NFL Picks Against the Spread: Week 2

A game-by-game betting preview (against the spread) for each of the 15 games on Sunday and Monday in Week 2. Here are the teams to pick and the ones to stay away from.

Locks of the Week
Ride the hot hands and go with two veteran teams that looked like Super Bowl contenders in Week 1, the reigning Super Bowl champs and the phenom du jour.

Ravens (+3) at Eagles
Baltimore has a short week after a dominant 44–13 win over Cincinnati on Monday night. But the way Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and the Ravens defense was swarming, Michael Vick — who threw four INTs in the opener — might be in trouble.

Redskins (-3) at Rams
Why not? Ride the RG3 bandwagon until the wheels fall off.

Giants (-7) vs. Buccaneers
The G-Men have had 10 days to prepare for the young Bucs.

Patriots (-14) vs. Cardinals
The biggest number of the week is also one of the safest bets. The home opener in New England will showcase the new faces on the Pats defense — at the expense of whichever quarterback Arizona sends to slaughter.


Blowout Bargains
Don’t be afraid of a big spread. Ten of the 16 games played in Week 1 were decided by eight or more points — including five contests with a margin of 20 or more points.

Bengals (-7) vs. Browns
Bet against Brandon Weeden (4 INTs, 5.1 passer rating in Week 1) every week until his passer rating is at least in the teens.

Texans (-7.5) at Jaguars
Houston had no problem dubbing the Dolphins and should handle the Jaguars with similar ease.


Straight Up Upsets
These underdogs don’t look as good as Kate Upton’s Twitter pics, but they look good.

Seahawks (+3) vs. Cowboys
Tony Romo may not be the holder for field goals anymore, but he’s still the Cowboys quarterback.

Titans (+6) at Chargers
Chris Johnson will need to run for more than four yards in order for Tennessee to pull off the West Coast upset.


Sucker Bets
Stay away completely. These games are meant for local yokels who always bet on their home team, or for degenerates who always have to have action.

Vikings (-1.5) at Colts
Andrew Luck’s home opener pits two of the worst squads in the league against each other.

Raiders (-3) at Dolphins
Oakland’s backup long-snapper is a better bet than this race to the bottom.

Bills (-3) vs. Chiefs
Two teams with goals of approaching mediocrity this season.

Saints (-3) at Panthers
A division showdown between two teams already in panic mode.

Steelers (-6) vs. Jets
Gang Green lit up the scoreboard for 48 points last week after the first team offense failed to score a touchdown during the preseason.

49ers (-7) vs. Lions
Untuck your shirt, jump around and slap your rival on the back, but stay away from this Sunday night fight.


Monday Money    
Another chance to wager for those who have to “get back” or “let it ride” this week.

Falcons (-3) vs. Broncos
Dome sweet dome. Matt Ryan has a 26–4 record in the Georgia Dome.