NFL Pick 'Em Pool Picks (Week 2) - Targets, Avoids, Predictions for Pickem Contests

One week down, 17 more to go. Week 1 helped paint a picture of what we can expect from certain teams in the new year. In some other cases, we didn't learn a whole lot. There were a handful of significant upsets in Week 1 (Detroit over Kansas City, Tampa Bay over Minnesota, and Los Angeles over Seattle) and some major injuries that will impact teams moving forward.

Each week of the NFL season, I’ll share my picks for each game, and rank the selections for those who play in a format that requires it. The games will be grouped into locks, semi-confident picks, and toss-ups. The number listed next to the game shows my confidence level, counting down to my least-confident pick. The winner picks are italicized.

Some weeks you may see a subcategory of “Wait and See” because some platforms require all games to be selected before the kickoff of Thursday Night Football. Injury question marks for Sunday and Monday games may still be hanging. If that’s the case, I’ll leave those games off to the side and suggest where they should be placed if a player suits up or not. Without further ado, let’s jump into our locks of the week.

Week 2 NFL Pick 'Em Pool Locks

The number listed next to the game shows my confidence level, counting down to my least-confident pick. The higher the number, the better. The winner picks are italicized.

• 16 - Buffalo vs. Las Vegas
• 15 - San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams
• 14 - New York Giants at Arizona
• 13 - Philadelphia vs. Minnesota

When lines opened for Week 2, the Buffalo Bills were 10-point favorites over Las Vegas. That line has since dropped 1.5 points as Josh Allen and company struggled with turnovers in their Monday Night Football loss to the New York Jets but it's still the largest spread on the docket as of this writing. The San Francisco 49ers' defense (and offense) looked downright dominant in their Week 1 win against Pittsburgh. They've beaten their next opponent, the Rams, eight straight times in the regular season.

The Giants looked putrid in Week 1 but have a get-right game on the horizon against Arizona, who is projected to win the least amount of games in the entire league this year. Philadelphia plays host to Minnesota on Thursday Night Football. They played the same game in Week 2 of 2022 (although that one was on Monday night), a game that Philadelphia won 24-7.

Semi-Confident Picks For Week 2 Pick 'Em Pools

12 - Detroit vs. Seattle

A week ago, this matchup would have found itself toward the bottom of the list. On paper, these teams are evenly matched but it did not look that way in Week 1. The Lions went into Kansas City and beat the defending champions on opening night (albeit without Chris Jones and Travis Kelce). Seattle struggled to move the ball against a questionable Rams' secondary.

Seattle could not move the ball downfield nor could they stop the Los Angeles aerial attack. Relatively unknown receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell both racked up 119 yards, while Matthew Stafford threw for 334 yards. If those guys can get past the Seattle secondary, Amon-Ra St. Brown and company will feast in their home opener.

11 - New Orleans at Carolina

The New Orleans Saints have quietly put together a stretch of dominant defensive performances dating back to last season. Counting back to Week 15 of 2022 (immediately following their bye week), the highest yardage total they've surrendered is 320 yards, and an average of 12.6 points allowed in the five games.

In Week 1, they held Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans to 285 yards and 15 points. Kicker Nick Folk accounted for all of Tennessee's points and Tannehill threw three interceptions.

Now they'll visit Charlotte and face off against the division rival Carolina Panthers. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young struggled in his debut against Atlanta and will continue to do so against a tougher defense.

10 - Kansas City at Jacksonville

The Kansas City Chiefs let their season opener get away from them with their second and third-best players (Travis Kelce and Chris Jones) sitting out. The big defensive tackle is back in the fold and the assumption is that the All-Pro tight end will play in Week 2.

Patrick Mahomes is a perfect 4-0 against the Jaguars in his career (regular season and postseason combined). Jacksonville (mainly rookie Tank Bigsby) made a couple of major mistakes in their win over Indianapolis. If those mistakes are made against better teams, like Kansas City, the Jaguars won't walk away victorious.

9 - Dallas vs. New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers' injury puts a damper on what could have been the game of the week. The Jets' defense will keep them in almost every game they will play this year. Has former second-overall pick Zach Wilson developed enough in one offseason to lead this team to the playoffs? Coach Robert Saleh walked away impressed with his play on Monday Night Football, but there were also a ton of mistakes.

These could be the two best defenses in football. The experience and talent of the Cowboys' offense make the difference on Sunday.

8 - Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee

See above. Is Ryan Tannehill washed up? He might be and we may get a definitive answer in his matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bolts just allowed Tua Tagovailoa to throw for 466 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. If Tannehill struggles against this defense, fans may start calling for Malik Willis or Will Levis.

Even with a questionable Austin Ekeler, the Chargers offense will be too much for the Titans to keep up with on Sunday. After all, they did almost keep pace with Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.

7 - Cincinnati vs. Baltimore

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals won't start the 2023 season with two losses again, right? The Bengals entered the season with the fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl. Only four teams in NFL history have started the season 0-2 and gone on to play in the big game.

Granted, the Bengals did begin the 2022 season with an 0-2 record and nearly defeated Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead to make another Super Bowl appearance. Joe Burrow has yet to start a season 2-0. His best 1-1 start in 2021 came with the benefit of an overtime win over Minnesota before losing to the Bears.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens did not look dominant in their victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Baltimore quarterback only threw for 167 yards while turning the ball over twice. They'll also now be without starting running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) for the season.

6 - Miami at New England

See above, again. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill looked unstoppable against Los Angeles. New England coach Bill Belichick will scheme up ways to limit the damage that Hill inflicts but there are other options.

Against Philadelphia, Belichick took Dallas Goedert away from the Eagles' game plan. He ended with a stat line of zero catches on one target. Philadelphia, behind a dosage of DeVonta Smith and timely takeaways, was able to walk away with the win but New England played a fantastic defensive game. Just like the Eagles, Miami has too many weapons to take away.

NFL Pick 'Em Toss-Up Of Week 2

5 - Washington at Denver

The Commanders are 1-0 and the Broncos are 0-1 but neither team looked strong in their season opener. Washington let a bottom-feeder Arizona team stay within one possession until the end of the game. Denver's passing game could not get going against a shaky Las Vegas secondary.

Denver is the home favorite in Week 2 but if Russell Wilson can't throw the ball against Las Vegas, he'll struggle even more against a good Washington defense. Sam Howell is 2-0 as a starter in the NFL, even if he didn't look the part against Arizona.

4 - Green Bay at Atlanta

The Packers were road underdogs last week against Chicago but now get to play the role of road favorites in Atlanta. Jordan Love may again be without his top wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) but Romeo Doubs (hamstring) figures to see a higher snap count in Week 2. As long as Aaron Jones is healthy, this offense will be able to move the ball.

Atlanta will, as always, rely on their run game. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier rushed for a combined 131 yards against Carolina. Interestingly, Carolina ran for more yards than Atlanta did in Week 1. If that repeats itself (and I expect Green Bay to lean on the run), Green Bay will walk away victorious.

3 - Tampa Bay vs. Chicago

Another surprise 1-0 team, Tampa Bay went into Minnesota and stole one from the Vikings. Baker Mayfield (21 completions for 173 yards and two touchdowns) and Rachaad White (17 carries for 39 yards) didn't light the field on fire on the offensive side of the ball. Rather, the Buccaneers grabbed a dub forcing Kirk Cousins into turnovers (one interception and two lost fumbles) and shutting down the run game. Alexander Mattison ran the ball 11 times for 34 yards. That led the team.

The Vikings have a below-average offensive line and that may be a large factor in a lack of a running game but the Tampa Bay defense also played their part. If Chicago is unable to run the football, it will be a long day for the Bears' offense. Kirk Cousins has proven that he can throw for 300+ yards if needed and he has Justin Jefferson. Justin Fields' career-high is 291 passing yards, which came in Week 9 of his rookie season. He struggled to get the ball in the hands of new WR1 D.J. Moore in the opener.

2 - Cleveland at Pittsburgh

The Cleveland Browns' defense under new coordinator Jim Schwartz was not just dominant, they were toying with the Bengals in Week 1.

Joe Burrow managed to throw for only 82 yards on Sunday and now the Browns get to see another familiar foe – the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kenny Pickett led one good drive in the entire game against San Francisco. Now, he'll be without WR1 Diontae Johnson (hamstring) for several weeks.

The Bengals have notoriously been slow starters under Burrow but this Browns defense may be legit.

1 - Houston vs. Indianapolis

This is the toughest pick of the week. Anthony Richardson flashed his potential in the Colts' loss to the Jaguars, leading the team in rushing (40 yards) and passing (223 yards). He scored a touchdown in each aspect of the offensive game.

On the flip side, new Texans' coach DeMeco Ryans had his defense playing well, forcing Lamar Jackson into two turnovers (and nearly a third). I expect a turnover or two from both Richardson and C.J. Stroud. Stroud did fumble in his debut but protected the ball through the air. He'll also have much better support in the run game with Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith not chasing down Dameon Pierce all afternoon.

More Weekly DFS Analysis

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