NFL 2026 Week 2 Prequel
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 8pm
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-4 1/2) — Both teams put up a lot of points in their season opening wins, but in different ways. The Bills went on the road and outdueled a Houston team with a good defense. The Lions barely survived a harrowing overtime game at home against a New Orleans team not thought to be good. The Bills at home have the advantage, and we don’t know if the Lions are back to where they were two years ago. Bills win but fail to cover
Sunday, September 20, 1pm
Carolina Panthers (-2 1/2) at Atlanta Falcons — The Panthers defense at home gave up 59 points last week while the Falcons offense looked inept. The team that could not score hosts the team that could not stop anyone. Something has to give. Home field advantage means nothing in this series, so go with the better team that can at least move the ball. Panthers cover
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens (-7 1/2) — The Saints were a failed two point conversion try from pulling off a stunning road upset at Detroit. Yet the Ravens look like the same team that is good every year despite the offseason upheaval. Lamar Jackson should be able to again run and throw at will as he did in the season opener. Ravens cover
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (-5 1/2) — The Bears offense put up 59 point last week while the Vikings exploded for 29 straight points after falling behind 22-10 at home. Ben Johnson may be every bit as good as advertised. Go with the hot offense. Bears cover
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans (-2 1/2) — Joe Burrow is healthy and the Cincinnati defense forced several turnovers last week against Tampa Bay. The Texans lost a heartbreaker at home last week against Buffalo. Demeco Ryans’s usually tough defense let Josh Allen go wild. Can they stop Burrow. This could come down to the last play, so go with the home crowd even though home field is hardly the biggest factor in this game. Texans cover
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (-4 1/2) — The Steelers won last week but looked awful while the Patriots blew a 10-0 late lead.. Drake Maye was miserable, tossing three interceptions. Yet they were at defending champion Seattle, so expect them to rebound this week. Patriots win but fail to cover
Green Bay Packers (-4) at New York Jets — The Packers blew a 22-10 late lead in surrendering 29 unanswered points at Minnesota. The Jets won against Tennessee, who might be the worst team in the league. The Packers are not that bad and the Jets are not that good. Packers cover
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8 1/2) — The Browns were blown out while the Buccaneers were a turnover machine. he Buccaneers almost came back against Cincinnati but couldn’t overcome their mistakes. Yet Baker Mayfield would love to punish the team that gave up on him. He will get his revenge. Buccaneers cover
Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at Tennessee Titans — The Titans might be the worst team in the league. The Eagles barely survived at home against Washington, holding off the tying two point conversion try. The Eagles play down to the level of their competition. Eagles win but fail o cover
4pm
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (-3) — The Jaguars blasted Cleveland, which does not count. The Broncos got blasted at Kansas City, which matters more. This is the game to see if The Broncos truly are as good as they were last year. Give them the benefit of the doubt based on the strength of their defense and he home crowd. Broncos cover
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (-7) — The Raiders won a game against Miami, who might find a way to go winless. The Chargers were shocked at home against Arizona. The will be a reversion to sanity. The Raiders treat this game as a home game, but the Chargers have more talent. Jim Harbaugh will have them ready to rebound. Chargers cover
Seattle Seahawks (3 1/2) at Arizona Cardinals — The Seahawks barely survived the season opening rematch at home against New England, but they ere playing with a backup quarterback due to an early injury to Sam Darnold. The Cardinals were supposed to be awful but went on the road and stunned the Chargers. No, this is not a changing of the guard. In a return to reality, the Seahawks are better. Seahawks cover
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (-3 1/2) — The Commanders were a failed two point conversion try of forcing overtime at Philadelphia, while the Cowboys looked awful against the Giants. Giving the Cowboys the benefit of the doubt has become a waste of time, but at home they should have enough offense to eke out a win. Cowboys win but fail to cover
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (-13 1/2) — The 49ers went to Australia and beat up perhaps the league’s best team in the Rams. The Dolphins at home lost to a Raiders squad that won three games last year. The spread is high but the 49ers are that good and the Dolphins are that bad. Do not expect a letdown. 49ers cover
8pm
Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (-6 1/2) — Patrick Mahomes is back, as the Chiefs blasted denver. Daniel Jones might not be, as the Colts got blasted by Baltimore at home. Go with the better team who is playing well and angry. Chiefs cover
Monday, September 21, 8pm
New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams (-7) — Yes, the Giants beat up hated rival Dallas. Yes, the Rams got blasted by San Francisco. This is a return to reality game. The Giants are improved but face a much tougher test. The Rams all be angry, at home, and on a mission. Rams cover