by Welcome back for Week 2 of my NFL Best Bets! Each week, I’ll pick a favorite and an underdog along with both an over and an under. Before we dive into this week’s slate, I want to take a second to recap Week 1.
2-2 is not a bad way to start the season but I’ll admit it, I was dead wrong about the Bengals covering at home. Their offense was completely stymied and not only did the Patriots cover 8.5, they won the thing outright at +340. The Jaguars-Dolphins game also went way under at 37, as both offenses mustered just two touchdowns a piece.
On the other hand, I was 100% right about the Cowboys covering in Cleveland. The offense was a nightmare and there isn’t just one person to blame. As bad as Watson looked, the offensive line was just as bad. I was also right about Will Levis being awful, as the Bears won without an offensive touchdown and the under hit by 3.5.
Enough of the past, let’s get into my Week 2 Best Bets. As always, tail at your own risk.
Favorite
Los Angeles Chargers (-4.5) @ Carolina Panthers
Goodness gracious the Carolina Panthers are a mess. Not only is Bryce Young still struggling to find his footing as an NFL quarterback, the defense is fresh off allowing 41 points to a New Orleans offense that is not among the NFL elite. The Chargers didn’t look particularly great against the Raiders, but I like almost any team -4.5 against the Panthers. 90% of the money on DraftKings is on LA and so am I.
Underdog
Los Angeles Rams (+1) @ Arizona Cardinals
Some people are high on the Cardinals offense, but I am not one of them. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a potential top receiver in the league, but that depends on Kyler Murray getting him the ball. So far, that’s one catch on four targets for four yards. Until they can get some chemistry together, I’m against the Cardinals almost every week. Stafford and the Rams gave the Detroit Lions all they could handle in an overtime loss on the road. I think they’ll be able to beat the Cardinals.
Over
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions O51.5
If I’m being honest, I don’t feel great about any of the overs this week. So it is a 100% Devin move to take over on the highest number of the weekend. Baker and the Bucs offense looked great in Week 1, going 24-30 for 289 yards and finding Mike Evans for two touchdowns and Chris Godwin for another. The Lions can put up some points themselves and will face a battered Tampa secondary that will likely be without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., among other starters. 51.5 is a ton of points, but I feel like this one is going to be a shootout.
Under
New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans U41
I hate to say it but Will Levis might be really bad. I mentioned his poor completion percentage last week and he followed it up with a 59% and two interceptions against the Bears. Aaron Rodgers is coming off a devastating Achilles injury, and the Jets offense is still trying to find its groove. I could see New York putting up some points, but they’re going to have to do the majority themselves for this one to go over.
Record: 2-2
Well, there you have it folks, my NFL Week 2 Best Bets. As always, feel free to sound off in the comments, and let me know what you think! Kick back and enjoy another beautiful NFL Sunday and bet responsibly.
