Thursday, September 12, 2024

2024 Week 2 Picks

 


Baker Mayfield has been playing well, while the Browns are still
hoping DeShaun Watson can play better who they signed for $230 million

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins (-2.5)- Rivalry game that has favored the Bills in the last four games.  Both teams managed to overcome first half deficits to get wins.  Although the Bills have a slightly different look without Steffon Diggs, they have depth of targets in Coleman and Shakir and of course Allen can utilize his legs.   The Bills’ passing defense was on point last week as they held Kyler Murray to 168 passing yards and Marvin Harrison Jr. only had 4 yards. 

New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys (-7)- Dallas beat expectations by blowing out the Browns but the Saints were also impressive in their blowout against the Panthers who made the Panthers defense look like Swiss cheese.   I will say Derek Carr could have another good game although the Cowboys defense did enough to slow down Watson.   Perhaps the Saints can present more of a challenge although there is a chance Derek Carr lays an egg on the road. 

Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) @ Green Bay – With Jordan Love out, this game should favor the Colts who looked frisky against the Texans.

San Francisco 49ers (-6) @ Minnesota Vikings – Both teams took care of business last week.  The 49ers may still be without Christian McCaffrey, and they are on the road playing in East coast time so maybe the Vikings can find a way to keep it close especially since they looked really good last week.   

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7) @ Detroit Lions – The Buccaneers secondary is banged up, but Baker Mayfield did a good job connecting with his receivers last week.  The Buccaneers need to run the ball to keep the game close, but the Bucs can certainly keep it close as they were a playoff team last season.

Seatle Seahawks @ New England Patriots (+3.5)- The Patriots defense can keep it going at home against a Seattle team that took a while to find its beat last week.

New York Giants @ Washington Commanders (-2.5) – Washington did seem to keep Jayden Daniel mostly intact after he rushed the ball 16 times.  Washington may keep it conservative to keep their QB safe.  Daniel Jones has his most wins against this Washington team although it looks like the Giants fans have turned their back on him and might be hard for him to put together a win.  Although Washington’s defense was putrid last week so anything is possible. Washington may be the team with strong tanking prospects if they lose this game. 

Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) @ Carolina Panthers- It would be quite stunning to see the Panthers make a turnaround against the Harbaugh lead Chargers.   The Panthers can provide more of a scoring punch although Herbert may have a great game if the Panthers defense continues to struggle.

Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) (LOCK) - After week 1, it looks like the Browns have a question mark at quarterback.   

 

New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans (+3.5) – The Titans kept it close against the Bears before suffering self-inflicted turnovers.   This could be an even game, but Rodgers may do enough to get his first win as a starting quarterback for the Jets.

 

Las Vegas Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) (LOCK) – This seems like a get right game for the Ravens.  Pierce has the Raiders playing tough and could devise a good game plan against Jackson, but Henry will probably be the difference here along with the Ravens homefield advantage.  Perhaps complacency can set in but given that the Ravens lost last week, it seems unlikely that the Ravens will take the Raiders lightly.

 

Los Angeles Rams (+1.5) @ Arizona Cardinals- Can the Cardinals slow down Cooper Kupp with a week to plan? Puka Nacua is out.  Marvin Harrison Jr. will try to get more than one reception here although the Rams dense looked decent in the second half before succumbing to the power running of David Montgomery.  The Rams will try to atone for a week 1 loss here.

 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs (-6)-   Burrow looked sloppy against the Patriots-   He usually saves his best for the Chiefs.    For now, Kansas City has the momentum after a good win against the Ravens.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) @ Denver Broncos-   Justin Fields got his first win on the road.  Another win here for set up the Steelers nicely to compete for a division title.  The Bronco are slight underdogs because they have a rookie QB although it will be interesting to see if their defense can keep this one close. 

 

Chicago Bears (+7) @ Houston Texans - The Texans should be favorites here.  Caleb Williams still has to iron some things out and CJ Stroud still looks like the young quarterback that teams want to build around in the recent drafts.  The Bear’s defense does look good along with their running backs. 

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) (LOCK)- Kirk Cousins on Monday Night against the Eagles seems like a déjà vu thing I have seen before.  Based on past history, I expect the Eagles to have a big game.  Jalen Hurts does need to play better as he threw i2 interceptions in week 1 but I expect the Eagles to play better at home as opposed to Brazil. 

2023 Against the Spread - 138-126-1

2023 Locks - 29-17

2023 Straight Up - 175-106

2024 Against the Spread- 7-9

2024 Locks – 1-1

2024 Straight up-12-4

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