NFL Week 2 Pick’em Advice, Picks & Predictions (2023)
Week 1 featured some shocking upsets and some key injuries. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took down the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions beat the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams destroyed the Seattle Seahawks. Yet, most of the conversation heading into Week 2 is what should we expect from the New York Jets now that Aaron Rodgers is done for the season.
Here is our best NFL pick’em advice for Week 2:
NFL Week 1 Pick’em Advice & Picks
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Packers looked great in their Week 1 over the Chicago Bears. Jordan Love threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense held the Bears’ offense to 311 yards and turned them over twice.
The Packers did give up 122 rushing yards, but that is expected when facing Justin Fields. Fields accounted for nearly half that yardage, running for 59 in the game. This week, the Packers will face another run-heavy offense as they visit Atlanta and take on Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson.
Though the Atlanta rushing attack is great, their passing game is non-existent. Desmond Ridder did complete 15 of his 18 passes in Week 1, but he only threw for 115 yards. If the Carolina Panthers had a more competent offense, they very well could have beaten the Falcons last week. The Packers are too talented and too experienced to lose to such a one-dimensional team.
The Pick: Green Bay Packers
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals put together one of their worst performances in years in Week 1. Joe Burrow completed fewer than 50% of his passes while compiling just 82 yards through the air. Yet, we love them this week against the Ravens.
The Ravens essentially started the season with a bye week when they played the Houston Texans and rookie CJ Stroud. And yet, they looked far from dominant in the win. They led just 7-6 at halftime, and they were actually outgained on offense for the game.
When NFL teams get humiliated, they tend to bounce back and perform well the following week. The Bengals will look like an entirely different team as they handle a Ravens unit that is not as good as advertised.
The Pick: Cincinnati Bengals
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers demolished the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. The Steelers had been a popular upset pick, but the 49ers quickly silenced doubters.
Yet, out of any teams that are underdogs by a touchdown or more, the Rams have the best chance of pulling off the upset. This team was left for dead before this season even began. Then they clobbered the Seahawks in Week 1, despite not having their best wide receiver.
Many people look at last season as a reason for picking against the Rams, but they ignore why the Rams were so bad. Matthew Stafford only played nine games, and Aaron Donald missed the last six games of the year. This is a sneaky good team, and they have the talent on defense to shut the 49ers down. If the offense clicks like it did in Week 1, then the 49ers are on serious upset alert.
The Pick: Los Angeles Rams
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
“Sunday Night Football†features one of the most interesting matchups of the entire week. The Dolphins are fresh off a thrilling 36-34 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Their offense was unstoppable in that game. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards, 215 of which were to Tyreek Hill.
And yet, this is a bad matchup for the Dolphins. Their run defense was putrid in Week 1. They allowed 234 yards and three touchdowns, as the Chargers did whatever they wanted on the ground. If they get out to an early lead, they may be able to nullify the Patriots’ rushing attack. However, the Dolphins feel like an easy team to plan for right now, and Bill Belichick is one of the best game planners in the NFL.
The Dolphins were done no favors with the scheduling. They started the season in L, and now they travel across the country to play their division rival in primetime. That’s a big ask. Look for the one-two punch of Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott to get going this week as the Patriots take the air out of the ball and keep the Dolphins’ offense off the field.
The Pick: New England Patriots
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.