Week 2 NFL Bets: Smart Picks and Bold Predictions

Week 1 of the NFL season left bettors scratching their heads, with top picks falling flat. Now, it's time to shake off the dust and dive into Week 2, where overreactions and bold predictions rule the day. Let's kick things off with a look at five standout bets that might just pay off. First up, the Buffalo Bills are heavy favorites against the New York Jets. But don't let the odds fool you. The Bills' defense has been shaky, and the Jets' offense, led by quarterback Justin Fields, showed impressive promise in Week 1. With the Jets at home and a full touchdown underdog, they're a solid bet to cover the spread. Next, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles' offense struggled against the Cowboys' zone defense in Week 1, but they'll face a more aggressive Chiefs defense this week. The Chiefs' defense has some concerns after a lackluster Week 1 performance, and the Eagles' linebackers and slot corner Cooper DeJean could pose a challenge. With the total points expected to be high, betting the under might be the way to go. The Los Angeles Rams face the Tennessee Titans, who have a strong interior defensive line. The Rams are dealing with injuries on their offensive line, which could spell trouble for quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Titans' defense held Bo Nix to just 4 yards per attempt in Week 1, and with the Rams' offensive line banged up, the Titans could be a live underdog. The Carolina Panthers travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. The Cardinals' run game ranked seventh in EPA per rush in 2024, and they'll face a Panthers defense that has struggled against the run. If the Panthers fall behind early, this game could get out of hand quickly. The Cardinals are a solid bet to cover the spread. Lastly, the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers' offense surprised everyone in Week 1 with a pass-heavy attack that worked well against the Chiefs. The Raiders also showed explosiveness through the air, so this could be a high-scoring game. The Raiders' defense forced Drake Maye into one of his worst games as a pro, and they could be a solid bet to cover the spread. But the action doesn't stop there. The Washington Commanders face the Green Bay Packers, who are dealing with injury questions on their offensive line. The Commanders' defense could find success if the Packers' line is shorthanded, but the Packers are still a top-five offense and defense in terms of efficiency. The Packers are a solid bet to cover the spread. The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Cincinnati Bengals, who had a close game against the Browns in Week 1. The Jaguars' defense stood tall, but it's unclear how much we can read into that performance. The total points expected for this game are low, but anything under 50 points feels a bit too low. The New York Giants face the Dallas Cowboys, who looked better than expected in Week 1. The Giants, on the other hand, looked worse than expected. The market has reacted accordingly, and the Cowboys are a solid bet to cover the spread. The Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The Bears' defense could find success if the Lions' line is shorthanded, but the Lions are still a top-five offense in terms of efficiency. The Bears are a solid bet to cover the spread. The New England Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The Patriots' defense gave up multiple explosive plays to Geno Smith and the Raiders in Week 1, but the Dolphins' offensive line is such a disaster that they had to resort to signing Patriots reject Cole Strange this week. This one is a pass. The San Francisco 49ers take on the New Orleans Saints, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The 49ers' defense impressed in Week 1, but the offense is dealing with injuries as well. This game is difficult to bet, but the 49ers are a solid bet to cover the spread. The Seattle Seahawks take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The Seahawks' defense could find success if the Steelers' line is shorthanded, but the Steelers are still a top-five offense in terms of efficiency. The Seahawks are a solid bet to cover the spread. The Cleveland Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens, who are heavy favorites. The Browns' offense showed promise in Week 1, but it's unclear if they can keep up with the Ravens. The Ravens are a solid bet to cover the spread. The Atlanta Falcons take on the Minnesota Vikings, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The Falcons' offense is dealing with injuries as well, but the Vikings' defense is one of the best in the league. The Vikings are a solid bet to cover the spread. The Denver Broncos take on the Indianapolis Colts, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The Broncos' offense showed promise in Week 1, but it's unclear if they can keep up with the Colts. The Colts are a solid bet to cover the spread. Lastly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Houston Texans, who are dealing with injuries on their offensive line. The Buccaneers' offense is dealing with injuries as well, but the Texans' defense is one of the best in the league. The Texans are a solid bet to cover the spread.