Week 2 of the NFL is here. Hopefully, you survived Week 1 and are on your way to passing through NFL Week 2 as well. However, if you’re looking for some teams to consider, we’ve got you covered. I’ll give you two picks I think are solid locks. I’m giving two, just in case you already used the first team I’ve given. Plus, I’ll give you a controversial pick. So let’s dive into it. Hopefully faster than you dived into taking the Chiefs or Patriots in Week 1.
NFL Week 2 Survivor Series Picks
Lock 1: Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
For the first NFL Week 2 survivor picks, I’m circling the battle of two cats. The Jacksonville Jaguars opened up the season with a 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals squeaked by the Browns in a 17-16 win.
However, was anybody surprised that the Bengals started the season slowly? Last year, they opened up against the Patriots and lost in a 16-10 game that they were favored in. That was before they turned it up and went toe to toe with the Kansas City Chiefs. Opening up slowly, for whatever reason, has become the Bengals’ m.o.
The Jaguars looked really good. Is Liam Coen on his way to turning the team around? Or, did the Jaguars take advantage of a team that has struggled for two years in the running? Bryce Young hasn’t shown the promise they were hoping for when they drafted him number one overall. He didn’t look any different in Week 1.
This game opened with the Bengals being a 6-point favorite. After their close game against the Browns and the Jaguars’ 16-point win, the line dropped to 3.5. However, I’m not buying into this Jags team, at least not yet. The Bengals have more talent and will control this game at home. For your NFL Week 2 survivor picks, you can confidently pick the Bengals.
LOCK 2: LA Rams (-5.5) vs. Tennessee Titans
For the second pick in my NFL Week 2 survivor picks, I’m looking at the Rams vs. Titans game. This game and line feel almost similar to the first game, minus the line movement.
On one hand, you have the LA Rams, who squeaked by the Texans 14-9. The offense didn’t look like it was fully clicking, minus Puka Nacua. The defense did its part. However, they were simply overwhelming a bad offensive line. Were either of these a fluke? Matt Stafford didn’t play in the preseason and may have been working off some rust, as well as back tightness.
The Titans didn’t look terrible last week in their 20-12 loss to the Broncos. They did cover, after all. However, Cam Ward looked like a rookie in his rookie debut. Not only did he just look like a rookie, but he looked like a rookie who needed more time.
It seems Sean McVay should be able to take advantage of that with a fierce Rams’ defense. Matt Stafford should also loosen up a little bit more and be able to move the ball more down the field. Puka Nacua had ten catches for 130 yards. Kyren Williams ran for 66 yards and a touchdown. Davante Adams had four catches.
With Stafford getting another step towards mid-season form, they should be able to run wild on the Titans. Despite the Titans’ defense looking good, the Rams should be in a prime position to easily cover this game.
Contrarion Play: Cleveland Browns Vs. Baltimore Ravens (-11.5)
I gave two locks for my NFL Week 2 survivor picks. Now it’s time for a controversial pick. The Ravens play against the Browns this weekend in Baltimore. They’re 11.5-point favorites heading into the game. As of right now, 60% of bettors are taking the Ravens to cover.
I already talked about the Browns barely losing, but still covering, against the Bengals. What if it wasn’t just due to the Bengals’ history of starting slow? What if it was because Joe Flacco is a solid veteran quarterback? He utilizes his weapons with Cedric Tillman, David Njoku, Harold Fannin, and even Dylan Sampson. What if the defense is good enough to keep the Browns in games, more so than people thought?
The Ravens are coming off a soul-crushing loss against the Bills. They were up by 15 with just four minutes left. Yet, they let that lead slip away. They could come into this coming game pissed off. Or, they could come in with a hangover from such an emotional game. You won’t have many shots to hit it with this Browns team. Might as well take them when they’re double-digit dogs in a conference battle.
