What a devastating start to the season for Jets fans after Aaron Rodgers left their Monday night tilt with the Bills, tearing his Achilles. His season is likely over and that completely changes the landscape of the AFC. There are some big matchups on tap in Week 2, so let's dive into them.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Sept. 17)
Minnesota Vikings (0-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
The Eagles are coming off a hard-fought road win in New England to start the season and should have an easier test offensively in this matchup. I'm not a believer in the Vikings this year as I feel many of their 13 wins from last season were fluky. Look for the Eagles' front seven to disrupt Kirk Cousins often. Pick: Eagles, 27-21.
Line: Eagles -6.5
ML: Eagles
Spread: Vikings
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
The Bengals were absolutely flat in Week 1 in the Dawg Pound and have a tough divisional matchup here with the Ravens. I think Joe Burrow and the offense get back on track here to outlast Lamar and Co. Pick: Bengals, 24-21.
Line: Bengals -3.5
ML: Bengals
Spread: Ravens
Chicago Bears (0-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
The Bucs surprised me in Week 1, marching into Minnesota and coming out with the win -- that's a tough crowd to start the year in front of. Baker Mayfield looks more comfortable than anticipated and quite frankly, I'm not sure Justin Fields is going to progress this season. I think Todd Bowles' defense comes up big down the stretch here. Pick: Buccaneers, 21-17.
Line: Buccaneers -2.5
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers
Green Bay Packers (1-0) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
This is a tough game to call as I think both of these teams are similar on both sides of the ball with a slight edge to Jordan Love at quarterback. However, I think Bijan Robinson gets going here and can make enough of an impact to push the Falcons over the top. Pick: Falcons, 24-20.
Line: Falcons -3
ML: Falcons
Spread: Falcons
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) @ Houston Texans (0-1)
I like what Demeco Ryans is doing in Houston and C.J. Stroud could end up being the best QB from this draft class. That being said, the Colts should be able to move the ball here and Anthony Richardson's legs could be the difference. Pick: Colts, 23-16.
Line: Texans -1
ML: Colts
Spread: Colts
Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
This has all the makings for the game of the week with two great quarterbacks going head-to-head between Patrick Mahomes and Trevor Lawrence. The Chiefs will get a big boost with Travis Kelce and Chris Jones returning to the field. I think Doug Pederson dials up his bag of tricks in the second half to get the Jags this win. Pick: Jaguars, 27-24.
Line: Jaguars -3.5
ML: Jaguars
Spread: Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) @ Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Kellen Moore has this offense cooking and it's looking like Justin Herbert could be an MVP candidate when all is said and done. The tricky part for the Chargers is that their defense isn't holding up its end of the bargain. I don't think the Titans have the firepower to win this, so I'll lean to the away team here. Pick: Chargers, 24-17.
Line: Chargers -2.5
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) @ Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Josh Allen had a horrible start to the year on Monday night, turning the ball over four times as the Bills fell in overtime. This is the perfect bounce back spot here as the Bills should be able to exploit this Raiders secondary, on their way to a comfortable win. Pick: Bills, 28-17.
Line: Bills -7.5
ML: Bills
Spread: Bills
Seattle Seahawks (0-1) @ Detroit Lions (1-0)
This could be a shootout from start to finish. Here's a spot with a West Coast team travelling across the country for a 1PM start and historically, that hasn't always boded well. Dan Campbell personifies grit and has this Lions team playing hungry. I think they move to 2-0 and Jared Goff has a solid game against his former division foes. Pick: Lions, 27-24.
Line: Lions -4.5
ML: Lions
Spread: Seahawks
New York Giants (0-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
The Giants were embarrassed in prime time by the Cowboys last week and I would imagine Brian Daboll was rather animated in practice throughout the week. Look for Daniel Jones and the offense to get going here, but one thing to consider is the familiarity Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has with this Giants squad. Pick: Giants, 23-16.
Line: Giants -4.5
ML: Giants
Spread: Giants
San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
These NFC West matchups always play tough, despite Kyle Shanahan's success against Sean McVay -- the Niners are riding an eight-game win streak against the Rams. The Rams stunned the Seahawks last week on the road, but this Niners team looks every bit like a Super Bowl contender, and I think they will be too much in this one. Pick: 49ers, 27-20.
Line: 49ers -7.5
ML: 49ers
Spread: Rams
New York Jets (1-0) @ Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
We won't get the matchup we thought when the NFL schedule was released now that Aaron Rodgers is out for the season. Despite that, the Jets still have a great defense, and I would expect them to keep things close throughout. In the end, Zach Wilson's hesitation in the pocket will prove to be the difference. Pick: Cowboys, 24-16.
Line: Cowboys -8.5
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Jets
Washington Commanders (1-0) @ Denver Broncos (0-1)
The Broncos lost their home opener last week and it was an uneventful start to the Sean Payton era in Denver. They get a chance to bounce back here with their second home game in as many weeks against Ron Rivera's scrappy Commanders squad. I think defense will be the difference maker in this matchup and look for Sam Howell to be forced into a couple mistakes. Pick: Broncos, 20-14.
Line: Broncos -4
ML: Broncos
Spread: Broncos
Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ New England Patriots (0-1)
The Pats played the Eagles tough at home last week and this game should be no different. Tua Tagovailoa seems to be the one quarterback that Bill Belichick hasn't had an answer for as he's a perfect 4-0 against the Pats in his career. Despite that, I think Belichick dials up a defensive scheme to make Tua uncomfortable enough that the Pats can steal this one late. Pick: Patriots, 24-21.
Line: Patriots -2.5
ML: Patriots
Spread: Patriots
New Orleans Saints (1-0) @ Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Historically, the Panthers have held the Saints in check offensively and I wasn't overly impressed with Derek Carr's debut last week despite beating the Titans. Look for the Saints to lean on the ground game here in an effort to bully the Panthers at the line of scrimmage. Pick: Saints, 21-14.
Line: Saints -3
ML: Saints
Spread: Saints
Cleveland Browns (1-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
A classic AFC North matchup on deck here that should be a slugfest at the line of scrimmage. The Steelers will look to pressure Deshaun Watson early and often, which means Nick Chubb could be a big factor. Is Kenny Pickett able to bounce back after last week's output? Pick: Steelers, 20-17.
Line: Browns -2
ML: Steelers
Spread: Steelers
Results
Week 1
ML: 9-7
ATS: 10-6
Overall
ML: 9-7
ATS: 10-6
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