ESPN Experts' 15 NFL Week 2 Predictions: Upsets, Sleepers, Stat Lines — SkimNews
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- Pamela Maldonado backs two road underdogs in Week 2: the Jaguars (+2.5, +124) at the Broncos, citing Denver's 176-yard Week 1 output and Bo Nix's two turnovers, and the Bengals (+2.5, +120) at the Texans, noting Joe Burrow was sacked only once against Tampa Bay.
- Seth Walder projects Rhamondre Stevenson for 16 carries and 63 rushing yards plus 5 catches, 42 yards, and a receiving TD against the Steelers' zone-heavy scheme under new DC Patrick Graham, who ran zone 89% of the time in Week 1.
- Eric Moody tags Jordan Love (43.9% rostered), Caleb Douglas (34.9%), and Mack Hollins (5.2%) as Week 2 fantasy sleepers, with Moody noting Douglas led all rookies in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in his Dolphins debut.
- Matt Bowen forecasts Derrick Henry, George Pickens, and Saquon Barkley to score, highlighting Henry's three Week 1 touchdowns under new Ravens OC Declan Doyle and the Cowboys' vertical pass game for Pickens.
- Ben Solak predicts Ashton Jeanty will lead the league in scrimmage yards without Brock Bowers (meniscus trim) for another week, while the Jets end a 623-day interception drought dating to Jan. 5, 2025.
- Falcons QB Jack Strand, an undrafted DII free agent out of Minnesota State-Moorhead (6-foot-5, 240 pounds), is forecast to score a rushing TD off a QB sneak if Atlanta reaches the 2-yard line against Carolina.
- Solak also flags a coming forward-pass-or-fumble controversy this season, citing Jared Goff's Week 1 fumble reclassified as an incomplete pass and Bo Nix's similar Monday night play.
- A.J. Brown is headed to injured reserve after exiting Week 1 with an ankle injury, opening the door for Mack Hollins to continue leading Patriots receivers in snaps.
Why it matters: The predictions give bettors and fantasy players specific actionable targets ahead of Sunday and Monday slates: two road dogs with exploitable matchups (Jaguars over Broncos, Bengals over Texans), a Patriots back projected for heavy receiving work against zone-heavy Pittsburgh, and a Dolphins receiving corps set up for garbage-time volume against San Francisco. The Jets' 623-day pick drought represents the longest angle of consequence for any defensive streak this week.
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