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The second week of the 2022 NFL season has a lot to live up to after the drama filled Week One action. Underdogs and road teams controlled most of the action Sunday, with upsets being one of the most overused words of the day. This week see a lot more fascinating action and those team who lost their openers look to rebound, and those who won try to keep their momentum going. Here now are my Week 2 picks and predictions for the entire NFL.
LA Chargers (1-0) at Kansas City (-4.0, 1-0): The two AFC West teams who won their opening game square off on Thursday Night Football, giving Amazon a great matchup to start their foray into live sports programming. LA knocked off the Raiders at home in Week One, and KC dominated in the desert against Arizona being one of the few lopsided games of the day. The Chargers have had KC’s number in recent years, staring down Patrick Mahomes and not being shy about trying to go toe-to-toe with their own offense. Those reasons are probably partly why KC is only a 4-point favorite despite the short week for both teams and the long trip East for the Chargers. Kansas City was often bored last year, leading to a lot of wins for the team, but not for their supporters at the betting windows, with less than a TD needed to cover, KC should make their bettors happy to start the NFL week.
Miami (1-0) at Baltimore (-3.5, 1.0): It is too early in the season to use the phrase “playoff implications? I think not since these two AFC teams expect to be fighting for a postseason berth come January, with this game potentially help form the playoff brackets. The Dolphins travel to Baltimore this week having already knocked off the Patriots in convincing fashion last week, with some in New England calling for Bill Belichick to be fired after coming within one scoring drive of being shut out. The Ravens will be playing their second straight AFC East opponent this week after a nonchalant win at the Jets, with oddsmakers giving them a token 3.5-point favorite status in this week’s game. Playing Tua Tagovailoa will be “slightly” more difficult than playing Joe Flacco for the Ravens’ defense, while Lamar Jackson will present more challenges than Mac Jones, but as a player looking to cash in big in the offseason, Tagovailoa may be just enough to put Miami over the top on the road. I am holding on to the half-point hook at taking the Dolphins to cover.
Indianapolis (-4.0, 0-0-1) at Jacksonville (0-1): The Colts had their hands full last week with the Texans, doing all they could to come back and settle for a tie in their first AFC South game of the season. This week they play another divisional game against Jacksonville, who struggled at Washington in their opening day loss. Could the Jags be ready to take on Indy’s defense and have success this week? Perhaps … but what is scarier for the fans of the Horseshoe is seeing Matt Ryan looking old in the pocket and remembering this is only Week Two. I know watching him makes me wonder how much he has left in the tank and how far off his stats will fall during the year. The Jaguars, I believe, will keep it close and, perhaps, break through with a win, so I am taking Jacksonville +4 to keep it close and maybe even win.
New England (-1.0, 0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0): These two familiar AFC foes had very different Week Ones, with the Patriots laying an egg in Miami and the Steelers taking Cincinnati to overtime before winning with a field goal. Fans were testy with the Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick because they felt the offense was unprepared for the Dolphins last week, something a better Week Two performance will help do away with for a few days. Steelers’ fan saw their first game Mitchell Trubisky at QB and the escaped Chicago Bear doing enough to win. It is easier to see Pats’ QB Mac Jones bouncing back over Trubisky maintaining an above average level of play, which is why until he is fired, taking New England is still a decent bet … and since the cost is only one point, the success of picking a winner will be easier to take despite choosing one of my team’s rivals.
Carolina (0-1) at NY Giants (-2.5, 1-0): Both of these NFC teams saw a potential game winning FG in the air at the clock reached 0:00 last week, with the Panthers losing to the Browns and the Giants surviving at Tennessee and heading home with a win. This week Baker Mayfield leads Carolina into MetLife Stadium where Daniel Jones and Big Blue look to stay undefeated and keep the Panthers winless. New York is not even getting the field three-point advantage from oddsmakers in this contest despite last week’s scores, which tells me they still like the Panthers as a team over the Giants. I do too, and I think after losing at the gun last week, Carolina comes out with a chip on their shoulders and something to prove; and in the NFL, that is often enough to propel one team over another. Taking Carolina to win outright in this game.
Tampa Bay (-2.5, 1-0) at New Orleans (1-0): Tampa Bay plays their second straight road game to start 2022 when they head to the Bayou in an NFC South showdown. The Bucs had a hard time finding the end zone Sunday night in Dallas; but kicked enough field goal to keep the ‘Boys winless in the NFC East. Earlier, New Orleans held on for deal life in Atlanta before squeezing out their one-point win against the Falcons. The Saints gave Tom Brady and his offensive teammates fits last season; and with the Bucs still, perhaps, suffering on the sharpness scale from their quarterback’s training camp vacation, facing them in Week Two on the road may help keep that streak going. With Brady having his team’s attention after last week’s average performance, the Saints defensive may have their hands full Sunday, which is why it’s Tampa Bay -2.5 for me.
Washington (1-0) at Detroit (-2.5, 0-1): For fans who want scoring, this might be the game to watch considering oddsmakers are hard pressed to keep the over/under at 49 points. Washington took their first game of the year over Jacksonville, and the Lions, who are hosting their second game of 2022, gave another NFC East team almost all they could handle in falling by three to Philadelphia. Despite last week’s outcomes, we find the Lions are a slight favorite this week, with Washington expecting another close contest. This is an early season test for Detroit and their head coach Dan Campbell, who, like many younger whistle blowers, is full of phrases for his players, but needs to prove those words turn into wins. It my mind’s eye, this week is win number one for the Lions, take Detroit -2.5 for the win and the cover in this high scoring affair.
NY Jets (0-1) at Cleveland (-6.0, 1-0): The Browns are the largest favorite on the early slate of games Sunday afternoon as they host the Jets, a team that was as non-competitive as any in the NFL during Week One. Cleveland fans saw their first opening week win in 18 seasons last week with a late comeback at Carolina, while all the head coach of Gang Green could do was “collect receipts” of those who doubt he or the Jets franchise will ever turn things around in New York. The Jets, sadly, will turn to Joe Flacco again at QB, who, behind his offensive line, had little chance against the Ravens last week and is doomed to face the same fate this week against the Browns. This is one of those easy picks for me since the Jets are not ready for this game, Cleveland -6.
Atlanta (0-1) at LA Rams (-10.5, 0-1): Both of these NFC teams lost last week, but unlike the visiting Falcons, who were competitive against the Saints in a one-point loss, the Rams started the season with a poor performance against the Buffalo Bills on opening night last Thursday. LA now gets to host the rebuilding Falcons in a “get right” game and one of many with a double-digit spread in the late afternoon broadcasting window. If Matthew Stafford is healthy, which he may not be all season, this should be an easy win, and this is a game the Rams must win. LA -10.5.
Seattle (1-0) at San Francisco (-10, 0-1): The Seahawks did all they could to help their team defeat Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos Monday night, even booing their former quarterback who the city feels turned his back on them. The 49ers were the victim of historical rains in Chicago last week, weather their neighbors on the West Coast would love to see for personal reasons but won’t this Sunday. With a short week and a road trip on their schedule, can the Seahawks come anywhere near the energy level they had last week in their one-point victory? Or will the real ‘Niners show up this week at home with better weather for their first divisional contest of 2022? Ten points may look like a lot, but give them up, because it’s San Francisco in this game, even if you don’t believe in their quarterback Trey Lance since Seattle is not that good.
Houston (0-0-1) at Denver (0-1): Don’t be surprised if the players are cheered and the Broncos’ coaching staff is booed during introductions on Sunday in the Mile High City Sunday. That’s because many were confused by a late decision to kick a 64-yard field goal rather than try to convert a 4th-and-5 on Monday night. Texans’ players should not expect too much love for their 20-20 tie with the Colts last week, and clearly oddsmakers were not impressed by their performance since they have pegged Houston as a 10-point underdog this week. Denver will be home and will be playing angry after their Week One disappointment, and if Houston had a hard time with Matt Ryan, hopefully the coaching staff will “Let Russ Cook” this week, and post at least 30 points. Denver -10 to win and cover, taking the coaching staff off the hook for one week.
Cincinnati (-8.0, 0-1) at Dallas (0-1): The defending AFC champs head to Big-D where the pain of their Week One loss was bigger than what you see in the standings. Because while the Bengals lost in overtime to Pittsburgh, Dallas lost QB Dak Prescott to a hand injury that could keep him off the field until November. Cincinnati is now, by far, the better team on the field in this game and should have little trouble shutting down the Cowboys’ offense while mimicking what Tampa Bay’s offense did and put enough points on the board to win, even if they kick FGs all afternoon. Cincy -8 to earn their first win of the season the put the continue the awful season Dallas will have.
Arizona (5.5) at Las Vegas (-5.5, 0-1): Now this is an interesting game and point spread to me because these are two intriguing teams that will make headlines win or lose. The traveling Cardinals were manhandled by Kansas City last week, yielding 44 points in an ugly loss, while the Raiders lost a close game at the Chargers to start their season. It is likely the lack of defense that sees Arizona over a field goal underdog here, but that reason is valid and should worry their fans. Yet, while true the Raiders held the Chargers to 24 points last week, they are a divisional opponent more familiar with Justin Herbert and the LA offense, so, perhaps the Silver and Black defense should not be taken too seriously just yet. In fact, I am still inclined to take the Cardinals in this spot since the Raiders still haven’t found what they have on offense, but Arizona will this weekend. Give me the 5.5 point and Arizona to cover if not win outright in a Desert Bowl upset.
Chicago (1-0) at Green Bay (-10, 1-0): Yes, the first place Bears are headed to Green Bay to take on the last place Packers. In this game, however, don’t expect flooding rains or tropical storm type wins to help Justin Fields and the Chicago offense and defense. We should also mention that Aaron Rodgers still wears the Green and Yellow for the Packers. The bettors like the Bears by a 7-3 margin in early wagering; but do we really believe Aaron Rodgers is going to come up small against an NFC North team for the second week in a row, especially with this game on Sunday night? Come back to reality, America and embrace your inner Rodgers fans, Green Bay -10.
Tennessee (0-1) at Buffalo (-10, 1-0): We have a twin-bill of Monday night games this week, with this AFC matchup starting at 7:15 ET and featuring two potential contenders who played opposite games last week. The Titans dominated the Giants at home late last Sunday, only to see their lead disappear in less than half of the third quarter; they then needed to watch a last-second field goal attempt fade wide in their loss, leaving people to already doubt the killer instincts of the team. Thursday night saw the Rams raise their Super Bowl banner before the Bills too them to the woodshed in the second half of a 10-10 halftime game, cementing Buffalo as a true AFC Super Bowl contender, at least after Week One. Money is coming in almost evenly for both teams in this game so far thanks to the 10-point spread and fearful the Titans know falling to 0-2 may be too much to overcome in the AFC. Nevertheless, the Buffalo Bills are for real and are poised to have a big season, which is why they are favorited by so much and while they will win by 14 here.
Minnesota (1-0) at Philadelphia (-2,5, 1-0): The second Monday Night game of the week will kick off in Philadelphia at its normal time and see the visiting Vikings take on the Eagles. Minnesota took Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out of their offensive game last week while the Eagles flew high in Detroit last week but had to fight off a late Lions comeback to hold on to the victory. Bettors believe more in what Minnesota did than what Philadelphia almost allowed to happen last week, so when you look at the Eagles getting the nearly token field goal for being home, know the money is coming in on the Vikings by a 2-to-1 margin. In this case I believe in what the public is thinking since I don’t think anyone will stop WR Justin Jefferson this season and he has a chance to make a run at 2,000 receiving yards in Minnesota, with his run at history continuing this week against Philly. Minnesota +2.5 in a mild upset win to close Week Two.
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NFL Week 2 Picks And Predictions | TooAthletic.com
The post NFL Week 2 Picks And Predictions appeared first on TOOATHLETIC TAKES.
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By: Rafael Thomas
Title: NFL Week 2 Picks And Predictions
Sourced From: tooathletic.com/nfl-week-2-picks-and-predictions/
Published Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2022 22:21:34 +0000
