Recapping NFL Picks: Lessons from Last Week
That was a bit excruciating to watch.
No, it wasn’t just about how the Miami Dolphins fared against the Colts last Sunday, although their performance wasn’t exactly inspiring. What really stung were the three picks I made for the spread last week. Thankfully, the Arizona Cardinals managed to avoid a 0-3 start with a 20-13 win over the New Orleans Saints.
This week, I’ve got three picks lined up for the second week of the 2025 NFL season. Fingers crossed for a better outcome.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
Fan Duel Line: Dallas -4.5 Spread Pick: Dallas -4.5
Should we be giving Jerry Jones a bit of credit? Maybe not entirely, but after a surprising trade involving Micah Parsons, he mentioned that the Cowboys need to improve their run defense.
Dallas did manage to limit Saquon Barkley during their opening game, and they held the Philadelphia Eagles to just 3.3 yards per carry and 60 rushing yards overall. Still, it wasn’t enough for the Cowboys to walk away with a win at Lincoln Financial Field. The final score—24-20—indicates they might be closer than expected.
The New York Giants, however, seem to have a longer road ahead. Russell Wilson faced heavy pressure from the Washington Commanders early on, which left him rattled later in the game, causing the Giants to squander several scoring opportunities.
The Jaxson Dart Watch is underway, and it’s definitely capturing attention.
San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints
Fan Duel Line: San Francisco -3 Spread Pick: New Orleans +3
Fans of the San Francisco 49ers might be feeling uneasy heading into week two.
Injuries are a major concern, especially with George Kittle sidelined due to a hamstring problem. Then you have Brock Purdy, whose chances of playing on Sunday seem slim, as coach Kyle Shanahan described him as a “long shot” due to toe and shoulder injuries sustained during their recent win against the Seattle Seahawks.
If Purdy can’t go, it looks like it’ll be Mac Jones stepping in.
Trent Williams, the left tackle, might also raise eyebrows after allowing five quarterback hits and six pressures during their last game. That’s concerning both with Purdy in play and if Jones takes the reins.
The Saints performed well against the Cardinals last week and could very well capitalize on an injured 49ers squad.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans
Fan Duel Line: Houston -2.5 Spread Pick: Tampa Bay +2.5
Honestly, this is one of the more surprising lines I’ve seen this week.
Sure, Tampa Bay had a rocky outing—missing a crucial field goal and narrowly avoiding overtime against the Atlanta Falcons. However, what stood out was rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who had a solid debut, and Baker Mayfield’s three touchdown performance. Plus, the Buccaneers’ defense did a commendable job limiting the Falcons’ rushing game, holding Bijan Robinson to only 24 yards on 12 carries.
On the other hand, Houston struggled, only managing nine points in a 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. I’m not too optimistic about their offense matching up against the Buccaneers this week.
