The good news is that it was a relatively drama-free Week 1 of the NFL season. While some of our deeper picks didn’t fare as well, a lot of the bigger favorites did win. Just don’t get used to it, though. We never know when upsets will happen. As we move on to Week 2, it’s now important to correctly classify what we saw in Week 1. Obviously, we have to act on it, but how much of it was real? What will translate into Week 2 and beyond? If only we had a crystal ball. Now, let’s proceed as if that’s the case as we dig into some Week 2 NFL Survivor Picks.
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Week 2 NFL Survivor Picks
1. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Ravens -11.5
Of course, there’s going to be an inclination to save the Baltimore Ravens for later in the season. However, we also need to advance, and the Ravens are the biggest favorite of the week.
They return home after a crushing fourth-quarter loss in Buffalo, as they blew a 15-point lead in Week 1. The Browns made things tough on the Cincinnati Bengals as they lost by just a point last week, but it’s clear who the better team is. Joe Flacco did throw for 290 yards, but it also came with two interceptions, and the Ravens’ defense should easily be able to handle the veteran.
With Derrick Henry controlling the tempo, after averaging 9.4 yards per carry in Week 1, Baltimore should be in control all afternoon. Considering the Browns only managed 49 rushing yards last week, it will be tough for Cleveland to balance the scales. This is a situation where Lamar Jackson and company have a legit advantage in the talent department, and that’s what we’re going with.
2. Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals – Cardinals -6.5
It was simply not a good start to the season for the Carolina Panthers. After finishing the 2024 season strong, they failed to carry over any of that positive momentum on Sunday in a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They gained just 267 total yards while allowing 378, which put them in a large deficit. Bryce Young was unable to get things going as completed just 18 of 35 passes for 154 yards and two interceptions. While they were helped by facing Spencer Rattler, the Cardinals’ defense did hold the New Orleans Saints to just 13 points on Sunday. They figure to give Young some trouble after Chuba Hubbard couldn’t find any room to run (16 carries for 57 yards).
Kyler Murray and the Arizona offense didn’t exactly light things up, but they did what they had to secure the victory. It’s also clear that with Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride, Murray has legitimate receiving threats. If Trey Benson continues to emerge out of the backfield with James Conner, then the Cardinals could really be in business.
3. New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Cowboys -5.5
Divisional matchups are tough, but we have to go with what the schedule gives us. And let’s be honest, nothing about the New York Giants really looked good on Sunday. Russell Wilson looked lost, and any good feelings from the summer are already gone. In fact, there’s already chatter and speculation about when Jaxson Dart will be taking over under center.
The problem for the Giants’ defense is that they were playing from behind all afternoon, so we never got to see what the pass rush could do. There are issues with the secondary, and that’s something Dak Prescott can exploit with the help of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Tyrone Tracy and the Giants’ running game were something else that simply couldn’t get established on Sunday. In total, Dallas did allow 158 rushing yards last week to the Eagles, but can we trust New York’s offensive line to capitalize on that? And if the Cowboys do jump ahead, Tracy will be marginalized once again. At that point, did we see anything from Wilson and his 168 passing yards that points to him being able to keep up?
Considering this is also the Cowboys’ home opener, I’m thinking that’s not the case.
4. Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Vikings -4.5
The Falcons came close to a home victory in Week 1, but they ultimately fell short. We know that Bijan Robinson is very good, but he only gained 24 yards on the ground with 12 carries last week. It was the fact that he caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown that saved his day, and can we really count on that repeating?
Michael Penix did have a solid game as he finished with 298 passing yards and a touchdown, but can he handle the trip to Minnesota? It’s the home opener for the Vikings, and they are coming off an exciting victory on Monday night.
J.J. McCarthy led a legitimate second-half comeback in what was a light statistical day. In his first career start, McCarthy completed just 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards, but he did throw for two touchdowns while adding another on the ground.
While Penix got the yards, he also struggled with accuracy, completing just 27 of 42 passes. We don’t want to overrate the comeback, but the atmosphere in Minnesota’s home opener will be intense. Can Penix handle it?
Check out all of our Week 2 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Week 2 NFL Survivor Fade
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Bills -6.5
The Buffalo Bills are the better team. But wow, was that a crazy game for Buffalo on Sunday. That’s especially true when you look at what happened in the fourth quarter as the Bills stormed back to defeat the Baltimore Ravens.
New York did lose in the last seconds to Aaron Rodgers last week, but they also were leading for a lot of the game. It’s a divisional matchup and the Bills are on the road this week, so I’m a little cautious.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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