CBS Sports writers Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin have spent the week arguing about NFL Week 2, and their picks for the biggest games of the weekend come with a warning: they mostly agree. Each expert’s prediction sits within a field goal of the other’s. The result is a set of selections that reads less like a betting guide and more like two friends talking past each other.
The pair took their lines on Sept. 15 from DraftKings Sportsbook. Their matchups include the Steelers at Patriots, Saints at Ravens, Bengals at Texans, and Jaguars at Broncos. The pattern holds across all four games: Dajani picks the underdog, Dubin picks the favorite, and neither prediction lands outside the margin of victory.
Steelers at Patriots
The Patriots opened as 4.5-point favorites at home. Dajani takes the Steelers (+4.5) and expects a close game. He points to last year’s meeting, which saw Pittsburgh beat New England 21-14, and notes that the Steelers have won three straight games as underdogs of at least four points. His prediction: Patriots 16, Steelers 13.
Dubin goes the other way. He sees the Patriots’ offense as stronger than Pittsburgh’s and trusts New England to win a low-scoring game. His call: Patriots 21, Steelers 13.
Both agree the game will be low scoring, but Dubin’s Patriots are a touchdown ahead of Dajani’s. The difference comes down to confidence in the offenses.
Saints at Ravens
Baltimore is a 7.5-point favorite at home. Dajani likes the Saints (+7.5) and cites Tyler Shough’s impressive performance against the Lions, where he threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns despite three turnovers. Shough, a second-year quarterback, is 8-2 ATS in his career as starter, tied for the best mark since 1970.
Dajani also notes that Baltimore could be missing two of its top receivers: Zay Flowers (hamstring) and Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist). He predicts Ravens 28, Saints 24.
Dubin agrees the Ravens are the better team but leans on the Saints’ ability to secure a comeback cover. Baltimore dominated the Colts in Week 1, but Flowers exited early with a hamstring issue. Dubin’s call: Ravens 27, Saints 20.
Bengals at Texans
Houston is a 2.5-point favorite at home. Dajani sees the Texans as the better defensive unit and expects DeMeco Ryans to have his team ready for a rebound after a rough Week 1 showing against Josh Allen. Dajani predicts Texans 27, Bengals 23.
Dubin counters that the Bengals’ offense looked explosive despite not playing their best in Week 1. He expects Ja’Marr Chase to bounce back from just two catches for 12 yards and that both teams can find success offensively. His call: Texans 26, Bengals 24.
Jaguars at Broncos
Denver is a 3-point favorite at home. Dajani is not convinced the Broncos are a good team, pointing to Bo Nix’s struggles in the opener. He wants the underdog. Dajani’s prediction: Jaguars +3.
Dubin does not give the Broncos much credit either, but he thinks the Jaguars have issues of their own. His call: Broncos 24, Jaguars 20.
The Pattern
The picks follow a clear shape:
- Dajani takes the underdog in every game.
- Dubin takes the favorite in every game.
- Both predictions sit within a field goal of each other.
That consistency is the story. Whether you are betting or just following along, the margin for error is small. A late touchdown could flip the result in any direction, and both experts know it.
What the Picks Mean
The experts are not hiding their disagreement. They are just disagreeing on the same narrow band. A bettor who follows Dajani’s picks is essentially betting the under in every game. A bettor who follows Dubin is betting the favorite. The math works either way.
The entertainment value comes from the contrast. Dajani’s record of three straight wins as an underdog is a real stat, and his affection for the Bengals’ defense is genuine. Dubin’s trust in the Patriots’ offense and the Texans’ home-field advantage is equally firm.
Neither expert is backing down. Dajani’s closing line on the Jaguars is a statement of defiance. Dubin’s Broncos pick is a quiet vote of confidence in a team that struggled in Week 1.
The Bottom Line
Week 2 is a fresh slate, and the experts are treating it that way. Dajani is leaning on recent history and underdog records. Dubin is leaning on talent and potential. Neither has much room for error.
The games start Sunday, with the Steelers-Patriots kicking off at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. The rest of the schedule:
| Game | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Steelers at Patriots | 1 p.m. ET | CBS (stream on Paramount+) |
| Saints at Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS (stream on Paramount+) |
| Bengals at Texans | 1 p.m. ET | CBS (stream on Paramount+) |
| Jaguars at Broncos | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS (stream on Paramount+) |
For a casual fan, the picks are a fun way to follow the weekend. For a serious bettor, they offer little guidance beyond the spread itself. The experts are locked into their positions, and the games will settle the argument.
Either way, the week promises drama.
Source material: “NFL Week 2 picks: Our experts face off on Giants at Rams, Bengals vs. Texans and more,” CBS Sports.
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