Could the Chiefs really go 0-2?
It absolutely could happen. Kansas City is coming off a 27-21 loss to the Chargers in Brazil. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles – fresh off that 40-22 victory against Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX – are coming to Arrowhead Stadium. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and Nick Sirianni have a chance to put the Chiefs in a 0-2 hole.
Will this be another Patrick Mahomes moment instead? Will these be the unofficial end of the Chiefs’ dynasty under Andy Reid? Will it take the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift phenomenon with it? These are the questions Kansas City will answer against Philadelphia in Week 2 — and much like Baltimore-Buffalo in Week 1 it is the toughest pick of the week.
By the way, the Chiefs have not started 0-2 since Reid’s second season in 2014.
We had a push in that matchup in last week’s picks. A look at our record after Week 1:
Straight up: 11-5 in Week 1
Against the spread: 7-7-2 in Week 1
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 2. Odds according to Caesars.
MORE NFL WEEK 2: SN’s Power Rankings | Overreactions | Picks against the spread
NFL picks, predictions for Week 2
- Washington Commanders at Green Bay Packers (-3.5)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
A great matchup between NFC contenders that might evoke memories of a 48-47 shootout on Monday Night Football in 1983. Micah Parsons has 10.5 sacks in eight career games against Washington. The Commanders are 4-4 S/U as a road underdog with Jayden Daniels, but Green Bay finds a way to make it two in a row at Lambeau Field.
Pick: Packers 24, Commanders 23
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Bengals won ugly against the Browns, and Joe Burrow had just eight passing attempts of 10 yards or more. Will Cincinnati be able to open it up more against Jacksonville in the home opener? The Bengals also will have to contain Travis Etienne, who had 143 rushing yards against the Panthers. Jacksonville was 5-3 ATS as a road underdog despite a 1-7 S/U record last season. It’s a tricky line.
Pick: Bengals 29, Jaguars 22
- New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Will Russell Wilson start in Week 2? That’s one subplot in this NFC East rivalry. The Giants lost two one-score games here last year. Dak Prescott has a 13-2 record against New York, and that mastery will continue in the home opener.
Pick: Cowboys 30, Giants 19
- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-4.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Chicago coach Ben Johnson – the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2022-24 – makes a quick return to Ford Field. The Lions need to turn up the pressure here on Caleb Williams, and they will at home. Look for Jahymr Gibbs and David Montgomery to bounce back, too. The Lions were 5-5 ATS at home last season.
Pick: Lions 31, Bears 22
- Los Angeles Rams (-5) at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Cam Ward was sacked six times in the opener, and the Rams will keep the pressure on. Rams receiver Puka Nacua had 10 catches on 11 targets for 130 yards. That connection with Matthew Stafford will continue on the road – where Los Angeles will keep pace in the NFC West.
Pick: Rams 28, Titans 16
- New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
This is a trendy upset pick – maybe too trendy. The Dolphins committed three turnovers in an ugly opener against the Colts. Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat. The Patriots had just 60 rushing yards in the Week 1 loss to the Raiders. Drake Maye tied a league-high with 46 passing attempts. That is not a winning formula on the road.
Pick: Dolphins 22, Patriots 20
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
- San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
San Francisco QB Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and receiver Jauan Jennings are all dealing with injuries, but Christian McCaffrey had 22 carries for 69 yards in his return. Spencer Rattler did not have a turnover and took just one sack in Week 1, but the Saints are 2-6 S/U and 3-5 ATS as a home underdog in their last eight games.
Pick: 49ers 31, Saints 24
- Buffalo Bills (-7.5) at New York Jets
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
What does Aaron Glenn add to this AFC East rivalry? New York has won two of the last three home meetings against the Bills. Justin Fields was efficient in his first start and quickly re-established a connection with college teammate Garrett Wilson. The Bills have too much on offense around Josh Allen, but New York will hang around.
Pick: Bills 27, Jets 21
- Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Seahawks are a tempting underdog here knowing they were 7-1 S/U on the road under Mike Macdonald last season. Sam Darnold, however, will have to take more chances against the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers finished 2 of 3 for 39 yards and a TD on passes of 20 yards or more. He’s still getting comfortable, and the defense will need to get more than one sack this week. We just can’t see Pittsburgh losing the home opener in this spot.
Pick: Steelers 26, Seahawks 19
- Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-12.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The last two seasons, the Browns have alternated blowout losses with upsets against Baltimore, and they split those results between the home and road. Cleveland held the Bengals’ high-powered offense to 141 total yards. The Ravens are coming off a devastating loss on Sunday Night Football. How long will that hangover last? Baltimore was a 19.5-point favorite against Cleveland in the last meeting and covered.
Pick: Ravens 29, Browns 17
- Denver Broncos (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
The Broncos had four turnovers in the opener, but the defense will travel to Indianapolis. Six different Denver players had a sack in Week 1. Daniel Jones had a 75.9% completion percentage in the opener – which ranked third in the NFL. Denver will make him far-less efficient.
Pick: Broncos 28, Colts 21
- Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Panthers had three turnovers in their opener – and now face a road test at Arizona. Bryce Young threw two interceptions, and Carolina did not get a sack. Kyler Murray was efficient in his first road start of the season. Marvin Harrison Jr. will continue to shine in Week 2. The Panthers are 1-15 S/U on the road with Young as a starter.
Pick: Cardinals 30, Panthers 20
- Philadelphia Eagles (-1) at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
It’s on the Chiefs to respond here against Philadelphia at home. Kansas City has an 11-game winning streak, but they are coming off a bad loss in Brazil. Philadelphia is a slight favorite with the combination of Hurts and Barkley. Hurts had a league-best 82.6% completion percentage and rushed for 62 yards and two TDs. Still, this feels like one of those Mahomes moments. Monitor key injuries to Eagles center Landon Dickerson (back) and Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder).
Pick: Chiefs 30, Eagles 27
- Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
The Falcons lost a heart-breaker in Week 1, and now Michael Penix Jr. and JJ McCarthy will meet for the first time since the 2024 CFP championship game. McCarthy is making his first home start, and that is an advantage knowing the Falcons are 1-3 ATS as a road underdog since last season.
Pick: Vikings 21, Falcons 20
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans (-2)
Monday, 7 p.m., ABC/ESPN
Will the Texans really start 0-2? C.J. Stroud is still working it out with rookies Xavier Hutchinson and Jayden Higgins. Baker Mayfield showed an immediate connection with rookie Emeka Egbuka, who scored two TDs in his debut opposite Mike Evans. The Texans have a tough run defense – but Mayfield is capable of springing this upset.
Pick: Buccaneers 29, Texans 26
- Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders
Monday, 10 p.m., ESPN
The Jim Harbaugh-Pete Carroll dynamic is back with two AFC West rivals. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is an injury worth watching, but this should be the same-as-usual heated matchup. Justin Herbert is 2-2 S/U in four career road starts against the Raiders. Get ready for a tight one-score game.
Pick: Chargers 24, Raiders 17
