Best NFL Week 2 Picks Against the Spread: Will the Panthers Bounce Back?

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season has gotten underway with the Detroit Lions already squaring off against the Buffalo Bills. Up next, there are 13 games taking place on Sunday before Sunday Night Football kicks off.

Across those contests, which teams are in the best spot to potentially cover the spread in Week 2?

Below, we’ll discuss our favorite NFL Week 2 picks against the spread, featuring winner, spread, and over/under payouts on PrizePicks.

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Best NFL Week 2 Picks Against the Spread

Here are our best NFL Week 2 picks against the spread, including each game’s payouts on PrizePicks.

NFL Week 2’s predictions include the Panthers, Saints, and Patriots.

PrizePicks payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.

Panthers vs. Falcons Prediction on Spread – Sunday, September 20

Time, How to Watch: 1 p.m. ET on FOX

The Carolina Panthers experienced the onslaught of the Chicago Bears’ offense in Week 1, coughing up 59 points in a 22-point defeat. Despite the blowout loss at home to begin the new season, the Panthers are positioned well to bounce back on the road in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

With QB Tua Tagovailoa still not practicing and QB Michael Penix Jr. coming off a torn ACL, QB Cooper Rush is in line to make another start for the Falcons on Sunday.

In a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, Atlanta’s Rush-led offense was 31st in EPA/play (-0.4) and 28th in success rate (36.7%), per rbsdm.com.

Meanwhile, the Panthers’ offense showed signs of life in the lopsided loss to the Bears, logging the ninth-most EPA/play (0.1) and 11th-best success rate (47.1%).

If it weren’t for Chicago’s offense steamrolling Carolina’s defense, more attention would be centered around QB Bryce Young having the ninth-best completion percentage over expected (CPOE; +6.6%) and 10th-most air yards per attempt (10.1).

In this NFC South matchup, the Panthers have gone 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in each of the last three meetings. Although Carolina is 0-9 ATS in its last nine games as a favorite, things are swinging in their favor in Week 2.

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Saints vs. Ravens Prediction on Spread – Sunday, September 20

Time, How to Watch: 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Things were looking bleak for the New Orleans Saints in the first half of their Week 1 clash against the Lions, but they had a jolt of energy in the second half. In the first two quarters, New Orleans’ offense was 29th in EPA/play (-0.3) and dead last in success rate (28.6%) among teams in the first half of their Week 1 games.

However, QB Tyler Shough and the Saints produced the sixth-most EPA/play (0.3) and fourth-best success rate (54.7%) when looking at teams in the second half (including overtime). That sort of momentum will be valuable against a Baltimore Ravens squad that could be sans WR Zay Flowers and WR Ja’Kobi Lane.

The Ravens didn’t face much resistance in their 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Besides QB Lamar Jackson contributing 364 total yards and 2 TDs, RB Derrick Henry gashed the Colts for 163 scrimmage yards and 3 TDs.

While Baltimore could lean on Jackson and Henry more on the ground given their WR injuries, New Orleans is third in rush EPA (-0.1) and 12th in rushing success rate (39.8%) allowed since the start of last season.

On top of the Saints going 7-0 ATS in their last seven games, they had the fourth-best cover rate ATS (66.7%) on the road in 2025, per Team Rankings.

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Steelers vs. Patriots Prediction on Spread – Sunday, September 20

Time, How to Watch: 1 p.m. ET on CBS

It was far from a smooth start to the season for the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots in Week 1, as they fell to the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. The Patriots held a 10-0 lead before QB Drake Maye tossed 3 second-half INTs and WR A.J. Brown suffered an ankle injury that has landed him on injured reserve.

Even with Brown sidelined for at least four weeks, there’s reason for optimism as New England will play their home opener in Week 2. Along with expecting Maye to focus on taking care of the ball, the Steelers’ offense was underwhelming in their win over the shorthanded Falcons.

With 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers operating a Mike McCarthy offense again, Pittsburgh was 30th in EPA/play (-0.3) and 32nd in success rate (33.8%) when it had the ball. If the Steelers weren’t lined up across from Rush at QB, the result would’ve been much different.

During its run to the Super Bowl last season, New England was tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the second-best cover rate (75.0%) when favored at home. At the same time, Pittsburgh was tied for the eighth-worst cover rate (37.5%) as the visiting team.

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Make NFL Week 2 Predictions on PrizePicks

Points weren't tough to come by in an action-packed Week 1, and some teams showed more than others to begin the new campaign. Even with a small sample entering Week 2, the Panthers, Saints, and Patriots are positioned well to potentially make noise on Sunday.

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