Table of Contents
It was a solid week 2 for me – at least against the spread.
You’d think I’d be better off picking up the games right away, but that wasn’t the case last week. I went 7-9 straight up for an overall record of 17-15 and I was 9-6-1 ATS for a record of 17-12-3. I’ll make my usual claim about the right-choice-wrong-outcome complaint with the Giants. If they get a kicker, they beat the Commanders and I have another win.
Oh, fuck with it. On to this week.
There are four teams playing back-to-back road games this week, which is always a challenge. Keep that in mind when choosing your games.
Some of the so-called power teams, like the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys, need to get back on track this week. One of them will be the winner – unless there is a tie – as the Ravens play the Cowboys in Dallas in one of the big games.
The Ravens are 0-2 and Dallas is 1-1. The loser has big problems.
Despair can be key in the NFL. Watch Atlanta on Monday night as they beat the Eagles like a big dog on the road. The Ravens appear to be the most desperate team against the Cowboys as they are without a win. So what’s the choice? Read on for them all.
New England Patriots at New York Jets (-6.5)
Thursday, 8:15 PM ET (Prime Video)
This is a two-1-1 matchup, with the Jets playing at home for the first time this season. The Jets offense showed some life in the second half against the Titans last week. That could be true against a Pats defense that gave up a lot of big plays last week. I’m also looking for a better performance from the Jets defense. Jets take over, but the Pats stick around.
Choose: Jets 20, Pats 16
New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (-6.5)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The Giants are playing back-to-back road games and face a good defense with a suspect offense. That’s never a good thing. The Browns won behind that defense in Jacksonville last week and should find a way to limit this Giants offense this week. Brown takes over.
Choose: Browns 21, Giants 10
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (CBS, Biggest+)
The Bears are on the road for the second week in a row, facing a desperate 0-2 team. The Colts have been beaten up in the run game in recent weeks, which could mean a lot of D’Andre Swift. Both Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams need to play better, but this is a tough spot for Richardson. Still, I think he plays the better of the two.
Choose: Foals 23, Bears 20
What choices can you make with confidence, and which three underdogs should you keep an eye on now? Visit SportsLine to see which teams are winning and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has raised over $7,000and find out.
Houston Texans (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (CBS, Biggest+)
This is a big game between two undefeated teams. The Vikings are a surprise team, while the Texans were expected to be good. Minnesota’s defense was very good. They will be getting a lot of looks at CJ Stroud. I think that will be the difference in the game. They will force a turnover and get a lot of pressure. The Vikings win a narrow victory.
Choose: Vikings 24, Texans 21
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The Eagles should have gotten to 2-0, but coach Nick Sirianni cost them Monday’s game against the Falcons with a bad call late. The biggest problem, however, is the defense. They were terrible against the run, while the Saints did well. Look for the Saints to get to 3-0 after their run game.
Choose: Saints 27, Eagles 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (CBS, Biggest+)
This is a game of two 2-0 teams, both with a physical style that shows up every Sunday. The Steelers have the better defense, but the Chargers are better on offense with Justin Herbert. They play back-to-back road games, but it doesn’t matter. They win it along the way.
Choose: Chargers 21, Steelers 17
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The Bucs are doing well, while the Broncos have major offensive problems with Bo Nix. Tampa Bay’s defense is playing well, even undermanned, which will hold true here as well. Baker Mayfield will also play well. The Bucs keep rolling.
Choose: Bucs 26, Broncos 13
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans (-3)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
Will Levis made two crazy plays in their two games to keep the Titans from a win. He must be better. For the Packers, this will likely be Malik Willis at quarterback again against his former team. Willis was solid last week, but it was the run game that helped Green Bay beat the Colts. That will be harder here against a good Titans defense. Look for a defensive battle won by the Titans.
Choose: Titans 21, Packers 17
Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5)
Sunday, 4:05 PM ET (CBS, Biggest+)
Andy Dalton is the starter ahead of benched Bryce Young for the Panthers. He couldn’t be worse, but this is a good Raiders defense. Gardner Minshew played well, especially last week. The Raiders will win this behind the defense and Minshew to get to 2-1.
Choose: Raiders 24, Panthers 10
Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks (-5)
Sunday, 4:05 PM ET (CBS, Biggest+)
This is a tough first start for Skylar Thompson in place of Tua Tagovailoa. Seattle is as tough as it gets for a road location and the Seahawks are playing well. Seattle’s offense has looked good through two games and will continue here. Look for a big play from Geno Smith. Seahawks move to 3-0.
Choose: Seahawks 31, Dolphins 16
Detroit Lions (-3) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The Lions are on the road for the first time, while the Cardinals are coming off an impressive home win over the Rams. Arizona was excellent on offense with Kyler Murray, which will stress the Lions defense. Look for Arizona to win a shootout that could put either team in the 30s.
Choose: Cardinals 31, Lions 29
Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
This game has lost some of its luster when the Ravens were 0-2 and the Cowboys were eliminated last week. Both teams have issues, but the biggest one is the Ravens’ offensive line. After seeing what the Saints did to Dallas’ defense, they will overcome that and run Derrick Henry. The Ravens will get their first win on the road against the Cowboys.
Choose: Ravens 27, Cowboys 24
San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) at Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The 49ers will play a second straight game after losing to the Vikings, while the Rams will play their home opener. That’s a difficult combination. Both teams are hurting with top stars out of the lineup. The 49ers are deeper and it will show. They are behind a good game from Brock Purdy.
Choose: 49ers 27, Rams 18
Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 8:20 PM ET (NBC, fubo)
The Falcons are playing a short week after beating the Eagles with a last-minute touchdown. The Atlanta offense was much improved from week one, which is a good thing. The Chiefs looked slow in their offense against the Bengals, but they’ll get it here. Their speed is reflected on the fast track.
Choose: Chiefs 32, Falcons 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (-5.5)
Monday, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN, fubo)
The Bills play with a lot of rest, while the 0-2 Jaguars are coming off two close losses. That’s a big advantage for the Bills, as is a home game on Monday night. But the biggest advantage is their defense against Jacksonville’s offense, which is struggling. The bills keep rolling.
Choose: Bills 28, Jaguars 17
Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals (-8)
Monday, 8:15 PM ET (ABC, fubo)
The Commanders won for the first time last week, while the Bengals are still looking for their first. They played well at Kansas City and probably should have won the game. That will continue here as they play much better and get the best out of the Commanders, while Joe Burrow has a big game.
Choose: Bengalis 29, Commanders 16