NFL Week 2 best bets are in as we break down five favorite plays, then offer picks and projected scores for the rest of the slate on Sunday and Monday. Lines referenced from a major sportsbook.
NFL Week 2 best bets: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox)
Atlanta is turning to Cooper Rush again after a shaky opener that featured the league’s lowest passer rating among Week 1 starters and minimal downfield threat. Carolina’s defense was torched by Chicago, but this matchup is a step down in quarterback firepower compared with Caleb Williams.
Bryce Young quietly posted a top-10 EPA per dropback in Week 1 and has fared well against Atlanta both straight up and against the number.
Projected score: Panthers 24, Falcons 20
The pick: Panthers -2.5
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Deshaun Watson struggled in the opener, throwing an early interception and flirting with more turnovers. He is 0-6 straight up and 1-5 against the spread over his last six starts, and Cleveland has covered just once in its last 11 road games as an underdog of six or more.
On the other side, Baker Mayfield has Tampa rolling in home openers, going 3-0 straight up, and he will be eager to perform against his former team.
Projected score: Buccaneers 30, Browns 13
The pick: Buccaneers -8.5
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
New England let a winnable game slip away late in Week 1, and a loss here could snowball with road trips to Jacksonville and Buffalo ahead. Despite an ankle injury to A.J. Brown, the Patriots should outpace a Steelers offense that managed only 4.1 yards per play in its opener.
New England’s defense, led by All-Pro corner Christian Gonzalez and an active pass rush, is a significant upgrade from Atlanta’s front that Pittsburgh faced last week. The Patriots also have recent history to avenge after a turnover-filled loss to the Steelers in Foxborough last year.
Drake Maye has been strong at home as a field-goal-plus favorite.
Projected score: Patriots 24, Steelers 17
The pick: Patriots -5.5
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox)
Backing the Jets to cover as home underdogs. Geno Smith delivered clean, reliable quarterback play in Week 1, avoiding off-target throws entirely, and New York’s defense flashed with No. 2 pick David Bailey recording a sack in his debut.
The Packers collapsed against Minnesota, and Jordan Love posted the league’s highest off-target rate in Week 1 with multiple near-interceptions. Green Bay’s talent edge may carry the day, but the number looks too big.
Projected score: Packers 24, Jets 21
The pick: Jets +3.5
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox)
Cam Ward and Tennessee struggled in the opener, ranking near the bottom in EPA per dropback with three sacks allowed. Now they face an Eagles front that can consistently pressure.
The Titans’ 10 points in Week 1 were the fewest for a home opener in franchise history, and a turnaround seems unlikely against this defense. With Breece Hall gashing Tennessee on the ground last week, expect Saquon Barkley to find similar success for Philadelphia.
Projected score: Eagles 27, Titans 17
The pick: Eagles -7
Rest of the bunch
Bengals at Texans
Projected score: Bengals 28, Texans 24
The pick: Bengals +2.5
Vikings at Bears
Projected score: Bears 27, Vikings 20
The pick: Bears -4.5
Saints at Ravens
Projected score: Ravens 30, Saints 20
The pick: Ravens -8.5
Jaguars at Broncos
Projected score: Jaguars 23, Broncos 21
The pick: Jaguars +2.5
Raiders at Chargers
Projected score: Chargers 33, Raiders 20
The pick: Chargers -6.5
Dolphins at 49ers
Projected score: 49ers 30, Dolphins 16
The pick: 49ers -13.5
Seahawks at Cardinals
Projected score: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 17
The pick: Seahawks -3.5
Commanders at Cowboys
Projected score: Cowboys 33, Commanders 30
The pick: Commanders +3.5
Colts at Chiefs
Projected score: Chiefs 28, Colts 20
The pick: Chiefs -6.5
Giants at Rams (Monday)
Projected score: Rams 30, Giants 21
The pick: Rams -7
