Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season had its fair share of surprises, given almost every team is an unknown quantity with personnel and coaching until they take the field for the first time when it counts.
Navigating the newness can be tricky, but we're off to a rather good start with Sporting News' game picks and predictions against the spread. That means to go into the latest round of pro prognostications with more confidence. Here's the fearless forecast for another full slate in Week 2.
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
MORE: NFL power rankings — Packers, Steelers, Chargers surge after Week 1
NFL picks against the spread for Week 2
Game of Midweek: Commanders at Packers (-3.5, 48.5 o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
The Packers' defense ripped into one top NFC offense at home and now will try to do the same to another on a short week. Washington's offensive line, however, is trending up, and unlike Detroit, they have a mobile QB who makes big plays with his feet as well as with his big arm.
Jayden Daniels will be up for the duel with Jordan Love, using his legs well to slow down the Green Bay pass rush. The difference will be the Packers being more effective in the running game with Josh Jacobs.
Pick: Packers win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread
Game of the Week: Eagles at Chiefs (pick 'em, 47 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Chiefs are regretting not staying aggressive in the Super Bowl and that led to the Eagles taking control in a rout. The Eagles have an extra day of preparation with almost equal rest, but desperation figures to kick in for the Chiefs, who want to avoid an 0-2 hole. Patrick Mahomes will rev up earlier with his veteran weapons, while the defense plays steadier to contain Jalen Hurts just enough at home.
Pick: Chiefs win 30-27 and cover the spread
Lock of the Week: Steelers (-3, 40.5 o/u) over Seahawks
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Steelers are looking locked in with Aaron Rodgers at the controls of their diverse offense. The Seahawks looked rough up front for Sam Darnold and another run-heavy game plan won't work well on the road against a rebound-minded attack defense. Seattle won't feel it in this long road trip as coach Mike Macdonald falls to his old Ravens' rivals.
Pick: Steelers win 27-14 and cover the spread
Upset of the Week: Buccaneers (+3, 43 o/u) over Texans
Monday 7 p.m. ET, ESPN and ABC
The Buccaneers have their offense humming again with Baker Mayfield locked into his weapons, with the line picking up the slack for Tristan Wirfs. The Texans have nothing safe up front for C.J. Stroud, and their running game is their best offensive asset. The Bucs have more versatility and better defensive scheming to boot to take this Monday night toss up in Mayfield's home state.
Pick: Buccaneers win 23-20
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Troy Taormina, Nathan Ray Seebeck
Jaguars at Bengals (-3.5, 49.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. CBS
The Jaguars are still working out some offensive kinks and took advantage of a bad opposing offense in the Panthers in Week 1. Cincinnati's offense will be eager to rev up early at home after the second-half anomaly vs. the Browns. Joe Burrow outduels Trevor Lawrence in a battle of consecutive No. 1 overall picks.
Pick: Bengals 31-24 win and cover the spread
Giants at Cowboys (-6, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Giants are sticking with Russell Wilson as their starting QB rather than turning to rookie Jaxson Dart. The Cowboys will smash their defense with their downfield receivers and also make it tough on Wilson, leading to a likely Dart start in Week 3 vs. the Chiefs.
Pick: Cowboys 30-14 and cover the spread
Bears at Lions (-4.5, 47.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Ben Johnson takes his team on a short week to the team whose offense he used to coordinate. But Detroit's dismal disappointment in Green Bay will lead to familiar run-based production with Jahmyr Gibbs, opening up Jared Goff in the passing game. Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions' defense will answer by doing enough to keep Caleb Williams in check.
Pick: Lions win 24-21 but fail to cover the spread
Rams (-6, 41.5 o/u) at Titans
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Rams' defense can get after Cam Ward up front and also is playing over its head in back seven defense. Matthew Stafford will see pressure relieved by the running game, and the Titans can't handle the savviness of his wide receivers.
Pick: Rams win 24-10 and cover the spread
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Patriots at Dolphins (-1.5, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Patriots and Dolphins were both disappointed by their young QBs, Drake Maye and Tua Tagovailoa, in Week 1. But New England is better situated to rebound mentally and physically with Mike Vrabel, while Miami seems like it will go through more motions in the heat under Mike McDaniel.
Pick: Patriots win 23-20
49ers (-6.5, 43.5 o/u) at Saints
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The 49ers' defense got going again with Nick Bosa and the scheming of Robert Saleh. They can rip New Orleans up front with the pass rush after keeping Spencer Rattler compressed. The 49ers also will have their way offensively with whoever else is healthy with Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy.
Pick: 49ers win 33-13 and cover the spread
Bills (-6.5, 45.5 o/u) at Jets
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bills need to be wary of a hangover from the thrilling comeback win led by Josh Allen with Justin Fields and the Jets' offense also riding a big high despite heartbreaking defeat. The Jets just don't have enough to finish them with the lesser defense.
Pick: Bills win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread
Ravens (-12.5, 45.5 o/u) at Browns
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry added up to blowing another big fourth-quarter lead, so the focus will be on trying to dominate wire-to-wire, staying hot and aggressive after a fast start to have the needed furious finish to slam the door on old friend in Joe Flacco.
Pick: Ravens win 34-10 and cover the spread
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Broncos (-2.5, 44.5) at Colts
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Bo Nix was terrible for the Broncos, but his burden is limited with the defense being so dominant from top to bottom. Plus, the running game is much-improved with RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins. Daniel Jones will get a home reality check against a much tougher defense.
Pick: Broncos win 20-17 and cover the spread
Panthers at Cardinals (-6.5, 45 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Bryce Young didn't deliver as a No. 1 overall pick in a make-or-break season to start, but Kyler Murray did with his greater experience. Carolina's defense saw some improvement, but the key will be being more dangerous in the passing game. Murray has a little more help from the traditional running game to push Arizona to 2-0.
Pick: Cardinals win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread
Falcons at Vikings (-4.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy get a good chance to test their Year 2 skills against each other in similar offensive schemes. Penix was meh in connecting with his top targets in Week 1, while McCarthy will be more locked in at home with Justin Jefferson and with his defense creating some short fields.
Pick: Vikings win 30-20 and cover the spread.
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Chargers (-3.5, 46.5 o/u) at Raiders
Monday 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll renew their Pac-12 and NFC West rivalry on the sidelines for two 1-0 teams in the AFC West. The offenses also are much more balanced and explosive. Justin Herbert has a little more on his side and in the battle of rookie running backs, Omarion Hampton has it better than Asthon Jeanty in this matchup.
Pick: Chargers win 27-20 and cover the spread
Stats of the Week
- Week 1 record straight up: 12-3
- Week 1 record against the spread: 8-6
- 2025 season record straight up: 12-3
- 2025 season record against the spread: 8-6
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