Each Week, Head of Content Michael Schottey makes his picks for the upcoming slate of NFL action. For more on the best picks of the week, check out Pickwatch Pro for only $30 per year and get access to in-depth insights on proven winners. 

Carolina Panthers (-8) @ Houston Texans

This game shouldn’t be particularly close, because the Panthers defense is going to do some dirty things to Texans quarterback Davis Mills and Co. Underrated storyline in the NFL this year is just how good Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been. Pick: Panthers

Washington Football Team @ Buffalo Bills (-8)

Very reserved picking this one because WFT matches up to the Bills like Pittsburgh did in Week 1. If the Bills can’t protect QB Josh Allen, this could go the other way in a hurry, but I like the Bills defense to swagger up as they did against a lesser QB in Miami last week. Pick: Bills

Chicago Bears @ Cleveland Browns (-7)

The Browns have played two games closer than they should’ve this season, and this is likely to make three in a row. That said, as much as we all want to make QB Justin Fields happen, this isn’t the week that’s going to look good. Pick: Browns

Baltimore Ravens (-7.5) @ Detroit Lions

The Ravens have played multiple good teams close and the Lions have punched up (for half a game a piece) against multiple teams. So, don’t be surprised if this one momentarily looks like a trap game at some point in the afternoon but overall, the Ravens should win handily. Pick: Ravens

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (-5.5)

Both of these teams are likely to attempt to establish the run for the better part of these game, but gimme the Titans when it comes time to take some shots late. They’ve got the better weapons and the quarterback I trust more. Pick: Titans

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)

The Chiefs match up pretty poorly with the Chargers when the Chargers are on defense, but that’s not going to be enough as their defense will do more than enough to stop the Chargers in return. Pick: Chiefs

New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots (-2.5)

This is maybe the scariest game of the week to pick, and while I worry that Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has some surprises up his sleeve for this one, the Saints will be able to run the ball well against a Patriots team that has struggled in run defense. Pick: Saints

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants (-3)

If the last game was the scariest, this is the cringiest…I don’t trust either team and Falcons QB Matt Ryan is liable to go off with a five touchdown game at some point when it doesn’t really matter. Still, the Giants are the better team...if not by much. Pick: Giants

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)

The Steelers are likely to have linebacker T.J. Watt back here, and that’s more than enough to make life very difficult for the Bengals offense. Pick: Steelers

Arizona Cardinals (-7.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

In college, games like this are used to put together numbers for the Heisman resume. Pick: Cardinals

New York Jets @ Denver Broncos (-10.5)

The Broncos are a much better team than the Jets, but the offense isn’t quite as good as they’re currently looking. I’ve got them winning here, but don’t be surprised if it’s closer than Vegas thinks. Pick: Broncos

Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders (-4)

At some point the Raiders are going to lay an egg, but that’s not this week. As much as we’re all talking about the absence of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, it’s the Dolphins defense that we need to be worried about. This game will underscore that. Pick: Raiders

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) @ Los Angeles Rams 

A true pick ‘em game. Give me the Bucs because while we’re all talking about Buccaneers QB Tom Brady vs. the Rams defense, I’m sitting here wondering how the Rams protection will hold up against the Buccaneers defensive front. That’s the difference maker. Pick: Buccaneers

Seattle Seahawks (-2) @ Minnesota Vikings

The Seahawks win a lot of close games and every once in a while let an opponent slip in. The Vikings lose a lot of close games and every once in a while get a break. Advantage, Seahawks. Pick: Seahawks

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)

Is it a road game if Packers QB Aaron Rodgers would rather live in San Francisco? The 49ers are 2-0 but have been less than impressive in either win. These teams match up really well, and the Packers just have the better QB and offensive weapons. Pick: Packers

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (-4)

I’ll take the Cowboys and a whole mess of points above the surprisingly tight spread here. The Cowboys defense is going to do vile things to Eagles QB Jalen Hurts. Pick: Cowboys