Week 1 was a disaster what with all the upsets nobody saw coming. So I think we can all agree to put it behind us and move on as if it never happened.
The records are the records, though. Charles Curtis, Caroline Darney and Prince J. Grimes all went 6-10, and Blake Schuster went 4-12. On the bright side, it’s only up from here. Let’s hear how the crew is feeling for Week 2.
Prince: I’ll go on a limb and say seven underdogs aren’t going to win outright (or tie) again.
Blake: Well, I got all the preseason hype out my system. How about you all?
Caroline: Hahaha that was a mess. Steelers won in a low-stress fashion, though. Can’t wait for more of that this season.
Charles: It’s fine, whatever, everyone else lost a bunch too, moving on.
1
Chargers at Chiefs (-4)
Prince: Chargers
If the Chiefs win, I don’t think it’ll be by much. The Chargers have a much better defense than Arizona.
Blake: Chiefs
KC at home after a monster opening win against a supposed contender. It’s pretty clear there are no easy AFC West games this year so I expect the same level of intensity from the Chiefs.
Caroline: Chiefs
This feels like one of the tougher games to pick this week, but I was very impressed with Mahomes and Co. in Week 1 so they’re getting the nod.
Charles: Chargers
Let’s be bold here. Short week, it’ll be a shootout, I think Justin Herbert can keep up.
2
Panthers at Giants (-2)
Prince: Giants
I should have never doubted them last week. Saquon Barkley in line for another big game.
Blake: Giants
I’ll eat my words from last week. The Giants looked fun and winning by a field goal doesn’t seem like a crazy ask.
Caroline: Giants
I’m blaming this pick on being around Prince and his Giants excitement this week.
Charles: Giants
LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOO.
3
Jets at Browns (-6)
Prince: Jets
Not sure it’s wise to pick the Jets for a second straight week, but I think they’ll look a little better against a team that isn’t the Ravens.
Blake: Browns
The Browns offense has plenty of problems, but goodness is that defense for real. Myles Garrett might not enjoy sacking Joe Flacco as much as he did Baker Mayfield, but he’ll get plenty of opportunities nonetheless.
Caroline: Browns
Since I HAVE to make a pick, I think that this one stays within a field goal. Neither particularly impressed in Week 1.
Charles: Browns
I’m really nervous about this one. The Browns aren’t the Ravens, and they’ll be on the road. So I wouldn’t bet on this in real life.
4
Colts at Jaguars (+4)
Prince: Colts
Indy seemed to figure some things out late against the Texans, albeit too late to avoid a tie. I think that carries over into Jacksonville.
Blake: Colts
I still think this Jaguars team is already much improved but the Colts have more talent and better coaching. Hopefully changing kickers helps a bit, too.
Caroline: Colts
We’ve got one squad coming off of a tie vs. one that lost to the Commanders. I’m going with the tie.
Charles: Colts
The Jags still have a long way to go even with their improvements, and the Colts will keep them from scoring too much.
5
Patriots at Steelers (+1)
Prince: Steelers
The Patriots still have a lot to figure out. This is a winnable early-season game for Pittsburgh.
Blake: Steelers
Mike Tomlin’s record against the spread as an underdog is 48-26-3 after last week. As an underdog at home, Tomlin is 12-4-1 ATS. I’ll ride with those odds here.
Caroline: Steelers
I can still hear the noise that Boswell kick off the upright made. Still, the Steelers defense was on fire in Week 1 with five caused turnovers — four fumbles and one pick-six — and that’s bad news for a Patriots’ offense that scored just one touchdown. Even without T.J. Watt, I’m going with Tomlin.
Charles: Steelers
I can’t believe I’m betting against Belichick and on Mitchell Trubisky … but here we are!
6
Dolphins at Ravens (-3.5)
Prince: Ravens
Lamar Jackson wins this duel with Tua Tagovailoa and the Ravens just barely cover.
Blake: Ravens
It’s gonna take a pretty big spread for me to fade the Lamar Jackson contract year tour.
Caroline: Dolphins
This might be a mistake, but I was impressed with Mike McDaniel and the ‘Phins in Week 1. I think it stays very close if the Ravens win.
Charles: Ravens
The Ravens are better than the Pats. Ergo, they’ll cover and win at home.
7
Buccaneers at Saints (+3)
Prince: Saints
The Saints play Tom Brady and the Bucs better than anybody, and they’re at home for this one. They definitely cover and maybe even steal this game.
Blake: Saints
I’m with Prince. Plus, it seems like the Bucs may need a bit of time to figure things out based on that Sunday Night Football debacle.
Caroline: Saints
Sunday Night Football was just gross. GROSS.
Charles: Saints
Fine, you all convinced me.
8
Commanders at Lions (-1.5)
Prince: Commanders
The Lions are finally favored in a game after 24 straight as an underdog, and I still think they’re going to lose because Washington has a sneaky good offense when Carson Wentz is playing under control.
Blake: Commanders
A moveable force meets a stoppable object. I’m only picking Washington because of the points.
Caroline: Lions
LET’S GET WEIRD! Lions are favored, so I’m not going to miss my chance to take them.
Charles: Commanders
Carson Wentz and the offense … actually looked good last week? Shouldn’t they be the favorites? Free money!
9
Falcons at Rams (-10.5)
Prince: Rams
These ain’t the Bills. I think the Rams look closer to their Super Bowl-winning selves in this one.
Blake: Rams
For as good as the Falcons looked in Week 1, they still blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter. A double digit spread is always cause for concern, but if the Rams can’t cover there are bigger things to worry about.
Caroline: Rams
Like Blake, the double-digit spread gave me pause, but I think the Rams are good enough to cover. Just throw it to Cooper Kupp a lot. What could go wrong?
Charles: Rams
Sean McVay wants to make sure last week’s loss to the Bills is way behind him and the squad. Los Angeles 30, Atlanta 13.
10
Seahawks at 49ers (-9.5)
Prince: Seahawks
I don’t think the 49ers are as bad as they looked in Chicago. And I don’t think the Seahawks are as good as they looked against Denver. So I’ll pick the Niners to win, but it won’t be a two-score game.
Blake: 49ers
Especially if Kittle is back and San Francisco isn’t playing in another monsoon. I’m not quite sure the Seahawks will be able to get as energized for this one as they were to face their former QB.
Caroline: Seahawks
I think the Niners win, but not by nearly 10 points. I am concerned that the Seahawks forced so many turnovers and were still in such a close game with the Broncos, but Geno Smith!!
Charles: Seahawks
An overreaction to last week? Nope. But this spread is like two points too big.
11
Texans at Broncos (-10)
Prince: Texans
Houston played Indy tough, and the Broncos clearly have some things to figure out. This will end up closer than it probably should be.
Blake: Broncos
Similar to the last pick, I don’t think the Broncos are as bad as they looked most of the night against Seattle, but I’d feel a lot better about this one if the line moved into single digits.
Caroline: Broncos
I would like an assurance that Denver isn’t going to burn clock and hold on to timeouts late in a close game to settle for a 64-yard field goal, but I’m told I can’t get that ahead of time. Still, if the Broncos can just HOLD ON TO THE DANG BALL, I think they’ll be ok.
Charles: Texans
I’m with Prince here. These large spreads this early in the season and with a team like Houston that can just hang around a bit scare me.
12
Bengals at Cowboys (+8)
Prince: Bengals
Who’s playing quarterback for the Cowboys?
Blake: Bengals
That was arguably the worst game of Joe Burrow’s career and they’re still laying eight against Dallas. Imagine what the spread would look like if this one were in Cincinnati.
Caroline: Bengals
Prince’s question is my question.
Charles: Bengals
It’s Cooper Rush. That’s the QB. Welp.
13
Cardinals at Raiders (-5.5)
Prince: Raiders
The Cardinals were embarrassed in Week 1, and I’m afraid it won’t get much better against a Raiders team hungry for a win.
Blake: Cardinals
Kliff Kingsbury just called out his team’s effort level after Week 1. He might not survive much longer in Arizona if he can’t get them performing in Week 2. Give me the points in an early measuring stick game for Arizona.
Caroline: Raiders
The Raiders put up a great fight against a very good Chargers team, so I like them against a reeling Cardinals squad. I don’t think it’s a blowout, though.
Charles: Raiders
Yep, the Kliff Kingsbury hot seat watch has begun and it’s already getting very warm in here.
14
Bears at Packers (-10)
Prince: Bears
Only because I think both offenses have to run to be effective, which should eat a lot of clock and keep the score down.
Blake: Bears
Look, we all know how this one ends. It’s a close game for 3.5 quarters and then Aaron Rodgers rolls out and runs in a touchdown for the win. Points, please.
Caroline: Bears
I don’t think Chicago wins, but I think they stay within 10.
Charles: Packers
LET’S GET NUTS. I think Rodgers is mad about Week 1 and will want to take it out on the NFC North rivals.
15
Titans at Bills (-10)
Prince: Titans
The Titans always play Buffalo tight. And despite losing to the Giants, the offense didn’t look as bad as I thought it would without A.J. Brown.
Blake: Bills
In Buffalo? With that offense? I’m sold.
Caroline: Bills
Josh Allen looks too good in Week 1 for me to think I shouldn’t take Buffalo.
Charles: Bills
It might feel a little large, but not for the top team in the NFL.
16
Vikings at Eagles (-2.5)
Prince: Eagles
I’ll take the Eagles by a field goal. It’ll be a close game, but Philadelphia has the better defense.
Blake: Eagles
I’m with Prince. The Vikings are due to come back to Earth a little bit this week.
Caroline: Vikings
I will allow myself to be swayed by the Vikes’ Week 1 performance. Philly has a good defense, but I think it’ll be a late push by Minnesota.
Charles: Eagles
Philly at home in a game with lots of points? Eagles by a field goal.
