I say it every year: Week 2 is often the hardest week to make picks for the NFL.

Sure, Week 1 is tough, with tons of moving parts, players, and coaches, and 32 teams each with an entire offseason of progress or regression that hasn’t been showcased to football fans in a true setting yet.

But in Week 2, the challenge is not to overreact to Week 1’s results. But at the same time, these results can’t be downplayed. It’s a fine line when predicting Week 2 matchups, but as always, I’ll try my best.

For example: are the Cincinnati Bengals a bad team this season? Are the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers Super Bowl contenders? If you follow the big picture of the NFL, you’d probably say “no” to both these questions. But if you only saw what these teams did in Week 1, on the field, you’d probably say “yes.”

Picks Record

Week 1: 9-7

Season Record: 9-7 (56%)

Week 2 Picks

Thursday Night Football

(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings (0-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): Kirk Cousins and his dubious prime time record follow the Minnesota Vikings in to this road Thursday Night Football matchup, where the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles have the tools to improve to 2-0. Eagles win 27-20

Sunday Games

Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) at Buffalo Bills (0-1): Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills snap back from an embarrassing Monday Night Football showing on the offensive side of the ball, while the Las Vegas Raiders come down to Earth when switching from the Denver to Buffalo. Bills win 30-17

Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1): If Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals play like they did last week, they will start the season 0-2. And even a stark improvement won’t guarantee a win against Lamar Jackson and this Baltimore Ravens team. Ravens win 23-20

Sak Sports Blog Game of the Week Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0): Assuming Patrick Mahomes can get the offense churning again, this has the makings of a potential shootout against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville looks like a legitimate contender this season, but I just can’t predict the Kansas City Chiefs falling to 0-2. Chiefs win 38-35

Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) at Tennessee Titans (0-1): After going blow-for-blow with the Miami Dolphins in a high-scoring affair last week, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers only have to outscored a team that mustered five field goals and no touchdowns last week. Chargers win 31-16

Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Atlanta Falcons (1-0): I wouldn’t have expected either of these teams to start 2-0 this season, but the Green Bay Packers have the more complete roster in this matchup. Packers win 31-20

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) at Detroit Lions (1-0): The Seattle Seahawks struggled last week against the Los Angeles Rams, while the Detroit Lions are hosting their home opener on extended rest after their Thursday Night Football win. Lions win 30-24

Indianapolis Colts (0-1) at Houston Texans (0-1): The first of many Anthony Richardson-C.J. Stroud matchups in the AFC South. Based on Week 1’s results, the Indianapolis Colts are much closer to winning now than the Houston Texans are. Colts win 24-13

Chicago Bears (0-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0): Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep their hot start going, while Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears start pointing fingers at 0-2 in a season that was supposed to be different. Buccaneers win 27-20

New York Giants (0-1) at Arizona Cardinals (0-1): There’s not many opponents I would favor the New York Giants over, following last week’s 40-point shutout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but New York couldn’t be happier to draw the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Giants win 27-16

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Los Angeles Rams (1-0): The Los Angeles Rams exceeded expectations in last week’s win over the Seahawks, but my top-ranked San Francisco 49ers have enough talent to beat the Rams any way they want to. 49ers win 33-23

New York Jets (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0): While I think the New York Jets will remain competitive without Aaron Rodgers, the Dallas Cowboys are coming off a 40-0 win where they dominated in all three phases of the game. Best-case, the Jets defense keeps it close. Cowboys win 28-17

Washington Commanders (1-0) at Denver Broncos (0-1): Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, and the Denver Broncos still have a lot to figure out. But a Washington Commanders team that barely squeaked by the Arizona Cardinals last week should be bearable at home… emphasis on “should.” Broncos win 24-18

Sunday Night Football

Miami Dolphins (1-0) at New England Patriots (0-1): Tua Tagovailoa’s Miami Dolphins offense will be in the conversation for best in the league this season. Mac Jones and the New England Patriots… not so much. Dolphins win 37-22

Monday Night Football Doubleheader

New Orleans Saints (1-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-1): Bryce Young’s prime time debut will be spoiled by a more capable team, the New Orleans Saints. It’s great to see Young this early in the season, but the Carolina Panthers just aren’t there yet. Saints win 28-16

Cleveland Browns (1-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1): I didn’t think the Cleveland Browns would be great this season, but they looked pretty darn good in their upset win over the Bengals last week. I didn’t think the Pittsburgh Steelers would be good either, so at least I can be half-right. Browns win 33-20

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