The first week of the NFL season is always so unpredictable. So I’ll be happy with my first week of picks after seeing what happened in week 1.
I went 7-8-1 straight up, which stinks. I went 8-8 against the spread, which it is. But the big news is that I went 5-1 on my best bets as part of the Pick Six Podcast. And if it wasn’t for my late addition of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it would have been a clean sweep. Even that seemed fine for a while too.
So let’s get back to it in what I call the week of getting in the NFL. Teams that looked bad in Week 1 probably won’t look that way in Week 2, while the opposite is probably true for some of the winners. It won’t always play out that way, but I think it will this week in a lot of games.
It’s time to get the straight record back, but above all, let’s be hot with the best bets.
Thursday, 8:20 PM ET (Amazon Prime)
Featured Game | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
This is the game of the week with Justin Herbert vs. Patrick Mahomes. That’s a treat every time they meet, and Arrowhead will hit the ground running Thursday night. The Chiefs rolled against the Cardinals with Mahomes lighting things up. But the Chargers can rush the passer with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Look for a high scoring game with the Chiefs winning a tight one.
Selection: Caps 31, Chargers 30
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins and Ravens both had impressive wins last week, but now Miami hits the road for the first time. The Dolphins dominated the Ravens last year at home, but this will be different. The Ravens and Lamar Jackson get the best of the Dolphins.
Pick: Ravens 27, Dolphins 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets
The Browns will face a familiar quarterback this week in Joe Flacco. He wasn’t good last week in the Jets’ loss to the Ravens. The Browns got a close win against Carolina last week, but they’re at home in this one and Jacoby Brissett will play better in his second start with the Browns. They go 2-0.
Pick: Browns 24, Jets 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are coming off a home win over the Jaguars where Carson Wentz led them to the final score of the game. The Lions looked good on offense against the Eagles, but the defense was terrible. This could end up being a shootout. Washington is the better team, and I think that will show. Commanders take it.
Selection: Commanders 31, Lions 27
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts haven’t beaten Jacksonville since 2014 and lost there last year in the final week to cost them a playoff spot. They also play back-to-back games on the road, while Jacksonville plays its first home game. That’s a big plus for the Jaguars. The Colts rallied to tie the Texans last week, but they won’t rally to win this time. The Jaguars will get their first win.
Pick: Jaguars 26, Colts 23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs play back-to-back road games after a Sunday night game, which is always tough. But they also get hit on offense in a big way. The Saints defense chases Tom Brady when his line is healthy, which it isn’t. Look for the Saints defense to step up here after struggling last week. The Saints take it.
Selection: Sants 23, Bucs 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | New York Giants vs Carolina Panthers
The Giants did some good things in rallying late to beat the Titans on the road. Saquon Barkley was special. He will bring the team back here against a Carolina team that lost last week to the Browns. The Giants are 2-0. Can you believe it?
Selection: Giants 23, Panthers 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots are playing back-to-back games on the road after a terrible performance in Miami. The Steelers are playing their first home game after upsetting the Bengals. But the Steelers will be without TJ Watt, which matters in a big way. The defensive dynamic changes. The Patriots will hang on in this one as the offense finally shows some life. Then they will win it late.
Pick: Patriots 21, Steelers 20
Sunday, 4:05 PM ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Rams will have been rested for 10 days after a terrible performance against the Bills. Sean McVay is too good a coach for this loss to stick. The Falcons played well in losing to the Saints in a game they probably should have won. This is a long trip against a good team that will be focused. Rams take it big.
Selection: Rams 31, Falcons 17
Sunday, 4:05 PM ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are 1-0, while the 49ers are 0-1. Who saw it after week 1? Seattle played well in upsetting the Broncos on Monday night, but now they head into a short week. This is a challenge. The 49ers didn’t play well in poor conditions at Soldier Field in a loss to the Bears, but that will change here. Trey Lance kicks it off.
Pick: 49ers 29, Seahawks 23
Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals get a break to tackle Cooper Rush instead of Dak Prescott. Joe Burrow took a while to get going against Pittsburgh after sitting out much of training camp, but he unraveled in the second half. I think this holds. The Cowboys are too limited on offense. The Bengals win it.
Selection: Bengals 27, Cowboys 20
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (-10)
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (CBS, Paramount+)
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