Week 2 NFL Picks and Early Odds to Exploit After Final 2025 Week 1 Results

Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season wrapped on Monday night with an NFC North showdown between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Fans now face a short turnaround to Thursday's stellar matchup between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers.

While Week 1 brought a few surprises, it's important to remember that early results must be taken with a grain of salt. Teams are often sloppy early in the year, and legitimate trends have yet to be established.

Does the Cincinnati Bengals' 17-16 win mean that their defense really has improved, or does it mean that the Cleveland Browns offense is just that bad?

The good news is that some of what we saw in Week 1 is likely to lead to favorable odds worth considering in Week 2. You'll find a look at some of our favorite plays here.

*Odds via Draftkings Sportsbook.

Bengals -3.5 Versus Jaguars

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Let's be clear. The Bengals did not get the fast start they spent all preseason chasing. They escaped with a win because the Browns couldn't catch or kick in the critical moments, but they weren't particularly good.

Offensively, the Bengals stalled after two early touchdown drives. They produced just 141 yards of total offense and 2.9 yards per play. However, they have a chance to get right at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.

The Jags looked impressive on both sides of the ball on Sunday. However, they were playing a Carolina Panthers team that might be the worst in the NFL. Bryce Young played so poorly that Carolina never actually felt threatening. It's hard to envision Joe Burrow struggling for a second straight week, especially given the opponent.

Burrow and the Bengals tend to stumble against Cleveland. It's just a weird reality of their in-state rivalry. While the Jacksonville defense held the Panthers to just 255 yards and 10 points in Week 1, we can't put too much stock into that performance.

The Jaguars made a few additions to a defense that ranked 31st overall last season, but they're not suddenly going to field a top-tier unit. It's worth backing the Bengals as long as the line hovers around a field goal.

Rams -6 at Titans

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Rams edge Jared Verse

The Tennessee Titans and rookie quarterback Cam Ward put up a very respectable fight against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Though Ward received little help from his receivers and offensive line, he made enough big plays to keep Tennessee within striking distance.

A Titans defense that was too often hamstrung by short fields in 2024—it ranked second in yards allowed, 30th in points allowed—played up to its potential for most of the afternoon. It forced Bo Nix and the Broncos into several costly mistakes.

However, the Titans aren't likely to rattle Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, even at home. L.A. didn't exactly have a blowout victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday, but it handled a terrific defense and a quarterback in C.J. Stroud with far more experience than Ward.

Expect the Rams' powerful defensive front to play a huge role in this game. The Broncos got to Ward six times in Week 1. Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and the L.A. defense can make life miserable for the rookie once again.

It's worth noting that Los Angeles struggled on the road early last season, going 0-3 before finishing with a 5-3 away record. The Rams shouldn't follow suit in this matchup, though, and should outlast the upstart Titans by at least a touchdown.

Giants +6 at Cowboys

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Giants QB Russell Wilson

This may feel like a low line, given the way things unfolded for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

Dallas came within a few plays of unseating the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. One could argue that the Cowboys should have won and would have if not for a few untimely drops by CeeDee Lamb.

The Giants, meanwhile, never got their offense going against the Washington Commanders. Things were bad enough that head coach Brian Daboll had to verbally announce that he was sticking with Russell Wilson over rookie Jaxson Dart at quarterback.

"Russ will be the starter," Daboll said on Monday, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

However, this feels like a potential trap for the Cowboys. Divisional games can be a bit wacky anyway, but Dallas faces a big potential letdown after giving the Eagles its best shot and falling flat.

The Giants, meanwhile, should find a bit more rhythm in Week 2. New York also has an imposing pass rush that can exploit a suspect Cowboys offensive line. It may not be enough for New York to pull the outright upset, but this game should be closer than many expect.

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