Week 2 can be rough when trying to make game picks and predictions against the spread. Although there are the results of Week 1 to consider, the sample size is too small to jump to any trend or identity.
That led to a few lumps, but the only way to recover is to shake it off, look at the film and get ready for Week 3.
Here’s Sporting News’ latest fearless forecast of professional pigskin prognostications:
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
MORE: NFL power rankings: Packers, Rams keep it up as Broncos, Steelers fade
NFL picks against the spread for Week 3
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Game of Midweek: Dolphins at Bills (-12.5, 49.5 o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
The Miami Dolphins are trying their best to get their offense back on track with Tua Tagovailoa with big plays to their speedy trio of Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle. But that’s one half of getting off the mat. The other is playing any kind of competent offense, which won’t happen against Josh Allen and James Cook on the road on a short week.
Pick: Bills win 34-17 and cover the spread.
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Game of the Week: Lions at Ravens (-6, 52 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Detroit Lions are intent on making up for the 38-6 defeat they suffered in Baltimore in October 2023. They were motivated last week to explode with their offense to run away from the Bears and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Baltimore Ravens will move the ball better here with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Detroit will make its share of big plays through ground and air but it won’t be enough late.
Pick: Ravens win 30-27 but fail to cover the spread.
MORE: Breaking down NFL contenders and pretenders among 2-0 and 0-2 teams
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Lock of the Week: Chiefs (-6, 44.5 o/u) over Giants
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
The Kansas City Chiefs can’t start the season 0-3 before playing the Ravens in Week 4, can they? Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes ran into a couple of buzzsaws in the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles. But now they get the ultimate get-well game against Russell Wilson running the offense of former Chiefs assistant Mike Kafka. Mahomes will put it even more on himself to come through to end the streak as desperation will kick in big time for the reigning AFC runners-up.
Pick: Chiefs win 30-17 and cover the spread.
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Upset of the Week: Bengals (+3.5, 42.5 o/u) over Vikings
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Jake Browning was dumped by the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the 2021 preseason. The Bengals picked him up and found a reliable, much-needed backup quarterback to Joe Burrow. Browning should be motivated to attack the Vikings’ turnover-oriented defense who can’t handle all of his key weapons. Carson Wentz, who is replacing the injured J.J. McCarthy, will have trouble answering enough in a shootout.
Pick: Bengals win 34-31.
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Packers (-8.5, 42.5 o/u) at Browns
Sunday 1 p.m. Fox
The Green Bay Packers’ defense is smashing it with a boost from the acquisition of Micah Parsons. He’s getting a lot more help than edge-rushing counterpart Myles Garrett for the 0-2 Cleveland Browns. Green Bay should not face much of a challenge from Joe Flacco and a limited running game behind an aging offensive line that should dominate up front.
Pick: Packers win 31-13 and cover the spread.
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Colts (-3, 43.5 o/u) at Titans
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Jonathan Taylor is back as a dominant running back. The NFL’s leading rusher (236 yards) after the Indianapolis Colts’ 2-0 start gets to go after a familiar foe who fields the No. 29 run defense. Cam Ward got going as the Tennessee Titans’ promising rookie QB, but he can’t do anything to slow down Taylor or cover the early OROY leader, Colts tight end Tyler Warren.
Pick: Colts win 27-20 and cover the spread.
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Steelers (-1, 44.5 o/u) at Patriots
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
With these teams coached by Mike Tomlin and Mike Vrabel, it’s difficult to believe these once-great defenses are two of the league’s worst so far. The New England Patriots have been the worst against the pass vs. limited offenses. The Pittsburgh Steelers are No. 28 against the run, which is keeping their expensive pass rush and coverage ineffective. Here’s trusting Aaron Rodgers a little more than Drake Maye in a toss-up.
Pick: Steelers win 27-24 and cover the spread.
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Rams at Eagles (-3.5, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Matthew Stafford is quietly leading one of the league’s steadiest and most dangerous offenses with Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams. They are similar to the Eagles, with their big three of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley helping Jalen Hurts. This should be a thriller with Hurts’ legs and Barkley’s fourth quarter making the slight difference.
Pick: Eagles win 26-23 but fail to cover the spread.
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Jets at Buccaneers (-7, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The New York Jets are trying to get some offensive consistency from the quarterback with Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall being by far their best playmakers. That’s a limited attack to handle Baker Mayfield working with Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving. The Jets’ defense is struggling more than expected and Tampa Bay takes care of business in its home opener.
Pick: Buccaneers win 31-20 and cover the spread.
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Raiders at Commanders (-3, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Las Vegas Raiders were able to win going to the East Coast in New England in Week 1, following an old trait of Pete Carroll’s Seattle teams. But their defense isn’t built well to handle Jayden Daniels, who will operate a more aggressive Washington Commanders passing offense coming off a mini bye.
Pick: Commanders win 27-17 and cover the spread.
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Falcons (-4.5, 43.5 o/u) at Panthers
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Atlanta Falcons will be up-and-down with their young passer, Michael Penix Jr., and their young pass rush. The Panthers, likewise, flashed not much offense with Bryce Young in Jacksonville in Week 1 before revving up for a close setback in Arizona in Week 2. Young makes it interesting with Penix at home but the Carolina Panthers still falls a little short.
Pick: Falcons win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
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Texans at Jaguars (-1.5, 43.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Houston Texans are in trouble after the Colts’ hot start and the Jaguars being exciting upstarts. They have offensive fundamental issues with limited weapons and the defense can struggle at times vs. the run. That adds up to a loss to Travis Etienne Jr. and Jacksonville.
Pick: Jaguars win 24-20 and cover the spread.
MORE: Ranking the best QBs in 2025 season
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Broncos at Chargers (-2.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Los Angeles Chargers will take advantage of the Broncos’ sudden major defensive issues against the run to set up Justin Herbert for another clutch game to outduel a struggling Bo Nix. Jim Harbaugh scores another big win against a top coaching counterpart in the division to make L.A. the new team to beat in the AFC West.
Pick: Chargers win 23-20 and cover the spread.
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Saints at Seahawks (-7.5, 41.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Seattle Seahawks look like the classic inconsistent team with some good days from Sam Darnold and also resting too much on defensive and special teams big plays to win. The New Orleans Saints can make this interesting by slowing down the run and can scheme well defensively vs. former OC Klint Kubiak.
Pick: Seahawks win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread.
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Cowboys at Bears (-1.5, 50 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Dallas Cowboys showed they still have plenty of fight in them with Dak Prescott and the entire offense, now with a pleasant surprise in the running game. Their defense won’t be getting Parsons back and hope to at least have DaRon Bland.. The Chicago Bears have the offense with Ben Johnson, but they have suddenly lost their defense. Williams is in trouble vs. former coach Matt Eberflus scheming against him in Chicago.
Pick: Cowboys win 27-24.
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Cardinals at 49ers (-1.5, 43.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Arizona Cardinals are 2-0 and hoping to take advantage of the 49ers without Arizona native Brock Purdy and Arizona nemesis George Kittle. But the San Francisco 49ers’ defense is flexing again with Nick Bosa leading the way under Robert Saleh. San Francisco is getting it done with replacement skill plays to boost Christian McCaffrey. The Cards fold for their first loss as Mac Jones gets to 2-0 for Purdy.
Pick: 49ers win 23-20 and cover the spread.
Stats of the Week
- Week 2 record straight up: 11-4
- Week 2 record against the spread: 6-9
- 2025 season record straight up: 23-8
- 2025 season record against the spread: 14-16
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