2022 NFL Week 2 Picks Against Spread: Patriots bounce back vs Steelers, Packers roll Bears

Sun, Sep 18, 2022
NFL News (AP)

2022 NFL Week 2 Picks Against Spread: Patriots bounce back vs Steelers, Packers roll Bears

NFL Week 2 is almost always an impossible endeavor because we have to take priors we had coming into the season, watch them go up in flames during Week 1 and also try not to overreact to what we saw in the first week when making selections for the second stanza of the season.'

There was chaos everywhere last week, with a multitude of significant favorites losing (and singlehandedly wiping out survivor leagues).'

Now several of those teams are favored, and there are a few poorly performing teams who are double-digit favorites. The schedule- makers did us no favors with these second-week matchups because the point spreads are so inflated for teams who we can't quite trust.'

Let's try and navigate the chaos.'

All'NFL odds'are via Caesars Sportsbook

NFL Week 2 Picks

Chargers at Chiefs

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Stream:'
Amazon Prime'
Follow:'AP Sports App

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers Moneyline Spread Total KC -210 BET NOW -4 -110 BET NOW o52.5 -110 BET NOW LAC +175 BET NOW +4 -110 BET NOW u52.5 -110 BET NOW

It's the first Thursday night game on Amazon Prime. Prepare yourself, because someone in your family (aunt, uncle, mom, dad, someone) will text you asking where the hell this game is being played. Kindly explain to them: All the packages arriving at their house with free shipping entitles them to watch this game via a basic streaming service. The Chiefs looked AWESOME in Week 1 and the Chargers were quite nice as well. This is the fourth meeting between Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert (Week 17 of 2020 Mahomes didn't start because the division was clinched) and all three previous meetings have been decided by a game-winning score either in the final minute of regulation or overtime. If you want to bet the total, take it live when one team is down two scores and has to start winging it around. I'm backing Mahomes here.'

The pick:'Chiefs 28, Chargers 21

Props, Best Bets: Chiefs -4

Colts at Jaguars

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:'
AP'|'Stream:'Paramount+ (click here)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Moneyline Spread Total JAC +135 BET NOW +3 -110 BET NOW o45 -110 BET NOW IND -160 BET NOW -3 -110 BET NOW u45 -110 BET NOW

The Colts' last win in Jacksonville was 2014. Indy was much better last week than the scoreboard showed, at least offensively, because Matt Ryan got dogged by some drops. The Jaguars had multiple chances to win at Washington; they should treat this game like it's their Super Bowl, a chance for Doug Pederson to flex on his old OC Frank Reich or vice versa. The panic over Trevor Lawrence is weird to me -- he missed throws on Sunday for sure. But if the Jags put enough around him, he'll win. That's a Jags problem, not a Trevor Lawrence problem. Jacksonville feels like a live dog here to me. '

The pick:'Jaguars 24, Colts 21

Props, Best Bets: Jaguars +4

Dolphins at Ravens

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:'
AP'|'Stream:'Paramount+ (click here) '

Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins Moneyline Spread Total BAL -180 BET NOW -3.5 -110 BET NOW o44.5 -110 BET NOW MIA +152 BET NOW +3.5 -110 BET NOW u44.5 -110 BET NOW

This opened Ravens -4 and has trended toward the Dolphins. TuAnon makes me scared to knock Miami, but two key plays for the Dolphins (strip sack by the goal line, the fourth-and-7 touchdown pass before half) completely flipped the Week 1 game against the Patriots. Baltimore poses a much stiffer test and the Ravens looked explosive after a sluggish first-half start.'

The Pick: Ravens 28, Dolphins 14

Bets: Ravens -4

Patriots at Steelers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:'
AP'|'Stream:'Paramount+ (click here) '

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots Moneyline Spread Total PIT +118 BET NOW +2.5 -105 BET NOW o40.5 -110 BET NOW NE -140 BET NOW -2.5 -115 BET NOW u40.5 -110 BET NOW

The Patriots and Steelers are opposite in terms of public perception after Week 1. But looking deeper into their respective games, it does feel like a classic Week 2 correction. The Steelers were a mess on offense for much of the game, while the Pats were much better on defense than the score would indicate. T.J. Watt's absence might be too big for the Steelers to overcome. I don't see how this game gets past 40 points.'

The Pick: Patriots 13, Steelers 7

Bets: Under 40

Panthers at Giants

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:
Fox'|'Stream:'fuboTV (click here) '

New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers Moneyline Spread Total NYG -115 BET NOW -1 -110 BET NOW o43.5 -110 BET NOW CAR -105 BET NOW +1 -110 BET NOW u43.5 -110 BET NOW

The Dave Gettleman Super Bowl! Ben McAdoo Revenge Game! If you want a nonsensical, fun convo about the Giants and Panthers check out my appearance with Weis and Ethan on NYG Weekly. Talking with those guys made me like the Panthers more -- they looked terrible for most of Week 1 but so did the Giants. The Panthers' short-area, YAC skill position guys should be a problem for this Giants defense. Essentially the Don Martindale/Ben McAdoo matchup is how this plays out, with regard to how Christian McCaffrey attacks the second level.'

The Pick: Panthers 21, Giants 17

Bets: Panthers +2.5

Jets at Browns

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:'
AP'|'Stream:'Paramount+ (click here) '

Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets Moneyline Spread Total CLE -278 BET NOW -6.5 -110 BET NOW o39.5 -110 BET NOW NYJ +222 BET NOW +6.5 -110 BET NOW u39.5 -110 BET NOW

If you're a Panthers fan, don't read this but: Remember when this would have been Sam Darnold against Baker Mayfield for the future of the AFC? Robert Saleh's comments were extremely odd this week -- it felt panicky. But maybe it's a good thing for a Jets team capable of shutting down the Ravens run game. If New York forces Jacoby Brissett to throw a ton, the Jets can steal this game.'

The Pick: Jets 17, Browns 10

Bets:'Jets +6.5

Buccaneers at Saints

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:
Fox'|'Stream:'fuboTV (click here) '

New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Moneyline Spread Total NO +115 BET NOW +2.5 -110 BET NOW o44 -110 BET NOW TB -135 BET NOW -2.5 -110 BET NOW u44 -110 BET NOW

It's super weird Tom Brady hasn't beaten the Saints with the Buccaneers. But I'm gonna ride with it.'

The Pick: Saints 27, Bucs 24

Bets: Pass

Ye Olde WFT at Lions

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV:'
Fox'|'Stream: fuboTV (click here) '

Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders Moneyline Spread Total DET -110 BET NOW PK -110 BET NOW o48.5 -110 BET NOW WAS -110 BET NOW PK -110 BET NOW u48.5 -110 BET NOW

Points, points, points in this game. Carson Wentz and the downfield passing game for Washington look explosive. Detroit will not quit and will keep trying to score until the final whistle blows. Washington looks better than most people thought. Detroit was getting toasted before it closed the gap against Philly last week.'

The Pick: Washington 34, Lions 31

Bets: Over

Falcons at Rams

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV:
Fox'|'Stream:'fuboTV (click here) '

Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons Moneyline Spread Total LAR -550 BET NOW -10 -110 BET NOW o46.5 -110 BET NOW ATL +400 BET NOW +10 -110 BET NOW u46.5 -110 BET NOW

Hard game to get a handle on. The Rams looked awful in Week 1, and while it easily could have just been the Bills being the best team in football, I think there are definitely some red flags for L.A. moving forward. The offensive line woes and the lack of depth/talent at the wide receiver position showed up in Week 1. It shouldn't be as big a deal when it comes to a matchup with the Falcons in Week 2 and I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Rams focused on getting Allen Robinson fed in a squeaky wheel type of game Sunday.'

The Pick: Rams 28, Falcons 14

Bets: Allen Robinson over receiving yards

Seahawks at 49ers

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV:'
Fox'|'Stream: fuboTV (click here) '

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks Moneyline Spread Total SF -440 BET NOW -9 -110 BET NOW o40.5 -110 BET NOW SEA +335 BET NOW +9 -110 BET NOW u40.5 -110 BET NOW

Pretty shocking to see how this line moved based off the respective Week 1 results from these NFC West rivals. Seattle looked great against the Broncos, stealing a win from Russ and Denver. The 49ers suffered an eyebrow-raising loss in Chicago, albeit one that took place in a rarely seen monsoon. The weather conditions definitely warrant giving Trey Lance and the offense a pass, although it didn't exactly stop Justin Fields and the Bears from finding points in the second half. Pete Carroll has had a lot of success against San Francisco in the past half decade and the Seahawks look legitimately formidable.'

The Pick: 49ers 28, Seahawks 24

Bets: Pass

Cardinals at Raiders

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV:'
AP'|'Stream:'Paramount+ (click here) '

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals Moneyline Spread Total LV -235 BET NOW -5.5 -110 BET NOW o51.5 -110 BET NOW ARI +192 BET NOW +5.5 -110 BET NOW u51.5 -110 BET NOW

I have no clue what to do with this game. Are the Cardinals what we saw last week? If so, the Raiders can pile up the points against a questionable defense. Can Arizona produce points without DeAndre Hopkins? The Cardinals scored 21 against the Chiefs -- two of the touchdowns were essentially garbage-time scores -- and had six drives of 6 yards or less in Week 1. I don't think the Raiders are going to be substantially worse on defense and while Las Vegas won't go "Full Mahomes" the Raiders should be able to move the ball with a fair amount of ease.

The Pick: Raiders 34, Cardinals 21

Bets: Pass

Bengals at Cowboys

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV:'
AP'|'Stream: Paramount+ (click here) '

Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals Moneyline Spread Total DAL +270 BET NOW +7 -110 BET NOW o41.5 -110 BET NOW CIN -345 BET NOW -7 -110 BET NOW u41.5 -110 BET NOW

It's Bengals or bust here for me. The Cowboys didn't look good before Dak Prescott's injury and Cooper Rush isn't going to make things better. The Buccaneers provided a blueprint for limiting the Dallas offense through their coverage of CeeDee Lamb. I'd expect Mike McCarthy to lean aggressively on Ezekiel Elliott (likely at Jerry Jones' insistence) and don't expect Joe Burrow to throw a quartet of interceptions. If the Bengals score early and often, it will put Rush in a seriously negative script that could lead this game to get ugly quickly.

The Pick: Bengals 31, Cowboys 10

Bets: Pass

Texans at Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV:
AP'|'Stream: Paramount+'(click here) '

Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans Moneyline Spread Total DEN -455 BET NOW -10 -110 BET NOW o45.5 -110 BET NOW HOU +345 BET NOW +10 -110 BET NOW u45.5 -110 BET NOW

Are the Texans a veteran-laden, frisky underdog who will cause problems for their opponents all year? Was Week 1 a blip on the radar for the Broncos? Or are they going to struggle to integrate Russell Wilson into a new offense with a new head coach (one who has been heavily scrutinized all week long thanks to his late-game decision making)? Denver will definitely have a course correction and get rolling at some point, but I'm a little hesitant to back it as a double-digit favorite even in a home debut, especially when the Texans are extremely live to come through the back door.'

The Pick: Broncos 28, Texans 21

Bets: Pass

Bears at Packers

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV:'
NBC'|'Stream: fuboTV'(click here) '

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears Moneyline Spread Total GB -480 BET NOW -10 -110 BET NOW o41.5 -110 BET NOW CHI +360 BET NOW +10 -110 BET NOW u41.5 -110 BET NOW

Aaron Rodgers owns the top two records for fewest points scored by a reigning MVP in Week 1 of the following season. There's no Davante Adams this time around for the Packers, but last year we saw Aaron Jones explode in the bounce-back Week 2 matchup against the Lions. This is a similar setup with a lower-end divisional rival coming to town after a bad road loss and Rodgers is going to be eager to disavow observers of any notion he might be losing a step. This feels like the Packers absolutely roll. '

The Pick: Packers 28, Bears 10

Bets: Packers -10

Titans at Bills

Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET
TV:'
ESPN'|'Stream:'fuboTV (click here) '

Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans Moneyline Spread Total BUF -480 BET NOW -10 -110 BET NOW o47.5 -110 BET NOW TEN +360 BET NOW +10 -110 BET NOW u47.5 -110 BET NOW

The Bills looked like an absolute truck stick during Thursday's opener in Los Angeles, smearing the Rams and letting the world know exactly what they intend to do in 2022. The Titans, on the other hand, lost to the Giants at home after blowing a huge lead. Not exactly the same outcomes! I think the general public is going to migrate to backing Buffalo here and I don't blame anyone for thinking the Bills are an unstoppable machine on both sides of the ball. Tennessee is lacking in weapons and is missing its best pass rusher. I don't love taking the Titans here but I think on a big stage Mike Vrabel will get his guys ready to keep it close.'

The Pick: Bills 28, Titans 21

Bets: Pass

Vikings at Eagles

Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
TV:
ABC'|'Stream:'fuboTV (click here) '

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings Moneyline Spread Total PHI -135 BET NOW -2.5 -110 BET NOW o50.5 -110 BET NOW MIN +115 BET NOW +2.5 -110 BET NOW u50.5 -110 BET NOW

Fun, fun game here between two of the trendiest NFC teams. Minnesota's offense looked awesome against the Packers and Justin Jefferson might already be the best wide receiver in football. Philly took a minute to get going but eventually Jalen Hurts was dealing. The Eagles run game is lethal and should be able to move the ball fairly easily. I think we get points galore in this game, although I'm not sure Kirk Cousins completely snuffs out his prime-time reputation.

The Pick: Eagles 35, Vikings 31

Bets: Over 50.5

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