There have been some surprises through the first two weeks of the NFL season, most notably in the NFC South where three teams are 2-0. Will that division have a shake up by the end of Week 3? Let's find out and dive into this week's game picks.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Sept. 24)
New York Giants (1-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
The 49ers look very much the part of a Super Bowl contender right now and Brock Purdy is playing very relaxed in the pocket. Kyle Shanahan's team is deep on both sides of the ball and to beat them you need all of your playmaker's healthy, which means the loss of Saquon Barkley makes this matchup even worse for the Giants. Pick: 49ers, 28-16.
Line: 49ers -10.5
ML: 49ers
Spread: 49ers
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ Detroit Lions (1-1)
The Lions lost a heartbreaker last week at home to the Seahawks and I'm sure Dan Campbell's squad is still fuming over the missed holding call on Aidan Hutchinson in overtime. The Lions are a bit banged up, missing David Montgomery and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but I think we see a resilient effort from this bunch. Pick: Lions, 26-21.
Line: Lions -3
ML: Lions
Spread: Lions
Buffalo Bills (1-1) @ Washington Commanders (2-0)
Honestly, the Bills are a better team than the Commanders and I would imagine late in the season both of these teams are on two different paths. However, it's early and Ron Rivera has his team playing some good football and this spread seems a bit large to me. I think this could be a backdoor cover and the Commanders defense keeps them in this. Pick: Bills, 28-23.
Line: Bills -5.5
ML: Bills
Spread: Commanders
Denver Broncos (0-2) @ Miami Dolphins (2-0)
The Broncos are off to a bad start and blew a huge lead at home last week in a game they badly needed. This is going to be an interesting story as the season goes along if they fall to 0-3, considering the offseason addition of Sean Payton and the situation with Russell Wilson's contract. I think the Dolphins will be too much here and the media is going to have a field day with the Broncos. Pick: Dolphins, 31-24.
Line: Dolphins -6
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins
Houston Texans (0-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
The Jags had an opportunity to make a big statement last week at home to the Chiefs and fell flat. The offense seemed lifeless, and Doug Pederson will need to get Trevor Lawrence back on track at home to the Texans. Despite this being a divisional matchup, I think the Jags roll here. Pick: Jaguars, 26-17.
Line: Jaguars -7.5
ML: Jaguars
Spread: Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
Anthony Richardson didn't pass the concussion protocol, so the Colts will turn to veteran Gardner Minshew in this game. This is a tough number, but I think the Ravens will pull away in the second half -- it's too bad we don't get to see Richardson scamper around against Lamar Jackson. Pick: Ravens, 33-21.
Line: Ravens -7.5
ML: Ravens
Spread: Ravens
Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
This is a big game as both the Chargers and Vikings were playoff bound a year ago and will be looking to avoid the dreadful 0-3 start to their seasons. Justin Herbert looks great in Kellen Moore's offense and despite the Chargers' defensive struggles, I'll lean to them over the Vikings here. Pick: Chargers, 34-31.
Line: Vikings -1
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
New England Patriots (0-2) @ New York Jets (1-1)
The Jets simply aren't the same team with Zach Wilson under center and I have to think Bill Belichick's defense creates some major problems for him in this matchup. The Pats are 0-2, but they've played two tough games against the Eagles and Dolphins, I'll take them here. Pick: Patriots, 19-16.
Line: Patriots -2.5
ML: Patriots
Spread: Patriots
New Orleans Saints (2-0) @ Green Bay Packers (1-1)
The Derek Carr era has started nicely in New Orleans, but offensively they haven't impressed me too much. I think it's been their defense that's carried the load early on and they will need another big effort at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Jordan Love has been steady through the first two weeks, and I think he does enough to push the Packers over the top here. Pick: Packers, 23-20.
Line: Packers -1
ML: Packers
Spread: Packers
Tennessee Titans (1-1) @ Cleveland Browns (1-1)
The Steelers forced the Browns into some early turnovers on Monday night and Deshaun Watson looked uncomfortable in the pocket throughout the entire game. The Titans will have to dial up the same type of pressure to come away with a road win here. I think they do it and Derrick Henry leads this team in the Dawg Pound. Pick: Titans, 21-18.
Line: Browns -3.5
ML: Titans
Spread: Titans
Carolina Panthers (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Rain is expected for this game, which could force both teams into the ground game a little bit more. The Hawks came back in dramatic fashion to beat the Lions in overtime last week and it looks like they're set to face Andy Dalton here with Bryce Young nursing an ankle injury. Pick: Seahawks, 23-17.
Line: Seahawks -4.5
ML: Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks
Chicago Bears (0-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
What a wild week for the entire Bears organization, from Justin Fields calling out the coaching staff to Alan Williams stepping down as defensive coordinator. Fields hasn't looked good at all through two weeks, and this is a tall task at Arrowhead Stadium. It's a big spread with the potential for a backdoor cover, but I think the Chiefs roll here. Pick: Chiefs, 27-15.
Line: Chiefs -12.5
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Bears
Dallas Cowboys (2-0) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-2)
The Cowboys look very polished through two weeks, but suffered a big blow in their secondary as Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in practice. I don't think that injury will have a huge impact in this game, but it will be worth watching as the season goes along. I would expect plenty of Tony Pollard in this game as the Cowboys should control things from start to finish. Pick: Cowboys, 27-13.
Line: Cowboys -13
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
Another classic Steelers and Raiders matchup is on tap for Sunday night. The Raiders were blown out on the road in Buffalo last week and will be looking for redemption at home against a tough Steelers defense. Something about Kenny Pickett doesn't look right so far and I think that might be the difference here. Pick: Raiders, 20-16.
Line: Raiders -3
ML: Raiders
Spread: Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
When the schedule was released, if you told me the Eagles and Bucs would both be 2-0 at this point, I wouldn't have believed it. Baker Mayfield is playing some great football right now and this could be a closer game than people think. Jalen Hurts is reportedly not playing at full health, so we will see if Todd Bowles' defense can slow him down. Pick: Eagles, 27-20.
Line: Eagles -5
ML: Eagles
Spread: Eagles
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Joe Burrow's status for this Monday night game and if he can't play, the Bengals could be in serious jeopardy of falling to 0-3. The Rams are a veteran team that went on the road in Week 1 and stunned the Seahawks, so they are more than capable of doing the same here. Do the Bengals start 0-3? Pick: Bengals, 20-17.
Line: Bengals -2.5
ML: Bengals
Spread: Bengals
Results
Week 2
ML: 10-6
ATS: 9-6-1
Overall
ML: 19-13
ATS: 19-12-1
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