Week 1 saw the underdogs go 8-7-1 ATS, as the likes of New England and Indianapolis failed to cover double-digit spreads. As the new season takes shape, which Week 1 results were flukes and which will become trends?
Games in week 2 will look to answer some of those questions, and will feature some interesting intradivisional match-ups.
NFL Week 2 Betting: The Match-ups
NY Jets (+12.5) at New England (-12.5) (September 12, 8:25 PM ET)
The Patriots barely got by the Buffalo Bills 23-21 in their season opener, falling well short of covering their -10.5 point spread on the road. They now face another divisional rival in the Jets, who also needed a last-gasp field goal to beat Tampa Bay at home.
New England has owned the Jets in recent years, going 5-1 SU in its last 6 games. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the NY Jets last 6 games.
St. Louis (+7) at Atlanta (-7) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
The Falcons gave up 357 passing yards to Drew Brees and the Saints in Week 1. They will need to shore up their pass defense to account for the St. Louis and Jared Cook, who had 7 catches for 141 yards in his Rams debut.
The Rams have consistently covered on the road. St. Louis is 6-0 ATS in its last 6 road games. Can they keep it up against Atlanta, which is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games against St. Louis?
Carolina (-3) at Buffalo (+3) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
EJ Manuel was impressive in his NFL debut, keeping the Bills close vs. the Patriots. He will be handed a tough test in his first home game when he goes against Luke Kuechly and the Carolina defense, which held the Seahawks to 12 points in week 1.
The Panthers have gone 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games, but Buffalo has defeated them 4-1 SU in its last 5 games against Carolina.
Minnesota (+6.5) at Chicago (-6.5) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
Adrian Peterson started where he left off last year, running home a 78-yard touchdown on his very first attempt. The Vikings will need more of the same from their star back when they come up against a Chicago defense that gave up the eighth fewest rushing yards last season.
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games against Minnesota at Soldier Field. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games at Chicago.
Washington (+8.5) at Green Bay (-8.5) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
The Packers prepared for the threat of a running quarterback against the 49ers, only to get burned by Colin Kaepernick’s arm. They won’t want to make the same mistake against RGIII and the Redskins, who were also caught off guard last week by Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense.
The Redskins have covered in 5 of their last 6 road games (5-1 ATS). They’re currently +8.5 against Green Bay, who are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at Lambeau Field.
Miami (+3) at Indianapolis (-3) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
The Colts were massive 11-point favorites at home, but needed an Andrew Luck touchdown run to get past the Raiders, 21-17. They now have a more manageable spread against the Dolphins, who handily took care of the Browns, 23-10.
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at Indianapolis, while the Colts are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Dallas (+2.5) at Kansas City (-2.5) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
The impressive Chiefs defense shut down the less-than-stellar Jaguars offense on Week 1. Kansas City will get a much sterner test from Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the rest of the Cowboys’ talented passing attack.
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games against Kansas City, while the total has gone UNDER in 4 of the Chiefs’ last 5 games.
Cleveland (+6.5) at Baltimore (-6.5) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
Brandon Weeden didn’t play his best game on Week 1, as he was intercepted three times by the Dolphins. He could find more success against a Ravens defense that was absolutely torn to shreds by Peyton Manning and the Broncos receivers.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland’s last all games against Baltimore, who is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home vs. the Browns.
Tennessee (+9.5) at Houston (-9.5) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
The Titans pulled off what was arguably Week 1’s biggest upset by beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Can Tennessee make it two in a row against the Texans, who needed a field goal in the dying moments to get past the Chargers on Monday Night?
Houston is a steady 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home. Moreover, the total has gone OVER in 4 of Tennessee’s last 5 games against Houston.
San Diego (+7.5) at Philadelphia (-7.5) (September 15, 1:00 PM ET)
It’s new coach, same story for the Chargers, who squandered yet another enormous half-time lead on Monday night. The Chargers won’t stand a chance if their 2nd half defense doesn’t show up against the Eagles blitzkrieg offense.
San Diego is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games against the Eagles. Subsequently, the total has gone OVER in all of Philadelphia’s last 5 games at home.
Detroit (-1.5) at Arizona (+1.5) (September 15, 4:05 PM ET)
The Cardinals finally got some competent play from their quarterback after Carson Palmer threw for 327 yards in his very first game. But will that be enough against a high-powered Lions offense that produced 469 total yards against the Vikings?
Arizona is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home against Detroit. As for Detroit, the total has gone OVER in 8 of their last 11 games.
New Orleans (-3.5) at Tampa Bay (+3.5) (September 15, 4:05 PM ET)
The Saints defense looked much better than it did last year, when it surrendered the most yards ever in a single season. If the defense really has improved, then that should help contain Vincent Jackson (7 catches, 154 yards), who was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Week 1 loss for the Bucs.
New Orleans is 3-0 SU in their last 3 games at Tampa Bay. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games.
Jacksonville (+6) at Oakland (-6) (September 15, 4:25 PM ET)
Terrelle Pryor was one of the big surprises in Week 1, as his 329 total yards almost single-handedly kept the Raiders close against the heavily favored Colts. They’re now the ones who are favored against a Jaguars team that will be without starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert due to a lacerated hand.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Jacksonville’s last 10 games on the road. Oakland has won their last 2 against the Jaguars.
Denver (-5) at NY Giants (+5) (September 15, 4:25 PM ET)
Peyton Manning delivered a record-tying seven-touchdown performance against the Ravens. His brother Eli will need to come up big if the Giants want to avoid going 0-2 this season.
The Broncos are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games, but the Giants have fared well at home against Denver, going 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
San Francisco (+3) at Seattle (-3) (September 15, 8:30 PM ET)
Anquan Boldin didn’t need much time to learn the 49er offense, as his 13-catch, 208-yard game against the Packers suggests he’ll fit right in. It will take another monumental effort to bring down the NFC West rival Seahawks, who have historically been hard to beat at home.
San Francisco is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games on the road, but Seattle is a sterling 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at Century Link Field.
Pittsburgh (+7) at Cincinnati (-7) (September 16, 8:40 PM ET)
The Steelers are reeling after several injuries have left their squad decimated. James Harrison will be looking to add insult to injury when he faces off against his old team on Monday Night Football.
Pittsburgh has owned Cincinnati’s home field for many years. The Steelers are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games at Cincinnati. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games at home against Pittsburgh.
