This article provides predictions and rankings for NFL Week 2 games in a confidence pool format, assigning point values to each game based on predicted outcomes. The highest-ranked pick is San Francisco over Miami at 16 points, followed by Philadelphia over Tennessee at 15 points. Other notable selections include Tampa Bay over Cleveland, Baltimore over New Orleans, and Chicago over Minnesota, each earning high confidence points due to perceived mismatches or team performance trends.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
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Story summary
In NFL Week 2, Sean Treppedi of the New York Post provides confidence pool rankings for upcoming games, predicting the Chargers will face a more manageable opponent in the Raiders, who beat Miami despite their youth and inexperience. He also forecasts the Patriots to defeat the Steelers due to concerns about rookie quarterback Drake Maye's performance. Treppedi highlights that while Week 1 results were unpredictable, Week 2 offers clearer choices, such as giving 16 points for the 49ers over the struggling Dolphins, noting the Dolphins' poor showing against a tough opponent. He also predicts high scores for the Eagles against the Titans and the Buccaneers versus the Browns, emphasizing Jalen Hurts’ strong debut performance and the Browns' defensive issues allowing multiple touchdowns to Trevor Lawrence.
Written for “NFL Week 2 Rankings Analysis” on 2026-09-17,
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Why this leaning score
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No political leaning scored for article 12006 · logged 2026-09-15
Raise your hand if the Chargers burned you in Week 1.
asserted
Chargers → raise → Week
The largest spread of the slate could never have accounted for a sloppy, mistake-filled performance that left us questioning whether Justin Herbert deserves his elite praise.
uncertain
Herbert → account → praise
Week 2’s matchups get a little bit friendlier, for what it’s worth.
asserted
it → get → ?
We can dump 16 points from last week’s confidence rankings down the drain with a little more context: that’s just the vicissitudes of NFL betting.
asserted
that → dump → betting
Onto the next batch.
Week 2 confidence pool picks, predictions
16 points: 49ers over Dolphins
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist: the 49ers were exceptional on both sides of the ball against the mighty Rams, while the Dolphins are in penury.
asserted
Dolphins → need → penury
15 points: Eagles over Titans
Tennessee made the Jets look competent, getting out-gained 367 yards to 195 and managing just 11 first downs to Gang Green’s 19.
asserted
Jets → make → 19
Jalen Hurts will build more confidence off a sound opening performance.
asserted
Hurts → build → performance
14 points: Buccaneers over Browns
Baker Mayfield had a ball security problem against Cincinnati, but their issues were more self-inflicted than anything.
asserted
issues → have → anything
Fortunately, he now gets a Browns unit that allowed four touchdowns and only five incompletions to Trevor Lawrence.
asserted
that → get → Lawrence
13 points: Ravens over Saints
Taking the Lions to overtime in a 30-31 loss counts for something for the Saints.
asserted
Taking → take → Saints
Tyler Shough could just be legit, but Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are a storm New Orleans can’t weather.
uncertain
Orleans → weather → ?
Caleb Williams showed he’s exactly the quarterback Chicago drafted him to be, powering the Bears to 59 points.
asserted
Chicago → show → points
The Colts have another uphill climb after 506 yards allowed to Baltimore.
asserted
Colts → have → Baltimore
10 points: Chargers over Raiders
The Chargers are going to need some obliviscence against a nascent Raiders team riding confidence after downing Miami.
9 points: Patriots over Steelers
I’d sound the alarm if we see more undisciplined penalties and poor decisions from Drake Maye.
asserted
we → go → Maye
The Steelers are too white bread to expect that again.
8 points: Panthers over Falcons
The market still isn’t sold on Bryce Young and Carolina after 361 yards and four total touchdowns.
asserted
market → expect → yards
.
7 points: Rams over Giants
The Rams are due for a big get-right game back at SoFi.
asserted
Rams → get → SoFi
A healthy Giants team that was efficient and physically dominant against Dallas draws some skepticism.
6 points: Seahawks over Cardinals
Since the Chargers essentially beat themselves, it’s hard to project how much Arizona’s rhythm will stand against elite defense.
asserted
rhythm → draw → defense
We don’t need Sam Darnold.
asserted
We → need → Darnold
5 points: Jaguars over Broncos
Trevor Lawrence was nearly flawless against the lowly Browns, connecting for scores with four different receivers while the defense suffocated.
asserted
defense → connect → receivers
Denver was greatly underwhelming in a myriad of ways.
4 points: Commanders over Cowboys
The Cowboys had no answers for the Giants’ short-to-intermediate passing attack.
asserted
Cowboys → have → attack
Jayden Daniels will have more room to work with here.
asserted
Daniels → have → room
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3 points: Bills over Lions
The Bills really know how to give heart palpitations. So do the Lions.
asserted
Lions → bet → palpitations
Give me Josh Allen.
2 points: Bengals over Texans
Cincinnati forced four turnovers against Tampa Bay.
asserted
Cincinnati → give → Bay
This comes down to Joe Burrow over C.J. Stroud.
1 point: Jets over Packers
Maybe it was just the Titans, but the Jets deserve some optimism after a balanced game on both sides against a Green Bay team that just allowed 29 unanswered points.
asserted
that → come → points
LAST WEEK: 9-7, 79/136 points
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post.
asserted
Treppedi → trust → Post
He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
asserted
that → focus → risk
The Aporia
