Last week wasn’t fantastic as you’ll see below with my record, but overall I was pleased with the straight up and against the spread picks. I was on the Bears, Jets and Browns (to win, ugh), but I was fooled by the Titans, Cardinals and Chiefs. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure out the Titans, Cardinals, Dolphins or Redskins. The Saints were the biggest favorites of the week and got crushed. Welcome to 2018. We can do better and we will do better with my Week 2 NFL picks.
Hopefully you are still left in your survivor pool. Keep in mind I’m using the most recent lines leading up to Thursday Night kickoff, but keeping an eye on line movement. Nothing happening in Green Bay at the moment, but I’m on the Vikings regardless.
We’ll keep track of all my picks throughout the season, including my losses! Over time, we’ll find out if you should back me or straight up fade me. Send your complaints to @chrismeaney.
Last week:
SU: 9-6-1
AS: 10-6
O/U: 9-7
Week 2 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Week 2 NFL Picks
Baltimore Ravens -1.5 @ Cincinnati Bengals (44)
SU: Baltimore
AS: Baltimore
O/U: Under
This game opened up as a pick ’em and these two division rivals always keep things close. The Ravens have the better overall team and despite being on the road, it’s their defense that excites me. It’s not very appealing from a fantasy perspective.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers – N/A
This game opened up with the Vikings being road favorites (-1.5) at Lambeau Field. Of course this has everything to do with Aaron Rodgers and his availability. He’s a fade for me if he plays anyway as I’m all in on this Vikings squad. Going Minny whether Rodgers suits up or not.
*I’ll keep an eye on this line and post a total when I see one. Rodgers hasn’t been able to practice as of Thursday afternoon.
SU: Minnesota
AS:
O/U:
Indianapolis Colts @ Washington Redskins -6 (48)
Washington opened up as 5.5 favorites in what will be Alex Smith’s home debut. Andrew Luck looked fine last week, his defense did not. I think he can do enough to keep things close.
SU: Washington
AS: Indianapolis
O/U: Over
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5 (53.5)
This total keeps climbing and the spread is getting smaller on the Pittsburgh side of things. The Steelers opened as 5.5 home favorites, but Patrick Mahomes impressed in his second ever start in the NFL and people are feeling the Chiefs offense. There is a pretty significant difference between Ben Roethlisberger on the road against a divisional opponent and at home against a leaky defense. Sit back, enjoy, and watch the points pile up.
SU: Pittsburgh
AS: Kansas City
O/U: Over
Cleveland Browns @ New Orleans Saints -9.0 (49)
The Saints have climbed to nine point favorites in the last few hours. I guess everyone is forgetting that the Browns had their best start since 2014. New Orleans was favored to beat Tampa Bay by 10 last week and they lost while allowing 48 points. Cleveland has the potential to keep this close.
SU: New Orleans
AS: Cleveland
O/U: Under
Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (44)
The Super Bowl champs did not look good on offense last week, but their defense brought it. Look for Nick Foles and company to get more in a rhythm after TB allowed 529 yards of offense last week.
SU: Philadelphia
AS: Tampa Bay
O/U: Under
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons -5.5 (44.5)
I was actually pretty surprised to see the Falcons favored by so much. I understand it’s their home opener but this team shouldn’t be favored by this much against anybody right now. They just lost Keanu Neal and Deion Jones on defense. Devonta Freeman doesn’t look like he’ll play either, leaving just Tevin Coleman against a pretty solid run defense in Carolina.
SU: Carolina
AS: Carolina
O/U: Under
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets -3 (43.5)
The Jets looks really good on all phases of the game last week. Maybe a little bit of that was on the Lions, but Miami doesn’t pose a huge threat. Sam Darnold was impressive and the Jets have a nice mix with their running backs. New York wins a close one.
SU: New York
AS: New York
O/U: Under
Houston Texans -2 @ Tennessee Titans (44.5)
The Titans lost their starting left tackle, tight end and quarterback last week. Marcus Mariota is dealing with an elbow injury but is expected to start. Taylor Lewan is in concussion protocol and Delanie Walker is out for the season. Corey Davis is also dealing with a hamstring injury. Dial up Dion Lewis as the game script suggests work in the passing game. Houston and Deshaun Watson lit up these Titans last season.
SU: Houston
AS: Houston
O/U: Under
Los Angeles Chargers -7.5 @ Buffalo Bills (43)
I don’t think this game will be as big of a blow out as last week’s Ravens-Bills contest, only due to the fact Buffalo usually plays much better at home. Even still, I can’t see them scoring more than 17 points with rookie Josh Allen making his first start. The Chargers cover but make you sweat it out.
SU: Los Angeles
AS: Los Angeles
O/U: Under
Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers -6 (48)
The offensive line looked so bad last week that I fear for Matthew Stafford’s life going forward. The run game looked non-existent again to start the season. San Francisco hung around with the Vikings in Minnesota so they should have no problem this week at home.
SU: San Francisco
AS: Detroit
O/U: Over
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams -13 (45.0)
This is a big number for a division game. I was trying to talk myself into the fact Arizona could hang around, but I just don’t see it. The Rams are so good on both sides of the football and Arizona doesn’t have much going for them. It starts with Sam Bradford.
SU: Los Angeles
AS: Los Angeles
O/U: Under
New England Patriots -1 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (45)
All week I was on Jacksonville, but now Leonard Fournette is a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury. That to me is the difference. The Jags will get revenge in the playoffs.
SU: New England
AS: New England
O/U: Under
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos -6 (46)
Another division game which I would normally call within three points, but the Raiders showed very little on offense and defense last week. The same can’t be said for the Broncos in what was Case Keenum’s Denver debut. Don’t be shocked if you can’t find Amari Cooper again this week as he’ll be blanketed by Chris Harris Jr.
SU: Denver
AS: Denver
O/U: Under
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys -3 (42.5)
I get giving the home team the three points here, but Dallas actually opened up as 3.5 favorites. Even if they win, they won’t win by more than three. Where is the offense coming from? Yes, Zeke will be fine but they need more. Give me the Giants straight up.
SU: New York
AS: New York
O/U: Over
Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears -3.5 (43)
I loved the little flashes of greatness from the Bears offense and defense last week. They disappeared in the second half though and Seattle hung around in Denver. They should do the same in Chicago, but give me Mitch Trubisky and Matt Nagy.
SU: Chicago
AS: Seattle
O/U: Over
Like these Week 2 NFL Picks? Get more Chris Meaney on his new podcast, By Any Means. Each week he’ll bring in guests from around the industry to break down all the fantasy news you need to know for your march to the championship.