It was a solid Week 2 for me, at least against the spread.
You’d think it would be better to pick the games straight up, but that wasn’t 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 will make my usual claim of the right complaint with the wrong result with the Giants. If they have a kicker, they beat the Commanders and I get another win.
Oh hell Until this week.
There are four teams playing back-to-back games on the road this week, which is always a challenge. Keep this in mind when choosing your games.
Some of the supposed powerhouse teams, like the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys, have to get back on the court this week. One of them will be the winner, unless there is a tie, as the Ravens play in Dallas against the Cowboys in one of the marquee games.
The Ravens are 0-2 and Dallas is 1-1. The loser is in big trouble.
Desperation can be key in the NFL. Watch Atlanta Monday night as they beat the Eagles on the road like a big dog. The Ravens seem to be the most desperate team against the Cowboys as they are winless. So what is the choice? Read on for all of them.
New England Patriots at New York Jets (-6.5)
Thursday, 8:15 PM ET (Prime Video)
This is a game where two teams are 1-1 with the Jets 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 continue against a Pats defense that gave up a lot of big plays last week. I’m also looking for a better performance from the Jets defense. The Jets take him, but the Pats stay.
Choose: Jets 20, Pats 16
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Giants are coming off back-to-back road games and face a good defense with a suspect offense. This is never good. The Browns won behind this defense last week in Jacksonville and should find a way to limit this Giants offense this week. Browns take it.
Choose: Browns 21, Giants 10
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
The Bears are on the road for the second week in a row and face a desperate 0-2 team. The Colts have been decimated in the run game in recent weeks, which could mean a lot from D’Andre Swift. Both Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams need to play better, but this is a tough spot for Richardson. Still, I think he plays the better of the two.
Choose: Colts 23, Bears 20
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Houston Texans (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This is a great game between two undefeated teams. The Vikings are a surprise team, while the Texans were expected to be good. Minnesota’s defense has been very good. They will throw a ton of looks at CJ Stroud. I think that will be the difference in the game. They will force a turnover and get a lot of pressure. Vikings win a close one.
Choose: Vikings 24, Texans 21
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Eagles should be up 2-0, but coach Nick Sirianni cost them Monday’s game with the Falcons with a bad decision late. The biggest problem, however, is the defense. They’ve been awful against the run, while the Saints have been good running it. Look for the Saints to go 3-0 behind their running game.
Choose: Sants 27, Águilas 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This is a game with two 2-0 teams, both with physical styles that will be on display every Sunday. The Steelers have the better defense, but the Chargers are better on offense with Justin Herbert. They play back-to-back road games, but it won’t matter. They win it on the road.
Choose: Chargers 21, Steelers 17
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Bucs are up to it, while the Broncos have major offensive issues with Bo Nix. Tampa Bay’s defense is playing well, even without gear, which will continue here. Baker Mayfield will also play well. The Bucs keep rolling.
Choose: Bucs 26, Broncos 13
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
Will Levis has made two bonehead plays in his two games to keep the Titans from winning. It has to be better. For the Packers, it will likely be Malik Willis at quarterback against his former team. Willis was solid last week, but it was the run game that helped Green Bay beat the Colts. That will be more difficult here against a good Titans defense. Look for a defensive battle won by the Titans.
Choose: Titans 21, Packers 17
Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Andy Dalton is benching Bryce Young for the Panthers. It can’t get any worse, but this is a good Raiders defense. Gardner Minshew has played well, especially last week. The Raiders will win this one behind the defense and Minshew to get to 2-1.
Choose: Raiders 24, Panthers 10
Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks (-5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This is a tough first start for Skylar Thompson in place of Tua Tagovailoa. Seattle is as tough as it gets for a road spot and the Seahawks are playing well. Seattle’s offense has looked good in two games, and that will continue here. Look for a big game from Geno Smith. The Seahawks are 3-0.
Choose: Seahawks 31, Dolphins 16
Detroit Lions (-3) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The Lions are on the road for the first time, while the Cardinals are coming off an impressive home win over the Rams. Arizona was excellent on offense with Kyler Murray, which will stress the Lions’ defense. Look for Arizona to win a shootout that could push each team into the 30s.
Choose: Cardinals 31, Lions 29
Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
This game has lost some of its luster with the Ravens going 0-2 and the Cowboys getting blown out last week. Both teams have issues, but the biggest one is the Ravens offensive line. After seeing what the Saints did to the Dallas defense, they will move past this and run Derrick Henry. The Ravens will get their first road win against the Cowboys.
Choose: Ravens 27, Cowboys 24
San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) at Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET (Fox, fubo)
The 49ers are playing their second straight game after losing to the Vikings, while the Rams are playing their first game at home. It’s a difficult combination. Both teams are struggling with top stars out of the lineup. The 49ers are deeper and that will show. They take it behind a good game from Brock Purdy.
Choose: 49ers 27, Rams 18
Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo)
The Falcons are playing on a short week after beating the Eagles with a last minute touchdown. Atlanta’s offense improved a lot from Week 1, which is a good thing. The Chiefs looked slow on offense against the Bengals, but they’ll get it done here. Your speed is shown in the fast track.
Choose: Chiefs 32, Falcons 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (-5.5)
Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, fubo)
The Bills are playing on plenty of rest, while the Jaguars (0-2) are coming off two close losses. That’s a huge advantage for the Bills, as is a home game on Monday night. But the biggest upside is their defense against Jacksonville’s struggling offense. The bills keep rolling.
Choose: Bills 28, Jaguars 17
Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals (-8)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC, fubo)
The Commanders won for the first time last week, while the Bengals are still looking for their first. They played well in Kansas City and probably should have won the game. That will continue here as they play much better and bring out the best in the captains with Joe Burrow having a great game.
Choose: Bengals 29, Commanders 16