PFT Picks 16 NFL Week 2 Games After Going 10-6 in Week 1

Q: Why is this NFL columnist risking his reputation on a shocking Giants upset over the heavily favored Rams in Week 2?

He is making a classic early-season contrarian call: betting that Week 1 overreaction has inflated the Rams and undervalued the Giants. The columnist’s overall Week 2 logic centered on volatility, injuries, rest and urgency, and the Giants-Rams matchup fits that template. Los Angeles is coming off a flat 27-7 loss to San Francisco in Australia, and the Rams’ offensive line and attack looked shaky. The injury to Myles Garrett removes a major pass-rush weapon, and while Aaron Donald could return, there is uncertainty about how much impact he can make immediately. That makes the Rams look less imposing than their “heavy favorite” label suggests. At the same time, the Giants arrive with real momentum after beating Dallas in Week 1. Their defense, especially the pass rush, was a major storyline in outside previews, with analysts noting it could trouble Matthew Stafford if it forces third-and-long situations. New York also showed it could control tempo on offense and stay balanced, which is often how underdogs keep games within reach and create upset chances. So the pick is not based on the Rams being a bad team. It is based on the idea that Los Angeles is vulnerable right now: short on defensive certainty, still answering for a sluggish opener, and facing a live underdog whose confidence and pass rush travel. In that sense, the columnist is risking his reputation on a belief that Week 2 is when the market and public can be most wrong.

3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Sep 17

16 Week 2 matchups got PFT’s solo picks, with Bills over Lions 34-26 in Thursday’s opener and Chiefs over Colts 27-10 in Sunday night’s spotlight game.
10-6 was the author’s Week 1 record, and this round again avoids point spreads or gambling advice, framing the selections as entertainment-only straight-up winners.
34 points for Buffalo and 41 for Tampa Bay were among the highest projected totals, while Patriots-Steelers was forecast as the tightest game at 16-13.
Week 2’s slate also includes upset-leaning calls such as Panthers over Falcons, Jaguars over Broncos in Denver, and Giants over Rams on Monday night.