NFL Best Bets for Week 2
Is it Must Win Weekend? Possibly. However, the NFL now features 17 games instead of 16. That has to help. Regardless, let’s make some money!
(Odds provided by various sportsbooks via Action Network. Subject to change. This is an opinion based article, so spend YOUR money how YOU want to.)
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1:00p EST games…
CHIEFS at JAGUARS
- KC -3.5 / 51.5
Storyline: A Playoff rematch. Are the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence turning a page towards contenders for years to come? Do the Chiefs have a Super Bowl hangover?
Analysis: I really think people overreacted to Mahomes’ performance in week 1. I also believe Jacksonville has NO home-field advantage. And oh yeah, my Colts played this team well with a raw rookie in Anthony Richardson and a rookie head coach! I’m also going to stay away from the total because sometimes in big games you don’t know if the coaches will run and bleed clock or air it out like Dolphins vs Chargers.
Best Bet(s): CHIEFS -3.5 and u51.5
RAIDERS at BILLS
- BUF -8.5 / 47
Storyline: Raiders suck, right? Bills are contenders? Check the records. Las Vegas winning at Denver is no small feat. Buffalo losing to Zach Wilson (mostly) is a bad look. Both teams have something to prove.
Analysis: I do think Buffalo wins this game. They have to for their fanbase’s psyche. However, the Raiders stayed out east after the Denver game. I don’t trust Josh McDaniels, but Sean McDermott isn’t way better either. Josh Jacobs ground game could do wonders for “keep away.” Also, Jimmy G is an underrated QB who doesn’t really lose you games. For the total, if Vegas keeps it close the game is low-scoring. If the Bills have their way, Raiders offense can’t keep up.
Best Bet(s): LV +8.5 and u47
RAVENS at BENGALS
- CIN -3 / 46.5
Storyline: Is Joe Burrow suffering AGAIN from not having a healthy camp? Did the Ravens not blowing out Houston matter? Will Cincy start 0-2? Also, a Playoff rematch where Tyler Huntley (LOLOLOL) almost beat the Bengals.
Analysis: I have bad news for Bengals fans: week 1 was no fluke. Your QB is still rusty. And sure, Lamar Jackson tweeted that he was rusty, too. But watching both of these teams’ week 1 games? Ravens looked way better. Regardless of their respective opponents. For the total, it’s AFC North so it could be a blood bath.
Best Bet(s): BAL money line +140
CHARGERS at TEXANS
- LAC -2.5 / 45.5
Storyline: Do the Titans wish one of their young QBs was better than Tannehill? Is LA’s defense that bad? Does Mike Vrabel have enough of a coaching advantage to pull off the upset?
Analysis: Chargers defense is suspect, but playing Ryan Tannehill has to feel good. This game scares me from a betting standpoint because I don’t trust Brandon Staley and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore doesn’t make me super confident in Justin Herbert. Also, I thought Quentin Johnston was going to get more playing time. For the total, I think Titans play keep away. I do think the Chargers could be on “upset” alert.
Best Bet(s): u45.5
SEAHAWKS at LIONS
- DET -4.5 / 47.5
Storyline: Was Geno’s success a mirage? Are the Lions legit? Last year’s matchup was a shoot out.
Analysis: Jared Goff at home is a newer trend I like. Seattle letting Cooper Kupp-less Rams carve them up was awful to see. Lions have enough pass rush to make Geno uncomfortable. I expect both teams to score.
Best Bet(s): o47.5
COLTS at TEXANS
- HOU -1 / 39.5
Storyline: Last year was a tie. Battle of Top 5 draft picks. Bottom of the AFC South barrell.
Analysis: I am a Colts fan. But I am realistic. CJ Stroud was poised against a pretty good Ravens team. However, what I saw from the Colts in week 1 was way more smooth than whatever the Texans tried. Anthony Richardson was really eased in by Shane Steichen’s play calling and that mattered. Zack Moss should be back so Deon Jackson won’t have to worry about fumbling again. For the total, I like 2 rookies in a dome.
Best Bet(s): IND money line +102 and o39.5
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BEARS at FALCONS
- ATL -1.5 / 40.5
Storyline: Has Green Bay hit the QB lottery again? Are the Falcons good? Do Drake London and Kyle Pitts exist?
Analysis: I think Matt LaFleur is criminally underrated as a coach. It was the Bears, sure. But that was no small task owning them with Jordan Love looking so flawless. Atlanta wants this game ugly. Also, Desmond Ridder has 0 INT in 5 starts. No player in league history has started 6 games with no picks. So he won’t throw. By the way, the Packers run game (even without Aaron Jones) could counter this Falcons gameplan well.
Best Bet(s): GB money line +105
BEARS at BUCCANEERS
- TB -2.5 / 41
Storyline: Is Baker good? Is Justin Fields a bust?
Analysis: Baker looked really comfortable in this offense. Tampa Bay’s defense is still nasty. I don’t see a scenario where Chicago can do enough in this games. This could be a blood bath.
Best Bet(s): TB -2.5 and u41
4:00p EST games…
GIANTS at CARDINALS
- NYG -4 / 39.5
Storyline: Is Daniel Jones overpaid? Were the Giants last year a flash in the pan? Are the Cardinals actively tanking?
Analysis: Giants will have no easy win here. I believe in them but Arizona’s defense is no slouch. Saquon Barkley must run the ball better (11 carries, 33 yards in week 1 minus the 18 yard rush in garbage time). The O-Line must protect Daniel Jones better (hit 12 times vs Dallas). This game comes down to Cardinals keeping it close but Joshua Dobbs not converting crucial 3rd downs. G-Men pull away late.
Best Bet(s): NYG -4
49ERS at RAMS
- SF -7.5 / 45.5
Storyline: Are the Rams competitive again? Is Brock Purdy amazing? Does Kyle Shanahan still own McVay?
Analysis: I know the NFC West teams beat each other up every season. As much as I want to trust McVay who has coached 2 Rams teams to a Super Bowl can help this game stay close, the 49ers were a machine in Pittsburgh. It was scary how polished they already were. For the total, I could see some points being scored.
Best Bet(s): o45.5
COMMANDERS at BRONCOS
- DEN -3.5 / 38.5
Storyline: Is Eric Bieniemy the answer? Does Sean Payton make a difference for Russell Wilson?
Analysis: Denver’s defense will make this game respectable. Sam Howell I believe will not be intimidated by Mile High. This game could go either way. Expect both teams to make this tough.
Best Bet(s): u38.5
JETS at COWBOYS
- DAL -9 / 38.5
Storyline: Was 40-0 a fluke? Is Zach Wilson horrible?
Analysis: Be real. The media and the Jets don’t like Zach Wilson. Granted, playing a Cowboys defense in Dallas could give that argument more ammo. But I think this game is close. I won’t be surprised if Jets win.
Best Bet(s): NYJ +9
Primetime games…
SNF: DOLPHINS at PATRIOTS
- MIA -3 / 46.5
Storyline: Will Mac Jones continue to improve? Is Tyreek Hill going to reach 2K yards?
Analysis: Tua is a really good QB. When this Miami team walks in to Foxborough and lights it up, you’ll see. Patriots defense won’t hang. I’m sorry. Division rivalry be damned.
Best Bet(s): MIA -3
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MNF #1: SAINTS at PANTHERS
- NO -3 / 40
Storyline: Is Derek Carr the answer in NOLA? Is Bryce Young a franchise QB?
Analysis: If you saw week 1 from both of these teams, it’s hysterical New Orleans only is at -3. Panthers have almost a new team offensively with a new coach. C’mon now.
Best Bet(s): NO -3
MNF #2: BROWNS at STEELERS
- CLE -2.5 / 38.5
Storyline: Are the Steelers good or was week 1 a sign? Will the Browns be good?
Analysis: Deshaun Watson I thought wasn’t horrible vs the Bengals. I really think he’ll bounce back. Meanwhile, Matt Canida is still calling plays for Pittsburgh. And Kenny Pickett isn’t the same guy we saw in preseason. I expect an AFC North slugfest.
Best Bet(s): CLE -2.5 and u38.5