NFL Picks: Week 2

The Ravens overmatched a bad Bills team in Week 1, but it's difficult to draw much from that game given Buffalo's issues at quarterback and the offensive line. Cincinnati presents a much more difficult test, and the teams have split the last four matchups both against the spread and straight up. Joe Mixon had a breakout performance vs. Indy with 5.6 yards per carry behind a revamped offensive line, and he could wreak havoc at home.

Both squads have some major injuries after Week 1: Carolina on offense (Greg Olsen, Daryl Williams) and Atlanta on defense (Deion Jones, Keanu Neal). The Falcons are rightfully favored with extra rest in their home opener, but their continued woes in the red zone make covering six points difficult.

Indianapolis really missed offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo and running back Marlon Mack in Week 1, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. Cincinnati was able to turn the Colts into a one-dimensional team, and Washington is coming off an excellent defensive performance at Arizona. The Colts defensive woes apparently haven't been solved after allowing 27 points to the Bengals offense in Week 1, and Washington quarterback Alex Smith rarely makes major mistakes.

This game is the biggest total on the board for good reason (52.5), and that trend could continue to follow KC with an outstanding offense and struggling defensive secondary. The Chiefs and Tyreek Hill outweaponed the Chargers, and it's at least a possibility that we see safety Eric Berry return this week. The Steelers have the comfort of home, but they went just 3-6 ATS at Heinz Field last season. Added is the fact that the team played a full five quarters in tits tie at Cleveland, Le'Veon Bell seems unlikely to end his holdout and Ben Roethlisberger is banged up. We have the makings of a potential upset.

The Pack were saved by a hobbled Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, and the offense looked bad to start the game. It's apparent that the running game will be a problem until Aaron Jones returns from suspension, and Rodgers' mobility is also a question mark with a knee issue. Still, the team's defense hunkered down in the second half vs. Chicago, while Minnesota seemed to be finding its footing on offense last week vs. San Francisco. Fortunately for Rodgers, Minnesota's secondary is banged up with Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes nursing injuries.

These AFC East rivals both come in on short rest, in very different ways. The Jets ousted Detroit on Monday night, while Miami played a seven-hour game due to lightning delays on Sunday. The public was certainly impressed with the Jets, resulting in favoring them by a field goal. But it's important to not get too carried away after one week of results, especially from a rookie quarterback. For what it's worth, the teams split last year straight up and against the spread.

Tampa Bay shocked the world in Week 1 with a dominating offensive performance, led by Ryan Fitzpatrick, over the Saints. There are still two facts worth remembering: The Saints defense was the laughingstock of the NFL before finally emerging last season, and Fitzpatrick has a 49-70-1 record as a starter over his long career. Philly's offense didn't exactly look good against Atlanta, but the Eagles have extra rest and face a banged-up Bucs secondary.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has chosen rookie quarterback Josh Allen to start against the Chargers on Sunday, which sends Nathan Peterman back to the bench after his poor performance against Baltimore in Week 1. The problem is that Allen isn't ready either, and he could get killed behind a terrible offensive line that allowed six sacks on Sunday. Even without injured Joey Bosa, the Chargers shouldn't have a problem rushing the quarterback. This game has extra significance for LA head coach Anthony Lynn, who was Buffalo's interim coach in 2016.

The Browns didn't lose in Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh, but there are two very concerning signs. They tied despite winning the turnover battle 6-1 (effectively giving back their good fortune), and Tyrod Taylor was truly awful. As Ryan Fitzpatrick showed last week, the Saints secondary is beatable, but Cleveland will have to keep up on the scoreboard with a high-powered New Orleans offense. Even so, 10 points is a lot to cover for a New Orleans team that apparently has defensive shortcomings again.

The Texans at Titans matchup was off the board until late Wednesday when Marcus Mariota was a practice participant. Both teams are banged up after Week 1. The Texans did hang in there at New England despite a horrible offensive line performance, and the Titans aren't very well equipped to expose that weakness.

Arizona couldn't have looked much worse in a 24-6 loss to Washington at home in Week 1, but the Cardinals certainly have more talent than they showed in the opening dud. The Rams ran away with their matchup at Oakland despite Jared Goff struggling in the opening half. Sam Bradford knows how to take care of the ball, if nothing else, and 13-plus point favorites are just 89-95-3 ATS since 2003, according to TeamRankings.com.

Wow, Detroit couldn't have been a bigger mess in Week 1 with a 31-point defeat vs. the Jets. The line reflects those struggles, as it opened at just 3 points before Detroit played on national television. Despite that movement, Matthew Stafford got banged up in the opener, and the Lions still couldn't establish the run. Look for Jimmy Garoppolo to get back on the winning track after his first career loss as a starter in Week 1.

What's more difficult than traveling to Denver? Traveling to Denver in September on a short week. The altitude always plays to the Broncos advantage, and Oakland's inability to get to the quarterback could pose an even bigger problem when its pass rushers are worn out.

It wasn't a pretty win for the Patriots in Week 1 vs. Houston, but they got the job done with a great pass rush and a fine day from Tom Brady. This one could be a cage match after the Pats edged Jacksonville in the AFC Championship last year. But Leonard Fournette is questionable for the Jags after leaving the game in Week 1 with a hamstring injury, and Blake Bortles struggled without him.

The Giants offense struggled against an elite Jacksonville defense in Week 1, but rookie running back Saquon Barkley certainly flashed. New York won't have to put up many points against a Cowboys offense that couldn't have looked much worse in the first game of the season without a major receiving threat and missing Travis Frederick at center. Simply put, the Giants have significantly more offensive weapons no matter where this game is being played.

This is the second straight week that the Seahawks will be underdogs against a sub-.500 team from 2017, which says a lot about the talent they lost in the offseason. Like last week's opponent, Denver, the Bears, too, have a formidable defense, but the offense is questionable. It basically shut down during the second half in Green Bay, and the Packers defense provided the blueprint with Mitchell Trubisky averaging only 4.9 yards per pass attempt. Russell Wilson won't have much fun running away from Khalil Mack, but Seattle can pull off an upset if it avoids turnovers.