One week's worth of NFL predictions are in the books, but that means we’ve only just begun, as the Carpenters once sang. As carpenters often do, there’s plenty more wood to chop as well as games to pick throughout the 2018 season.
With 16 games down and 16 more regular-season weeks to go, we have 240 more chances to get our picks and predictions right or wrong.
MORE NFL PREDICTIONS:
Week 2 NFL picks straight up
Here are our prognostications for Week 2 — as usual, for entertainment purposes only. (Game lines courtesy of Bovada.)
Week 2 NFL picks against the spread
(All times ET)
NFC Game of the Week: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (off board)
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
The Vikings should expect Aaron Rodgers to play in another early NFC North game at Lambeau Field. Rodgers and Kirk Cousins have had good duels in the past, and they'll have another here. Both defenses will have their moments, but a red-hot Rodgers will be motivated to take down the division rivals who essentially ended his 2017 season.
PICK: Packers win 27-24.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Green Bay is available at -2 at some sportsbooks, which would be our top spread pick of the week as of Thursday afternoon, with 54.3-percent odds of Green Bay covering
- Since 2014, the Packers are 19-14-2 (57.6 percent) ATS at Lambeau Field
- The Vikings benefited from a plus-three turnover margin in Week 1, which is unlikely to happen again this week
Data provided by TeamRankings.com, the NFL bettor's most comprehensive resource for algorithmic betting predictions and matchup stats. For a limited time, Sporting News readers can get a free 3-Day All-Access subscription to TeamRankings. The free trial includes all NFL game predictions and picks, plus customized picks for your NFL pick 'em contests and survivor pools.
AFC Game of the Week: New England Patriots (-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Patriots learned from their comeback playoff win over the Jaguars' Sacksonville defense last season. They will have Tom Brady fire quick throws to the middle of the field often and use tight end Rob Gronkowski’s mismatch ability to make Jalen Ramsey a non-factor outside. Jacksonville needs a healthy Leonard Fournette to have a chance, as New England’s defense will be better prepared for the short-passing game plan with Blake Bortles.
PICK: Patriots win 23-20 and cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- The line has moved in favor of the Jags, from Patriots -2 to a pick ’em as of Thursday afternoon
- Since 2003, the Patriots road record ATS is 74-47-3 (61.2 percent), best in the NFL
- However, including last week, the Jaguars are 12-8 (60 percent) ATS since the start of the 2017 season
Data provided by TeamRankings.com, the NFL bettor's most comprehensive resource for algorithmic betting predictions and matchup stats. For a limited time, Sporting News readers can get a free 3-Day All-Access subscription to TeamRankings. The free trial includes all NFL game predictions and picks, plus customized picks for your NFL pick 'em contests and survivor pools.
Lock of the Week: Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5) at Buffalo Bills
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Nathan Peterman has done his best to shake off the nightmare game he played against the Chargers last season, but now the QB has less help from his receivers, offensive line and running game. (UPDATE: Peterman will be on the sideline Sunday; rookie Josh Allen will start in his place.) The Chargers’ pass defense will rebound from their loss to the Chiefs. Philip Rivers and LA's entire offense will stay hot enough to pull away from Buffalo.
PICK: Chargers win 34-14 and cover the spread.
Rest of the week:
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-5)
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
Neither Cam Newton nor Matt Ryan passed well in Week 1, but these fast, furious defenses were flying over the field. The Panthers' new offense is a work in progress, while the Falcons' old offense continues to stall. As both running games are contained, the game will come down to which team has the biggest playmaker in the passing game. That would be Carolina nemesis Julio Jones.
PICK: Falcons win 20-16 but fail to cover the spread.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints (-8.5)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Saints' defense is off to a bad start, and the Browns’ new-look offense presents another tricky test. Tyrod Taylor with a few big pass plays will keep Cleveland hanging around early in the game, but Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara will have their way with Gregg Williams’ defense and create a cushion in the second half.
PICK: Saints win 34-20 and cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Despite beating the spread in Week 1, the Browns are still a woeful 13-32 (28.9 percent) ATS as an underdog since 2015
- Cleveland benefited from a plus-five turnover margin against Pittsburgh in Week 1, which is extremely unlikely to happen again this week
- The Saints are 54-46-1 (54 percent) ATS at the Superdome since Sean Payton became head coach in 2006, but just 15-18-1 (45.5 percent) since 2014
Data provided by TeamRankings.com, the NFL bettor's most comprehensive resource for algorithmic betting predictions and matchup stats. For a limited time, Sporting News readers can get a free 3-Day All-Access subscription to TeamRankings. The free trial includes all NFL game predictions and picks, plus customized picks for your NFL pick 'em contests and survivor pools.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (off board)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Titans’ good vibes with new coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur have been curbed by the loss of Delanie Walker for the season. Taylor Lewan and Marcus Mariota also got banged up. Dion Lewis, however, appears to be a great get, and the Texans are coming off a game vs. the Patriots in which they struggled against the RBs. Houston being short on weapons and protection for Deshaun Watson will cause it to fall short again.
PICK: Titans win 27-24.
Indianapolis Colts (-5.5) at Washington Redskins
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Andrew Luck looks healthy and comfortable in a new, high-percentage passing offense, but he’s still working with with a shaky running game and a leaky defense. The Redskins came out complete in Week 1 with Adrian Peterson making things easier for Alex Smith. Washington will need to grind a little more to win this game, but it will use its weak early schedule to reach 2-0.
PICK: Redskins win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread.
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Ben Roethlisberger will clean up the messy home turnovers and pick up where Rivers left off in ripping the Chiefs' defense. Patrick Mahomes will duel his counterpart in a high-scoring affair, as the Steelers have few answers for the diversity and aggressiveness of Andy Reid's offense. The Week 1 tie makes Pittsburgh the more desperate team in the early AFC playoff race.
PICK: Steelers win 34-27 and cover the spread.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-3)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Sam Darnold was strong in Monday night's rout, but the Jets also proved their QB's supporting cast — backs, receivers, line and defense included — is better than it appeared at first glance. The Dolphins won ugly over the Titans despite uninspiring play from Ryan Tannehill. "New Jack City" will keep rolling.
PICK: Jets win 20-17 and cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Last season the Jets had the top ATS record at home (7-1)
- Meanwhile, the Dolphins were just 2-6 ATS on the road
- The Jets benefited from a plus-three turnover margin in Week 1, which is unlikely to happen again this week
Data provided by TeamRankings.com, the NFL bettor's most comprehensive resource for algorithmic betting predictions and matchup stats. For a limited time, Sporting News readers can get a free 3-Day All-Access subscription to TeamRankings. The free trial includes all NFL game predictions and picks, plus customized picks for your NFL pick 'em contests and survivor pools.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
Who knew Nick Foles vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick would be a real matchup in Week 2? The Eagles' defense will come through with another strong performance while Foles, Jay Ajayi, Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz find favorable matchups against the Bucs' defense. Philly fans will make the trip to the Pirate Ship to make it special.
PICK: Eagles win 27-16 and cover the spread.
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., Fox
Matt Patricia knows Jimmy Garoppolo, so that helps Detroit to an extent. What hurts the Lions is the fact that their defense was ripped by a similar offense Monday and now must travel across the country on a short week. San Francisco left opportunities to beat Minnesota on the table in Week 1. In this game, Garoppolo will get the support from his running game and pass defense that Matthew Stafford does not receive.
PICK: 49ers win 34-20 and cover the spread.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (-13)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., Fox
The Cardinals' defense is adjusting to a new scheme with players in different positions. Their offense is adjusting to a more conservative approach and questionable play from Sam Bradford. The Rams have no questions about either side of the ball. The LA express will go on.
PICK: Rams win 38-17 and cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- After opening at 10.5, the spread had increased to Rams -13.5 as of Thursday afternoon, after LAR's bigger-than-expected victory against Oakland in Week 1
- Since the 2003 season, NFL teams favored by 13.5 points or more are just 68-74-3 (47.9 percent) ATS
- However, the Rams have covered the spread in five of the past seven contests vs. Arizona
Data provided by TeamRankings.com, the NFL bettor's most comprehensive resource for algorithmic betting predictions and matchup stats. For a limited time, Sporting News readers can get a free 3-Day All-Access subscription to TeamRankings. The free trial includes all NFL game predictions and picks, plus customized picks for your NFL pick 'em contests and survivor pools.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-6)
Sunday 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Raiders in Week 1 were not as bad defensively without Khail Mack as many thought they would be, but they were shockingly worse offensively with Derek Carr and Jon Gruden. The Broncos' defense will not give them a break. Denver will dash out to a 2-0 record with early control of the AFC West.
PICK: Broncos win 24-10 and cover the spread.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-3)
Sunday 8:20 p.m., NBC
The Giants’ offense is loaded with exciting skill players. The Cowboys' offense has only one at the moment, Ezekiel Elliott. This game comes down to which team can win on both lines, and Dallas, even with its injuries, has better continuity and stability in that area. Elliott will outrush Saquon Barkley, and Dak Prescott at home will not make the mistakes Eli Manning will make on the road.
PICK: Cowboys win 23-17 and cover the spread.
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-3.5)
Monday 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Wilson now has to adjust to playing without Doug Baldwin after adjusting to life without Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham. The QB will keep trying to get the job done with whoever’s around him, but against Mack and the Bears' front, it’s all on Wilson in the face of pressure with, again, no traditional running game. The Seahawks' run defense is awful, and the Bears will ride Jordan Howard to victory.
PICK: Bears win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
Game of the Midweek: Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals
Thursday 8:20 p.m., NFL Network
The Ravens’ defense came out stifling against the lowly Bills, and this week, they will cool off the Bengals. Andy Dalton tends to struggle at home in primetime games, and Cincinnati's run defense issues without Vontaze Burfict will be more prevalent against Baltimore on a short week. The Ravens will take control of the AFC North with Alex Collins playing the closer role.
PICK: Ravens win 23-17 and cover the spread. RESULT: Bengals won 34-23
Last week’s record straight up: 8-7-1
Last week’s record against the spread: 9-7
Season record straight up: 7-6-1
Season record against the spread: 9-7
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