NFL Pick’em: Complete Sunday Preview and Predictions for Every Week 2 Game
The NFL’s second Sunday of the 2026 season brings a 14-game slate, beginning with eight games at 1 p.m. ET and finishing with the Indianapolis professional football team visiting Kansas City on Sunday Night Football. The schedule includes four divisional games, several teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start and an intriguing collection of quarterback matchups.
Here are my straight-up MSB Pick’em selections after reviewing the opening-week performances, matchup data, injuries and the latest reports Sunday morning.
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans — 1 p.m.
Philadelphia enters Nashville with an obvious offensive formula: establish Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts on the ground, force Tennessee to commit additional defenders to the box and then attack the resulting one-on-one opportunities outside.
Tennessee’s Week 1 loss to the Jets raised concerns about both its offensive line and its ability to consistently sustain drives with Cam Ward. Philadelphia presents an especially difficult opponent for an offense still trying to establish its identity because the Eagles can create pressure without having to manufacture it through constant blitzing.
The biggest question for Philadelphia is whether its passing game becomes more productive. DeVonta Smith was relatively quiet in the opener, but Tennessee cannot simply sell out against Barkley and Hurts without exposing itself downfield.
Tennessee’s best path is slowing the game considerably. Long drives, a successful rushing attack, limited turnovers and third-down conversions could keep Philadelphia’s offense on the sideline. If the Titans fall behind by multiple possessions and Ward has to throw against a pass rush that knows what is coming, the matchup becomes much more difficult.
MSB Pick: Eagles 27, Titans 17
Philadelphia has advantages along the line of scrimmage and possesses more ways to manufacture offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots — 1 p.m.
This could be one of Sunday’s most physical games.
Pittsburgh wants its defense to dictate games, and New England presents an interesting challenge because the Patriots’ offense is capable of creating explosive plays while also leaning on a more controlled passing game.
The Steelers’ defensive objective is straightforward: disrupt the pocket before New England can get its intermediate passing concepts established. Pittsburgh remains at its most dangerous when its front can generate pressure without sacrificing numbers in coverage.
New England can counter by getting the ball out quickly and making Pittsburgh defend horizontally before attempting deeper shots.
Possessions could become extremely valuable. Neither side wants to give the opponent short fields, and special teams could play an unusually significant role.
For Pittsburgh offensively, staying ahead of the chains matters. Third-and-8 repeatedly against New England is not a recipe for sustained offense. Pittsburgh needs productive early-down rushing attempts and manageable third downs.
This feels like a game that remains within one possession deep into the fourth quarter.
MSB Pick: Steelers 23, Patriots 20
The difference is Pittsburgh’s ability to create a late defensive play.
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears — 1 p.m.
An NFC North game this early in the season carries considerably more weight than a typical September matchup.
Chicago has home-field advantage, but Minnesota’s roster creates problems on both sides of the football. The Vikings’ defensive approach can force quarterbacks to process pressure looks quickly, making protection communication critical for Chicago.
Minnesota needs to avoid allowing Chicago’s athleticism to turn broken plays into explosive gains.
The Bears’ defensive challenge is equally significant. Minnesota can stretch a defense vertically, which means Chicago’s secondary cannot consistently lose isolated matchups.
Division games tend to punish mistakes. One turnover, busted coverage or failed fourth-down attempt could swing this matchup.
ESPN’s Week 2 analysis also identifies this as one of Sunday’s difficult divisional games rather than an obvious mismatch.
MSB Pick: Bears 24, Vikings 21
Home field gives Chicago a narrow edge in what should be one of Sunday’s closest games.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons — 1 p.m.
The quarterback situation dramatically changes this game.
Atlanta officially listed Michael Penix Jr. out with a knee injury on its final injury report, while Tua Tagovailoa was listed doubtful with an oblique injury. Guard Chris Lindstrom and cornerback A.J. Terrell were also questionable. Carolina listed defensive tackle Bobby Brown III out.
There was, however, reporting Sunday morning suggesting Penix’s situation could be more fluid than the original designation indicated, making Atlanta’s quarterback situation something worth monitoring right up to kickoff.
Carolina should attack Atlanta’s uncertainty by emphasizing ball security and attempting to establish its running game. The Panthers do not need to transform this into a shootout.
Atlanta needs its offensive line to control the game regardless of who plays quarterback.
This is also a divisional matchup between teams that opened 0-1, increasing the importance of avoiding an 0-2 start.
MSB Pick: Panthers 24, Falcons 20
Atlanta’s quarterback uncertainty pushes me toward Carolina in a close game.
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets — 1 p.m.
This is one of the afternoon’s more fascinating games.
The Jets showed enough offensively in their opener to suggest opponents cannot approach them as a one-dimensional team. Their offensive line and running game present a legitimate test for Green Bay.
For the Packers, Jordan Love needs protection. New York’s best route to controlling the game is creating pressure while maintaining enough coverage integrity to prevent Green Bay from generating explosive passes.
Green Bay needs to force the Jets into obvious passing situations. Winning first down defensively would significantly change the matchup.
This could ultimately come down to turnovers. Both teams possess enough talent to capitalize quickly on a short field.
MSB Pick: Packers 24, Jets 23
This is nearly a coin flip, but Green Bay’s ability to generate explosive plays gives the Packers the slightest advantage.
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens — 1 p.m.
This is the game Maryland Sports Blog readers will naturally watch most closely.
Baltimore enters 1-0 after opening its season with a 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis professional football team. The Ravens showed exactly what makes their offense so difficult to defend: Lamar Jackson’s mobility, a powerful rushing attack and the ability to generate chunk plays when defenses commit additional resources to stopping the run.
New Orleans enters 0-1 and has significant injury questions. Wide receiver Chris Olave was listed questionable with a hamstring injury, while defensive lineman Christen Miller and edge rusher Chase Young were also questionable.
Baltimore’s plan should start on the ground.
If the Ravens consistently create second-and-5 situations, their entire playbook remains available. Jackson becomes especially dangerous because defenses cannot easily distinguish designed runs, option concepts and play-action passes.
The Saints have to prevent Baltimore from turning ordinary drives into explosive scoring possessions.
For New Orleans offensively, patience matters. Attempting to match Baltimore score-for-score with aggressive downfield throws could create turnovers and short fields.
The Saints need sustained possessions and touchdowns rather than field goals.
Baltimore also has to guard against treating this as an easy home game. New Orleans has enough defensive talent to create problems if Baltimore becomes careless.
MSB Pick: Ravens 31, Saints 20
Baltimore’s rushing attack and Jackson’s ability to create outside structure provide too many problems over four quarters.
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans — 1 p.m.
Few games Sunday have a more intriguing quarterback component.
Houston wants C.J. Stroud operating from a clean pocket and distributing the football rhythmically. Cincinnati’s priority therefore becomes disrupting the timing of Houston’s passing offense.
On the other side, Cincinnati has enough offensive talent to force Houston to defend every portion of the field.
This matchup could turn into a game of explosive plays. Both offenses are capable of scoring quickly, making red-zone execution and turnovers particularly important.
Houston has home field and a defense capable of changing games through pressure.
Cincinnati needs to avoid becoming overly dependent on obvious passing situations. A functional running game could prevent Houston from simply attacking the quarterback on third-and-long.
MSB Pick: Texans 27, Bengals 24
Another close one. Houston’s home-field advantage and defensive front provide the narrow separation.
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 1 p.m.
Both teams enter 0-1, making this a surprisingly significant September game.
Cleveland also enters with offensive-line concerns. Guard Teven Jenkins was officially ruled out, while cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Noah Igbinoghene carried questionable designations on the NFL injury report.
Tampa Bay should test Cleveland vertically if those secondary concerns persist.
Cleveland’s best route is making the game ugly. Run the football, control possession, pressure Tampa Bay and prevent explosive plays.
If Tampa gets ahead early, Cleveland could have trouble playing catch-up.
The Buccaneers possess enough offensive versatility to attack whatever Cleveland concedes. The Browns therefore need their pass rush to influence the quarterback without repeatedly sending extra rushers.
MSB Pick: Buccaneers 28, Browns 17
Tampa Bay has more offensive answers and should benefit from playing at home.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos — 4:05 p.m.
Trevor Lawrence against Bo Nix makes this one of the late window’s better quarterback matchups. ESPN specifically highlighted the duel among Week 2’s notable games.
Denver’s home-field advantage matters because playing at altitude becomes more difficult as the game progresses.
Jacksonville needs Lawrence to remain patient. Denver’s defense can punish quarterbacks who attempt to manufacture big plays that are not available.
The Jaguars should emphasize efficient early-down offense and avoid giving Denver repeated third-and-long opportunities.
Denver needs Nix to distribute quickly and keep Jacksonville’s defensive front from controlling the pocket.
MSB Pick: Broncos 24, Jaguars 21
Denver at home gets the slight advantage.
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers — 4:05 p.m.
Throw records out when AFC West teams meet.
The Chargers possess the more explosive roster, but Las Vegas has enough physicality to keep the game competitive.
Los Angeles needs to establish its running game rather than forcing everything through the quarterback. Doing so would limit Las Vegas’ pass-rush opportunities and create play-action chances.
The Raiders’ objective should be shortening the game.
Sustained drives and avoiding turnovers could keep Los Angeles from building rhythm.
This matchup carries upset potential precisely because the teams know each other so well.
MSB Pick: Chargers 27, Raiders 23
Los Angeles has more explosive offensive potential, but I would expect this to remain competitive into the fourth quarter.
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals — 4:25 p.m.
Another divisional game creates another difficult pick.
Seattle’s defense has the athleticism to create negative plays, but Arizona’s offense can punish overly aggressive fronts.
The Cardinals need to remain balanced and prevent Seattle from turning the game into obvious passing situations.
Seattle should test Arizona’s defensive front early.
If the Seahawks establish the run, their passing game becomes considerably more dangerous because the entire field opens through play action.
Turnovers again loom large. NFC West games often become extremely physical, and field position could determine how aggressive each offense can remain.
MSB Pick: Seahawks 26, Cardinals 23
Seattle’s defensive front makes the difference late.
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers — 4:25 p.m.
This could become one of Sunday’s fastest games.
Miami’s speed forces defenses to defend every blade of grass. San Francisco counters with a system built around creating space and yards after the catch.
The key is whether Miami can protect long enough for its speed to matter.
San Francisco wants to disrupt timing. If the 49ers force Miami’s quarterback to hold the football, the advantage swings heavily toward their defensive front.
Miami cannot afford repeated three-and-outs because San Francisco is excellent at wearing defenses down with sustained drives.
The Dolphins need explosive plays.
San Francisco needs efficiency.
The contrast makes this an excellent matchup.
MSB Pick: 49ers 30, Dolphins 24
San Francisco’s ability to control possession and generate pressure gives the 49ers the advantage.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys — 4:25 p.m.
This could be the game of the late window.
Washington and Dallas know each other extremely well, and NFC East games rarely follow the expected script.
Washington’s offense needs to avoid negative plays. Jayden Daniels becomes exceptionally difficult to defend when the Commanders stay ahead of the chains because his mobility adds another dimension to every concept.
Dallas needs disciplined rush lanes.
Simply attacking Daniels aggressively can backfire because escaping pressure can create bigger plays than Washington would have generated from the original call.
Washington’s defense has to prevent Dallas from creating explosive passing plays.
The Commanders cannot repeatedly concede 20-plus-yard gains and expect to control the game.
This matchup may ultimately be decided by whichever quarterback gets the football last.
MSB Pick: Commanders 27, Cowboys 24
Washington’s quarterback mobility gives the Commanders an additional way to manufacture offense when plays break down.
Indianapolis Professional Football Team at Kansas City Chiefs — 8:20 p.m.
Sunday concludes at Arrowhead Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City under the lights remains one of football’s toughest assignments.
Kansas City’s offense does not necessarily need to dominate statistically. Mahomes’ ability to extend possessions and convert critical third downs can gradually exhaust opposing defenses.
The visitors need to run effectively and keep Mahomes on the sideline.
Long drives are enormously valuable against Kansas City because every possession taken away from Mahomes reduces the number of opportunities he has to create points.
Defensively, Kansas City should challenge the visitors to sustain long drives rather than surrendering easy explosive plays.
The visitors’ defensive goal has to be forcing field goals. Mahomes will move the football. Completely preventing that is unrealistic. Winning in the red zone provides a much more attainable objective.
Kansas City’s Week 1 showed Mahomes returning successfully from the major knee injury that ended his previous season, an important early development for the defending AFC contender.
MSB Pick: Chiefs 30, Indianapolis professional football team 20
Arrowhead, Mahomes and Kansas City’s defensive pressure create a difficult combination.
MSB Pick’em Card
For anyone who just wants the selections after the full breakdown:
Eagles over Titans, Steelers over Patriots, Bears over Vikings, Panthers over Falcons, Packers over Jets, Ravens over Saints, Texans over Bengals, Buccaneers over Browns, Broncos over Jaguars, Chargers over Raiders, Seahawks over Cardinals, 49ers over Dolphins, Commanders over Cowboys and Chiefs over the Indianapolis professional football team.
The selections I feel strongest about are Baltimore, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Kansas City. The games I see as the closest are Green Bay-New York, Minnesota-Chicago, Pittsburgh-New England, Seattle-Arizona and Washington-Dallas.
MSB Take
Week 2 is where the NFL season begins producing more meaningful information. Week 1 can deceive us. One dominant performance does not necessarily make a team great, and one ugly loss does not automatically mean a season is headed in the wrong direction.
Sunday should tell us much more.
Baltimore has an opportunity to establish itself at 2-0 after scoring 41 points in its opener. Philadelphia gets a matchup that appears favorable in the trenches. San Francisco has an opportunity to test whether Miami’s speed can overcome a physical defensive front. Washington and Dallas give us an early NFC East measuring stick, while Kansas City closes the night with another chance to demonstrate that Mahomes’ return has restored the Chiefs’ offensive ceiling.
The injury situation deserves monitoring right through kickoff, particularly Atlanta’s complicated quarterback situation and Chris Olave’s status for New Orleans. The NFL’s official Week 2 injury report remains the best reference as game-time decisions become official.
My overall approach to this slate is to trust strong offensive lines, established quarterbacks and teams capable of creating pressure without blitzing. September football is often sloppy. Teams that can run, protect the quarterback and rush the passer generally have more ways to survive when everything else is not working.
That is why Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Kansas City stand out most prominently on my Sunday card.
And with 14 games between 1 p.m. and Sunday night, this is the first truly massive NFL Sunday of the young 2026 season.
