NFL Week 2 Picks Against The Spread 2018: Predictions ATS, Updated Odds For Every Game

Week 2 can often be a difficult time to make NFL picks. What teams are being overvalued because of what happened in Week 1? Which teams should bounce back from poor performances in their respective season openers?

Below are picks against the spread for every game in Week 2 of the 2018 season, as well as updated betting odds at Las Vegas and online sportsbooks. Betting lines and trends are courtesy of OddsShark.

Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals

Let’s not overreact too much to Baltimore’s monster Week 1 against Buffalo. The Ravens might be a playoff team, but they certainly aren’t as good as they were in their 47-3 win over the Bills, who could be far and away the NFL’s worst team. Baltimore’s defense won’t perform nearly as well against a competent quarterback that has dangerous weapons like A.J. Green and Joe Mixon. Cincinnati’s defense might be one of the most underrated units in the league. The Bengals are a smart pick getting points at home in what should be a competitive divisional matchup.

Prediction ATS: Cincinnati

Cleveland Browns (+9) at New Orleans Saints

Don’t expect the Saints to be stunned by the Browns the same way they were upset by the Buccaneers. Cleveland’s offense still isn’t any good. The team had seven points for most of their game with Pittsburgh, only forcing overtime because the Steelers ended the game with six turnovers. Drew Brees and New Orleans dropped 40 points on Tampa Bay, and the offense will have another big day in Week 2.

Prediction ATS: New Orleans

Carolina Panthers (+6) at Atlanta Falcons

Both teams had trouble scoring in Week 1 and suffered a couple of key injuries. If the Falcons can figure out their red-zone issues, they’ve got a chance to win this one easily. The problem is Atlanta wasn’t able to do that over an entire offseason. The Falcons have the edge at home, but this NFC South matchup could come down to the wire.

Prediction ATS: Carolina

Indianapolis Colts (+5.5) at Washington Redskins

The season opener was an encouraging one for Andrew Luck. The Colts’ quarterback didn’t exactly air the ball out in his return, but he was still efficient with a career-high 39 completions on 53 mostly short pass attempts. Just as the Ravens took advantage of the Bills in Week 1, the Redskins looked better than they are because of their opponent. Adrian Peterson isn’t going to have the same kind of impact that he did in his Washington debut. The Redskins are probably the better team, but that’s too many points to lay against a healthy Luck.

Prediction ATS: Indianapolis

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In the season opener, the defending champs were a no-brainer pick because they weren’t favored at home. The same is true in Week 2 when they are laying just a field goal against one of the NFC’s worst teams. Philadelphia showed just how good their defense is by holding Atlanta to 12 points. Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t going to light up the Eagles’ defense like he did the Saints, and Philly could win this one easily if Nick Foles plays mostly mistake-free football. The Eagles are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven road games.

Prediction ATS: Philadelphia

Kansas City Chiefs (+4) at Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers seem to have Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ number. Pittsburgh has defeated Kansas City three times since the 2016 season, winning 43-14 when the team’s matched up at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh’s offense is still dynamic with James Conner starting at running back over Le’Veon Bell, and Ben Roethlisberger won’t turn the ball over five times for a second straight week. The Chiefs’ defense was fortunate that the Chargers dropped a few long passes in Week 1. Tyreek Hill might need another incredible performance to keep Kansas City in this game.

Prediction ATS: Pittsburgh

Miami Dolphins (+3) at New York Jets

One of these teams is going to compete for a wild-card spot. New England will waltz to another division title, and Buffalo is headed for a last-place finish, leaving Miami or New York to be one of this year’s surprise teams. Most people might pick the Jets because of how Sam Darnold and the defense looked in Week 1, but New York should come back down to earth after their 48-point performance. It’s easy to forget that Miami made the playoffs when Ryan Tannehill was last healthy. He’ll never be a great quarterback, but he’s 10-5 in his last 15 starts, and Darnold is bound to have an early-season bump in the road.

Prediction ATS: Miami

Los Angeles Chargers (-7) at Buffalo Bills

Who knows what to expect from Josh Allen when he makes his first-regular season start? He’ll probably make his share of mistakes, though he has the ability to create some big plays. Los Angeles gave up a bunch of those to Kansas City in Week 1, and they looked like the same team that continues to shoot itself in the foot year after year. The betting public will likely be against the Bills all season long. Maybe this is one of the weeks in which they manage to cover the spread. The Chargers are 7-18 in their last 25 road games.

Prediction ATS: Buffalo

Detroit Lions (+6.5) at San Francisco 49ers

The Jimmy Garoppolo hype train was somewhat derailed when he threw three interceptions in the season opener. Part of that had to do with playing the NFC’s best defense, but the quarterback does tend to take some chances that come back to bite him. He doesn’t exactly have the league’s best group of playmakers, and the Lions have a pretty good secondary. Look for Detroit and Matthew Stafford to bounce back from a rough Monday night loss and have a chance to steal this contest in the fourth quarter.

Prediction ATS: Detroit

Arizona Cardinals (+12) at Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles is obviously the much better team, but 12 points is a lot to lay in a divisional matchup. The Raiders played the Rams close on “Monday Night Football” for three quarters. Maybe Arizona can do the same. Jared Goff did get away with a few passes that could’ve been intercepted, and he will have to deal with cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals, though, could end up being the worst team in the NFC, making this a difficult game to bet.

Prediction ATS: Arizona

Oakland Raiders (+5.5) at Denver Broncos

The Raiders are clearly the worst team in the division, and the Broncos have a chance to be in the AFC West race all season long. That makes Denver the easy choice as they lay fewer than six points at home. Even with Case Keenum uncharacteristically throwing three picks in the season opener, the Broncos’ offense looked completely different than the one that struggled last year. Denver’s defense will present problems for Derek Carr, who’s been a mediocre quarterback since breaking his leg nearly two years ago.

Prediction ATS: Denver

New England Patriots (-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Taking the Patriots as less than a three-point favorite is never a bad idea. Even without a bunch of big-name receivers, New England looked like their usual dominant selves in Week 1, defeating the Texans in a game that was more one-sided than the final score indicated. Tom Brady will find a way to throw for a few touchdown passes against the AFC’s best defense, just like he did in January’s conference title game. The same can’t be said for Blake Bortles and a Jaguars’ offense that doesn’t have many weapons. Jacksonville had no offensive points in the second half against the Giants last week, and it will struggle against an improved Patriots’ defense. New England is 14-3 against the spread in their last 17 road games.

Prediction ATS: New England

New York Giants (+3) at Dallas Cowboys

With the betting line moving below 3.5 points, Dallas is the smart pick. New York’s offensive line remains a mess, and Eli Manning could be in for another long game against DeMarcus Lawrence and a good Cowboys’ defense. Dallas’ offensive line, on the other hand, should improve from Week 1 when they take on a questionable Giants’ front-seven. New York has covered the spread just once in their last five games at AT&T Stadium.

Prediction ATS: Dallas

Seattle Seahawks (+3) at Chicago Bears

Chicago would be off to a 1-0 start if Aaron Rodgers didn't do what he's done so many times and perform like the best quarterback to ever play football. Their first half against the Packers proved that the Bears are a much-improved team with an offense that can move the ball and a defense that has loads of potential. Khalil Mack paid immediate dividends in Week 1, and he’ll be a nightmare for Seattle’s offensive line on “Monday Night Football.” Seattle has covered the spread four times in their last 13 road games, and the Seahawks are certainly a worse team than they were in 2016 and 2017 when all but one of those contests were played.

Prediction ATS: Chicago

Houston Texans (-2) at Tennessee Titans

The Titans are banged up, but it's hard to be confident in the Texans as road favorites. Deshaun Watson didn't play well in Week 1, and it could be a little while before he's looking like his old self after tearing his ACL a season ago.

Prediction ATS: Tennessee

Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Green Bay Packers

Even against a healthy Aaron Rodgers, Minnesota could leave Lambeau Field with a three-point victory. They are the most complete team in the NFC, and the conference's best defense will make life difficult for whoever is under center for the Packers.

Prediction ATS: Minnesota

Season Record: 6-9-1