Before the second Sunday of the 2026 regular season kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the lines for the NFL Week 2 games.
You can CLICK HERE for straight up NFL picks without regards to the spread.
My overall record this season is 9-7, which is tied with the collective BGN community at the same mark. Good to be on the right side of .500.
Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds.
NFL WEEK 2 GAMES
CAROLINA PANTHERS (-2.5) at ATLANTA FALCONS: The Panthers got boat-raced in Week 1 … but that game was more of a testament to the Chicago Bears than it was a massive indictment of Carolina. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself here as I refuse to bet on the team starting Cooper Rush at quarterback. PICK: Panthers -2.5
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at BALTIMORE RAVENS (-8.5): The Saints looked mighty scrappy in Week 1. But part of the equation there is that the Detroit Lions’ defense looks atrocious. Not so sure New Orleans will have the same kind of success in Baltimore, as the Saints play back-to-back road games. The Ravens looked really good in Week 1 and I’m buying that their new coaching staff could be good. PICK: Ravens -8.5
GREEN BAY PACKERS (-3.5) at NEW YORK JETS: Not really (Jordan) loving giving either side the benefit of the doubt in this situation. The Jets aren’t for real just because they beat the lowly Titans. But maybe they’re somewhat competent? And maybe the Packers aren’t all that great if they’re getting cooked by Carson Wentz in the year 2026? I’ll roll with the home dogs. PICK: Jets +3.5
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at CHICAGO BEARS (-4.5): Worth noting that two of the Bears’ five lowest yardage outputs on offense last year came against Brian Flores. But I don’t want to bet on the combination of believing in Wentz and doubting Ben Johnson. Chicago is certainly capable of scoring enough to cover the spread. PICK: Bears -4.5
CINCINNATI BENGALS at HOUSTON TEXANS (-2.5): I’m not down on the Texans, who are in very real danger of dropping to 0-2, but I’m more comfortable backing Joe Burrow than C.J. Stroud right now. PICK: Bengals +2.5
PITTSBURGH STEELERS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-4.5): The Pats will bounce back and win this game. But losing A.J. Brown hurts and Pittsburgh should cause some issues for New England up front. The Stillers cover in a game decided by a Pats field goal. PICK: Steelers +4.5
CLEVELAND BROWNS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-8.5): The Browns’ vibes are horrendous. Happy to avoid counting on Deshaun Watson to deliver. PICK: Buccaneers -8.5
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-7) at TENNESSEE TITANS: Let’s not overthink it: the Titans are really bad. The Eagles didn’t exactly look like a well-oiled machine in Week 1 but they should emerge victorious in this one. Vic Fanigo’s defense should cause problems for Cam Ward. The Eagles’ offensive line could be better with an ineffective Landon Dickerson coming off the field. PICK: Eagles -7
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at DENVER BRONCOS (-2.5): The Broncos are coming off short rest to play a Jags team that seems like they might be getting slept on. I’ll fade Denver, a prime regression candidate in 2026. PICK: Jaguars +2.5
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-6.5): It’s not just about overreacting to a Week 1 loss. It’s about reaching a point with the Bolts where it’s simply impossible to give them any benefit of the doubt. I can’t possibly regret picking against them here. Even if they win, it could be a close game. PICK: Raiders +6.5
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-4.5) at ARIZONA CARDINALS: The reigning Super Bowl champs enter this game with extra rest having last played on September 9. And the Cards had their cute upset moment last weekend. The Seahawks won’t take them as lightly as the Chargers did. PICK: Seahawks -4.5
MIAMI DOLPHINS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-13.5): The 49ers were praised for their approach to their Week 1 Australia game. But maybe staying overseas helped them in that spot … only to hurt them coming back home to the United States? It’s a big spread to cover. Maybe the Dolphins get a little frisky. PICK: Dolphins +13.5
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS at DALLAS COWBOYS (-4.5): I’ll buy the dip on the Cowboys. If we’re going to talk about how certain teams might need some time adjusting to a new coordinator (see: Sean Mannion in Philly), then we probably shouldn’t write off Christian Parker just yet. The Commanders’ defense is the bigger concern in this matchup; Washington is weak at cornerback and Dallas obviously has the horses at wide receiver to take advantage of that secondary. PICK: Cowboys -4.5
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-6.5): The Chiefs are back. PICK: Chiefs -6.5
NEW YORK GIANTS at LOS ANGELES RAMS (-7.5): Nothing about the Giants’ Week 1 win was fluky. We’ll see if they can sustain their bully ball over the course of an entire season. But, for now, they appear to be formidable. And the Rams are taking on water as they lose Myles Garrett. The biggest hesitation here is the line seeming too good to be true. PICK: Giants +7.5
