These are my picks to win every Week 2 NFL game straight up, tiered by confidence level and ranked within each tier. You can bet on any of these games at DraftKings Sportsbook.
NFL Week 2 Confidence Picks
High Confidence
Ravens over Browns
The Ravens were in a thriller on Sunday Night Football against the Bills to start their season. It looked like Baltimore was in firm control before Josh Allen came storming back to snatch the win away. While it was a tough loss for Baltimore, its offense looked incredible. It led the NFL in offensive EPA/play in Week 1 and should be able to run all over the Browns. There are some concerns over the Ravens’ pass defense, just like last season, but Joe Flacco won’t be able to exploit that in the same way that Josh Allen did. The Ravens should win this one comfortably.
Bills over Jets
The Bills looked like the best team in the NFL in Week 1. The MVP, Josh Allen, picked up where he left off last season, putting on an incredible display. More importantly, young wide receiver Keon Coleman looked like the player they thought they drafted in 2024. If Coleman can emerge as a true WR1, that will fill a hole that has been there ever since Stefon Diggs left Buffalo. The Bills’ defense struggled, especially in the first half, but the Ravens will be one of the best offenses in the NFL all season. The Jets actually showed some signs of improvement from last season with their new coaching staff and Justin Fields at quarterback. However, like the old Jets, they still found a way to lose the game. These divisional games are often tight, but Josh Allen should find a way to win.
Lions over Bears
The Lions lost to the Packers in their opening game of the season and need to get their season back on track. There were concerns coming into the season that the Lions would take a step back with both of their coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, taking head coaching jobs. The Packers could be one of the best teams in the NFL this season, and that game was on the road. However, there were some worrying signs of regression for Detroit on both sides of the ball. Now, it needs to face another division rival and Ben Johnson’s new team. After looking in control through three quarters, the Bears gave away their opening game to Minnesota. Unfortunately, Caleb Williams still does not look up to the task at quarterback. Detroit should get its first win of the season at home against the Bears.
Cardinals over Panthers
The Panthers had shown some signs of taking a step forward offensively at the end of last season. However, any progress made last season was not evident in the opener against the Jaguars. Bryce Young looked like rookie Bryce Young again. The Panthers’ offense is also missing Jalen Coker and Adam Thielen. The Cardinals got a favorable start to their season, with the Saints and now the Panthers. They didn’t blow anyone away, but they were in control against the Saints from start to finish. They want to capitalize on this easy start to their schedule and move to 2-0.
Rams over Titans
The Rams picked up a nice Week 1 win over the Texans. The Los Angeles defense looked dominant against C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense. The Rams struggled to turn their drives into touchdowns, but they moved the ball efficiently on a down-to-down basis. That should convert to more points this week. The Titans put up a solid fight in Cam Ward’s debut, but they still have a ways to go to become a competitive team against the NFL’s elite. Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford should use their winning experience against Tennessee to move to 2-0.
Medium Confidence
Cowboys over Giants
The Cowboys played well in a loss against the Eagles in Week 1. They had to go to a tough road environment on the night the Eagles were hanging their Super Bowl banner. Despite the circumstances, the Cowboys played well on both sides of the ball. They contained one of the best offenses in the NFL and were able to move the ball efficiently. The Giants, on the other hand, struggled in Week 1 against Washington. They couldn’t do anything offensively, and their vaunted defensive line ran out of steam as the game went on. The Cowboys have more offensive firepower in this game, and that should be enough to win.
Chargers over Raiders
The Chargers picked up a massive win in Week 1. Defeating the Chiefs to start the season sets the tone that Los Angeles could actually contend in the AFC this season. The Raiders also had a nice road win in New England to start the Pete Carroll era strong. However, Los Angeles is the better team at the moment. It was great on both sides of the ball against Kansas City. It should be able to move the ball through the air against Las Vegas, with its defense shutting down Geno Smith.
Packers over Commanders
The Packers looked as good as advertised in Week 1. There was a lot of hype around this team in the offseason, especially after adding Micah Parsons just before the season started. They showed up on both sides of the ball, looking sharp on offense and stout on defense. The Commanders also played well in Week 1, and this could be a potential postseason matchup. However, at home on a short week, the Packers should be able to pick up the win against Washington.
Vikings over Falcons
The Vikings came from behind on Monday Night Football to get a massive divisional win over the Bears. Things looked dark for Minnesota through three quarters, with its new quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, playing quite poorly. However, McCarthy turned it on in the fourth quarter, accounting for three total touchdowns to take down the Bears. The Falcons lost a heartbreaker in their opener, with Younghoe Koo missing a 44-yard field goal to send the game to overtime against Tampa Bay. This should be an exciting game between two promising young quarterbacks, but with the better coaching staff and home-field advantage, the Vikings should find a way to win.
Bengals over Jaguars
The Bengals hung on to win an ugly game in their season opener against the Browns. It was a tough opening matchup, having to go on the road against a divisional rival. The Bengals have been awful in season openers under Zac Taylor, so just finding a way to win is all that really matters. They should look a bit better this week after getting that bad performance out of the way and still winning the game. The Jaguars looked good in their opening win, but it’s hard to know how much of that is the Panthers being bad. This should be a fun game to watch to gauge where both teams fall in the AFC pecking order, but Joe Burrow should make the winning plays.
Coin-Flip Games
49ers over Saints
The 49ers registered a great win over the Seahawks in Week 1. Going on the road to a divisional opponent to open the season is tough, but the 49ers found a way to win. They will be without Brock Purdy for this game, but their defense should lead the way. The Saints want to lean on the running game with Alvin Kamara, and the 49ers’ run defense looked fantastic against Seattle. The 49ers rank third in the NFL in defensive EPA/play after Week 1, and they should shut down the Saints’ offense. The 49ers should be able to feed Christian McCaffrey and create a few explosive plays, even without Brock Purdy.
Buccaneers over Texans
The Texans are taking on the Buccaneers in a cross-conference matchup between two division winners from last season. Houston looked rough in its opening game against the Rams. It was unable to get anything going offensively and seemed to miss Joe Mixon, Tank Dell and Christian Kirk dearly. The Texans had no offensive firepower, and while they are tough defensively, they just couldn’t move the ball. The Buccaneers should carry over the momentum from their big win in Atlanta and move to 2-0.
Steelers over Seahawks
The Steelers found a way to win against the Jets on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers looked good in the Pittsburgh offense, ranking seventh in the NFL in offensive EPA/play in Week 1. The Seahawks struggled on offense in the first game of the Sam Darnold era. They weren’t able to move the ball on the ground at all, and outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, no second target emerged for Darnold. Pittsburgh should keep it rolling while Seattle tries to figure out how its offense will operate this season.
Chiefs over Eagles
The Chiefs and Eagles are facing off in Week 2 in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl. This is the time for the Chiefs to get their revenge and get their season back on track. After losing in Week 1, they might have the extra motivation needed to get this win. The Eagles got a win in Week 1, but they didn’t look overly convincing against the Cowboys. Without Jalen Carter, the Eagles ranked 20th in defensive EPA/play in Week 1. The Chiefs should be able to move the ball in this game and slow down the Philadelphia rushing attack. This should be a tight game, but at home, I will back the Chiefs to get the win.
Patriots over Dolphins
The Patriots took a loss in their season opener against the Raiders. The Drake Maye-led offense did not look as good as many in New England had hoped it would. The good news is, nobody looked worse than the Dolphins in Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa made some terrible decisions, the offense couldn’t move the ball and the defense got shredded by Daniel Jones. The Patriots should take advantage of their vulnerable state and pick up their first win of the Mike Vrabel era.
Colts over Broncos
The Colts looked good in their opening win over the Dolphins. The Broncos looked shaky at times, but ultimately got the win over the Titans. Daniel Jones operated the offense well, moving the ball through the air and using his legs. The Colts’ defense also shut down Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami offense. There were some concerning signs of regression from Bo Nix last week, and with the game being in Indianapolis, I’ll back the Colts to move to 2-0 in a tight game.
