N.F.L. Week 2 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread

The Green Bay defense, though, registered four sacks against Chicago, and that pass rush could rattle Atlanta’s second-year quarterback, Desmond Ridder, who threw for just 115 yards against Carolina in Week 1. The Falcons’ passing game should toil again, but don’t expect a Packers defense that was 28th against the run in 2022 to contain the rookie top-10 pick Bijan Robinson. Pick: Packers -1.5

Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Bills -9.5 | Total: 47

Four careless turnovers from Josh Allen doomed the Bills (0-1) against the Jets’ formidable defense. He can rebound against the Raiders (1-0), who face uncertainty over the playing status of two key contributors. Defensive lineman Chandler Jones was away from the team last week amid a conflict with staff that trickled out in a since-deleted social media rant, and it is unclear if he will play this week. The team’s No. 2 receiver, Jakobi Meyers, entered the concussion protocol after he was leveled on the game-ending drive against the Broncos and could be out this Sunday. If Allen is more precise and varies his downfield looks to Stefon Diggs, the Bills could run away with this one. Pick: Bills -9.5

Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Chargers -3 |Total: 45

It’s Coach Brandon Staley’s third season with the Chargers (0-1), one which has so far been characterized by poor defense and a lack of situational awareness. Last week, the Chargers allowed the Dolphins to amass more than 500 total yards, and a pass-interference penalty from cornerback J.C. Jackson gave Miami a chance to kick a field goal before halftime, points that proved to be the difference in a 36-34 loss.

Against the Titans (0-1), they’ll face a far less potent offense, but one that nevertheless boasts Derrick Henry, one of the best running backs of this era. Henry saw a diminished workload (63 yards on 15 carries) last week in a loss to the Saints, but could feast against the Chargers’ weak linebacker corps. Pick: Titans +3

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Buccaneers -2.5 | Total: 41.5

The Bears proved their optimism in Justin Fields’s development back in April, trading down in the draft to select offensive lineman Darnell Wright in the first round rather than a quarterback. That optimism was dampened — but not diminished! — as Fields opened his second year as the Week 1 starter by passing for just one touchdown and getting sacked four times in a loss to the Packers.