Week 2 NFL picks: Broncos vs. Colts, Bengals vs. Jaguars

The New York Post’s Bettor’s Guide, with AP sports betting writer Dylan Svoboda, released Week 2 predictions on Sunday that list the Denver Broncos at -1.5 over the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals at -3.5 over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Svoboda cautioned that Week 1 results invite overreaction and stressed matchup details when weighing the Broncos-Colts game. Indianapolis opened with a 33-8 win over the Miami Dolphins, a result that has generated optimism about Daniel Jones and the Colts, but Svoboda pointed to Jones’ uneven 2024 performance and Miami’s recent struggles when assessing how much stock to put in that victory. Denver’s defense, by contrast, dominated in Week 1, holding the Tennessee Titans to 133 total yards in a 20-12 win. The Post’s analysis concluded that Denver’s front and secondary performance makes the Broncos a sound pick to cover the short spread at Indianapolis.

In the AFC North and AFC South matchup, the Post installed the Bengals as 3.5-point favorites over the Jaguars. Jacksonville handled the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, but the offense showed limitations: Trevor Lawrence threw for 178 yards and completed only a single long scoring connection with Brian Thomas Jr. Travis Etienne Jr. produced 143 rushing yards, but nearly half of that total came on one 71-yard run. Carolina’s three turnovers — committed by Panthers quarterback Bryce Young — supplied Jacksonville with favorable field position and helped produce 26 points for the home team.

Cincinnati scraped past the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 in a sloppy performance, but Svoboda’s write-up emphasized the Bengals’ offensive ceiling. Joe Burrow’s chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase, combined with Cincinnati’s ability to correct early-season miscues, were cited as reasons the Bengals should be more formidable in Week 2. The Post’s pick leans on the idea that the Jaguars’ Week 1 production will be harder to replicate against a faster-starting Bengals offense and a quarterback who has historically performed well after sluggish openers.

The Post’s write-up balanced single-game performance against broader season trends. It urged bettors to treat Week 1 results as data points rather than definitive indicators — pointing to Miami’s organizational issues affecting the Colts’ early impression and to Jacksonville’s reliance on a single explosive run in its rushing totals. For Cincinnati, the analysis called attention to the team’s ability to overcome early turnovers and assert its passing game when necessary.

Svoboda, who regularly contributes betting analysis across major sports, including MLB and the NBA, returns for a second season on The Post’s Bettor’s Guide. The Week 2 recommendations reflect an emphasis on matchup advantage, defensive performance and the tendency for established offensive leaders to rebound after imperfect starts.