NFL Week 2 Upset Picks (Jets Take Down Browns, Cardinals Bounce Back and More Predictions)

The BetSided team picked up two wins in our Week 1 upset picks, with Iain MacMillan hitting on the New York Giants and Ben Heisler picking the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

There aren’t as many home underdogs in Week 2 as there was in Week 1, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some teams to pick to win at plus money. 

Can another New York team pick up an upset win? Are the Jacksonville Jaguars due?

Here’s who our editors are picking in Week 2, with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook: 

Best NFL Upset Picks for Week 2 of 2022 Season

Jacksonville Jaguars (+168) vs. Indianapolis Colts

“Death, taxes… and the Indianapolis Colts losing in Jacksonville every year.”

Frank Reich’s squad made slight progress from the previous four seasons by not losing in Week 1 to the Houston Texans, but then again, he didn’t win either, walking away with a 20-20 tie. 

Now, Indianapolis heads to Jacksonville where he’s gone 0-4 every season he’s been the Colts’ head coach, and in two of those seasons, the Jags have been the worst team in the league!

Since Reich took over in 2018, Indianapolis is just 8-12-1 straight up in Weeks 1-5, but 29-16 in Week 6 and beyond. With his fifth quarterback in five years, it’s been proven over several seasons that his offense takes time to adjust.

Sept. 21, 2014 was the last time Indy won in Jacksonville. I won’t hold Reich accountable for previous failures, but I still expect that date to hold true for at least another season. — Ben Heisler

New York Jets (+210) at Cleveland Browns

The New York Jets lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 24-9, in the opening week, but there were some positives to take away from the effort. For example, they held the Ravens to only 3.0 yards per carry on 21 attempts. Sure, their pass defense was susceptible, but they shut down the rush attack of what was supposed to be one of the best running offenses in the NFL.

Now, they get to take on the Cleveland Browns, and if they can have the same success in shutting down the Browns running game, Cleveland doesn't have a passing game to turn to. The Browns averaged 4.3 yards per pass attempt in week one, the lowest mark in the NFL by 0.4 years, which is a significantly wide margin. Jacoby Brissett looked subpar at best in the win, and I think if the Jets can force them to try to win the game through the air, New York will be in a great position to win.

Let's also remember that both offenses averaged the same amount of yards, 4.8, in Week 1 despite wildly different results. This game is a much closer matchup than you think it is. – Iain MacMillan

This feels a little nasty just to say out loud, but I’m going to stand on it. The New York Jets are going to win this week. 

Their defense was able to hold up fairly well against the Ravens, not being completely dominated. Yes, Baltimore won 24-9, but that game was a lot closer than the final record indicated. 

The Browns are still suspect at quarterback and if the Jets can be opportunistic on defense, then I think they can stay in this game. – Donnavan Smoot

Arizona Cardinals (+215) at Las Vegas Raiders

Don't read too far into Kansas City's demolition of Arizona in Week 1, because the Chiefs are going to do that to a lot of teams this year. Instead, look at this as a golden opportunity to back the Cardinals at huge odds against a mediocre opponent.

The Cardinals have six straight wins as road underdogs and are 14-3-2 against the spread in their last 19 games in this spot. Las Vegas, meanwhile, is just 3-4 outright in its last seven as home favorites with dreadful losses to Jacksonville, Washington, and Chicago.

Don't forget this is an Arizona team that lost just one September game in 2020 and 2021 combined. At odds this large, I can't resist backing the Cardinals while the NFL world is leaving them for dead. – Joe Summers

Minnesota Vikings (+115) at Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles beat up on a bad Detroit Lions team in Week 1, but the stakes get much higher against a Minnesota Vikings team that dominated the Green Bay Packers in their season opener. 

Minnesota’s defense looked much improved in Week 1 with Danielle Hunter back, and the offense was humming under Kevin O’Connell. The Eagles did dominate on the ground in Week 1, but I think things will be much tougher against this Vikings front seven. 

Not only that, but Philly let up a bit in the second half against Detroit, and the likes of Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen are much scarier than the Lions’ weapons.

Don’t sleep on Minnesota in Week 2. – Peter Dewey