NFL Week 2 Pick’em Pool Predictions (2024)
Week 1 of the NFL season saw plenty of upsets, blowouts, and a few nailbiters. Results from Week 1 tend to lead to overreactions. How can we truly believe in the Cincinnati Bengals after they lost at home to the New England Patriots? But Week 1 is just another week in the NFL, and Week 2 is when teams will really start to show who they are going to be for the rest of the season.
Here is our best NFL pick’em advice for Week 2.
New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are 2.5-point favorites in this battle of two 0-1 NFC East teams. Jayden Daniels looked decent in his first game, completing 17-of-24 passes for 184 yards, while adding 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Importantly, he didn't turn the ball over. However, the Commanders' defense was horrible, as they allowed 37 points and 392 points.
For the Giants, Week 1 looked just like 2023. Daniel Jones was terrible, completing just 22-of-42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions. The Giants managed only 240 yards, while the defense gave up 28 points to Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings.
While most Giants fans are over Jones, he's going to get back in their good graces this week. Last season, the Commanders allowed a league-worst 262.2 passing yards per game. Based on Week 1, they've made no improvements. The Giants’ defense will get the better of Daniels more often than not, and for one week, the Giants will look like a decent football team.
The Pick: New York Giants
Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
How much longer will Deshaun Watson be the starting quarterback for the Browns? After playing in just six games last season, he started this year with another disappointing performance. On top of that, more off-the-field issues have surfaced. The future for Watson and the Browns is bleak.
The Jaguars are also 0-1, but their Week 1 loss was more disappointing than alarming. They led the Miami Dolphins 14-0, before allowing the Dolphins to outscore them 20-3 to secure the win. The offense struggled, only producing 267 yards, while the defense allowed 400.
The good news for the Jaguars is the Browns are a mess right now. Their defense looked terrible in Week 1, and the offense was even worse. The pass defense could get better, but if the Browns' offense can't stay on the field, then Trevor Lawrence is going to light them up. Shockingly, this spread is only three points. You have to score to win, and the Browns can't score.
The Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
Puka Nacua is out, and the Rams' offensive line is loaded with inexperienced players. Yet, Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, and Cooper Kupp proved in Week 1 that they have what it takes to keep this team competitive even with everything stacked against them. Plus, the defense played really well against a very good Detroit Lions offense.
The Cardinals nearly snuck away with an upset of the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. They had two great first-half drives, but they did nothing after that. The offense finished with just 270 total yards, and Kyler Murray only threw for 162. Marvin Harrison Jr. also finished with just one catch for four yards in his debut.
Both of these teams almost pulled off wins in Week 1, but the Rams' performance seems more likely to occur again in Week 2, whereas the Cardinals' performance felt a little flukey. The Cardinals’ game wasn't as close as the final score suggests. The Rams are beat up, but Stafford and Kupp will be too much for the Cardinals’ defense.
The Pick: Los Angeles Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos
What do we make of the first game for the Broncos? They managed just 231 total yards of offense and Bo Nix threw two interceptions, but they only lost by six points in Seattle. Is there reason for hope in Denver, or is it only going to get worse?
Meanwhile, the Steelers were the only team in the AFC North to not score a touchdown in Week 1. Yet, they're also the only team in the division with a win. The offense struggled, but they still dominated time of possession. And the defense was incredible. They forced three turnovers and held the Falcons to just 226 yards.
Nix is going to turn the ball over a lot in this game, and even if the Steelers' offense isn't very good, they're going to score more than Nix is. This will be low-scoring, and it is likely to be closer than many expect, but the Steelers are going to be in command from start to finish and get the win.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
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