NFL Picks Week 2 Washington-Giants tilt offers some intriguing angles
Opening week of the NFL season often includes upsets (Steelers, Dolphins), over-thetop achievements (Raiders, Eagles) and underwhelming performances (Packers, Titans). Finding the correct ones is a major challenge for prognosticators.
Thus, a rugged start for Pro Picks.
Time to rally, beginning with Thursday night’s not particularly stellar matchup between the New York Giants and the Washington Football Team.
Both of these NFC East occupants were beaten at home by AFC West opponents, the Giants falling without much of a fight to Denver, and Washington offering a bit more in losing to the Chargers.
Of course, in their division, where something around .500 might mean a title, how much can be expected from either club?
There are some intriguing angles, though.
Washington lost veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday to a hip injury, so Taylor Heinicke goes at quarterback. He brings high energy, which he first displayed last January.
“I think our guys will rally around him,” coach Ron Rivera said.
“Some guys have an innate ability to create some enthusiasm, some excitement. And that’s kind of a little bit about Taylor because of the way he plays. He plays a little bit like (his) hair’s on fire, plays a little bit like a gunslinger.”
For New York, a major question is how top running back Saquon Barkley will perform in a short week. Barkley missed most of 2020 with a torn-up knee and found little room to run in gaining 26 yards on 10 carries vs. Denver.
“We’ve got to get the run game going against a very talented defence — probably one of the best defences in the league,” Barkley said.
“That’s going to be important to get your run game going.
Watch film, learn from what I did, get the rust off and try to do a better job this week.”
The Giants are 3 ⁄ -point underdogs at Washington, according to FanDuel SportsBook. Should be close …
Pick: Washington, 20-18 SUNDAY
Dallas (+3) at L.A. Chargers Could be a shootout at SoFi. Dallas is rested and angry.
Upset special: Cowboys, 30-28
Las Vegas (+6) at Pittsburgh Both teams showed lots of gumption in their openers.
Pick: Steelers, 28-23
Denver (-2 1⁄2)
at No. 32 Jacksonville
The Broncos couldn’t have asked for an easier road trip. Don’t slip up here. Pick: Broncos, 20-13
Kansas City (-2 1⁄2) at Baltimore The way Baltimore’s staunch defence wore down on Monday night is a bad harbinger.
Pick: Chiefs, 31-23
Buffalo (-3 1⁄2) at Miami Miami could take early control of the AFC East with another win. Won’t happen. Pick: Bills, 21-19
L.A. Rams (-1) at Indianapolis Did anyone look better than the Rams in Week 1? More of a test here. Pick: Rams, 27-20
New Orleans (-3) at Carolina Well, yes, the Saints looked just as good. So did Panthers returning star RB Christian McCaffrey.
Pick: Saints, 24-16
San Francisco (-5 1⁄2)
at Philadelphia
And so did the Eagles, whose work in the trenches was exemplary. Pick: 49ers, 23-20
Houston (+11 1⁄2) at Cleveland For those who picked Houston to go winless, sorry about that. No win here. Pick: Browns, 31-17
Cincinnati (+3) at Chicago Don’t think Bengals will go 2-0, but they don’t look like Bungles this season. Pick: Bears, 17-16
New England (-3 1⁄2) at N.Y. Jets The Jets do look like bunglers, but their enthusiasm is admirable.
Pick: Patriots, 22-10
Atlanta (+7) at Tampa Bay
If the Eagles can rip apart Atlanta, wonder what Brady and Co. will do. Pick: Buccaneers, 27-13
Minnesota (+4 1⁄2) at Arizona A disjointed visitor against a together host. Still might be close.
Pick: Cardinals, 26-22
Tennessee (5 1⁄2) at Seattle Seattle plays close games even when it should not.
Pick: Seahawks, 30-26 MONDAY
Detroit (+7) at Green Bay No way the Packers are that inept. A prime-time rebound. Best bet: Packers, 37-16
RECORD
7-9 straight up 6-9-1 against spread