NFL Week 2 picks straight up, against the spread: Will Giants send Rams to 0-2 start?

NFL Week 2 picks straight up, against the spread: Will Giants send Rams to 0-2 start?

Key points

• Sans any Wednesday night games or league sojourns throughout the International Date Line to Australia, Sunday will feature a full 14-game lineup.
• Adam Kaufman breaks down his NFL Week 2 best bets, backing the 49ers and Jaguars, plus a Baker Mayfield prop in a heated matchup against his former team.
• NFL Week 2 best bets: 49ers, Jags + a must-add Baker Mayfield prop.
• Week 2 wraps Monday night, when the Los Angeles Rams.
• Here's how USA TODAY Sports' panel of NFL experts forecasts the outcomes.

Adam Kaufman breaks down his NFL Week 2 best bets, backing the 49ers and Jaguars, plus a Baker Mayfield prop in a heated matchup against his former team. Well that was wild.

In practice, an eventful Week 1 to the NFL season – rife with upsets, league-wide scoring records and a typical share of notable injuries – now gives way to a second helping of 2026 football, albeit one seemingly with less sizzle. When the Buffalo Bills open their intimate but upgraded new Highmark Stadium against the Detroit Lions in what could be quite the shootout a few months before lake effect weather takes hold, nevertheless, that's not true for Thursday night.

Sans any Wednesday night games or league sojourns throughout the International Date Line to Australia, Sunday will feature a full 14-game lineup. The highlights seem to include Bengals-Texans, Steelers-Patriots, Jaguars-Broncos and the Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield facing Deshaun Watson and the Browns for the first time since the disgraced former Pro Bowler was acquired in 2022, effectively replacing Mayfield in Cleveland and initiating his winding journey to Tampa. The Sunday night game between the Colts and Chiefs ain't exactly Cowboys-Giants.

Week 2 wraps Monday night, when the Los Angeles Rams. This person will be sporting new throwback jerseys and might even obtain old friend Aaron Donald back, attempt to secure their highly anticipated 2026 campaign back on track against the New York Giants, who most certainly obtained off on the right foot under new Harbaugh management.

Here's how USA TODAY Sports' panel of NFL experts forecasts the outcomes. (Odds provided by BetMGM).

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For now, NFL Week 2 picks straight up, against the spread: Will Giants send remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.