It was a solid Week 2 for me — at least against the hype.
You would think it would be better to pick the games right away, but that was not the case last week. I went 7-9 straight for a 17-15 overall record and was 9-6-1 ATS for a 17-12-3 record. I’ll make my usual claim of the right pick-wrong result with the Giants. If they have a kick, they beat the Chiefs and I have another win.
Ah, look at that too. Until 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 powerhouse teams, like the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys, have to get back on the road this week. One of them will be the winner — unless there is a tie — as the Ravens play Dallas against the Cowboys in one of the marquee games.
The Ravens are 0-2 and Dallas is 1-1. A lost person has big problems.
Agility can be key in the NFL. See Atlanta Monday night as they beat the Eagles on the road as a big dog. The Ravens appear to be the more desperate team against the Cowboys as they are winless. So what’s the choice? Read them all.
New England Patriots at New York Jets (-6.5)
Thursday, 8:15 pm ET (Prime Video)
This is a 1-1 game where the Jets are playing at home for the first time this season. The Jets offense showed some life in the second half last week against the Titans. That could go against a Pats defense that gave up a lot of big plays last week. I also want a better showing by the Jets defense. The Jets take it, but the Pats hang on.
Select: Jets 20, Pats 16
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, chest)
The Giants are coming off back-to-back road games and are facing a good defense on offense. That is never a good thing. The Browns got behind that defense last week in Jacksonville and should find a way to slow down the Giants offense this week. The Browns take it.
Select: Browns 21, Giants 10
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Main thing+)
The Bears are on the road for the second straight week and face a desperate 0-2 team. The Colts have been spoiled in the playoffs the past few weeks, which could mean a lot for D’Andre Swift. Both Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams have to play better, but this is a tough spot for Richardson. However, I think he plays the better of the two.
Select: Colts 23, Bears 20
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Houston Texans (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Main thing+)
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 has been excellent. They will face CJ Stroud. I think it will be the difference in the game. They will force change and get a lot of pressure. The Vikings win another close one.
Select: Vikings 24, Texas 21
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, chest)
The Eagles should be 2-0, but coach Nick Sirianni cost them Monday’s game against the Falcons with a late decision. However, the biggest problem is security. They have been bad against the run, while the Saints have run it well. Look for the Saints to go up 3-0 after their run game.
Select: Saints 27, Eagles 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Main thing+)
This is a game with two 2-0 teams, both in physical form that will appear every Sunday. The Steelers have the better defense, but the Chargers are better offensively than Justin Herbert. They play consecutive road games, but it doesn’t matter. They beat it on the road.
Select: Chargers 21, Steelers 17
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, chest)
The Bucs are riding high, while the Broncos have big offensive issues with Bo Nix. Tampa Bay’s defense has been playing well, even if it isn’t, it will carry over here. Baker Mayfield will also play well. The Bucs are on the move.
Select: Bucs 26, Broncos 13
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, chest)
Will Levis made two bonehead plays in their two games to keep the Titans from winning. You should be better. For the Packers, it might be Malik Willis at quarterback against his first team. Willis was solid last week, but it was the playmaking that helped Green Bay beat the Colts. That will be even more difficult here against a good Titans defense. Look for a defensive battle won by the Titans.
Select: Titans 21, Packers 17
Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5)
Sunday, 4:05 pm ET (CBS, Main thing+)
Andy Dalton is the starter for Bryce Young off the bench for the Panthers. He can’t get any worse, but this is a good Raiders defense. Gardner Minshew played well, especially last week. The Raiders will win this one behind the defense and Minshew to make it 2-1.
Select: Raiders 24, Panthers 10
Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks (-5)
Sunday, 4:05 pm ET (CBS, Main thing+)
This is a rough first start for Skylar Thompson in place of Tua Tagovailoa. Seattle is as tough as it gets on the road and the Seahawks are playing well. Seattle’s offense has looked good in two games, which will continue here. Look for a big game from Geno Smith. The Seahawks go 3-0.
Select: Seahawks 31, Dolphins 16
Detroit Lions (-3) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:25 pm ET (Fox, chest)
The Lions are coming off the road for the first time, while the Cardinals are coming off an impressive home win over the Rams. Arizona was great with Kyler Murray’s offense, which will stress the Lions’ defense. Look for Arizona to win a shootout that could push each team into the 30s.
Select: 31 Cardinals, 29 Lions
Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 pm ET (Fox, chest)
This game was lost with the Ravens going 0-2 and the Cowboys getting blown out last week. Both teams have issues, but the biggest is the Ravens offensive line. After watching what the Saints did to the Dallas defense, they will overcome that and move Derrick Henry. The Ravens will get their first win on the road against the Cowboys.
Select: Ravens 27, Cowboys 24
San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) at Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:25 pm ET (Fox, chest)
The 49ers are playing their second straight game after losing to the Vikings, while the Rams are playing their home game. It’s a difficult combination. Both teams are suffering with top stars from the team. The 49ers are serious and that will show. They took it after a great game from Brock Purdy.
Select: 49ers 27, Rams 18
Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 8:20 pm ET (NBC, chest)
The Falcons are playing on a short week after beating the Eagles in the final minute. Atlanta’s offense is vastly improved from Week 1, which is a good thing. The Kings looked sluggish on offense against the Bengals, but they will ease up here. Their speed shows on the fast track.
Select: Chiefs 32, Falcons 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (-5.5)
Monday, 7:30 pm ET (ESPN, chest)
The Bills are playing with plenty of rest, while the 0-2 Jaguars are coming off two close losses. That’s a big point for the Bills, as is Monday night’s home game. But the biggest draw is their defense against Jacksonville’s offense, which is still struggling. The laws are ongoing.
Select: Bills 28, Jaguars 17
Washington Commanders in Cincinnati Bengals (-8)
Monday, 8:15 pm ET (ABC, chest)
The Commanders won for the first time last week, while Bengal is looking for the first. They played well in Kansas City and probably should have won that game. That will continue here as they play well and get a good Manager with Joe Burrow having a big game.
Select: Bengals 29, officials 16
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