Beating The Spread: Picks for Week 2

Week 1 in the NFL is usually a little strange, as it’s become an extension of the preseason. Players are still getting used to game speed again and chemistry is still being built. The same goes for betting. You reference the past but it’s usually not a factor this early in the season. So, whether you laid an egg or made some nice picks, don’t overreact – it’s much too early. Nevertheless, Week 2 is here for a chance at redemption. I went 11-4 in my first week and will continue to post my record through the year. Let’s roll.

Note: All lines are provided by Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

 

Thursday Night

Ravens (Pick)

I was very wrong. Joe Flacco might be broken.

 

Sunday’s Slate

Carolina (+3.5) @ Atlanta

Atlanta is favored in this game despite placing both S Keanu Neal and LB Deion Jones on IR this past week. Devonta Freeman is also among the injured, as he sat out of practice most of the week and will miss up to two or three weeks according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The Panthers weren’t all that impressive against the Cowboys, but I think Cam Newton finds a way to beat the battered Falcon defense.

Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5) @ Buffalo

The Chargers got ambushed by Kansas City last week – simple as that. We saw how the Ravens demolished the Bills and then went out and looked like they hadn’t played a game together versus the Bengals. If the Ravens are really this bad and still crushed Buffalo, well, it should be easy livin’ for Philip Rivers and Co.

Minnesota (+2.5) @ Green Bay

The Vikings defense is even better than Chicago’s, which had a field day prior to Aaron Rodgers‘ suspicious resurrection Last Sunday night. Rodgers suffered what has been described as an MCL sprain – kind of a big deal for the franchise savior who just signed a gigantic contract. Having to face this defense a week later is pretty tough. The Vikings’ offense will do enough to win this thing outright.

Houston (-2.5) @ Tennessee

Tennessee will most likely be without Marcus Mariota and most of its offensive line. I don’t think Blaine Gabbert is all that awful, but having JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus on the other side will make things extremely difficult.

New Orleans (-7.5) vs Cleveland

Drew Brees at home is usually a safe bet, aside from last week, of course. I’m not sure what happened, seeing as that defense was in the top 10 last year. see them being a whole lot better this week. Cleveland just lost Josh Gordon, which is a huge blow to the offense.

New York Jets (-1) vs Miami

This is a tough one. Is Detroit just that bad? Is Sam Darnold good? Can it carry over to a consecutive week? We’ll see, but it seems like his chemistry with WRs Quincy Enunwa and Terrell Prior looked to be formidable. It’s the home opener for the Jets, so I’m going with that advantage…(if it exists).

Pittsburgh (-5.5) vs Kansas City

I was wrong about Pat Mahomes. The guy can play. But, can he adjust? Pittsburgh now has actual game film to go off of. I think Pittsburgh gets right against a pretty weak Chiefs’ defense.

Philadelphia (-3) @ Tampa

The Bucs had a day in the “Big Easy” last Sunday, scoring 48 points and beating the Saints in their building. It’ll be a much different experience going against this Eagles’ defense. The Eagles offense needs to start much faster than their week one game, however, if Ryan Fitzpatrick has any thoughts about repeating last week.

Washington (-3.5) vs Indianapolis

Alex Smith played great against the Cardinals last Sunday and I think it gets easier against this Colts’ defense. The Redskins should be able to turn Andrew Luck over at least once and that’ll be the difference.

Los Angeles Rams (-10) vs Arizona

The Rams had a somewhat slow start against Oakland last week and finished that one off easily. Sam Bradford might want to take out a second life insurance policy for this one.

San Francisco (-3.5) vs Detroit

Jimmy Garoppolo had a hard time getting anything going against the Vikings defense last week, but who doesn’t? Now, he faces a  Detroit squad that got absolutely owned by a rookie in Sam Darnold less than a week ago. Matt Stafford threw four picks and looked like an old ragdoll by the end of that one. It could get uglier this week for Stafford and first-year head coach Matt Patricia.

Denver (-4) vs Oakland

Case Keenum threw three interceptions last week against Seattle, but also the same amount of touchdowns. I’d confidently say it gets a little bit easier against the Raiders.

New England (Pick) @ Jacksonville

It could be a tight one in Duval. It could also be a rout. The former seems more likely seeing as the Jaguars’ defense is extremely tough to beat. In cases like this, you simply have to remember who the quarterbacks are for each team…and therein lies the answer.

New York Giants (+3) @ Dallas

I think Eli Manning can have a pretty good day in Dallas today. The Cowboys are pretty one-dimensional with no clearcut number one receiver. If the Giants can suffocate the Dallas running game, it should be a nice cover and probable win for “Big Blue”.

 

Monday Night

Chicago (-3) vs Seattle

It’s the home opener at Soldier Field and the crowd will be a raucous and hungry for the first win of the season, after being a victim to Aaron Rodger’s heroics last Sunday Night. The Seattle offensive line is, once again, not good and their number one receiver, Doug Baldwin, is out. Bear Down baby!