NFL Week 2 — Free NFL Picks ATS and Best Bets (2023)

In this article, we cover our top free NFL picks against the spread (ATS) for Week 2 of the NFL season. In addition, we’ll give you our best bets of the week to target on your favorite sportsbook. Let’s win some money together.

Kick-started by the Detroit Lion’s upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas Chiefs on Thursday night, Week 1 saw many more upsets. The Cleveland Browns stymied the Cincinnati Bengals 24-3. Harassing Joe Burrow all game, they held the former number-one pick to just 82 passing yards. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also kicked off the Baker Mayfield era with a 20-18 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Todd Bowles’s group forced three turnovers while sending consistent pressure to prevent Kirk Cousins and company from finding their groove. With Week 2 on the horizon, Sunday will feature multiple divisional battles. This includes a battle between two of the top three picks from April’s draft, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson.

Chicago Bears (+2.5) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)

Many lauded Chicago as a team, expected to take a significant step forward after finishing with the worst record in the league a year ago. Instead, it was much of the same for the group in their opening game. Dismantled 38-20 by their bitter rival, the Green Bay Packers, Justin Fields, and the rest of the Bear’s offense struggled. Additionally, the defense allowed Jordan Love to torch them. The former first-round pick completed 15 of his 27 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns.

Riding the backs of their stellar defense, Tampa Bay upset Minnesota in a narrow road victory. They forced the Vikings into three turnovers, including a strip sack by Antoine Winfield Jr. and a red zone interception from rookie safety Christian Izen. Meanwhile, Mayfield did just enough in his first game under center. The longtime Cleveland Brown tossed two touchdown scores, including one to Mike Evans, to tie the game at 10 heading into the halftime break. While Chicago should look much better heading into Week 2, Tampa Bay is riding high with a defense that looks among the league’s best.

Pick: Buccaneers (-2.5)

Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5)

Looking to get back in the win column, the Chiefs fell to the Lions on opening night. Without Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, they lost for the first time in Week 1 with Mahomes. The team could not overcome many self-inflicted wounds, including three drops from wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

Jacksonville withstood a second-half surge from Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts to snap their five-game losing streak at Lucas Oil Stadium. Down 21-17 midway through the third quarter, Deforest Buckner scooped up a Tank Bigsby fumble and returned it 26 yards for the score. However, the rookie running back made up for his miscue by giving the defending AFC South champions the lead back on a one-yard touchdown scamper. Doug Pederson and company will try and knock off Kansas City for the first time since 2009. However, with the Chiefs set to get both Jones and Kelce back, take the road team to cover in this Divisional round rematch.

Pick: Chiefs (-3.5)

Seattle Seahawks (+5) vs Detroit Lions (-5) 

Seattle is suddenly reeling after a loss to their divisional rival, the Rams, on Sunday. The Seahawks fell 30-13, their worst home defeat since losing to Sean Mcvay’s group 42-7 during the 2017 season. Unable to sustain drives in the first half, they went two for nine on third down. Furthermore, Seattle also had just 12 yards of offense and one first down during the game’s final 30 minutes, allowing a young Los Angeles team to pull away.

Riding high after their opening night defeat over the Chiefs, Detroit was able to bottle up Mahomes and the Kelce-less Kansas City offense. Aiming to advance to 2-0 for the first time in six years, expect Detroit’s pass rush to harass Geno Smith with both Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas banged up. Nonetheless, five points is too many in a bounce-back spot for a Pete Caroll-led team.

Pick: Seahawks (+5)

New York Giants (-5.5) vs Arizona Cardinals (+5.5)

The Cowboys beat down the Giants on Sunday Night Football. Brian Daboll’s group lost 40-0 while recording just 171 yards of total offense. Moreover, New York surrendered a blocked field goal return for a touchdown by Noah Igbinoghene on its opening possession, followed by a pick-six from cornerback Daron Bland later in the first quarter.

Without their starting quarterback, Kyler Murray, the Cardinals nearly knocked off the Commanders in their season opener. Guided by the play of their defense, the group forced three turnovers in the first half, including a strip sack by Dennis Gardeck that rookie Camerom Thomas recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. While Arizona proved to be a feisty group against Washington, New York still has the better roster, coach, and quarterback. They should be hungry to send a message across the league after being embarrassed in Week 1.

Pick: Giants (-5.5)

New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers (O/U 39.5) 

New Orleans was victorious in their first game under their new starting quarterback, Derek Carr. Narrowly edging out the Titans, the team forced Ryan Tannehill into three interceptions while holding him to a career-low 28.8 passer rating. On the flip side, Carr was solid in his debut. The 32-year-old completed 23 of 33 passes for 305 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.

Carolina was the only NFC South team to fall in Week 1. They fell 24-10 to the Atlanta Falcons. Bryce Young enjoyed an up-and-down first appearance in the NFL. The number one overall pick from April’s draft threw for just 146 yards while tossing multiple interceptions. While Dennis Allen’s group has the skill players to put up points in a hurry, the Panthers are home to one of the best young defenses in the game. Furthermore, with Young still trying to find his footing, expect a low-scoring battle between these two division rivals.

Pick: Under 39.5

Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals (O/U 46)

Baltimore overcame the losses of both running back J.K. Dobbins and safety Marcus Williams in a 25-9 defeat of the Texans. Spoiling the NFL debut of Stroud, the Raven’s defense harassed the number two overall pick. They sacked him five times, including one by linebacker Patrick Queen on fourth and one to stop Houston’s opening drive.

Cincinnati was arguably the most disappointing team in the NFL in Week 1. Struggling mightily offensively in a 24-3 loss to the Browns, Cleveland bottled up Joe Burrow and the team’s high-powered passing attack. The former Heisman Trophy winner threw for a career-low 82 yards while completing just 45.16% of his passes. With just six of the Bengals games going over the point total a year ago, lean on the under in what should be a classic AFC North slugfest.

Pick: Under 46 

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