Week 2 NFL Picks 2024
Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.
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Home field is no advantage for six teams that are underdogs in Week 2.
The point spread doesn’t favor the Packers, Panthers, Vikings, Patriots, Titans and Broncos on their home turf. Two of those teams — Minnesota and New England — already opened the season with road victories.
Green Bay lost starting quarterback Jordan Love to a knee injury in the final minute of a 34-29 loss to Philadelphia in Brazil. Malik Willis, who was 0-3 as a starter in Tennessee, replaces Love. He only joined the Packers on Aug. 27.
They’ll host Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts, who lost 29-27 at home to Houston.
Avoiding 0-2 will be a tough task for Green Bay. The Colts are 3-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Pro Picks, coming off a 15-1 week straight up, sees a rout.
BEST BET: COLTS, 27-13
Tampa Bay at Detroit
Line: Lions minus 7
The Lions turned to the run game for an overtime win against the Rams.
Baker Mayfield was excellent in the Buccaneers’ opener and now they aim for revenge against the team that ended their season in the divisional round last season.
UPSET SPECIAL: BUCCANEERS, 24-23
Buffalo at Miami
Line: Dolphins minus 2 1/2
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins ended up victorious in an eventful opener. They’ve lost four in a row to Buffalo and 13 of the past 15. Josh Allen was spectacular last week but the Bills are traveling on short rest facing a team that’s rallied together around Hill.
DOLPHINS, 27-26
Las Vegas at Baltimore
Line: Ravens minus 9 1/2
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens fell short by inches in an AFC championship rematch against the Chiefs. Their offensive line needs to be better, especially against Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Baltimore is 7-1 against the spread in its past eight home games against the Raiders, who lost their opener.
RAVENS, 27-16
Los Angeles Chargers at Carolina
Line: Chargers minus 6 1/2
The Chargers and Jim Harbaugh aim for their first 2-0 start since 2012. Bryce Young’s struggles continued for Carolina in a 37-point loss in Dave Canales’ debut. The Panthers are 6-1 straight up and against the spread against the Chargers.
CHARGERS, 22-17
New Orleans at Dallas
Line: Cowboys minus 6 1/2
Dak Prescott became the highest-paid player in NFL history and delivered an impressive road win against the Browns with major help from Micah Parsons and a smothering defense. Derek Carr excelled and the Saints’ defense throttled the Panthers. It’ll be much tougher in Dallas.
COWBOYS, 26-16
Cleveland at Jacksonville
Line: Jaguars minus 3
The Jaguars try to bounce back after giving away a road win in Miami. Deshaun Watson looked awful on the field and has more troubles away from it. The small line is a sign of respect for the team the Browns have put around Watson.
JAGUARS, 22-20
Seattle at New England
Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2
After beating a team with a rookie quarterback at home, the Seahawks go on the road to face a veteran QB who is a placeholder for another rookie. Jacoby Brissett led the Patriots to a major upset in Cincinnati with Rhamondre Stevenson providing a spark on offense. The Seahawks are 1-6-2 against the spread in their past nine games vs. AFC opponents. The Patriots are 4-1-1 against the spread in their past six games.
SEAHAWKS, 20-19
San Francisco at Minnesota
Line: 49ers minus 6
No Christian McCaffrey was no problem for the 49ers against the Jets thanks to Jordan Mason. Sam Darnold had a successful debut as Minnesota’s starting QB but he’s not facing the Giants this week. The Niners are 5-1 against the spread in their past six road games. The Vikings are 2-9 against it in their past 11 home games.
49ERS, 30-17
New York Jets at Tennessee
Line: Jets minus 3 1/2
Aaron Rodgers shook off the rust and finished his first game with the Jets. They stay on the road and have a shot at a first win. The Titans and Will Levis gave one away in Chicago with three fourth-quarter turnovers. That won’t cut it against New York.
JETS, 28-16
New York Giants at Washington
Line: Commanders minus 1 1/2
Jayden Daniels showed flashes in his debut against a tough Tampa Bay defense. Daniel Jones and the Giants looked atrocious in their opener. They played so poorly that they should be bigger underdogs.
COMMANDERS, 26-20
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona
Line: Cardinals minus 1 1/2
The banged-up Rams missing several key players, including four offensive linemen, still took Detroit to overtime. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals blew a 17-3 lead at Buffalo. The Rams are 13-3 against Arizona since 2017.
RAMS, 24-20
Cincinnati at Kansas City
Line: Chiefs minus 5 1/2
The three-peat quest started off with a victory for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Joe Burrow is 3-1 against Mahomes, including 2-0 in the regular season. The Bengals have to play way better to avoid starting 0-2 for the third straight season.
CHIEFS, 27-26
Pittsburgh at Denver
Line: Steelers minus 2 1/2
Russell Wilson’s return to Denver may end up with him watching from the sideline. The Steelers will need more from Justin Fields after Chris Boswell’s leg and their defense carried them in Atlanta. Bo Nix had a rough debut for the Broncos and T.J. Watt could make this week a nightmare for him.
BRONCOS, 19-17
Chicago at Houston
Line: Texans minus 6
Defense and special teams helped Caleb Williams get his first win with the Bears. He has to play better to keep up with C.J. Stroud and the Texans.
TEXANS, 27-17
Atlanta at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles minus 6 1/2
Saquon Barkley helped the Eagles survive an up-and-down effort from Jalen Hurts in Brazil. Kirk Cousins was shaky in his debut with Atlanta and now has to step up in a prime-time game in a hostile environment.
EAGLES, 25-23
Last week:
Overall: Straight up: 15-1. Against spread: 9-6-1
Thursday: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 1-0.
Monday: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 0-1.
Best Bet: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 1-0.
Upset Special: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 1-0.
