NFL Week 2 pick for Prisco: Saints knock out Tom Brady again, Giants win 2-0 over Panthers

The first week of the NFL season is always unpredictable. So after seeing what happened in week 1, I’m happy with the first week of picks.

I went straight up with a 7-8-1 and it stinks. I ended up with an 8-8 for a decent spread. But the great news is that he won 5-1 at his best bet, as part of the Pick Six Podcast. And if I hadn’t added the Jacksonville Jaguars belatedly, it would have been wiped out.

So back to what I call Get Even Week in the NFL. A team that looked bad in week 1 probably won’t look that way in week 2, but the opposite could be true for some winners. It won’t always be that way, but I think it will be for a lot of games this week.

It’s time to set a straight record on track, but above all, let’s do our best to keep it hot.

Thursday, 8:20 PM ET (Amazon Prime)

This is Justin Herbert’s game of the week with Patrick Mahomes. It’s a treat any time they meet, and Arrowhead will rock Thursday night. But the Chargers can rush the passer with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Look for high-scoring games where the Chiefs are winning close games.

Choose: Chiefs 31, Chargers 30

Sunday 1pm (CBS, Paramount+)

The Dolphins and Ravens both won in impressive fashion last week, but now Miami is on the road for the first time. The Dolphins dominated the Ravens at home last year, but this will be different. The Ravens and Lamar Jackson make the most of the Dolphins.

Choose: Ravens 27, Dolphins 20

Sunday 1pm (CBS, Paramount+)

The Browns will face familiar quarterback Joe Flacco this week. He wasn’t feeling well last week in the Jets’ loss to the Ravens. The Browns beat Carolina by a narrow margin last week, but this time it’s home and Jacoby in his Brissett will play better in his second start with the Browns. They go 2-0.

Choose: Browns 24, Jets 13

Sunday 1pm (Fox, FuboTV)

The Commanders have a home victory against the Jaguars where Carson Wentz propelled them to a winning score in the closing stages. The Lions had a good offense against the Eagles but a terrible defense. This could turn into a shootout. I think Washington is the better team and it will show up. Commander takes it.

Choose: Commanders 31, Lions 27

Sunday 1pm (CBS, Paramount+)

The Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014, and last year lost in the final week, missing them from the playoffs. Also, they are playing back-to-back road games while Jacksonville is playing their home opener. That’s a big advantage for Jaguar. The Colts rallied the Texans to a draw last week, but they won’t rally to win this time. First win for the Jaguars.

Choose: Jaguars 26, Colts 23

Sunday 1pm (Fox, FuboTV)

The Bucs have back-to-back road games after their Sunday night game, which is always tough. But they have also been devastated by attacks in a big way. The Saints’ defense catches up when Tom Brady’s line is healthy, but it’s not. Expect the Saints’ defense to grow here after struggling last week. Saints take it.

Choose: Saints 23, Bucks 17

Sunday 1pm (Fox, FuboTV)

The Giants did some good by rallying in the second half to beat the Titans on the road. Saqwon Berkeley was special. He will carry the team here again against the Carolina team that lost to the Browns last week. Giants he goes 2-0. Can you believe it?

Choose: Giants 23, Panthers 17

Sunday 1pm (CBS, Paramount+)

The Patriots are having back-to-back road games after their terrible show in Miami. The Steelers are playing their home opener after upsetting the Bengals. However, the Steelers will miss his TJ Watt, which is very important. Defensive dynamics change. The Patriots hang on to this as the attack finally shows some life. Then they win late.

Choose: Patriots 21, Steelers 20

Sunday 4:05 pm (Fox, FuboTV)

The Rams will be out for 10 days after playing badly against the Bills. Sean McVay is too good a coach to prolong that loss.The Falcons played well losing to the Saints in a game they probably should have won. This is a long journey with a focused and good team. Rams take care of it.

Choose: Rams 31, Falcons 17

Sunday 4:05 pm (Fox, FuboTV)

The Seahawks are 1-0 and the 49ers are 0-1. Who saw it after Week 1? Seattle played well to upset the Broncos on Monday night, but now they’re heading into a short week. It’s a challenge. The 49ers have played poorly on Soldier Field after losing to the Bears, but that’s about to change. Trey Lance makes it happen.

Choose: 49ers 29, Seahawks 23

Dallas Cowboys Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)

Sunday 4:25 PM Eastern Standard Time (CBS, Paramount +)

The Bengals get their break by facing Cooper Rush instead of Dak Prescott. Joe Burrow took a while to play against Pittsburgh after missing much of training camp, but picked up the rust in the second half. I think that has been carried over. The Cowboys are too limited in offense. Bengals win.

Choose: Bengals 27, Cowboys 20

Denver Broncos Houston Texans (-10)

Sunday 4:25 p.m. (CBS, Paramount +)

The Broncos are playing their home opener Monday night after losing to the Seahawks in a game they should have won. The Texans played well against the Colts last week, but they’ll be an even bigger challenge on the road. I think they can hang around with this, but the Broncos win in the second half.

Choose: Broncos 24, Texans 21

Sunday 4:25 p.m. (CBS, Paramount +)

The Raiders lost to the Chargers but played well. The Cardinals lost to the Chiefs and played terrible football. Now they hit the road for the first time. The Cardinals have no sense of being a good team. Derek Carr lights them up.

Choose: Raiders 34, Cardinals 17

Sunday 8:20 p.m. (NBC, FuboTV)

The Packers were terrible losing to the Vikings, but the Bears shocked the 49ers with a heavy rainstorm. With Aaron Rodgers and the passing game picking up momentum, the defense will overwhelm Justin Fields and the Bears’ offense.

Choose: Packers 34 Bears 14

Buffalo Bills Tennessee Titans (-10)

Monday, 7:15 PM ET (ESPN, FuboTV)

The Titans suffered a crushing loss to the Giants, who took a big lead. Now they head north to face the Bills team, who are scheduled to rest for 11 days. It’s important. The last few years the Buffaloes have had problems with the Titans, but that’s not the case here. Josh Allen continues to score big numbers.

Choose: Bills 33, Titans 19

Philadelphia Eagles Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)

Monday, 8:30 PM ET (ESPN, FuboTV)

It was one of the best games of the week, with two 1-0 teams winning impressively. Minnesota’s defense stood out against the Packers last week, but this is a different style of offense. The Eagles get a lot of points here, but so do the Vikings.

Choose: Eagles 32, Vikings 26