I went straight to 7-8-1, which stinks. I went 8-8 against the spread, which is so-so. But the good news is that I went 5-1 with my best bets as part of the Pick Six Podcast. And if not for me adding the Jacksonville Jaguars late, it would have been clean. Even that looked good for a while.
So let’s get back to what I call a get-even week in the NFL. Teams that looked bad in Week 1 likely won’t look that way in Week 2, while the reverse is likely to be true for some of the winners. It won’t always play out that way, but I think it will this week in a lot of games.
It’s time to get the record straight back on track, but most of all, let’s stay warm with the best bets.
Featured Game | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
This is Justin Herbert vs. Patrick Mahomes Game of the Week. This is a treat every time they meet and Arrowhead will be rocking Thursday night. The Chiefs rolled against the Cardinals with Mahomes lighting things up. But the Chargers can rush the passer with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Look for a high scoring game with the Chiefs winning a close one.
Pick: Chiefs 31, Chargers 30
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins and Ravens both won in impressive fashion last week, but now Miami hits the road for the first time. The Dolphins dominated the Ravens last year at home, but this will be different. The Ravens and Lamar Jackson get the best of the Dolphins.
Pick: Ravens 27, Dolphins 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets
The Browns will face a familiar quarterback this week in Joe Flacco. He wasn’t good last week in the Jets’ loss to the Ravens. The Browns beat Carolina close last week, but they’re at home in this one, and Jacoby Brissett will be better in his second start for the Browns. They go 2-0.
Pick: Browns 24, Jets 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Detroit Lions vs Washington Governors
The Commanders are coming off a home win over the Jaguars where Carson Wentz led them to the game-winning score late. The Lions looked good on offense against the Eagles, but the defense was terrible. This could result in gunfire. Washington is the better team and I think it will show. Commanders get it.
Pick: Commanders 31, Lions 27
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014 and lost there last year in the final week to cost them a playoff spot. They also play back-to-back road games, with Jacksonville playing its first home game. This is a big plus for the Jaguars. The Colts rallied to tie the Texans last week, but this time they won’t rally to win. The Jaguars will get their first win.
Pick: Jaguars 26, Colts 23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs play back-to-back road games after a Sunday night game, which is always tough. But they are also aggressive to a great extent. The Saints defense tackles Tom Brady when his line is healthy, which it isn’t. Look for the Saints defense to come up big here after struggling last week. The Saints take it.
Pick: Saints 23, Bucs 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers
The Giants did some good things to rally late to beat the Titans on the road. Saquon Barkley was special. He’ll carry the team again here against a Carolina team that lost last week to the Browns. The Giants go 2-0. Can you believe it?
Pick: Giants 23, Panthers 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots are playing back-to-back road games after a terrible showing in Miami. The Steelers are playing their home opener after upsetting the Bengals. But the Steelers will be without TJ Watt, which matters a lot. The defensive dynamic is changing. The Patriots will hang around in this one as the offense finally shows some life. Then they will earn it slowly.
Pick: Patriots 21, Steelers 20
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Rams will be rested for 10 days after a terrible performance against the Bills. Sean McVay is too good a coach to pull off this loss. The Falcons played well losing to the Saints in a game they probably should have won. This is a long trip against a good team that will be focused. Rams take it big.
Pick: Rams 31, Falcons 17
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are 1-0, while the 49ers are 0-1. Who saw this after week 1? Seattle played well in upsetting the Broncos on Monday night, but now they’re off on a short week. This is a challenge. The 49ers didn’t play well in the poor conditions at Soldier Field in the loss to the Bears, but that will change here. Trey Lance makes it.
Pick: 49ers 29, Seahawks 23
Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals get a break by tackling Cooper Rush rather than Dak Prescott. Joe Burrow took some time to get going against Pittsburgh after sitting out training camp, but he came off the rust in the second half. I think this continues. The Cowboys are very limited on offense. The Bengals win it.
Pick: Bengals 27, Cowboys 20
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (-10)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans
…
