by Matt Fischer
NFL Week 2 is here and my chance for redemption with more free picks after a 6-10 start. Pathetic! I’m focused and ready to win in week 2. Let’s go!
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Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-6, 43.5) – Thursday Night Football
How will Joe Burrow handle a short week in just his second NFL start? I don’t know. I do know Cleveland looked totally out of sync last Sunday and expecting them to come out and beat a team by more than a touchdown four days later is a tall order.
The Bet: Bengals +6
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (Pk, 46)
The Rams were better than expected on Sunday night I thought. The Eagles were much, much worse. Their line had a lot of holes in it and going against a beat like Aaron Donald is a recipe for disaster.
The Bet: Rams Pick ‘Em
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Bucs (-9, 47.5)
I look for Brady to have a much better week now that he and his new teammates have had a week of real action. I think Carolina hangs in this game though. I’m going to go with the over here.
The Bet: Over 47.5
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7, 41.5)
The Broncos struggled scoring points Monday Night and they’re going to have a tougher time on the road against the Steelers D.
I think Big Ben has a big game Sunday and the Steelers win by double digits.
The Bet: Steelers -7
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-6, 49)
What’s the mental state of the Lions? They blew a fourth quarter lead and then rallied late to have the game winning pass dropped. The Packers rolled the Vikings.
The Bet: Under 45
New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-5.5, 42)
I don’t expect the scoreboard operator to be busy in this one. I expect more of the old Mitch Trubisky for the Bears than the one that rallied them late in week 1. The Giants will struggle to score again. I’m all over the under in this one.
The Bet: Under 42
San Francisco 49ers (-7, 42.5) at New York Jets
I have no faith in the Jets offense. It’s a mess. The 49ers are going to batter Sam Darnold and get their record to 1-1.
The Bet: Under 42.5
Washington Football Team at Arizona Cardinals (-6.5, 47.5)
I’m bullish on the Cardinals. I liked them last week and like them even more this week. Washington rallied to beat the Eagles but it’s a different story in the desert in week 2. Kyler Murray has a huge game and the Cardinals win by double digits.
The Bet: Cardinals -6.5
Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts (-3, 48.5)
I don’t know what to expect from these two after both defenses looked bad in week 1. I have no confidence in either side so I’ll just take the points.
The Bet: Vikings +3
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-9, 42.5)
42.5 and a half isn’t much for a team favored by 9.5. The oddsmakers are telling us they expect the Jaguars to score 16-17 points. I’ll ride with Minshew Mania this week and the Jags to keep it close on a short week for the Titans.
The Bet: Jaguars +9
Baltimore Ravens (-7, 51.5) at Houston Texans
The Texans got destroyed in Kansas City last week. They’ve got 10 days to prepare for this one. Can they get their passing game going? I think Lamar Jackson will overwhelm them and Houston will struggle to put up enough to hang with the Ravens.
The Bet: Ravens -7
Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5, 47.5) at Los Angeles Chargers
The Chiefs looked even better in week 1 than they did last year on their way to winning the Super Bowl. 8.5 points is a lot to give on the road against a divisional foe. I’m going to play the total here.
The Bet: Under 47.5
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (-4, 45) (Sunday Night Football)
This is going to be a great match-up. Russell Westbrook against a great secondary in New England and then Cam Newton battling the crowd in Seattle with a strong rushing game. That rushing attack will shorten the game and keep the Pats in it. I think this is a fieldgoal game either way.
The Bet: Patriots +4
New Orleans Saints (-7, 47) at Las Vegas Raiders
The Saints won the marquee game in week 1 but weren’t very impressive on offense. The Raiders were the opposite as their defense was underwhelming in their win at Carolina.
Making their Vegas debut, I’ll take the Raiders to stick within 7.
The Bet: Raiders +7
My NFL Week 2 Best Bets:
- Cardinals -6.5
- Raiders +7
- 49ers/Jets Under 42.5
- Steelers -7
Let’s win in NFL week 2!
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