2026 NFL Picks Week 2: Win Some Lose Some
Last Week: 8-8
This Week:
We were running a little short on time this week, so we’ll see if preparing TOO much has been a problem in the past. Here’s to a winning week!
Buffalo Bills -5.5 vs. Detroit Lions
As much as I wanted to take Detroit in this game, there were too many factors stacked against them. A banged-up secondary against a fully healthy Josh Allen, questions along the offensive line, and an extra 10 minutes of overtime in Week 1 could each have been worth a point or two in the spread, so we went with Buffalo at home. Bills -5.5
Atlanta Falcons +2.5 vs. Carolina Panthers
Welcome back to the NFC South! Atlanta is rolling Cooper Rush out again after a very boring performance against the Steelers in Week 1, and he should have an easier time against a Panthers’ defense that just gave up 59 points to the Bears. Is that enough to count on them to win, though? Carolina beat Atlanta twice last year, 30-0 in Week 3 and 30-27 in Week 11. They should be able to score even more easily against this year’s Falcons’ defense, and I’m not banking on a third string quarterback to put up 30 points. Panthers -2.5
Houston Texans -2.5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Texans couldn’t cover for us at home last week, but I’m hoping they don’t fumble four times like the Buccaneers did in their close loss to the Bengals. I’m also counting on Cincinnati to come up a few superhuman plays short of what Josh Allen did to this defense in Week 1. Add in a little extra motivation for Houston to avoid starting the season with two home losses, and it should be enough for the Texans to cover this week. Texans -2.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -8.5 vs. Cleveland Browns
Oh look, Deshaun Watson is still starting for the Cleveland Browns and the spread is in the single digits. I don’t want to pass up that opportunity. Buccaneers -8.5
New York Jets +3.5 vs. Green Bay Packers
Another week, another suspicious Packers’ line. Are the Jets getting too much credit for beating up on the Tennessee Titans, or do the books just know that Green Bay can’t execute some of the simpler things (blocking, running, stopping the run) very well? Maybe it’s a combination of both, but it’s enough for me to take the home underdog. Jets +3.5
Chicago Bears -5.5 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Look, I had a blast watching the Bears’ offense in Week 1. Most importantly, Caleb Williams looked more composed and consistent on the routine plays in his second season with Ben Johnson. Now we get Carson Wentz at home, and…I just can’t get there with this line. The Vikings’ defense gave the Bears trouble even after the offense started coming on last year, and I’m terrified of what Justin Jefferson can do against our defense. I like the Bears to win, but this is too many points for a team with so many defensive holes. Vikings +5.5
Baltimore Ravens -8.5 vs. New Orleans Saints
Speaking of too many points! I love watching Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but I’m not ready to join the chorus of voices celebrating the Ravens’ Week 1 win over Daniel Jones and the Colts as a return to their 2023 form. Even if Jesse Minter is the next coming of Mike MacDonald, it feels too early to take them with a spread this big against a competent team. Saints +8.5
Tennessee Titans +7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
I hate this spread so much for making me back the Eagles, but I can’t figure out why I should be optimistic about the Titans. They were blown out last week, and even if the Jets are better than most people expected coming into the season, the talent level is well below what the Eagles bring to the table. Vic Fangio is probably drooling at the prospect of facing Cam Ward. I have no desire to watch this game, but I’ll take Philly. Eagles -7
New England Patriots -5.5 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
New England has a big rest advantage, but I don’t like the matchup for them in a lot of other ways. Pittsburgh beat them last year with the help of five turnovers, and while I expect the Patriots to protect the ball a little better, the Steelers still have a big advantage in the trenches. With A.J. Brown out, I don’t think the Patriots are explosive enough to run away with this one. Steelers +5.5
Denver Broncos -2.5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Denver looked terrible in Week 1, and they also looked terrible at home against the Jaguars in Week 16 of last season. Jacksonville did exactly what you’d want them to do against the Browns in Week 1, jumping out to a fast lead against what was supposed to still be a decent defense. Something fun is brewing in Jacksonville (check out their AFC Champion odds at 11:1), and there’s a lot of chaos in Denver. Jaguars +2.5
Los Angeles Chargers -7 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Klint Kubiak looked like a very competent head coach in his debut last week, and competent is better than the Chargers looked in any facet of the game. I expect Mike McDaniel’s offense to look better as the season goes on, but their interior offensive line issues and lack of playmakers really worry me. They should absolutely win this game, but I’ll take the full touchdown and the Raiders until the Chargers deliver on some of their offseason hype. Raiders +7
San Francisco 49ers -13.5 vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins might be a semi-pro team, and the biggest threat to this pick is the impact of jetlag on the 49ers coming back from Australia. I’m just going against the Dolphins every week until the lines get absurd or they show the ability to compete on either side of the ball. 49ers -13.5
Arizona Cardinals +3.5 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Am I nervous about the idea of Jacoby Brissett going against the Seahawks’ defense? Of course I am! But Drew Lock is on the other side of the ball, Arizona has a lot of talented playmakers, and they’re getting more than a field goal at home. It won’t be pretty, but I’ll take the points. Cardinals +3.5
Dallas Cowboys -3.5 vs. Washington Commanders
As a fantasy owner of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, I really hope the Commanders can do something as clever as the Giants did in throwing repeated clear-out swing passes to the running back all the way down the field. The Cowboys’ defense looked too bad and uncoordinated to take them as a big favorite until further notice. Commanders +3.5
Kansas City Chiefs -6.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Remember when we all agreed Daniel Jones sucked? He still does. The Chiefs have a long way to go to expect a fireworks show, but they should be able to keep the Colts’ offense in check well enough to win by a touchdown. Chiefs -6.5
Los Angeles Rams -7 vs. New York Giants
We’ve all had over a week to wring our hands about the Rams, and almost a full week to admire the Giants’ backfield with Skattebo and Ricard lined up together. Even with Myles Garrett out, there’s a wide talent gap between these two teams, and Matt Nagy is no Kyle Shanahan. If the Rams’ offense clicks and their defense covers basic passing concepts, they can jump out to a lead and put more pressure on Jaxson Dart than he can handle. Rams -7
That's all for this week! Kick back, grab a drink, and feel free to blame me if you put money on these picks and come out behind. I won't compensate you, but maybe your significant others will send their wrath my way instead of yours.
