NFL Week 2 Picks: Early Betting Predictions for Every Game

We’re just two days away from the first battle of the 2017 NFL season, as the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys square off in the Hall of Fame Game on August 3. The real games start on Thursday, September 7 as the Kansas City Chiefs visit the New England Patriots. Yesterday we posted some early picks for each of the Week 1 games, and today we’re looking at each NFL Week 2 contest to help you figure out your NFL betting choices for the early part of the season.

NFL Week 2 Picks: Early Betting Predictions for Every Game

Rise and grind. #TexansCamp pic.twitter.com/8DfGRvLSW2

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 1, 2017

Thursday, September 14

Houston (+2) at Cincinnati

Thursday games usually mean a pig’s breakfast on offense and some boneheaded plays on defense, because teams just don’t get enough rest after playing on Sunday. This is still pretty early in the regular season, though, so this could be more of a quality game. In this contest, Houston has the better of the two defenses, although Andy Dalton is a more seasoned quarterback than either of the Texans’ choices. Give me the Bengals to win and cover in an ugly NFL Week 2 game.

Sunday, September 17

Cleveland (+9.5) at Baltimore The Ravens may have come off a big Week 1 win, depending on Joe Flacco’s back, while the Browns will likely come in off a hide-tanning in the second half at the hands of Pittsburgh. This is (hopefully) the year when the Browns finally rebuild, but I don’t see them staying within 10 of Baltimore on the road.

Buffalo (+3.5) at Carolina

I might like the Bills here if the game were up in New York. But I don’t see the Panthers dropping this one against a team in chaos at home.

Arizona (+3) at Indianapolis

The Cardinals may have the best tailback in the NFC, or at least the best tailback who isn’t on the suspended list (yes, Ezekiel Elliott, we’re talking to you). You have a matchup of two star-crossed but talented quarterbacks. I have to go with the better running game in a situation like that, so give me the Cardinals to win in NFL Week 2.

Tennessee (-1) at Jacksonville

Blake Bortles is nowhere near the quarterback that Marcus Mariota is right now. The Jaguars don’t have the talent that Tennessee has at tailback either. Give me the Titans in a laugher.

Philadelphia (+4) at Kansas City

The Chiefs have a solid defense, and Andy Reid is good at exposing the weaknesses of opposing offenses. The Eagles come in with a sophomore-season quarterback and a defense that is still under construction. Give me the Chiefs in a low-scoring affair, to win and cover.

New England (-4.5) at New Orleans

Why wouldn’t Tom Brady and the Patriots be able to beat a New Orleans team with no passingdefense to speak of by at least a touchdown? There’s your pick.

Minnesota (+6) at Pittsburgh

This is a tough one to pick. Which Steelers team will show up? The one that lost to Philadelphia by 30 last year? Or the one that ran off that huge win streak to end the season? Given that the Vikings are going to start Sam Bradford at quarterback, I like the Steelers, but I’m not sure about covering. I’d be more likely to wait for the point total to come out and take that under.

Chicago (+7) at Tampa Bay

It’s going to be Jameis to DeSean all day long in this one. This will be the Buccaneers’ coming-out party as they dismantle a Bears team that is massively overpaying one iffy quarterback while mentoring a somewhat talented rookie into the same position.

Miami (+1) at L.A. Chargers

Someone explain to me how the Dolphins, behind Jay Ajayi, don’t just grind the Chargers into the ground. The Chargers will be playing in front of a tiny crowd at a soccer stadium — what kind of motivation is that? Give me the Fish to take the victory in NFL Week 2.

N.Y. Jets (+8.5) at Oakland

Is this a trap game for the Greatness after their Week 1 win at Tennessee? Maybe for the first half, but the Jets don’t have the talent to stay within 10 of Oakland.

Dallas (PK) at Denver

The Cowboys have the better offensive line, but the Broncos have the better defense. The Cowboys have the better passing and running game, but the Broncos are playing at home. I think Dallas wins this in a nailbiter as the defense looks silly at times against Trevor Siemian.

Washington (-2) at L.A. Rams

At some point, people are going to figure out that the Redskins can’t stop the pass. Will Jared Goff figure that out this week? He will if his line can give him more than a couple of seconds to get rid of the ball. Kirk Cousins no longer has DeSean to send on those deep routes. Give me the Rams to win here.

San Francisco (+13) at Seattle

An immense line here — but the game is up in Seattle, and the 49ers really don’t have much going on either side of the ball. I’d be tempted to go more with the over here once I see the point total, because I think the Seahawks will score a lot. But right now I also see Seattle winning by a pair of touchdowns.

Green Bay (+2.5) at Atlanta

This is a tough one — can the Falcons’ passing defense keep up with Aaron Rodgers after seeing Tom Brady take the Super Bowl from them? The Falcons had a fairly easy opener, but the Packers bring a real challenge. I like the hungrier Packers to pick up the road upset here.

Monday, September 18

Detroit (+3) at N.Y. Giants

Give me the Giants moving to 2-0 with a big home win on Monday Night Football. Eli Manning simply has the better receiving targets and gets to host the Lions in this tilt of