N.F.L. Week 2 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread

Thursday’s Game

Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video

Line: Eagles -7 | Total: 48.5

A short turnaround should be beneficial for both the Vikings (0-1) and the Eagles (1-0) as they look to rebound from sloppy Week 1 performances. Though the Eagles defeated the Patriots, 25-20, last week in Foxboro, Mass., Philadelphia allowed three sacks of Jalen Hurts, who also lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings had three turnovers in the first half of last week’s 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers at home. Receiver Justin Jefferson is likely to line up against cornerback Darius Slay, which could limit his effectiveness, but Minnesota’s defense is more likely to be the weak link in Thursday’s game, when it will be tasked with guarding receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. Expect the Eagles to start the season 2-0. Pick: Eagles -7

Sunday’s Best Games

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Bengals -3.5 | Total: 46

This early A.F.C. North matchup pits two quarterbacks who recently entered the highest-paid bracket in the N.F.L., Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, who each signed contract extensions this year.

Burrow’s core unit remained intact from last season, but his Bengals (0-1) looked sloppy against a Cleveland Browns team he’s never beaten in five meetings. He’s got the edge in the head-to-head career matchup, 3-2, against Baltimore, but hasn’t gone up against the Ravens’ (1-0) revamped offense, led by the first-year coordinator Todd Monken and with the additions of receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers. The game should be close and 3.5 points might be too much to spot the Bengals in such an even matchup. Pick: Ravens +3.5

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Chiefs -3 | Total: 51

Jacksonville threatened, but did not manage, to oust Kansas City in the divisional round of last season’s A.F.C. playoffs, when Patrick Mahomes went down with an ankle injury and was briefly replaced by Chad Henne. Last week, with tight end Travis Kelce (knee) and defensive lineman Chris Jones (contract holdout) absent, the Chiefs (0-1) weren’t able to fend off an upset loss to the Lions. He should have both players back on the field in Jacksonville, Fla. Jones signed a one-year deal on Monday and should rejoin the lineup, and Kelce said on his podcast with his brother, the Eagles center Jason Kelce, that he is optimistic he’ll be cleared to play.