NFL Week 2

Nick’s Picks Week 2: To Overreact or Not Overreact?

CeeDee Lamb

Well that was fun, right? Fresh off a nice victory thanks to DraftKings early payout on Thursday night, it’s time to roll into the Sunday action of Week 2. 

 

Now armed with that extra cash, today is the day we try and multiply that a few times over, responsibly of course. Our own Anthony Licciardi has posted his picks already for the week, which can be found here

 

However, let’s just say he must’ve been cheating off the wrong kid in class, but we will be respectful here. After all, just about everyone can have an opinion. 

 

So let’s dive into the slate of games and take advantage of some hilarious overreactions from the opening week. Without further ado, here are your week 2 winners. 

**All Picks are from DraftKings unless noted otherwise**

 

Early Window = Early to the Window

 

Many believed that the Washington Commanders were on upset alert against the Jaguars in Week 1, which almost became reality. Now Carson Wentz is riding high heading into the Motor City to face off against a hungry Lions team that is insistent on showing the world how gritty they are. Wentz surprised, becoming a hot waiver wire add this week and a popular pick against Dan Campbell’s troops that almost knocked off the Eagles. Let’s take those “almosts” and watch the scales balance out again. 

The Pick: Lions -1 (-105)

 

“Don’t bet against Bill Belichick,” they say. Here’s the thing though, Tom Brady isn’t walking through that door anytime soon, unless he really does prefer football over his marriage. So we are instead left Matt Patricia calling plays for Mac Jones, who has lost four straight on the road, including the playoff beatdown in Buffalo. Those Terrible Towels alongside a dominant Steelers defense will terrify a Patriots team reeling off another loss in Miami. Most importantly, stop giving the Patriots credit for an offense that is still bad at best. This version of Belichick’s team peaked in the first half of 2021 and have been living off that ever since. So unless Belichick is taking the field to play, give me the Steelers that always find ways to win, no matter the personnel they have. 

The Pick: Steelers +3 (-120)

 

Speaking of getting a lot of credit for a small victory, we welcome the New York Giants to the program. Sure, Brian Daboll deserves plenty of credit for the way he handled the end of last week’s game. However, it seems that everyone has forgotten the G-Men were down 17-0 at one point. That game felt more like Titans collapse than Giants triumph. Can Saquon Barkley run for 164 yards every week and stay healthy in the process? Doubtful. Daniel Jones is still under center and was the subject of Daboll’s sideline anger in Nashville. On the other hand, Baker Mayfield wants the world to know that it was only one game against Cleveland, nothing more. Whatever you say Baker, now back it up. Back Carolina on the road to send the Giants fans home unhappy, and without the medium Pepsi this time. 

 The Pick: Panthers +1 (-110), Daniel Jones OVER 23.5 rushing yards (-115) 

 

Sometimes you just have to make picks that aren’t great and don’t really feel great either. Don’t worry though, more of that is coming later. The sportsbooks are begging us to take the Browns laying almost a touchdown, but the line still hasn’t gotten to the key number. Robert Saleh has collected countless receipts that even CVS is jealous. The Browns defense might wreak havoc on the Jets offense, but let’s not forget what Saleh’s defense did to the Ravens rushing attack last week. Laying the 6.5 would essentially put our money in the hands of Jacoby Brissett. That’s enough for me to take the Jets +6.5, if picking a side, although the under 39.5 might be the most intriguing in a game that could set football back 50 years. However, if you like scoring, take a look at Garrett Wilson to find the endzone. He could’ve scored multiple times on Sunday if Joe Flacco put his distance glasses on. They have to get him more involved and take shots down the field. Wilson has a great opportunity to accomplish that today.  

The Pick: Jets +6.5 (-110), Garrett Wilson anytime TD on FanDuel (+500) and 2 TD’s (+5000)

 

The Saints just have Tom Brady and the Buccaneers number. Until proven otherwise, it’s the Saints or nothing as Brady is still trying to attend marriage counseling from his Microsoft Surface on the sideline. New Orleans struggled at times with Atlanta, but got the job done in the end anyway. Jameis Winston, possibly the most exciting player in the league, gets revenge on his former team. If you remember, Winston got off to a good start last season, before suffering a knee injury that would end his season. As long as Brady still sees ghosts alongside Saints defenders, this is a great spot to back a home underdog. Don’t underestimate the impact of Michael Thomas for the Saints offense either. 

The Pick: Saints +2.5 (-110)

 

The Ravens were bad in Week 1, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. That “comfortable win” was after struggling most of the game, unable to pull away from a Flacco-led offense that was spinning its tires in the turf all afternoon. They are still dealing with injuries, but what has Miami proven so far? Mike McDaniel’s team got a win against a team without an offense, much like John Harbaugh’s group. It’s a battle of the teams that “impressed” in Week 1, but I’d rather side with the team that has done that longer. Back Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at home. 

The Pick: Ravens -3.5 (-110)

 

Frank Reich’s team returns to the scene of the crime from Week 18 last year. The place where their season was brutally murdered at the hands of a bad Jaguars team. It might just be a house of horrors for the Colts, who haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014. Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy,” was the top song of 2014, so yes it has been that long. Indy struggled with the Texans in Week 1, but got the job done. Expect Matt Ryan to rebound and Reich’s team to find its way to a rare win in the Sunshine State, sending Doug Pederson’s team to yet another 0-2 start. 

The Pick: Colts -3 (-115)

 

Late Afternoon Action

 

The Rams were horrific in Week 1 and Matthew Stafford didn’t do a lot to instill confidence in them moving forward. But, come on. They get to rebound against the Falcons, who manage to find new ways to lose every week, making even our own Lenny the Loser blush. At this point, Atlanta is no different than the kid at the arcade that can’t find a way to get the stuffed animal at the “play ‘til you win” crane game. We’ll be here forever until a parent finally gets involved. Rams get back on track.

The Pick: Rams -10 (-110)

 

It might not be pretty, but it’s the right call. The Trey Lance critics have been exhausting this week. How are we already talking about Jimmy Garoppolo? Did anyone notice the Niners played in an actual monsoon last week? The NFL is probably trying to figure out how to market extreme weather games going forward as we speak. Anthony is tired of talking about this and so am I. The Seahawks just lost Jamal Adams for the year, who might have the worst hands in the world, but is still a big loss regardless. If it’s even possible, the Seahawks defense will manage to be worse and let Lance run all over them. After a magical Monday night game, Geno Smith has received all the hype heading into this showdown. Forget last week, the Trey Lance arrival game is here. 

The Pick: 49ers -9 (-110), Trey Lance OVER 40.5 rushing yards (-115)

 

As far as teams that need to forget last week, this one might be a winner. Nathaniel Hackett’s debut as a head coach would’ve been better daytime television than primetime, but they get a nice rebound spot against the Houston Texans. Russell Wilson is probably high-fiving the air at the moment, but let’s ride with Broncos country anyway. Just someone please let Hackett know that he gets three timeouts in each half. 

The Pick: Broncos -10 (-115)

 

The Cardinals were obliterated by Kansas City in Week 1 and, as someone who believed Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray could figure out the offense, I was not encouraged by their chances moving forward. The Raiders on the other hand, went blow for blow with the Chargers, nearly pulling out a win. Arizona’s AFC West woes continue and Davante Adams has another great game, this time in front of the home faithful in Vegas. Can the Cardinals figure out how to play without DeAndre Hopkins? It might just be something that happens in video games.

The Pick: Raiders -5 (-115)

 

Here’s another one that looks ugly on paper, but then you remember it’s just paper and that means nothing. Cooper Rush stepped in for an injured Dak Prescott last year and beat the Vikings. He looked fine in emergency action on Sunday night. Everyone has completely written off the Cowboys, possibly for good reason, but let’s pump the brakes a bit here. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has been blasted through the media this week and will have to step up big time today. CeeDee Lamb hasn’t had 100 yards receiving in a game since, drumroll please, Rush’s start last year against Minnesota. Take a shot on him to lead the league in receiving yards today at +2500. Cincinnati’s Super Bowl hangover is only beginning so back the Cowboys on this inflated number that gives us a touchdown cushion to work with. 

The Pick: Cowboys +7.5 (-120), CeeDee Lamb anytime TD scorer (+215)

 

Who covers in primetime?

 

There’s just no way Aaron Rodgers is going to start 0-2. There is especially no way that happens on Sunday Night Football. Rodgers has the Bears number and the weather won’t be like last week. Expect Matt LaFleur’s team to get back on track. Remember last year’s Week 1 meltdown against the Saints? Exactly. Rodgers ownership of the Bears continues in convincing fashion.

The Pick: Packers -10 (-115)

 

Tennessee has played Buffalo tough over the years, but that ends on Monday night. It’s practically impossible to have any faith in the Titans to cover any number against this buzzsaw that is Josh Allen and the Bills. Derrick Henry might be back, but Mike Vrabel appears to be insistent upon reducing his workload, at least early in the season. It cost them against the Giants last week and basically guarantees they have no chance in upstate New York.

The Pick: Bills -10 (-105)

 

Something just seems off about the 2.5 number the sportsbooks have here. Typically, when it feels too good to be true, that’s because it is. The Eagles narrowly escaped with a win in Detroit last week, while the Vikings made a statement in a game they had to win. Could Kirk Cousins actually be a changed quarterback? We’ll find out on Monday night, back Minnesota on the road. 

The Pick: Vikings +2.5 (-110)

author
Nick Brinkerhoff
Sports Journalist
Hello there, I’m Nick Brinkerhoff, a New Jersey native with enough sarcasm and attitude to show I’m not from New York. Despite being Jersey born and bred, I’m a diehard New York sports fan (Jets, Nets, Rangers, Mets) who has seen plenty of losing, but my sports betting ability will hopefully continue to balance those scales. I have season tickets to the Jets but believe it to be more character building than bad asset management. Althoug
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