Every Tuesday this season, Newsweek Sports Betting Editor Tyler Everett will offer his early ATS picks for every NFL game on that week’s schedule
The long NFL season is well underway, and it’s already time to look ahead to Week 2.
After a memorable Week 1, the second week of the 2025 NFL campaign once again features four primetime games, including an intriguing MNF doubleheader.
This week’s slate starts with a bang as the Packers host the Commanders on Thursday night. Other Week 2 highlights include Eagles-Chiefs, Bucs-Texans and Chargers-Raiders.
Week 1 Early ATS Picks In Review:
In Week 1, I went 7-9, but came very close to a much more impressive mark.
Unfortunately, the Titans lost by 8 instead of 7 (good enough to cover the closing line of +8.5, for what that’s worth), the Steelers won but just failed to cover as 3-point road favorites, and the Bills won as home underdogs on the closing line, but failed to cover the opening line of -1.5.
All odds via DraftKings; all kickoff times EDT
Commanders at Packers (-3.5) — Thurs., 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video)
Pick: Packers -3.5
There aren’t many teams I would trust to cover a 3.5-point spread vs. the Commanders right now, but Green Bay is one of them after arguably the most impressive performance of Week 1.
Jayden Daniels might already be at the level where it’s impossible to shut down him down, but I think the Packers will keep him in check well enough to not just win, but cover at home — barely.
Browns at Ravens (-10.5) — Sun., 1 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Ravens -10.5
The Ravens desperately need to get better at finishing games in the fourth quarter, but they also looked capable of scoring 35 points or more every week this season.
The Ravens split two games against the Browns last year, winning 35-10 in Week 18 to avenge a shocking 29-24 loss in Week 8. I expect Sunday’s game to look a lot more like last year’s Week 18 meeting between these teams.
Giants at Cowboys (-6) — Sun., 1 p.m. (FOX)
Pick: Giants +6
The Cowboys were up for the Eagles in last week’s season opener, but I’m still not sure I trust them to cover six points against a division rival.
If I knew the Giants were going to play Russell Wilson for 60 minutes, I’d go with Dallas to cover.
But I’ll go out on early-week limb and assume that New York will welcome back offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, rookie Jaxson Dart will make his debut at some point and the Giants will keep this one close.
Bills at Jets (-6.5) — Sun., 1 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Jets +6.5
The Bills once again look like a 12- or 13-win buzzsaw, but I expect the Jets to be able to move the ball and keep this game close, especially if guard . I’m not yet sold on New York racking up wins over contenders like the Bills, but its rushing attack should keep this team in games.
49ers (-4.5) at Saints — Sun., 1 p.m. (FOX)
Pick: 49ers -4.5
The Niners managed to knock off the Seahawks on the road, but they are dealing with several key injuries as they head to New Orleans in Week 2. Star tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is out for the next 3-5 weeks, quarterback Brock Purdy could miss this game with shoulder and toe injuries, and wide receiver Jauan Jennings is also dealing with a shoulder injury.
I recommend staying away from this line until we get clarity on Purdy and Jennings, but right now — assuming Purdy is active — I’ll take the Niners to find a way against a Saints team that threw for just 214 yards on 46 pass attempts by Spencer Rattler in last Sunday’s home loss to the Cardinals.
Jaguars at Bengals (-3.5) — Sun., 1 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Jaguars +3.5
The Jags didn’t have to do much besides avoid mistakes against a Panthers team that couldn’t get out of its own way in Week 1. With that in mind, it’s hard to know what to expect from Jacksonville in Week 2 and beyond.
But while the Bengals (somehow) got a win last Sunday over Cleveland, they did not look like a team that should be laying more than 3 points against anyone.
This is a tough one to call, but give me Jacksonville to keep it within a field goal.
Rams (-5.5) at Titans — Sun., 1 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Rams -5.5
Were the offseason concerns about Matthew Stafford’s health, which seemed to intensify every day of training camp, much ado about nothing? It’s probably too soon to dismiss those concerns, but Stafford (21-of-29 for 245 yards, 1 TD and 0 interceptions against one of the league’s best defenses) and the Rams were awfully impressive in their season-opening win over Houston.
I still think the Titans will be frisky this year. I do not, however, expect them to cover against a Rams D that held CJ Stroud and the Texans to nine points and 265 yards of total offense in Week 1.
Seahawks at Steelers (-3) — Sun., 1 p.m. (FOX)
Pick: Steelers -3
There was a lot to like about Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh debut. The Seahawks, on the other hand, lost at home in Week 1 despite holding San Francisco to just 17 points.
I’m not sure what to make of this one, but until I see (a lot) more the Seattle offense, I have to go with Rodgers and the Steelers at home.
Bears at Lions (-5.5) — Sun., 1 p.m. (FOX)
Pick: Bears +5.5
I don’t expect the Lions to start the season 0-2, but I’m not sold on them winning this game convincingly, either.
The Bears D was missing three key defenders (DBs Jalon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, plus linebacker T.J. Edwards) in Monday’s heartbreaking loss to the Vikings, and assuming they’re back on Sunday, I think Chicago will cover in a low-scoring battle in Detroit.
Patriots at Dolphins (-1.5) — Sun., 1 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Patriots +1.5
I can’t believe the Dolphins — who put up the least competitive showing across the entire NFL last Sunday — are favored. It would be an understatement to say that the Pats have some question marks of their own, but I like them as road dogs in this spot.
Panthers at Cardinals (-6.5) — Sun., 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Panthers +6.5
I’m already worried about Bryce Young and the Panthers, but I could see them playing a much cleaner game in Week 2, and the return of left tackle Ikem Okwuno should help.
The Cards will likely avenge last season’s overtime loss to Carolina, but I don’t expect them to win this one comfortably (assuming the Panthers minimize the turnovers, penalties and dropped passes that killed them in Week 1). Right now, I like the Panthers to respond from an awful Week 1 performance well enough to at least cover.
Broncos (-2.5) at Colts — Sun., 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Pick: Broncos -2.5
The Colts deserve credit for taking care of business against the Dolphins, but I don’t think Daniel Jones and Co. will be nearly as successful in Week 2 against the Denver defense.
Eagles (-0.5) at Chiefs — Sun., 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Pick: Eagles -0.5
It will be interesting to see what this line closes at by kickoff, but the Chiefs have too many flaws for me to pick them against an Eagles team that bullied them in the Super Bowl.
As long as wide receivers Xavier Worthy (out indefinitely with a shoulder injury) and Rashee Rice (suspended) are both out, I don’t feel comfortable taking the Chiefs to beat any contenders.
Falcons at Vikings (-4.5) — Sun., 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Pick: Vikings -4.5
This Minnesota defense is once again for real, and I expect J.J. McCarthy to get incrementally better throughout what is essentially his rookie season. Give me the Vikings to make it a long night in Minneapolis for Michael Penix Jr. in just his fifth career start.
Buccaneers at Texans (-3) — Mon., 7 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
Pick: Buccaneers +3
Based on their showing in Week 1 against the Rams, I don’t see the Texans outscoring a good Bucs team.
Chargers (-3.5) at Raiders — Mon., 10 p.m. (ESPN)
Pick: Chargers -3.5
Me: Let’s not overreact to Week 1
Also me: Are the Chargers a Super Bowl contender?
This year’s Chiefs have some issues, especially with Worthy out. Still, the Chargers’ performance in Week 1 against a team that has owned the AFC for years was impossible to ignore.
If head coach John Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman are willing to let Justin Herbert air it out, the Chargers could be a force this season. The Raiders got a solid debut from Geno Smith under new coach Pete Carroll, but I like L.A. on 10 days’ rest to do just enough to A) improve to 2-0 and B) cover.
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