2018 Week 2 NFL Picks

September 13, 2018

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head to head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 3 seasons. Why? Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys! But this year, we’ll have their picks up right HERE each and every week, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Week 2 Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

Last year I ended up with a 62% record for the season, so that’s three years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. And I didn’t disappoint last week getting 9 of 16 correct (56.25%). Hey, no worries. I’ll get you up there to 62%+ in no time.

So far I’m 100% this season on the Lock and Upsets of the week. Let’s see what I can do for you for Week 2…

Lock of the Week => Los Angeles Chargers (-8.5) over Buffalo Bills

So, unshockingly, Nathan Peterman didn’t work out. He managed to complete 5 of 18 pass attempts for a measly 24 yards and 2 INTs, resulting in a microscopic 0.7 QBR. I honestly never knew you could get a QBR that low, but I guess I should have since he had a 0.3 QBR when he started against the Chargers last year and threw 5 INTs in single half of football. So on came Josh Allen, and that wasn’t much better either, but at least he didn’t throw any INTs. The defense is still in shambles, allowing 47 points to a mostly average Ravens offense headed by Joe “I’m Really Overpaid but am Now Worried Because Lamar Jackson is Breathing Down my Neck” Flacco. And the receiving core basically consists of Shady McCoy, Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones (who’s mother caused a stir when she tweeted that Jones needs to tell Benjamin where to line up on the field) and a supporting cast of nobodies. The Chargers didn’t look great in Week 1, but honestly, I’m riding this “pick against the Bills” strategy until the wheels come off.

Upset of the Week => New York Giants (+3) over Dallas Cowboys

The Giants actually had a shot to beat the vaunted Jaguars defense in Week 1, but fell one score short on the back of a muffed punt at the end of the game. The Giants weren’t as explosive on offense as I thought they would be, but there were just enough flashes from Saquon Barkley for me to believe. The Cowboys on the other hand looked completely lost. Sure, it looks like they lost by just one score, but don’t let that fool you. They didn’t sniff the endzone until under 9 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Sure, the Panthers defense is no joke. But this was as much on defense as it was on the horrendous offense generated by Dak Prescott and company. Until I see more, I’m picking against the Cowboys.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Joanne’s Thoughts:

As the second Monday night game wound down, LA Rams @ Oakland Raiders, I lowered my head in shame as I saw the results of my week 1 picks. Okay, so I’m not clairvoyant, nor do I have a DeLorean to travel back in time and obtain a sports almanac with all the winners in history, if that wasn’t obvious from my 6-10 record. But who could have predicted that the Jets would score 48-points against the Detroit Lions? Or that six teams would get defensive touchdowns? Or that the Cleveland Browns would tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers? Not to mention, “Ryan Fitzmagic” and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers killing my survival season in week one by defeating the New Orleans Saints 48-40? I could go on…but seriously, Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 21 of 28 passes for 417 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and added 36 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. I don’t know which one was more amazing — Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers or Aaron Rodgers returning to the game after suffering a sprained knee to defeat the Chicago Bears.

The big question for week 2, is whether week 1 was a fluke for many of these teams or whether they are legit.

In the case of the New York Jets and rookie quarterback, Sam Darnold, I’m thinking legit. The Jet’s defense intercepted Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford 4 times, and Matt Cassel once. Sam Darnold also threw for two touchdowns and 198 passing yards, but was intercepted once and sacked twice. The Jets lead the Miami Dolphins in head-to-head wins, 54-49. It’s unlikely that the Jets lose the momentum from week 1 at home.

Also check out Joanne’s Giants @ Cowboys Preview and Prediction!

Ryan Whitfield’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Ryan’s Thoughts:

Coming Soon!

Follow me on Twitter @RyanWhitfieldNE

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

So, 7-8-1 for week 1 isn’t great. I thought I was playing it safe and took the Giants at home as my only upset. Turns out the Jags are pretty good and for real. I’m not going out on any limbs this week either, we’ll learn a lot more about who the pretenders and contenders are in the league. One thing is for sure, and that’s if the Lions lay another egg, their season is over.

Wally’s Picks

Wally’s Thoughts:

I’m a believer in the Bucs offense. They have so many weapons. Nick Foles isn’t good enough to score with them. This is my upset special and not a Philly one.

Ray’s Picks

BAL / ATL / LAC / MIN / HOU / NO / MIA / KC / TB / WAS / LAR / SF / OAK / NE / NYG / CHI

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

My first week picks were awful but here’s to a better week 2. Ravens-Bengals was the toughest game for me to pick and I went Bengals thinking that Joe Mixon’s emergence and the home field might be just enough for them.

Lock of the week: Chargers (-7) are my eliminator pick. I toyed with taking the Skins or the Saints but Josh Allen starting pushed me into the Charger camp. Simply not enough fire power to keep up with Philip Rivers on a nice day.

Upset of the week: Oakland (+6) one of the few that still believe in the Raiders. I know they were poor in the second half but if Carr can avoid the interceptions and keep it close. Then Marshawn Lynch can win it for them. When he’s getting the ball more, they are a better team.