Week 2 NFL Picks & Previews
NFL Week 2 Featured Games
Baltimore Ravens Vs Miami Dolphins, 1:05 EST
Line: Ravens -3.5, 44.5
This is the most intriguing game this Sunday featuring two teams looking to establish themselves as favourites in the AFC and a return to the NFL playoffs.
The Dolphins picked up an encouraging win last week against their rivals from New England. We have to see more from the Patriots to determine if that was a quality win for Miami, but it looked promising. The Ravens got an early lead on the Jets last week and then put the game on cruise control the rest of the way for a 24-9 win.
Both the Ravens and Dolphins have big up-side for this season, but each has question marks to overcome before they reach that potential. This should be a QB dual with both Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa looking to answer their critics with big performances.
This total seems a bit low to me so I’ll take a shot at the over with both QBs looking to throw the ball more often than usual.
My Pick: Over (44.5)
Pittsburgh Steelers Vs New England Patriots, 1:05 EST
Line: Steelers +2.5, 40.5
The Steeler’s defence came up with the performance of the day last Sunday picking off Joe Burrow four times. The best player on the field in that game was undoubtedly TJ Watt, picking up a sack, an INT, and just being a general menace the entire game before being forced out late in the fourth quarter. Watt is out of this game and likely many more with a torn pectoral muscle. His absence leaves a big hole in the Steeler’s defence.
The Patriots looked in complete disarray losing 20-7 in Miami. This is potentially a big down season for the Patriots in an AFC where everyone looks better. Bill Belichick still has the reputation as the best coach in the league, but that equity could be fading quickly. If the Patriots fall back this season, his tenure in New England could even be in jeopardy.
I am cautiously bullish on the Steelers this NFL season, at least ATS. The defence is going to be good even without TJ Watt and the offence should improve as the season progresses.
My Pick: Steelers (+2.5)
Cleveland Browns Vs New York Jets, 1:05 EST
Line: Browns -6.5, 39.5
This game is certainly the dog of the day that no one is going to be watching, at least not by choice. The highlight of the day may be ‘Brownie’ making his NFL premier at mid-field for the Browns.
The Jets were not as bad as the score last week losing 24-9 to Baltimore. But Joe Flacco cannot throw the ball 59 times if the Jets hope to win any games this season. The total for this game keeps moving down and is now below 40. It features two backup QBs both of whom will be looking to establish their running game.
The Browns are unquestionably the better team, but they simply are not built to cover big-point spreads. The clincher for me in this game is the fact it is a look-ahead game for the Browns. Cleveland hosts Pittsburgh this coming Thursday, just for days away, which is always the single most important game for the Browns every NFL season.
My Pick: Jets (+6.5)
Dallas Cowboys Vs Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 EST
Line: Bengals -7, 41.5
The big news in the NFL this week was Dak Prescott being ruled out for several weeks with a fractured thumb. Cooper Rush takes his place behind center for the foreseeable future. But the Cowboy’s offence looked terrible in week one even with their starting QB in the lineup. No one expects them to better much better this week as the Cowboys are huge home underdogs this week against the defending AFC champs.
Joe Burrow threw 4 INTs last week but luckily the Cowboy’s defensive line is not comparable to that of the Steelers. Burrow missed much of the summer workouts with a burst appendix and I predicted his slow start last week. I am confident his week 2 performance will be much better.
Few arguments can be made in favour of the Cowboys this week and if you have to play this game, there can be only one side to be on.