NFL Week 2 against the spread: Vikings-Packers, Saints-Rams & more

Week 2 of the NFL season features an exciting NFC North rivalry showdown, a potential bounce-back game for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the NFC Championship Game rematch we have all been waiting for.

Below is a breakdown of the Seahawks-Steelers, Vikings-Packers and the Saints-Rams ahead of Sunday’s NFL games, with a free pick to go with each matchup. Click the video above to learn more about who to bet based on each team’s recent trends against the spread.

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5), 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The Pittsburgh Steelers got off to a rough start against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football, with a 33-3 defeat. The Patriots stifled the Pittsburgh run game (32 rushing yards), while the Steelers defense struggled to stop Tom Brady and company, as they racked up 472 yards of total offense.

The Steelers need a win at home and will face a Seahawks team that allowed projected bottom dweller Cincinnati to keep it close in Week 1. The Seahawks pulled out a 21-20 win and revealed major holes in the secondary. The pass rush looked solid against the Bengals and managed to sack Andy Dalton five times for a loss of 23 yards, while the Cincinnati run game totaled just 34 yards.

The Steelers should have a much better showing from the passing game against the Seahawks defense. The home team and the favorite are both 5-0 against the spread in this series, while Seattle is 1-3-1 ATS in its last five games in Pittsburgh. 

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -3.5

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-2.5), 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Dalvin Cook enjoyed a breakout performance in Week 1 for the Vikings, as Minnesota took down the Atlanta Falcons 28-12 at home. Under new offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and adviser Gary Kubiak, Minnesota showed off a run-focused scheme, which called for Kirk Cousins to sit back as a game manager and make room for Cook to work his magic on the field.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t show much of anything on offense against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, but their defense held the Chicago rushing attack to just 46 yards on the ground. If the Packers do in fact have a formidable defense, as Aaron Rodgers believes, they’ll give Cook some trouble on Sunday.

The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six games in this series, while Green Bay has lost or tied each of the last four games against Minnesota. Expect a close battle, but Green Bay and its run defense will edge out its rival.

Pick: Green Bay Packers -3

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams (-1.5), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

A newfound rivalry has been established between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams after last year’s NFC Championship Game. The Rams are favorites at home and will endure a tough clash against the Saints, who came from behind to defeat the Texans in Week 1. The Rams won by just three points against the Panthers in Carolina, and Todd Gurley disappeared for most of the game until he broke free in the third quarter for a 25-yard run and 64 rushing yards in the fourth quarter.

The home team is 7-1 ATS in the last eight games between the two teams, while New Orleans is 0-5 in its last five on the road against the Rams. Look for a back-and-forth slugfest that will result in a Rams win.

Pick: Los Angeles Rams -1.5

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Bet all the Week 2 NFL games at BetAmerica!