NFL Pick 'Em Pool Picks (Week 2) - Targets, Avoids, Predictions for Pick'em Contests (2025)

September 13, 2025

The top NFL Pick'em pool picks for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. Kyle's weekly NFL Pick'em pool targets, avoids, and predictions to help win pick'em contests.

Week 2 of the NFL season is here, and we're back with our NFL Pick'em Pool Picks article for the 2025 season. We again begin with a marquee NFC clash to get the week started, with the Washington Commanders traveling to Lambeau Field to meet the Green Bay Packers. There are multiple other matchups with major storylines across the league, including four matchups between former No. 1 overall picks with Jacksonville at Cincinnati, Chicago at Detroit (Ben Johnson's revenge game also), Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee, and Carolina at Arizona.

Every week of the 2025 NFL season, I'll lock in picks for each game and tier them based on my confidence level for the selection. The games will be grouped into locks, semi-confident picks, and toss-ups. The number listed next to the game shows my confidence level, counting down to my least confident pick. The winner picks are italicized.

We will be getting fresh new data points every week, which will guide us in making our picks. We'll consider the spread and total when making decisions on picks while also digging into some advanced stats to find matchup advantages. Let's get to the picks for Week 2.

Week 2 NFL Pick'em Pool Locks

The number listed next to the game shows my confidence level, counting down to my least-confident pick. The higher the number, the better. The winner picks are italicized.

• 16 - Baltimore vs. Cleveland

The Ravens somehow, someway managed to lose at Buffalo on Sunday night after being up 15 points with less than four minutes remaining. They get a pillow matchup in their home opener against a Cleveland Browns team that was surprisingly better than the Bengals in their matchup, despite taking the loss.

Seven teams have had 20 or more two-score leads (9-16 points) in fourth quarters since 2022#Ravens have six of the 13 losses among those teams pic.twitter.com/ntsUwe6faD

— Mike Sando (@SandoNFL) September 8, 2025

• 15 - Dallas vs. New York Giants

Russell Wilson looked like one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL in Week 1 against Washington. Washington's defensive line dominated the entire game, and Wilson quivered under pressure time after time. Dallas looked good all around in the season opener in Philadelphia and should be able to roll at home.

• 14 - Buffalo at New York Jets

This could be seen as a letdown spot for the Bills against what looks like a uniquely built Jets team that wants to pound the ball 30+ times a game with Justin Fields at quarterback. That has been a weakness for Buffalo, and we saw it against Baltimore with Derrick Henry running for 169 yards and two touchdowns. But, Josh Allen.

• 13 - Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee

The Titans had by far the lowest offensive success rate in Week 1 at 22.8%. The next closest is the Texans at 36.5%, who the Rams just played. Matthew Stafford looked healthy and had an overall strong performance while making history by joining the 60,000-yard passing club.

Welcome to the club Matthew Stafford 👏 pic.twitter.com/NVH7lCIcHa

— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) September 7, 2025

Semi-Confident Picks For Week 1 Pick 'Em Pools

• 12 - Arizona vs. Carolina

It wasn't the most convincing start to the season for Arizona as it narrowly escaped with a win in New Orleans, but it was good to see Marvin Harrison Jr. get into a groove in the first game. On the flip side, it was a bad game for Bryce Young in Week 1. The Cardinals defense looks much improved this year, and it will be another test for Young in a pivotal year.

• 11 - Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas

The Chargers looked great in their win against the Chiefs in Brazil and should have their way with a poor Las Vegas defense. Both quarterbacks were slinging it with precision in their Week 1 matchups, and this one should be a treat to watch as part of a doubleheader on Monday night.

• 10 - San Francisco at New Orleans

This one is contingent on Brock Purdy's health, as his status is currently up in the air. I'd likely still pick the 49ers to win with Mac Jones, but my confidence level would bump down a bit.

• 9 - Detroit vs. Chicago

Ben Johnson returns to Detroit. The offense had its ups and downs on Monday night, but not nearly as woeful as the Lions were against Green Bay. The Lions have a good chance to get back on track as they just have too much firepower to be held down for too long.

NFL Pick 'Em Toss-Ups Of Week 2

• 8 - Minnesota vs. Atlanta

Sunday Night Football is between the eighth overall pick, Michael Penix Jr., and the 10th overall pick, J.J. McCarthy, in last year's historic draft class. The Vikings defense again looks very good this year, and McCarthy is trending in the right direction.

• 7 - Pittsburgh vs. Seattle

The standard Steelers defense didn't show up against the Jets, allowing 32 points, but Aaron Rodgers and the offense bailed them out for a win. Rodgers didn't do anything wild, but executed well. With Seattle's defense also being stout, this one could be a rock fight.

• 6 - Jacksonville at Cincinnati

The Bengals fooled everyone but got away with it as they somehow beat the Browns in Week 1 despite getting outgained by nearly 200 yards. Jacksonville ran all over Carolina in Week 1, and I am a believer in Liam Coen to get the most out of this offense against a weak Bengals defense.

• 5 - Denver at Indianapolis

Denver's defense looks legit, while Bo Nix had a rough outing against the Titans. It could be another challenging day with Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo holding the Dolphins offense to 4.6 yards per play and three turnovers. On the other hand, Daniel Jones against a top defense is bound to crash down a bit after his crisp performance last week.

• 4 - Philadelphia at Kansas City

Kansas City could find itself staring at 0-2 unless it can avenge its Super Bowl loss against the Eagles. Philadelphia didn't look overly dominant against Dallas in the opener, but the Chiefs' weapons are again severely lacking.

• 3 - Houston vs. Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay escaped with a win in Atlanta, but it wasn't a great offensive performance. Its 38.6% success rate was the fifth lowest on the week. The Texans were worse in that regard, but their defense is absolutely legit, and I expect them to be able to get after Baker Mayfield a bit.

• 2 - Washington at Green Bay

This matchup could be a potential NFC Championship or playoff preview as both teams figure to be in the thick of it by the end of the season. Jayden Daniels had a ho-hum season opener against the Giants' hyped-up defense, totaling over 300 yards and a touchdown pass. The Packers, meanwhile, look loaded on both sides of the ball with the addition of Micah Parsons. Projected for the second-highest point total of the week at 48.5, this one feels like it will come down to the last possession.

Commanders-Packers Thursday Night Football uniform matchup is set. pic.twitter.com/SC9M2K1dqc

— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) September 9, 2025

• 1 - Miami vs. New England

Neither team was very good in Week 1, both ranking in the bottom 10 in offensive success rate. The Dolphins, however, ran the fewest plays of any team last week with only 46. The Colts consistently sustained long scoring drives, and Miami's offense barely saw the field. Everyone is aware of how poor the vibes are with the Dolphins, but we will zag against it. New England was disappointing against a bad Raiders defense, but there's still plenty of optimism for Drake Maye.

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