NFL Week 2, 2019: Best picks against the spread (ATS)

Some teams win no matter the point spread, but how many points is too many to cover? Favor the future playoff teams this week. Your best picks against the spread (ATS) for NFL Week 2, 2019.

A first week round of blowouts saw seven teams get blasted by at least two touchdowns, some by a whole lot more. In distressing news, two of the seven were underdogs that Todd picked to cover. We also had two overtime games, one ending in a tie. It was a healthy amount of unexpected outcomes that we’ve come to prize and, ironically, expect out of the NFL.

In some equally juxtaposed news, neither the New England Patriots nor the Oakland Raiders seemed to miss or need the services of Antonio Brown. That’s just the way things go in the non-player empowerment league. Which teams can you trust in NFL Week 2? These are your best picks against the spread (ATS).

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate NFL Week 2 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

2019 Record ATS

Dan Salem’s record ATS: 1-1
Todd Salem’s record ATS: 0-2

Todd Salem’s Best Picks ATS

Arizona Cardinals +13.5 at Baltimore Ravens

This is either a really dumb bet or the best value anyone will get against the Ravens all season long. We all agree the Dolphins are atrocious and purposely not trying to win. So why are we also giving Baltimore tons of credit for blowing them away in Week 1? You can’t have it both ways.

Of course, this backfires if Arizona isn’t any good either. The jury is still out, but Week 1 saw the Cardinals come back to force overtime and then hold on for a tie against Detroit. I like their ability to build on what they learned offensively. Combined with a letdown from Baltimore, this should be an easy cover, even if the game never feels close in the moment.

Kansas City Chiefs -7.5 at Oakland Raiders

Continuing the trend of not overreacting to Week 1, the Oakland Raiders aren’t actually going to be good, right? I stand by that belief for at least another week. The Chiefs can roll 40 up on anyone, even without the services of Tyreek Hill. The question is whether the Raiders can keep pace against a questionable defense. I say no.

Call me crazy, but Derek Carr isn’t going to average 10 yards per attempt the rest of the way throwing to the likes of Darren Waller and Tyrell Williams. It is hard laying more than a touchdown on the road, but there won’t be a better scenario to do it than this one. And besides, of those seven aforementioned blowouts from last week, an impressive four were had by road teams (including this very KC club).

Dan Salem’s Best Picks ATS

Los Angeles Chargers -2.5 at Detroit Lions

The Chargers needed overtime to defeat the Colts in Week 1, but Indianapolis is still a very good football team. I can’t say the same about Detroit, who fought to a tie against Arizona. The Cardinals are probably not very good. That being said, I fully expect Los Angeles to improve upon its earlier performance, so giving up less than a field goal is safe. They are a playoff team and the Lions are not.

Philadelphia Eagles -1 at Atlanta Falcons

Continuing the trend of picking teams I believe are playoff bound, the Eagles jump out to me in NFL Week 2. While they struggled early against Washington, Philadelphia ultimately pulled away and won a hard-fought week 1 game against a division rival. That speaks volumes to how they will do this week. I don’t expect much different in terms of results, except Philadelphia’s opponent is reeling.

Atlanta could not get anything going against Minnesota, nor stop the Vikings offense. The Eagles have a better offense, so I’m confident giving up only one point in this game. Did you see how porous the Falcons offensive line was? Philadelphia’s defense is going to have a field day.