NFL Week 2 Predictions and Odds - Division Rivals and Playoff Contenders Face-off in Eagerly Anticipated Games

NFL Week 2 Predictions: 

• New Orleans Saints +3, -105 at PointsBet
• New England Patriots -1, -105 at FanDuel 
• Green Bay Packers -10, -105 at PointsBet

NFL Week 2 Predictions Tough to Call After Tight Opening Games

Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books, and from an entertainment standpoint, it did not disappoint. Six games were decided by a field goal or less, including one game that ended in a tie. But rather than dwell on what happened, it’s time to look ahead at the NFL Week 2 predictions and the best odds out there. The schedule includes five games between division rivals and four between teams that made the playoffs last year. Let’s look at our NFL Week 2 predictions with a lot to unpack.

For our run-through of Monday Night Football for Week 2, be sure to check out our other article. Or if you've found this page by mistake, you can find out Week 3 picks here. 

Buccaneers vs Saints Predictions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints - Sunday, September 18 at 1 pm ET on FOX

Week 2 offers an important matchup in the NFC South race with the Saints hosting the Buccaneers, both coming from season-opening wins. While the Bucs will head to the Superdome as road favorites, Tampa hasn’t had much success in this rivalry in recent years. The Saints have won the last seven regular-season meetings between the teams and nine of the previous 12 games in which they’ve hosted the Bucs. Of course, the NFL odds for week 2 are going against that history, with the Buccaneers being favored by three points on the road.

Despite being underdogs, the Saints carry a ton of momentum after overcoming a 26-10 fourth-quarter deficit against the Falcons in Week 1. Jameis Winston was spectacular in the second half and threw two touchdown passes to Michael Thomas in the fourth quarter to jumpstart the comeback. Thomas’s return gives the Saints a dimension they didn’t have last season and changes the look of the offense. With Jarvis Landry, rookie Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, and Taysom Hill in the mix, Winston has a healthy number of options around him, which should allow him to build on last week’s comeback win.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers didn’t exactly hit the ground running in Week 1. Time after time, Tom Brady and the Tampa offense had to settle for field goals against the Cowboys, finishing with just 19 points. The Bucs got good production from Leonard Fournette, who ran for 127 yards on 21 carries. That should have made it easier for Brady, but he didn’t have his best game. There’s also no denying that the Buccaneers benefited from facing a Dallas offense that doesn’t have a proven #1 receiver. The Bucs won’t have those benefits against the Saints, so another lackluster performance isn’t going to cut it. Given Tampa’s recent struggles against New Orleans, the Saints are poised to pull off the upset as home underdogs (according to NFL odds Week 2).

NFL Week 2 Prediction and Best Odds:

• New Orleans Saints +3, -105 at PointsBet

Patriots vs Steelers Predictions

New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, September 18 at 1 pm ET on CBS

Neither of these proud franchises looked particularly impressive in Week 1, making this a critical game for both teams. In fairness, the Steelers pulled out an overtime win against the Bengals to start the season 1-0. Yet, the Week 2 NFL odds have Pittsburgh as a 1-point underdog at home against the Patriots.

It’s tough to sugarcoat how pitiful Bill Belichick’s team looked in Week 1. They were out-classed by the Dolphins in a 20-7 loss, with three turnovers the most significant difference in the game. However, if you take away an interception and fumble, Mac Jones didn’t play poorly, completing 21 of his 30 passes and spreading the ball around to nine different receivers. The New England defense also stood tall against the run, holding the Dolphins to 65 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry while also collecting three sacks. If the Pats can be more secure with the ball, good run defense and steady quarterback play will be two ingredients that will help them win on the road.

On the other side, the Steelers forced five turnovers against the Bengals in Week 1, including a pick-six by Minkah Fitzpatrick on Joe Burrow’s first pass attempt. Yet, Pittsburgh needed the Bengals to miss multiple kicks (thanks to an injured long snapper) to win the game. Mitch Trubisky and the Pittsburgh offense only produced 267 total yards, and that was with 10 extra minutes of game time (though Trubisky did lead the game-winning drive in overtime). That said, Trubisky finished just 21-of-38, throwing the ball for 194 yards, while the Pittsburgh running game produced just 75 yards. 

With New England’s defense likely to stuff the run and force Trubisky to beat them, the Steelers are going to have a hard time winning this week, especially with Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt out (for what could be a while), even if they win the turnover battle again. That should allow the Patriots to win an ugly game, avoiding a 0-2 start.

NFL Week 2 Prediction and Best Odds: 

• New England Patriots -1, -105 at FanDuel

Bears vs Packers Predictions

Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers - Sunday, September 18 at 8 pm ET on NBC

An old NFC North rivalry hits primetime on Sunday night, with the Packers hosting the Bears. Despite Green Bay’s excruciating loss in Week 1 and Chicago’s surprising win, the NFL week 2 odds list the Packers as 10-point home favorites in this game. After all, the Packers have won six straight - and seven straight at home - against the Bears.

The Packers have been in this position before. A year ago, they lost 38-3 in Week 1, only to rattle off seven straight wins. Aaron Rodgers and company should be able to bounce back again. While Rodgers gets accustomed to playing without Davante Adams, the Pack can lean on their backfield tandem of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, who, before Green Bay abandoned the run in the second half, powered a running game that averaged 6.2 yards per carry. Since the Bears are unlikely to pull away, the Packers will be able to stay balanced offensively and give Rodgers a better chance to connect with his receivers.

As for the Bears, they tallied just 204 total yards in last week’s 19-10 win over the 49ers. The weather played a role, but the Bears don’t have enough playmakers around Justin Fields to overpower opponents. Meanwhile, Chicago’s defense won’t benefit from a rain-soaked field or home-field advantage like last week. The Bears will also be facing not just Aaron Rodgers but an angry motivated Aaron Rodgers rather than Trey Lance. That changes the equation regardless of what happened in Week 1. Therefore, the smart Week 2 pick is for the Packers to bounce back and cover against the Bears. 

NFL Week 2 Prediction and Best Odds: 

• Green bay Packers -10, -105 at PointsBet

NFL Week 2 Odds

Conclusion

Following a competitive first week, some of the big hitters will see easier competition in Week 2. What do you think of our NFL week 2 predictions? If you're interested in more football content, be sure to read our guide: How To Bet on American Football, and visit our odds comparison tool to compare the latest NFL Week 2 odds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best week 2 NFL picks?

Among the best NFL Week 2 predictions are the New England Patriots winning in Pittsburgh (odds for Week 2 see the Patriots -1, -105 at FanDuel) and the Denver Broncos covering 10 points at home against the Texans Broncos (odds for Week 2 see the Broncos -10, -107 at PointsBet).

Who has a bye in Week 2 of the NFL?

No NFL team has a bye in Week 2 of the season. This year, NFL byes don’t begin until Week 6, a change from previous years when they began in Week 4.

Written by Bryan Zarpentine.

Bryan has been a sports and sports betting writer for over 12 years. When he's not writing about sports, he's usually watching sports, attending sporting events, or on road trips on his way to sporting events.  

Bryan is an NCAA football and basketball specialist who gives excellent insight into MLB and the NFL worlds.