2018 Week 2 NFL Picks
Week 1: 10-6 overall, 9-7 vs the spread
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
CIN -1
CIN -1
Both teams won by double digits last week. The Bengals had the bigger achievement beating Andrew Luck on the road. The Bengals and Ravens had two different strategies last week - the Bengals heavily featured Joe Mixon and AJ Green while the Ravens spread the ball around. This is the only Bengals home game in their first 4 games of 2018. Their next two games are at Carolina and at Atlanta. Baltimore is home next week. Combined with home field advantage in a short week, going with the Bengals here.
Cincinnati 16, Baltimore 13
This should be a close division race until the end of the season. Could see the Vikings' offense trying to keep up but getting forced into a second half mistake or two versus the Packers' defense.
Green Bay 31, Minnesota 24
HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
HOU -1.5
In Week 1, Deshaun Watson completed only 17 out of 34 passes. Against the Titans, he will have the luxury of picking his spots better.
Houston 28, Tennessee 17
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
ATL -6
These are two closely-matched teams. Julio Jones had 10 catches for 169 yards last week and might have similar numbers in Week 2. Taking Matt Ryan and Jones to bounce back at home.
Atlanta 24, Carolina 21
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NO -8.5
There's a spark of life in Cleveland but they cannot count on getting five turnovers again this week. New Orleans still put up 40 in a losing effort against Tampa Bay.
New Orleans 38, Cleveland 17
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS
NYJ -3
These teams usually play close games against each other. Miami will play a more careful game on offense and Sam Darnold gets a learning experience.
Miami 16, New York 13
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
PIT -4.5
Pittsburgh has a way of bouncing back from bad games and the Chiefs' mastery of San Diego doesn't always carry over to other opponents. Antonio Brown had 155 yards receiving against the Chiefs in Week 6 last year, and should have higher receiving totals than Tyreek Hill this week.
Pittsburgh 33, Kansas City 27
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
WAS -6
Alex Smith had a 70% completion percentage in Week 1 to go along with Adrian Peterson's 96 rushing yards. A repeat performance should carry Washington to a 2-0 record.
Washington 19, Indianapolis 17
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS
LAR -13
If the Rams get out to a 1st half lead versus the Cardinals, it will shift the Cardinals' offense away from David Johnson. But the Cardinals do not have great receiving options after Larry Fitzgerald.
Los Angeles 34, Arizona 3
DETROIT LIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
SF -6
Last week's loss to the Vikings was a good learning experience for a young 49ers team that should raise their level of play this week. The Lions' home loss to the Jets was more of a painful learning experience.
San Francisco 21, Detroit 13
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS
DEN -6
In Week 1, Case Keenum improved the Broncos' offense just enough to give the defense room to breathe. Denver won the time of possession battle, 35:08 to 24:52 over Seattle. Oakland would have a better chance in this game airing it out, but with Derek Carr's 3 interceptions last week they will likely get bogged down trying to establish the running game instead.
Denver 20, Oakland 13
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
NE -1
Jacksonville held the NY Giants to 324 yards last week - they still have a great defense. But Jacksonville's offense only managed 305 yards of their own. And with Leonard Fournette dealing with an injury, it's hard to see the Jaguars generating enough points to keep up with Tom Brady.
New England 24, Jacksonville 19
NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
DAL -3
The loser of this game goes to 0-2. This game is a good opportunity for Odell Beckham Jr and Saquon Barkley to get on track.
New York 31, Dallas 21
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS
CHI -3.5
New Bears coach Matt Nagy seems determined to win the sideline-to-sideline horizontal battle, while neglecting opportunities to throw downfield. That will be a problem for the Bears' offense all season unless they make an adjustment. Seattle should target Tyler Lockett as much as possible in this one and keep the action away from the Bears' front seven.
Seattle 24, Chicago 6
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
PHI -3
PHI -3
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers caught the Saints' defense by surprise in Week 1. Expecting the Eagles' defense to do a better job of pressuring Fitzpatrick and keeping a lid on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, while the Eagles offense takes a step forward.
Philadelphia 28, Tampa Bay 16
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT BUFFALO BILLS
LAC -7.5
This game is arguably a must-win for the Chargers if they are going to avoid repeating their disastrous start from last year. The Bills should lean heavily on LeSean McCoy and their defense in this one to try to keep it close.
Los Angeles 24, Buffalo 21
GB -1Philadelphia 28, Tampa Bay 16
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT BUFFALO BILLS
LAC -7.5
This game is arguably a must-win for the Chargers if they are going to avoid repeating their disastrous start from last year. The Bills should lean heavily on LeSean McCoy and their defense in this one to try to keep it close.
Los Angeles 24, Buffalo 21
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
This should be a close division race until the end of the season. Could see the Vikings' offense trying to keep up but getting forced into a second half mistake or two versus the Packers' defense.
Green Bay 31, Minnesota 24
HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
HOU -1.5
In Week 1, Deshaun Watson completed only 17 out of 34 passes. Against the Titans, he will have the luxury of picking his spots better.
Houston 28, Tennessee 17
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
ATL -6
These are two closely-matched teams. Julio Jones had 10 catches for 169 yards last week and might have similar numbers in Week 2. Taking Matt Ryan and Jones to bounce back at home.
Atlanta 24, Carolina 21
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NO -8.5
There's a spark of life in Cleveland but they cannot count on getting five turnovers again this week. New Orleans still put up 40 in a losing effort against Tampa Bay.
New Orleans 38, Cleveland 17
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS
NYJ -3
These teams usually play close games against each other. Miami will play a more careful game on offense and Sam Darnold gets a learning experience.
Miami 16, New York 13
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
PIT -4.5
Pittsburgh has a way of bouncing back from bad games and the Chiefs' mastery of San Diego doesn't always carry over to other opponents. Antonio Brown had 155 yards receiving against the Chiefs in Week 6 last year, and should have higher receiving totals than Tyreek Hill this week.
Pittsburgh 33, Kansas City 27
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
WAS -6
Alex Smith had a 70% completion percentage in Week 1 to go along with Adrian Peterson's 96 rushing yards. A repeat performance should carry Washington to a 2-0 record.
Washington 19, Indianapolis 17
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS
LAR -13
If the Rams get out to a 1st half lead versus the Cardinals, it will shift the Cardinals' offense away from David Johnson. But the Cardinals do not have great receiving options after Larry Fitzgerald.
Los Angeles 34, Arizona 3
DETROIT LIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
SF -6
Last week's loss to the Vikings was a good learning experience for a young 49ers team that should raise their level of play this week. The Lions' home loss to the Jets was more of a painful learning experience.
San Francisco 21, Detroit 13
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS
DEN -6
In Week 1, Case Keenum improved the Broncos' offense just enough to give the defense room to breathe. Denver won the time of possession battle, 35:08 to 24:52 over Seattle. Oakland would have a better chance in this game airing it out, but with Derek Carr's 3 interceptions last week they will likely get bogged down trying to establish the running game instead.
Denver 20, Oakland 13
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
NE -1
Jacksonville held the NY Giants to 324 yards last week - they still have a great defense. But Jacksonville's offense only managed 305 yards of their own. And with Leonard Fournette dealing with an injury, it's hard to see the Jaguars generating enough points to keep up with Tom Brady.
New England 24, Jacksonville 19
NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
DAL -3
The loser of this game goes to 0-2. This game is a good opportunity for Odell Beckham Jr and Saquon Barkley to get on track.
New York 31, Dallas 21
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS
CHI -3.5
New Bears coach Matt Nagy seems determined to win the sideline-to-sideline horizontal battle, while neglecting opportunities to throw downfield. That will be a problem for the Bears' offense all season unless they make an adjustment. Seattle should target Tyler Lockett as much as possible in this one and keep the action away from the Bears' front seven.
Seattle 24, Chicago 6
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