Week 1 was a wild one, jam packed with lots of upsets and even more reactions. A good number of these reactions are likely overreactions. This week, we may begin to see some players and teams consistently trending in either the right or wrong direction. My NFL Week 2 Picks are here, and throughout this article I’ll not only be predicting games but also outlining overreactions across the league. I started off 6-10 (7-10 including Week 2 TNF), so my track record is not off to a good start. However, I hope to improve after seeing last week’s action.
Lock of the Week
The Texans had an impressive victory over Jacksonville in Week 1, but they’ll receive a rude awakening in Cleveland Week 2. The Browns nearly took down QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Kansas City last week. Expect this well-balanced team to thrive in a much easier matchup as they outmatch the Texans on both offense and defense.
Upset of the Week
The Panthers offense looked very impressive last week. Was it against a weak Jets defense? Yes, but I still expect Carolina to continue to put up points on a consistent basis. QB Sam Darnold was able to utilize RB Christian McCaffrey to the best of his abilities and had a good rapport with all three starting WRs. With CB Marshon Lattimore out for New Orleans, this Panthers receiving corps could be in for a big day. QB Jameis Winston was even more impressive last week, tossing 5 TDs. I think he has a lot of potential, but there’s only so much he can do with this few reliable weapons. Give me the Panthers for a competitive, but comfortable victory.
The Other Games
 | Miami had an impressive victory in a back and forth game with the Patriots last week. I think this defense has the ability to come up clutch and it’ll shine through again this week against Buffalo. This Bills offense is not going to be as unstoppable as it was last year. While QB Josh Allen should put up a strong game, it’s going to take time for him to return to late 2020 form and get past defenses like Miami’s. |
 | The Jets are already battling injuries at WR like they did last year. That could make it difficult for QB Zach Wilson to put up too many points against a defense that normally feasts on young QBs. Meanwhile, look for the Patriots WRs to perform well against an inexperienced group of Jets corners. It’s these wide receiver-defensive back matchups that will make the biggest difference as Pats QB Mac Jones outperforms Wilson in a New England road victory. |
 | Pittsburgh is missing a couple key defensive pieces in CB Joe Haden and LB Devin Bush. Nonetheless, I’m expecting a fairly comfortable win for them over Las Vegas, as RB Najee Harris runs all over the Raiders front seven. Harris may lack a strong o-line, but that won’t matter in favorable matchups, as he’s a very talented running back. |
 | Last week, it was Sam Darnold’s revenge game against the Jets. This week, QB Andy Dalton gets a chance to compete against his longtime team, the Cincinnati Bengals. I expect QB Joe Burrow to outperform Dalton with ease. However, the big difference here will come down to the defense. While the Bears defensive front should be able to contain RB Joe Mixon, the Bengals front seven is no match for Bears RB David Montgomery. Expect Montgomery to come up clutch in a Bears OT thriller. |
 | It was a rough week for this Colts D in Week 1 as they hosted Seattle. Look for them to redeem themselves against a Rams offense that should be slightly easier to contain. It’ll be tough for the Colts to run away with much of a lead as they face DT Aaron Donald and CB Jalen Ramsey. However, I’m expecting Rodrigo Blankenship to kick a game winner in this close, defensive battle. |
 | The Jaguars fell short last week against a flawed Texans team. I’m not expecting much at all out of Jacksonville against this Denver defense. Meanwhile, look for RBs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams to run all over this inexperienced Jaguars D. It’ll be closer than some expect as QB Teddy Bridgewater struggles without his favorite target in Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos should come out on top nonetheless. |
 | While the Eagles aren’t going to be this dominant every week, it’s hard to believe that QB Jalen Hurts’ performance against the Falcons was entirely a fluke. This 49ers secondary is not what it used to be, and hasn’t really been much better than Atlanta’s. Hurts will be able to capitalize on that as he takes down San Francisco in a shootout. |
 | I think this could finally be the year that this Arizona offense is able to click. They put up an impressive performance against the Titans, and I’m expecting more of the same as they host Minnesota. QB Kirk Cousins and the Vikings should be able to put up a fight per usual, but I’m expecting Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to put up a monster game both on the ground and with his arm. |
 | This Falcons offense is eventually going to return to form. It’s built fairly similarly to how it was in 2020, just with RB Mike Davis and TE Kyle Pitts replacing RB Todd Gurley and WR Julio Jones. While I expect improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, Atlanta is no match for QB Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. |
 | After their win over Washington last week, I could see the Chargers completing a sweep of this NFC East. Look for QB Justin Herbert to target RB Austin Ekeler more than last week, while also relying on his WR duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The Cowboys are always able to put up some points on offense, but I don’t expect them to be nearly as explosive as usual with WR Michael Gallup and star OL Zack Martin missing among others. |
 | Both of these teams are centered around their offenses, and no matter who wins, this should be an offensive shooutout. I think RB Derrick Henry should be able to bounce back from a rough Week 1 performance. However, you can’t discount the fact that Seattle will have a packed crowd on their side for the first time since the pandemic began. I’m expecting QB Russell Wilson and the Seahawks to outplay the Titans in a close one. |
 | Baltimore fell short in overtime last week, but I’m expecting a different outcome this time around as the Ravens win an OT thriller against Kansas City. Look for strong games out of both QB Patrick Mahomes and QB Lamar Jackson. It’ll be a Justin Tucker game winner that makes the difference for Baltimore. |
 | It’s hard to believe that QB Aaron Rodgers is giving his all right now. I’m expecting him to rely on the run game as he edges out an MNF victory over Detroit. Another strong performance from Lions RBs D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams (against his former team) could give the Packers a scare. It’s hard to believe Detroit will be able to upset Green Bay at Lambeau Field though. |
TNF (Posted to Twitter Thursday night)
That’s all for my Week 2 picks. Feel free to comment with your thoughts before you kick back, relax, and enjoy the games. Today, we will all be able to see which of our Week 1 reactions were warranted.
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