As poor as Allen was, the Bills only lost in overtime, so I’m expecting them to be much better here against a Las Vegas side that have a case of the Buffalo blues – they have lost three straight games in Buffalo since last winning there in 2002. – JW
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Colts
- Alan: Texans
- Jonny: Colts
- Neil: Colts
Money Line: Texans Evens & Colts 5/6
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Colts
- Alan: Texans
- Jonny: Colts
- Neil: Colts
Comments: Houston struggled to get much going at Baltimore in Week 1, while Indianapolis contributed plenty in an entertaining loss at home to the Jags. Rookie QB Anthony Richardson threw for 223 yards, with an interception and a TD. Typical mixed output against a top opponent from a raw, emerging talent.
It’s a tight line, and a very difficult one to call. Whoever heeds the lessons of week one the best will presumably prevail, but my stakes will be light. Home-field could be crucial.
Betting-wise, THE two least likely AFC sides to trouble the judge, post-season – AF
Sunday 21:05:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Cardinals
- Alan: Cardinals
- Jonny: Cardinals
- Neil: Giants
Money Line: Cardinals 2/1 & Giants 2/5
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Cardinals
- Alan: Giants
- Jonny: Giants
- Neil: Giants
Comments: New York were fortunate to come second in week one’s disaster against Dallas, while Arizona only gave best to the Commanders in the fourth quarter at FedEx.
The Cards are still missing QB Kyler Murray and even given the scale of New York’s mauling last week find themselves underdogs to the tune of around 5.5 points at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
I had a reasonable week one on the prediction front but with clashes like this floating around Lady Luck needs to put in a massive shift if there’s to be any repeat.
I see a tight one… – AF
Picks ATS:
- Adam: 49ers
- Alan: Rams
- Jonny: 49ers
- Neil: 49ers
Money Line: Rams 11/4 & 49ers 2/7
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: 49ers
- Alan: 49ers
- Jonny: 49ers
- Neil: 49ers
Comments: The Rams and 49ers come into Week 2 off the back of two emphatic victories. The 49ers crushed the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Rams made a statement with their victory over Seattle.
Has Brock Purdy shown that he can be the man to lead San Francisco back to the Super Bowl? Well, maybe the jury is still out for some, but I was mightily impressed with him last week, and throw in the Niners defense along with that and there could be something brewing in North California.
I picked the Rams to do the business last week against the Seahawks, and they didn’t disappoint, but I think this San Francisco defense will be too strong for them here which is why taking Kyle Shanahan’s side to cover the spread. – JW
Sunday – 21:25:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Cowboys
- Alan: Jets
- Jonny: Cowboys
- Neil: Cowboys
Money Line: Cowboys 2/9 & Jets 17/5
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Cowboys
- Alan: Cowboys
- Jonny: Cowboys
- Neil: Cowboys
Comments: Another two sides who picked up wins in the season opener but the manner of their victories couldn’t have been more diametrically opposed.
The Cowboys put on a complete ass-whooping on the Giants, nilling them, whilst racking up 40 points in the process. Their defense looked elite and the offense merely efficient, rather than spectacular.
The Jets, meanwhile, went from agony to ecstacy, with new signing Aaron Rodgers out for the season after mere minutes, before Xavier Gipson returned a punt for a walk-off overtime victory over the much-hyped bills.
Unfortunately, reality kicks in this week and the Jets will have to start life without the future hall-of-fame quarterback and I can see the Cowboys giving Zach Wilson hell.
Back ‘America’s Team’ to cover the spread fairly comfortably here – AR
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Commanders
- Alan: Commanders
- Jonny: Broncos
- Neil: Broncos
Money Line: Broncos 8/15 & Commanders 6/4
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Commanders
- Alan: Commanders
- Jonny: Broncos
- Neil: Broncos
Comments: Still getting used to seeing the vastly experienced Russell Wilson in Denver – and he opposes Commanders’ greenhorn Sam Howell here at Mile High (Empower Field).
Both are 50/1 shots to take their respective Conferences, so we’re not in the NFL penthouse suite. Sobering thought from the Betfred/Racing Post key stats; ‘The Broncos have lost 7 of their last 10 games as favourite.’
Wilson is key – can new coach Sean Payton get him purring again? Or will opposite number Ron Rivera’s Howell assertion – ‘he’s learning’ – prove insightful? Fiendishly tricky, small stakes – AF
Monday 01:20:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Dolphins
- Alan: Patriots
- Jonny: Patriots
- Neil: Dolphins
Money Line: Patriots 6/5 & Dolphins 7/10
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Dolphins
- Alan: Patriots
- Jonny: Dolphins
- Neil: Dolphins
Comments: Last week I went into the season unsure what to expect of Tua Tagovailoa following those concussion issues of a year ago. Fast forward through Week 1 and his 466 yards through the air and my concerns have evaporated into dust.
The Dolphins with a healthy Tua can be one of the best passing attacks in the league. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are both outstanding receivers who can both go deep and go over the middle.
New England have traditionally struggled down in Miami and they are only getting 2.5 points. I just don’t think the Pats are as good as the Dolphins so with such a small line, this is one of my strongest picks of the week – NM
Tuesday 00:15:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Saints
- Alan: Saints
- Jonny: Saints
- Neil: Saints
Money Line: Panthers 7/5 & Saints 4/7
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Saints
- Alan: Saints
- Jonny: Saints
- Neil: Saints
Comments: The Saints rode their luck last week, just edging out the Titans 16-15 to begin the Derek Carr era with a victory, meanwhile the Panthers were comfortably beaten by Atlanta so they will be desperate to bounce back here.
To be honest, it’s difficult to predict what performance we’ll see from Carolina this weekend. The defense was under the cosh against the Falcons, and now with cornerback Jaycee Horn now expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, the offense will have to be razor sharp.
The Panthers swept the Saints last season and can take heart from that despite wholesale changes within the roster, but I wasn’t convinced by them at all last week, and I’m siding with New Orleans here. – JW
Tuesday 01:15:
Picks ATS:
- Adam: Browns
- Alan: Browns
- Jonny: Browns
- Neil: Browns
Money Line: Steelers 11/10 & Browns 10/13
Picks Straight Up:
- Adam: Browns
- Alan: Browns
- Jonny: Browns
- Neil: Browns
Comments: In Week 1, the Browns beat up on Joe Burrow and the Bengals to inflict his worst stat line in his professional career. The weather was a factor but Deshaun Watson was able to get enough offense going to lead his team to a very comfortable win over one of the top teams in the conference.
As for Pittsburgh, they got slammed by a really good team at home but what was even more concerning than the result, was just how average Kenny Pickett continued to look. His stats got inflated late as San Francisco went into a prevent defense having taken a big lead early but even so, 31 of 46 for 232 yards and two picks isn’t much to write home about.
Give me the balanced Browns attack to get the job done on Monday night. – NM
Season Records:
Against the Spread
- Adam: 7-9
- Alan: 7-9
- Jonny: 6-10
- Neil: 5-11
Straight Up:
- Adam: 8-8
- Alan: 11-7
- Jonny: 10-6
- Neil: 8-8
Share Article
