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NFL Office Pool Picks Week 2 - Predictions for Every Game ATS!

by Spencer Toth - 9/13/2023

NFL office pool picks Week 2 Rashee Rice Kansas City Chiefs

The first week of the NFL season is in the books, and what an eventful week it was. The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs lost outright to the Detroit Lions to start off the season with a bang. While the Jets and Ravens both picked up victories, they lost Aaron Rodgers and J.K. Dobbins, respectively, with both men out for the season. The favorites went a very pedestrian 8-8 on the moneyline, and a measly 6-10 ATS. When teams start off 0-2, they rarely make the playoffs (11.5% of the time), and the playoff hopefuls will be eager to avoid that fate. Here’s a look at each Week 2 matchup, with the ATS prediction included.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7) Over Minnesota Vikings

Kicking off Week 2, we have a pivotal showdown slated for Thursday night. The Eagles will be eager to build on their Week 1 victory over New England and will ensure they don’t let a big lead slip away once again. For the Vikings, a Week 1 loss to the lowly Buccaneers has set off alarm bells around the NFL, as the Vikings will be unable to go 11-0 in one score games like they did last year. The Eagles have the advantage in the trenches, and they have quality players in their secondary, who will be able to limit Justin Jefferson. Jalen Hurts has performed under the bright primetime lights throughout his career and will triumph once again. Eagles 31, Vikings 17

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) Over Cincinnati Bengals 

The Ravens may have lost Dobbins in their season opener, but it was otherwise a solid showing. Lamar Jackson looked good and showed off his shiny new toys at wide receiver. A fantastic Ravens defense will be eager to take advantage of Joe Burrow’s slow start, combined with the Bengals weak offensive line. Burrow threw for just 82 yards in Week 1, and a stingy Ravens defense won’t make it any easier. This is the second year in a row Burrow and the Bengals have gotten off to a slow start, and the Ravens will be desperate to take advantage and steal top spot of the AFC North early in the season. Ravens 27, Bengals 21

Chicago Bears (+3) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

The Bears got blown out by Green Bay… what else is new? Despite their rocky start, Justin Fields and the Bears are still a dangerous team. Fields may not have the accuracy of many other quarterbacks around the league, but his ability to run and pick up extra yards is what makes him so difficult to slow down. The Buccaneers were able to edge out the Vikings in Week 1, and I’m expecting a similarly close game in Week 2. It’ll take an extra few minutes, but the Bears eventually kick the game winning field goal in the extra frame. Bears 19, Buccaneers 16 in OT.

Atlanta Falcons (+1.5) Over Green Bay Packers

These two teams square off with a chance to start the season off 2-0. Atlanta rode a strong run game to swat aside their division rival Panthers, while the Packers continued their dominance over the Bears, on the back of a solid Jordan Love outing. Considering the Falcons are at home, and are slight underdogs, they are absolutely the play this week. Their inability to throw the football will eventually come back and bite them, but not against Green Bay. Love may have had a solid first start, but the young quarterback is integral to the Packers offense, and his growing pains will be felt in his first loss of the season. Falcons 20, Packers 13

Houston Texans (+1) Over Indianapolis Colts 

The expectations for these two franchises are low, but the Texans have the more complete lineup to put their first win on the board. Anthony Richardson had a solid first start for the Colts, but a weak offensive line, no real motivation to win, and the dressing room turmoil, will allow the Texans to edge them out. While other bottom feeders are tanking, the Texans have already traded their first-round pick and will use that motivation to win in front of their home crowd. Texans 31, Colts 21

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

I expect the Jaguars to be a popular pick as home underdogs, but I trust the consistent Patrick Mahomes to avoid an 0-2 hole to start the season. The Chiefs could have easily walked away with a win in Week 1 if it were not for a few key drops from their receivers. If Mahomes makes the same throws this week, they’ll get the win and cover. Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley appear poised to break out this season, but they’ll have to put their rise to stardom on hold when the Chiefs remind the league who’s still boss. Chiefs 35, Jaguars 29

LA Chargers (-3) Over Tennessee Titans 

The Chargers put on an absolute show against the Dolphins in Week 1, posting 433 yards of offense with 0 turnovers. However, it was not enough to get a victory against the high-flying Dolphins. On the other hand, Ryan Tannehill and the Titans were abysmal, with 198 pass yards and 3 picks. Once the Chargers get a lead, this one could get ugly quickly as the Titans will be forced to open up their offense which the hungry Chargers defense will take advantage of. Chargers 31, Titans 13

Las Vegas Raiders (+9.5) Over Buffalo Bills 

Josh Allen had one of the worst games of his career, as the Bills were unable to take advantage of the departure of Aaron Rodgers. While I don’t expect the Raiders to outright upset the Bills, they are good enough to keep this one within single digits. Jimmy Garoppolo knows how to manage football games, as he demonstrated in the Raiders Week 1 victory. Allen will have a better game against a vulnerable Raiders secondary. However, with Maxx Crosby breathing down his neck, he’ll turn the ball over again, keeping this close. Bills 24, Raiders 21

Detroit Lions (-6) Over Seattle Seahawks

I have absolutely no faith that Geno Smith will be able to lead the Seahawks to the playoffs. The CBPOY award he won last year was well deserved thanks to his first half play, but he gradually got worse throughout the season. In Week 1, the Rams smacked the Seahawks 30-13 exposing his faults. On the other hand, the Lions were hungry on defense against the Chiefs, and rode another solid Jared Goff outing to victory. In front of what will undoubtedly be a raucous home crowd, the Lions ride a double digit first half lead to a win and cover. Lions 28, Seahawks 19

Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) Over New York Giants 

The Cardinals are the worst team in the league. Period. Joshua Dobbs is nothing close to Kyler Murray, and the Cardinals wins will not come often. However, the Giants are coming off a 40-0 drubbing on Sunday Night Football, and confidence will not be high for their trip to Arizona. This feels as close to a must win game as it can be in Week 2 for the Giants, as an 0-2 start in a competitive NFC East would leave them with an outside chance of a postseason berth. As they did against the Commanders, the Cardinals will take advantage of mistakes, and keep it close. The big leg of Graham Gano will be missed, but the Giants eke out a valuable win. Giants 24, Cardinals 21

LA Rams (+8) Over San Francisco 49ers

The Rams pulled off a big upset in Week 1, beating the Seahawks by 17 points. Matthew Stafford looked solid on offense, and Aaron Donald looked dominant once again. The Rams are looking to keep their record reasonable until Cooper Kupp returns, and they just may be able to make a run to the postseason. For the 49ers, a postseason berth feels like a formality, considering the complete lineup they’ve been marching onto the field. The question marks surrounding Brock Purdy continue to fade away, but this spread is still too generous. We’re getting 8 points with the home team in a divisional game, and I won’t be turning that down. 49ers 24, Rams 20

Dallas Cowboys (-9.5) Over New York Jets

The Cowboys walloped the Giants thanks to strong defense, offense, and special teams. A matchup against the Zach Wilson led Jets will not be too strenuous on their defense, as they’ll be able to stop the run, and force Wilson to make throws. The Jets may have won in Week 1, but that was thanks to horrendous mistakes by Josh Allen. And while their defense did take advantage, Dak Prescott will not be giving them the same opportunities. There is no reason to step in front of the Cowboys right now, even with the joint largest spread of the week attached to their victory. Cowboys by whatever they want. Cowboys 30, Jets 16

Washington Commanders (+3.5) Over Denver Broncos

The Commanders are 3.5-point underdogs against the Broncos, despite their 1-0 record compared to the 0-1 Broncos. The Commanders may have not had the convincing win they were after in Week 1, but they demonstrated their grittiness, and Eric Bieniemy invigorated life into a stale offense. Both these teams will be using strong defenses in their push for a postseason berth, but I simply trust the Commanders to do what it takes to win more than the Broncos. Russell Wilson has not been able to replicate his good years in Seattle since moving to Colorado, and his woes continue in Week 2. We’re getting a field goal and the hook with the better team. Commanders 15, Broncos 9

Miami Dolphins (-2.5) Over New England Patriots

Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill put the league on notice, with a dominant offensive showing. A healthy Tagovailoa is not someone to be taken lightly, and the Patriots will be on the wrong end of the scoreline on Sunday night. They may have been able to make it close against the Eagles in Week 1, but it wasn’t enough to get the win, and it won’t be enough in Week 2 either. I expected this spread to be in the region of 5 points considering how these teams have looked thus far. At 2.5 points, I’m all over the Dolphins, and you should be too. Dolphins 31, Patriots 20

New Orleans Saints (-3) Over Carolina Panthers 

It is clear the Panthers franchise is in good hands with Bryce Young, but their lineup has far too many holes to keep it close against the Saints. Derek Carr is eager to finally have a defense that will allow him to get victories, and this matchup could be pivotal in determining the top of the NFC South. It won’t be a blowout, but the Saints are simply better in too many categories to lose this one. Saints 20, Panthers 16

Cleveland Browns (-2.5) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

This line is a little fishy, but the Browns are absolutely the play at less than a field goal. They flexed their defensive muscles in Week 1, shutting down Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense. Considering the Steelers possibly have the worst offense in the league, the ‘no fly zone’ developing in the Cleveland secondary will stay intact. Primetime matchups can sometimes be unpredictable, but the Steelers don’t have what it takes to compete with the Browns on both sides of the ball. Browns 24, Steelers 12

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