Kansas City and Cincinnati have work to do if they want to get back to a third straight AFC championship.
The Chiefs and Bengals – whose players spent a considerable part of the offseason trading jabs – now are both looking to avoid a 0-2 start.
Kansas City has a AFC divisional playoff rematch against Jacksonville. Patrick Mahomes' receivers did not step up in the absence of Travis Kelce in a 21-20 loss to Detroit. Kelce's health and Chris Jones' holdout, which ended Monday, have made that road back to another Super Bowl more difficult.
Cincinnati looked even worse in a 24-3 loss at Cleveland, which came three days after Joe Burrow announced a lucrative extension. Now, the Bengals face Baltimore in a AFC wild card rematch, this time with Lamar Jackson on the field. Will these be playoff matchups later this year?
MORE: Week 2 NFL power rankings
We're about to find out. We're counting on bounce-backs for the Chiefs and Bengals, but it won't be easy. Each week, Sporting News will pick the games straight up and against the spread. Last week we finished 9-7 S/U and 9-7 ATS. (Odds courtesy of BetMGM).
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 2 (lines courtesy of BetMGM):
NFL picks, predictions for Week 2
- Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m., Prime Video
The Eagles routed Minnesota 24-7 on Monday Night Football last season, and the Vikings are in danger of a 0-2 start. Kirk Cousins' prime-time record is always a discussion topic, but he's 4-5 on Thursday Night Football. The problem for the Vikings will be generating a running game on the road. Philadelphia wins, but it's closer on a short week.
Pick: Eagles 27, Vikings 20
Result: Eagles 34, Vikings 28
- Green Bay Packers (-1) at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Packers are going to spend the week being hyped up around Jordan Love, who was impressive with three TD passes in Week 1. Green Bay will be tested by the tandem of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allegeier, who averaged 5.0 yards per carry. Atlanta also had a +3 turnover ratio in the opener. Love must protect the ball, here, and Aaron Jones' status is a concern.
Pick: Falcons 26, Packers 20
- Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills (-9.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
It's the Bills' home opener, and emotions should be high with Damar Hamlin on the sideline. Buffalo was 7-2 S/U at home last season, but they are also 3-6 ATS. Jimmy Garoppolo showed a connection with Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers in Week 1, but it will be much more difficult on the road. Still, that spread is too high.
Pick: Bills 30, Raiders 22
- Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Bengals were arguably the biggest dud of Week 1, but Joe Burrow is 3-0 at home (including playoffs) against the Ravens with 979 passing yards, six TDs and no interceptions. Yes, that number is skewed by his 525-yard performance in 2021, but look for a locked in Bengals' teams on both sides. Baltimore will need to figure out a rushing attack that lost JK Dobbins (Achilles) and averaged 3.4 yards per carry last week.
Pick: Bengals 24, Ravens 20
- Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-5.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Seattle won a 48-45 shootout at Ford Field last season. This is a different Lions' defense – one that made upgrades in the secondary and should continue to generate a pass rush with Aidan Hutchinson. Seattle managed just 180 total yards in Week 1. If Kenneth Walker III can't get going, then this could get ugly in the second half.
Pick: Lions 31, Seahawks 18
- Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Tennessee Titans
Saturday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Titans are trying to avoid a 0-2 start for the second consecutive season under coach Mike Vrabel. The Chargers allowed 536 yards in Week 1, but they allowed just 70 rushing yards. Los Angeles gutted out a 17-14 victory against Tennessee last season. It's a similar tight game to the finish this time. Los Angeles is 9-9 in road games under Brandon Staley, so this is a coin flip.
Pick: Chargers 22, Titans 19
- Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Life after Brady got off to a surprising start for the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield didn't turn the ball over, and the defense forced three turnovers against Minnesota. That's the same formula Green Bay used to beat Chicago in Week 1. Tampa Bay forces a late interception by Justin Fields, and the Bucs head into a Week Monday Night Football matchup with the Eagles with something to show.
Pick: Buccaneers 26, Bears 18
- Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Kelce's health remains in question, and Mahomes will need more out of Kansas City's receivers. Trevor Lawrence took a combined seven sacks in those two losses last season. How many snaps will Chris Jones play? We don't blame anyone for taking the Jaguars here.
Pick: Chiefs 30, Jaguars 27
- Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Either Anthony Richardson or C.J. Stroud will get their first victory as a starter. Stroud took five sacks last week, and Richardson took four. This is a defensive game as a result. Richardson's ability to escape the pocket will be a difference maker, and the Colts will come up with one more turnover. These teams tied 20-20 in last year's game at Houston. We have to pick a winner here.
Pick: Colts 20, Texans 19
- San Francisco 49ers (-7) at Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The 49ers are 9-3 against the Rams in the regular season under Kyle Shanahan and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender in Week 1 against the Steelers. The Rams have bounce-back appeal too with a healthy Matthew Stafford, who passed for 334 yards and didn't take a sack in Week 1. The games in Los Angeles. Three of the last four meetings in L.A. have been decided by a field goal. Why would this be different?
Pick: 49ers 27, Rams 24
- New York Giants (-4.5) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
How do the Giants pick up the pieces after a 40-point blowout against Dallas? The Cardinals struggled too, but they were competitive with Joshua Dobbs under center. Dobbs took three sacks in Week 1, and New York should be able to get to the quarterback here. This is a get-right game for Daniel Jones and the Giants' defense.
Pick: Giants 24, Cardinals 17
- New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Cowboys are riding high after a 40-0 shutout against the Giants in Week 1, and now they'll get the Jets coming off a short week. Aaron Rodgers' season-ending Achilles injury could alter this line dramatically. This should be a defensive game with heavy pressure on both sides, but with Rodgers likely out it is tough to trust the Jets.
Pick: Cowboys 28, Jets 24
- Washington Commanders at Denver Broncos (-3.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
This is a dangerous spot for the Broncos. Sean Payton cannot afford to start 0-2. The lack of explosiveness in the passing game needs to change. Denver had just two pass plays of 20 yards or more in Week 1. Sam Howell made the right plays in Week 1, but this is a tough road start.
Pick: Broncos 21, Commanders 17
- Miami Dolphins (-2) at New England Patriots
Sunday, 8:20 pm., NBC
The Dolphins have a chance to put the Patriots in a 0-2 hole, and the difference will be the passing game. Patriots coach Bill Belichick will try to take away Tyreek Hill, and it will work to some extent. The difference in these teams' games last year was turnovers. Which teams protects the ball in a tight game?
Pick: Dolphins 24, Patriots 21
- New Orleans Saints (-3) at Carolina Panthers
Monday, 7:15 p.m., NBC
NFC South rivals face off as a part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader, and it will be the home debut for No. 1 pick Bryce Young. Derek Carr passed for 302 yards in his Saints' debut, and he established an immediate connection with Chris Olave. Young's best days are ahead, but it will be tough against an improved Saints' defense. Carolina swept this series last year and has won the last two at home, so this is a potential upset. We'll bite.
Pick: Panthers 23, Saints 18
- Cleveland Browns (-1.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ABC
Imagine the hype around the Browns if they knock off hated AFC North rivals in back-to-back weeks. Cleveland is 3-4 against the Steelers under Kevin Stefanski, and that includes a 1-3 record at Heinz Field (including postseason). Kenny Pickett took five sacks in Week 1 and faces a Browns' pass rush that will be just as nasty with Myles Garrett.
Pick: Browns 25, Steelers 23
