Jordan Asri is an independent reporter covering all NFL reports and transactions. Here are his Week 2 picks against the spread.
(Note: This article publishes on Thursday and the Sunday picks may be updated based on breaking news or injuries.)
Los Angeles Chargers (+4) at Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday, September 15th at 8:15 pm ET
The Chargers and Chiefs are both coming off of decisive Week 1 victories, and this game should prove to be more competitive, with Justin Herbert matching up against Patrick Mahomes in a national television showdown. The Chargers will likely be without JC Jackson and Keenan Allen, which should hurt the team’s chances. I think it’ll be a close one, but I’m gonna give Kansas City the edge here.
Score prediction: Chiefs 31, Chargers 21
Pick: Chiefs -4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
I’m scared to jump the gun here on this, but I’m beginning to think that age is catching up to Tom Brady. The Bucs defeated the Cowboys 19-3, but Brady seemed to struggle a bit, only throwing one TD to go along with one interception. Brady also struggles against the Saints, which is why I will be picking the Saints in an upset. Michael Thomas put up two touchdown scores in his first game since 2019. The Saints will need more of that from him if they want to pick up this win.
Score prediction: Saints 20, Buccaneers 17
Pick: Saints (+2.5)
Miami Dolphins (+3.5) at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
The Dolphins defense completely shut down Mac Jones and the Patriots on Sunday, holding them to under 200 pass yards, 100 rushing yards and forcing three turnovers. If that offense featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle can start to take off, this will be a very hard team to beat on Sundays. Meanwhile, the Ravens took down the Jets 24-9 with some super strong defense. Lamar Jackson tossed three touchdown passes, with two of them going to Devin Duvernay. I think this will be a close, defensive style game, but the Miami offense is just simply more talented than Baltimore’s, which is why I will be picking the Dolphins.
Score prediction: Dolphins 23, Ravens 17
Pick: Dolphins (+3.5)
New England Patriots (-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
I feel like the Steelers and Patriots match up very similarly. Strong defense, with an emphasis on controlling the clock. This game will come down to whoever makes less mistakes. Mac Jones had three turnovers last week, but I think he will have a bounce-back week here, helping to pick up a close win in Pittsburgh.
Score prediction: Patriots 20, Steelers 17
Pick: Patriots (-2)
New York Jets (+6.5) at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
The Zach Wilson-less Jets struggled mightily (as expected) against the superior Baltimore Ravens. The Jets have playmakers on offense in Michael Carter, Elijah Moore, Corey Davis and Garrett Wilson, but will struggle to be competitive until they can get Zach Wilson back. Even without Deshaun Watson, the Browns are the far superior team and they will prove that on Sunday in a blowout victory.
Score prediction: Browns 28, Jets 13
Pick: Browns -6.5
Indianapolis Colts (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
The Colts put up 517 yards of total offense compared to the Texans’ 299, but still managed to tie 20-20 due to penalties and turnovers. Johnathan Taylor picked up right where he left off last season with 175 total yards and a touchdown. Michael Pittman also is proving that he will be the Colts’ certified #1 WR moving forward. The Jaguars fell 28-22 to the Commanders on Sunday, but had many chances to win that game. Travis Etienne dropped what would’ve been a walk-in touchdown, along with a failed two-point conversion and a missed field goal. They are a young team, so these mistakes were expected and it’s all going to be a part of the rebuild plan in Jacksonville. The good news is that No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker looked the part on Sunday, with a sack and an impressive interception.
Score Prediction: Colts 31, Jaguars 20
Pick: Colts -4
Washington Commanders (+1.5) at Detroit Lions
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
The Commanders are a very intriguing team to me. They are loaded on offense with Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, Curtis Samuel and the rookie Jahan Dotson, who had two touchdowns in his rookie debut for the team. If Carson Wentz can manage his mistakes and Chase Young can come back and be a force for that defense, the Commanders should be in the playoff race come December. Meanwhile, the Lions lost 38-35 to the Eagles in what was an impressive comeback attempt that fell just short. That Lions team showed a lot of fight and should be able to compete in games with most teams this season. This should be a close game, but I’m going to pick the Commanders.
Score prediction: Commanders 27, Lions 24
Pick: Commanders +1.5
Carolina Panthers (+1.5) at New York Giants
Sunday, September 18th at 1 pm E.T.
The Panthers scored 17 points in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their poor start against the Browns, losing a close one 26-24. Baker Mayfield struggled for most of the game but caught fire towards the end, with Christian McCaffrey also being held in check (33 rushing yards, 24 receiving yards).
Meanwhile in the Big Apple, Brian Daboll picked up a very big win in his first career game as head coach of the Giants. Saquon Barkley proved he is still one of the most talented running backs in football, putting up nearly 200 yards of total offense for the team, carrying them on his back. The question was never if Saquon still had that elite skill-set; it was just a matter of if he can stay healthy and if the Giants can address their issues on the offensive line. I think this will be a close game, but I’m going to give it to the Giants, with Saquon putting up another big performance.
Score prediction: Giants 24, Panthers 23
Pick: Panthers +1.5
Atlanta Falcons (+10.5) at Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, September 18th at 4:05 pm E.T.
The defending Super Bowl Champion Rams had a humbling 31-10 loss to the Bills this past Thursday. Matthew Stafford threw three picks and was sacked seven times. I like Atlanta’s chances to keep this within 10 points but definitely see the Rams picking up the win and avoiding the dreaded 0-2 start.
Score prediction: Rams 31, Falcons 23
Pick: Falcons +10.5
Seattle Seahawks (+10) at San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, September 18th at 4:05 pm E.T.
I really love the +10 line here for Seattle, especially after their huge win vs the Russell Wilson-led Broncos on Monday. Geno Smith held it down and the defense looked very good. That combined with Trey Lance’s week 1 struggles, I really think that Seattle could win this game, but I’m going to pick the 49ers.
Score prediction: 49ers 20, Seahawks 17
Pick: Seahawks +10
Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, September 18th at 4:25 pm E.T.
The Cowboys got stomped on national television by the Buccaneers last week and lost their starting quarterback for the next 4-6 weeks on top of it. With Cooper Rush now at the helm for Dallas and the Bengals trying to avoid an 0-2 start, I think everything is trending towards a decisive Bengals victory on the road.
Score prediction: Bengals 28, Cowboys 17
Pick: Bengals -7.5
Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
Sunday, September 18th at 4:25 pm E.T.
The Cardinals got outclassed by the Chiefs on Sunday, 44-21, with 14 points coming in garbage time for Arizona. I think the Cardinals put up a better performance and cover the spread, but still fall short to the Raiders.
Score prediction: Raiders 26, Cardinals 23
Pick: Cardinals +5.5
Houston Texans (+10) at Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 18th at 4:25 pm E.T.
The Texans put up a strong effort on Sunday against the Colts, but I’m expecting the Broncos to bounce back in a big way after a disappointing loss to the Seahawks. I think Denver Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett is feeling the heat after a questionable 64-yard field goal attempt when he should’ve just let the game be up to his $240 million dollar quarterback on a 4th-and-5. I think Denver wins on Sunday in a big way.
Score prediction: Broncos 34, Texans 17
Pick: Broncos -10
Chicago Bears (+10) at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, September 18th at 4:25 pm E.T.
The Packers struggled to execute offensively against Minnesota on Sunday, only managing to muster seven points. It may be hard for Green Bay to score big-time points until Aaron Rodgers can get in synch with his younger wide receivers. I think they’ll continue to struggle offensively this week, but will still scrape by with the win against the Bears.
Score prediction: Packers 20, Bears 14
Pick: Bears +10
Tennessee Titans (+10) at Buffalo Bills
Monday, September 19th at 7:15 pm E.T.
The Titans simply won’t be able to keep up with the Bills, especially on the prime time stage where Josh Allen shines so brightly. The Bills are on a collision course with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Titans are the next team on the list for Buffalo to dismantle, especially now that Tennessee doesn’t have A.J. Brown to help lift its passing offense.
Score prediction: Bills 37, Titans 20
Pick: Bills -10
Minnesota Vikings (+2) at Philadelphia Eagles
Monday, September 19th at 8:30 pm E.T.
The Vikings pulled together an impressive win on Sunday against the Packers, with their defense and Justin Jefferson (best WR in the NFL?) being the highlights. I think this game is going to be very entertaining, with both offenses putting up big points, but I’m going to lean towards the Eagles.
Score prediction: Eagles 31, Vikings 28
Pick: Eagles -2
