Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Pro Picks Favor Rams Rebound, Giants Cover Against Spread
This article is a list of football predictions, not final game results.
Rob Maaddi thinks the Los Angeles Rams will recover from a poor opening game and defeat the New York Giants.
He expects the Giants to lose by fewer than the betting line predicts, meaning they should cover the spread.
He also picks the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers to win.
Other predicted winners include the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.
The Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are also favored in his forecasts.
Seattle is his best bet, while the Indianapolis Colts are his upset pick against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Maaddi went 10-6 on straight-up picks and 5-11 against the spread the previous week.
Rob Maaddi picks the Los Angeles Rams to beat the New York Giants 27-20, while New York covers the 7½-point spread.
The Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers are projected to win their Week 2 matchups.
The Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers are also picked to win, despite concerns about their opponents or defenses.
Maaddi favors the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, with Seattle listed as the best bet.
The Dallas Cowboys are projected to beat the Washington Commanders, while the Indianapolis Colts are Maaddi’s upset special over the Kansas City Chiefs; last week’s record was 10-6 straight up and 5-11 against the spread.
- Who
- AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi made the predictions for the listed NFL teams.
- What
- The column forecasts winners, scores and against-the-spread outcomes for upcoming games, including a Rams victory and Giants cover.
- When
- The predictions are for the upcoming weekly NFL games; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The games are scheduled at various NFL venues, including home openers and road matchups identified in the column.
- Why
- Maaddi bases the picks on Week 1 performances, injuries, travel, quarterback play, defensive form and betting spreads.
- Featured prediction
- Los Angeles Rams 27, New York Giants 20; the Giants are expected to cover the 7½-point spread.
- Best bet
- Seattle Seahawks 24, Arizona Cardinals 13.
- Upset special
- Indianapolis Colts 24, Kansas City Chiefs 23.
- Other projected winners
- Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.
- Remaining projected winners
- Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.
- Previous-week record
- 10-6 straight up and 5-11 against the spread.
- Column author
- Rob Maaddi, an AP Pro Football Writer.