The Sunday late slate from which we’re making NFL Week 2 picks is not as juicy as final week, however there are nonetheless some intriguing matchups.
The Rams surprisingly dominated the Seahawks final week however now face the Goliath that’s the 49ers. The Broncos cannot afford to go 0-2 and host the Commanders. The Jets look to shock the world once more and face the Cowboys.
Let’s get to it. Listed below are our picks for the 4 p.m. ET slate of NFL Week 2.
NFL Week 2 Picks
The workforce logos within the desk under characterize every of the matchups that our NFL betting employees is concentrating on from right now’s slate of video games. Click on on the workforce logos for any of the matchups under to navigate to a selected wager mentioned on this article.
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By Brandon Anderson
Nearly as good because the 49ers are, the Rams have the most effective participant on each side of the ball. If LA has any probability to hold, it needs to be as a result of Matt Stafford had a fantastic sport in opposition to these beatable corners. This quantity is manner too low. Stafford has gone over 224.5 passing yards in 23 of 27 video games with the Rams (85%), with three of the 4 misses his last three video games final season earlier than lacking the second half to harm.
In the event you actually imagine within the Rams and assume they’ll win this sport, it’s important to go all-in and wager L.A. to win the NFC West (+1100). A win right here places them 2-0 with head-to-head wins in opposition to each opponents.
If the Rams grasp round, it is due to Stafford. If the Niners roll, Stafford can be throwing. No matter weapons he is obtained left, this over is nicely in vary. I am going to take the prop and move on a facet.
Choose: Matthew Stafford Over 225.5 Passing Yards
By Stuckey
If backing Zach Wilson on the highway in opposition to Dallas sounds scary, how about needing Russell Wilson to win by greater than a subject aim?
For the three of you continue to studying, that is precisely what I am doing.
Regardless of shedding by a degree of their house opener, I noticed some constructive issues from the Broncos offense below the tutelage of Sean Payton. There was considerably greater use of play-action and further blockers in safety. It led to a really environment friendly day for Wilson, albeit void of explosiveness with a mean depth of goal of 4 yards, which was solely greater than Desmond Ridder and Justin Fields. To his credit score, Payton acknowledged that deficiency.
I anticipate we’ll see just a few extra deep photographs off of that play-action this week, particularly if Jerry Jeudy makes his season debut. Payton mentioned Jeudy was near enjoying final week, so I am optimistic he can present that much-needed spark to the passing assault.
On the opposite facet of the ball, Denver’s protection underwhelmed in Week 1. It had the bottom strain fee along side Damarri Mathis arguably having the worst nook efficiency within the league.
The excellent news is the run protection shined in opposition to Josh Jacobs, who solely recorded 48 yards on 19 carries. Moreover, they may face a quarterback in Sam Howell, who held the ball manner too lengthy final week, which led to 6 sacks in opposition to a horrific Arizona protection that did not generate an abundance of strain. I do not assume Howell is mentally able to excel at this degree proper now, particularly in a hostile setting in opposition to a extra proficient protection.
I am completely satisfied to purchase low on the Broncos in opposition to a younger quarterback who is not fairly able to excel on the skilled degree. A serious teaching edge does not harm, both.
Trending: Of 143 coaches in our Motion Labs database, Sean Payton is the second-most worthwhile after a loss with a gaudy ATS report of 52-29 (64.2%) since 2003, overlaying by 3.7 factors per sport.
By Brandon Anderson
Each defenses ranked prime 5 in DVOA final yr and seemed the half once more in Week 1. The Jets held the Payments to 16 factors and compelled 4 Josh Allen turnovers, and it is clear this protection must step as much as give Wilson an opportunity.
Groups usually reply favorably within the first sport with a backup QB, and if the Jets keep shut, it will should be as a result of they maintain it low-scoring. And hey, if Wilson seems to be as unhealthy because the Giants did final week, that most likely hits the below, too. Week 2 unders with a complete at 40 or under are 47-19-3 (71%) the previous 20 years.
Jets video games completed at 40 factors or under in 12 of 17 final yr (71%), together with seven of 9 Wilson video games (78%). We win this wager with an unsightly 17-16 sport or a 31-6 Cowboys blowout.
Choose: Underneath 38.5
By Stuckey
Apologies prematurely to anybody who decides to tail this wager.
I am backing Zach Wilson, who I’ve repeatedly slandered since coming into the league.
My ideas on the previous BYU product haven’t modified. He is nonetheless a profession backup — at finest — in my eyes. Nevertheless, I am backing him right here not directly since I present worth within the quantity, which I believe is a bit inflated after the efficiency we noticed from Dallas final week, along with Aaron Rodgers’ unlucky season-ending harm.
First off, what did we actually study Dallas in that blowout win over the Giants on Sunday evening that included a pair of non-offensive touchdowns? We already knew the Cowboys have an elite protection that is dominated in every of the previous two seasons. The offense did not should do a lot of something, so we did not be taught something new there, both.
I additionally had questions on how Rodgers would play this season, particularly behind a shaky offensive line. I definitely did not have him rated as the identical caliber of participant we noticed throughout his MVP campaigns, which suggests the drop-off from Rodgers to a backup is not as large because it was.
Plus, I am actually banking on the elite Jets protection to maintain them within the sport. The secondary can maintain its personal and the dominant line of defense may trigger main issues for a Dallas offensive line which may not be at full power.
Getting over a landing in a sport with a complete below 40 will at all times pique my curiosity, particularly after I fancy the below. I imagine each coaches will name this sport conservatively to keep away from expensive errors, which I additionally imagine Dak Prescott could do early within the season with the interception narrative swirling. The Cowboys know they’re going up in opposition to Wilson, whereas the Jets know they should win a low-scoring slugfest with their protection.
For all of his shortcomings, Wilson has discovered a solution to cowl 4 of seven as a touchdown-plus underdog in his quick profession. Possibly he could make just a few performs together with his legs in opposition to Micah Parsons and firm that Rodgers could not.
However can he keep away from the crucial errors that Rodgers would not make? That can seemingly resolve whether or not Dallas wins by double digits. I am going to take my probabilities this week with a Jets workforce that ought to are available in with a chip on their shoulder after being written off all week. Everyone else ought to step up, much like what we see in basketball within the first sport after shedding a star participant to harm.
A development to again the choose: The Cowboys crushed the Giants 40-0. Following a win of 35 or extra factors, groups have gone simply 34-53-4 (39.1%) ATS since 2003.