The Road Underdogs (3-5)

Chargers (+4.0) vs. Chiefs

As good as the Chiefs looked last week, it will be difficult to replicate that performance against the division rival Chargers. And on a short week, will the Chiefs be able to find any offense besides Travis Kelce?

Commanders (+1.0) vs. Lions

While the Lions certainly earned their status as favorites this week with an inspired performance against the Eagles, I am somehow slightly more confident in Carson Wentz than I am in Jared Goff.

Panthers (+2.0) vs. Giants

The Giants were the best surprise coming out of week one, but I don’t expect things to go so well in their home opener. The Panthers put on a better showing than most anticipated, and while Baker Mayfield pretty much validated the Browns decision to move on from him in the offseason, he’s at his best when he’s underestimated. In what could end up as a duel between Christian McCaffery and Saquon Barkley, give me McCaffery.

Falcons (+10.0) vs. Rams

Did bettors see the same Rams team I saw last Thursday? Unless Matthew Stafford has the same elixir that Jameis Winston found last Sunday, I have my doubts that he will have much success against a revitalized Falcons front four. They harassed Winston a week ago, and for a Rams team replacing key contributors on the offensive line, this doesn’t have the recipe for being a Rams blowout.

Seahawks (+8.5) vs. 49ers

Geno hive, stand up! The most remarkable performance of the weekend perhaps came from Geno Smith, considering the circumstances. He outplayed Russell Wilson in his return to Seattle, and looked like a legitimate starting quarterback in the process. Trey Lance did not, and while that may have more to do with the rain than anything else, nothing in last week’s performances leads me to believe that the 49ers are capable right now of beating the Seahawks by more than a touchdown.

Cardinals (+5.5) vs. Raiders

Titans (+10.0) vs. Bills

Both the Cardinals and Titans need this game. While the prospect of starting 0-2 isn’t a death knell for both teams, it will put both in a position of needing to play catch-up going forward. The Titans in particular will find it an uphill battle to reclaim the conference’s #1 seed that they had last year. While I have doubts that either will win outright in week two, both will put up better efforts than they did this past Sunday.

Vikings (+2.0) vs. Eagles

Both teams looked solid in week one, but I like the offensive firepower of the Vikings more than I do the Eagles.

The Road Favorites (1-1)

Patriots (-2.0) vs. Steelers

Colts (-3.5) vs. Jaguars

Winning in Pittsburgh is no small task, and while I already hate picking a Matt Patricia-coordinated offense against a Mike Tomlin coached defense, I have to believe the Patriots are better than their performance a week ago indicated, while the Steelers had difficulties winning a game the Bengals by all accounts wanted very badly to give to them.

The Home Underdogs (1-1)

Buccaneers vs. Saints (+2.5)

Bengals vs. Cowboys (+7.0)

The Saints have been Tom Brady’s kryptonite since joining the Bucs, and their less than inspired performance on Sunday in Dallas doesn’t give me hope that they will find offensive rhythm against the Saints. And while the Bengals should absolutely dominate, I’m not so sure I’m comfortable riding with a Bengals team that still can’t protect its most important player.

The Home Favorites (1-3)

Jets vs. Browns (-6.5)

Dolphins vs. Ravens (-3.5)

Texans vs. Broncos (-10.0)

Bears vs. Packers (-10.0)

The Jets look just as hapless as ever, and I love that matchup for the Browns defensive line. The Ravens and Dolphins probably looked better than they actually are last week, but I think the Ravens are closer to a championship level right now, and Lamar Jackson will show us why on Sunday.

Outside of Dallas, the Broncos and Packers delivered the two most disappointing performances of the weekend, but both should have fanbases easing off the panic meter with dominant week two victories.

Last week: 7-8

This week: 6-10

Overall: 13-18