Pro Picks: Rams will rebound but
Giants will cover the spread
[September 17, 2026]
By ROB MAADDI
Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and the rejuvenated New York Giants gave
John Harbaugh a successful debut.
A sleepy effort in Australia has the Super Bowl favorites reeling
after one game. Now the Los Angeles Rams won’t have Myles Garrett
for a month. And, Aaron Donald’s status is uncertain.
Still, the Rams (0-1) are 7 1/2-point favorites against the Giants
(1-0) on Monday night.
Expect Sean McVay to have his team ready to rebound after
ill-advised travel plans led to a dismal performance against the
49ers.
Harbaugh’s team made a statement against the Cowboys. It’ll be a
tough challenge on the road against Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and
Los Angeles.
Pro Picks likes the Rams to win but the Giants to cover.
RAMS: 27-20
DETROIT (1-0) at BUFFALO (1-0)
Line: Bills minus 4 1/2
Josh Allen was spectacular against Houston’s stingy defense, though
he was a dropped pick away from losing the game. Joe Brady’s Bills
will be fired up to play their home opener in a new stadium. Jared
Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and a new-look offensive line were impressive
against New Orleans. The defense struggled, as usual.
BILLS: 30-23
CLEVELAND (0-1) at TAMPA BAY (0-1)
Line: Buccaneers minus 8 1/2
Deshaun Watson could be making his final start for the Browns, who
were dismal at Jacksonville. Watson has to play well or Cleveland
may turn to Shedeur Sanders sooner than later. The Buccaneers lost
an opener for the first time since 2020 when they won the Super
Bowl. Baker Mayfield can’t turn the ball over three times again.
BUCCANEERS: 24-17
PHILADELPHIA (1-0) at TENNESSEE (0-1)
Line: Eagles minus 7
Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the rest of Philadelphia’s offense
had a successful opener under a new coordinator but have plenty of
room to improve. They’ll play better against the Titans. This should
be a rough day for Tennessee’s Cam Ward going against a tough
defense.
EAGLES: 27-16
GREEN BAY (0-1) at NEW YORK JETS (1-0)
Line: Packers minus 3 1/2
The Packers have lost six straight games since Micah Parsons was
injured last December. Their offensive line is struggling to protect
Jordan Love and they were undisciplined, committing 12 penalties in
Week 1. Enter the Jets. Yes, they won their opener. But they beat
the Titans.
PACKERS: 26-17
CINCINNATI (1-0) at HOUSTON (0-1)
Line: Texans minus 2 1/2
The Bengals may finally have a strong defense to match Joe Burrow
and a prolific offense. A defensive collapse cost the Texans the
opener but C.J. Stroud was a standout on offense. It’s early but
Houston can’t afford to lose two straight at home to start the
season.
TEXANS: 26-23
PITTSBURGH (1-0) at NEW ENGLAND (0-1)
Line: Patriots minus 5 1/2
Drake Maye can’t be turnover-prone or the Patriots won’t come close
to last season’s success. He won’t have A.J. Brown so Romeo Doubs
needs to step up. It could be a struggle against T.J. Watt and
Pittsburgh’s stout defensive front. Aaron Rodgers is going to need a
better run game and some help from DK Metcalf.
PATRIOTS: 22-20
MINNESOTA (1-0) at CHICAGO (1-0)
Line: Bears minus 5 1/2
Caleb Williams and the Bears won’t score 59 this week against Brian
Flores’ defense but they don’t have to. Carson Wentz was efficient
coming off the bench for the Vikings against Green Bay. He’ll have a
full week to practice with the starters but this won’t be easy, even
though Chicago’s defense gave up 37 last week.
BEARS: 27-16
CAROLINA (0-1) at ATLANTA (0-1)
Line: Panthers minus 1 1/2
Bryce Young and Carolina’s offense were dynamic in Week 1. The
defense was horrendous. The Falcons have Bijan Robinson but problems
at quarterback. The Panthers are 0-9 straight up as a favorite since
2021. Time to end that odd streak.
PANTHERS: 24-18
[to top of second column] |
New York Giants players, from left, Isaiah Likely, Jaxson Dart and
Malik Nabers pose for photographs following an NFL football game
against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in East
Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
NEW ORLEANS (0-1) at BALTIMORE (1-0)
Line: Ravens minus 8 1/2
Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers are going to look
unstoppable more often than not. The Saints nearly overcame a 21-0
deficit to stun the Lions. Tyler Shough had a strong finish, but
needs to do a better job avoiding turnovers and sacks.
RAVENS: 30-20
JACKSONVILLE (1-0) at DENVER (0-1)
Line: Broncos minus 2 1/2
Trevor Lawrence is going to get early MVP attention if he beats the
Broncos on the road. Bo Nix struggled and Denver’s talented defense
had a terrible day against the Chiefs. The Broncos also seemed to
miss Sean Payton’s play-calling.
BRONCOS: 24-20
LAS VEGAS (1-0) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-1)
Line: Chargers minus 6 1/2
Justin Herbert’s debut in Mike McDaniel’s offense was lackluster.
Chargers new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary also had a
disappointing debut. But they should get on track against the
Raiders. Klint Kubiak got his first win out of the way. Beating
teams other than the Dolphins will harder.
CHARGERS: 27-16
MIAMI (0-1) at SAN FRANCISCO (1-0)
Line: 49ers minus 13 1/2
The only thing that can slow down Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey
and the 49ers is the jet lag after spending 10 days in Australia.
The Dolphins are going to be in the running for the No. 1 overall
pick and Arch Manning. Spending the week in Napa instead of South
Beach isn’t going to help.
49ERS: 30-13
SEATTLE (1-0) at ARIZONA (1-0)
Line: Seahawks minus 4
The Cardinals pulled off the biggest upset in Week 1, knocking off
the Chargers. Now, they face the defending Super Bowl champions on
extra rest. Seattle’s suffocating defense will cause trouble for
Jacoby Brissett. Drew Lock won’t have to do too much filling in for
Sam Darnold other than protect the ball and manage the game.
BEST BET: SEAHAWKS: 24-13
WASHINGTON (0-1) at DALLAS (0-1)
Line: Cowboys minus 3 1/2
A bonehead celebration penalty by Stefon Diggs and questionable play
on a 2-point conversion cost the Commanders a shot at an upset in
Philly. The optimism surrounding the Cowboys’ defense has quickly
faded after a poor opener. Dallas hasn’t been 0-2 since 2010. Dak
Prescott won’t let it happen.
COWBOYS: 27-23
INDIANAPOLIS (0-1) at KANSAS CITY (1-0)
Line: Chiefs minus 6 1/2
Patrick Mahomes is back to his old self despite ACL surgery nine
months ago. Kenneth Walker III gives the Chiefs a run game they’ve
lacked for years. The Colts got whacked by the Ravens and their
new-look defense was awful. That’s eight losses in a row for
Indianapolis since an 8-2 start last season. It’s going to be hard
to avoid nine, though the Chiefs could be in for a letdown off an
emotional Monday night game.
UPSET SPECIAL: 24-23
___
Last week: Straight up: 10-6. Against spread: 5-11.
Overall: Straight up: 10-6. Against spread: 5-11.
Best Bet: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 0-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 0-1. Against spread: 0-1.
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