Week 2 NFL Lines & Odds: Matchup Predictions

Week 1 is in the books and it was a big win for the underdogs this week. The Packers were oddly slight road dogs going up against Minnesota and put a beatdown on them. The Jaguars beat Indy and after they were eight point favorites. Chicago pulled off a late game upset over Detroit, while Washington made quick work of a battered Eagles offensive line. The Cardinals went into San Francisco and pulled off a big win to get them started off on the right foot. Week 2 has in store some higher total as five games sit with a total over 48. There are a handful of of large favorites again this week as the elite teams are showing their worth in being able to dominate teams. Kansas City and Baltimore are both more than touchdown favorites against respectable teams.

CIN @ CLE

Across a few different books the spread is between -5.5 and -6.5 for the Browns. This is a bit surprising for the Browns to be touchdown favorites as this team has failed to resemble any sort of consistency across my lifetime. Joe Burrow looked great in Week 1 against a very good Chargers defense. Cleveland was crushed by Baltimore as expected, so both teams are looking for their first win of 2020. Baker Mayfield struggled against the Bengals last season and this was a Cleveland team that gave the Bengals one of their two wins. This Bengals team looked better on both sides of the ball and I am buying into them at least being able to cover here.

SF @ NYJ

San Francisco will travel to New York this week looking to rebound after a Week 1 loss against the Jets. The 49ers were down two starting wideouts and news came out that George Kittle is dealing with an injury. We will need to monitor their playmakers statuses this week as Jimmy G being down three options is tough against anyone. I do expect the 49ers to get healthier and overall this Jets defense came crashing down this offseason with the departure of Jamal Adams and a few opt-outs as well. Buffalo exposed them and this 49ers defense will have an easier time not facing Kyler Murray, and instead Sam Darnold.

BUF @ MIA

The Bills started out on the right foot taking care of business against one of the lesser teams in the division. They will have a chance to do the same against Miami in Week 2. The Bills are once again larger favorites, although slightly less than last week. Buffalo's rushing attack was split between Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, and Josh Allen looked great throwing the ball despite what you might have seen on social media. Miami is dealing with an injury to DeVante Parker already and they will face one of the toughest secondaries in the league. Buffalo should be able to cover again here.

DET @ GB

As Green Bay head back home after a big win over the Vikings, the Lions now have to head to Green Bay after a disappointing fourth quarter loss. Green Bay edges out the Lions in just about every way this week, especially if Kenny Golladay can't go again. Aaron Rodgers looked terrific Week 1 and will be able to exploit a weak Detroit secondary. I expect the Packers to take care of business in this one and win handily. With a stable run game they should be able to jump out to an early lead and ice this one away. The Packers at -6 is a great buy at the moment.

LAR @ PHI

At open the Eagles were -1 and then the Rams were favored by -1.5. This is more accurate after watching the Eagles on Sunday. It has everything to do with their health, as the offensive line was dominated by Washington and I worry for that to happen again against Aaron Donald and the Rams. Los Angeles looked great and very in control on Sunday Night. This is going to be a tough challenge and while Philadelphia is a team that has played well at home over the years, the injuries might be too tough to overcome. The Rams should come out with a win given the circumstances and I would take them up to 2.5 points.

MIN @ IND

Both of these teams came out with disappointing Week 1 performances, and you have to say there is a legitimate concern for both sides. Philip Rivers looked exactly as he did last season, which was not very good. Minnesota's defense was expected to take a small hit, but it might be larger than anticipated. The Colts are field goal favorites, but this is a team I will not trust this season. I think the move here is the over, especially if the Colts come out firing again. They were able to move the ball and the Vikings offense is capable of putting up some points as well. It is at 47.5 right now.

CAR @ TB

Tampa Bay did not look great Week 1 and yet they come in heavily favored against the Panthers. I expect the Tampa offense to be better, but I worry about the Panthers covering here given they have a decent offense of their own. It is tough for me to get excited about a Tampa cover here, so I am going with the Panthers to be able to hang in this one. This is one of the higher over/under on the slate and given the status of the Panthers defense, and likely shootout looming, I do like the over here as well.

ATL @ DAL

Dallas looked timid in their first game under Mike McCarthy but they were able to move the ball, just were not able to cap off drives. They are home against the Falcons, who were torched in Week 1 by Russell Wilson. They will face another high passing attack and the over/under is the highest of the weekend. Oddsmakers are looking at Dallas as the favorites here and I can see that. I do think this game will be close and can't lean heavily one way or the other. This feels like a sneaky rebound game for Atlanta to at least cover as the public should heavily be on Dallas.

JAX @ TEN

This is a shockingly high spread for Tennessee, even before the performance on Monday Night Football. This Jacksonville team is going to be able to keep games close against middling opponents and just like Indy, Tennessee isn't exactly a team to feel comfortable about. I am looking for the Jaguars to cover again here as this Tennessee secondary doesn't matchup well with an underrated receiving core in Jacksonville. This spread is just simply way too large and while I expect the Titans to win, the Jags will keep things close. Also whatever the Derrick Henry props are, hit the over button.

NYG @ CHI

The Giants had their moments against Pittsburgh, but ultimately that defense is going to make it tough on just about everyone. The offensive line still worries me, but the offense and defense looked to have some improvement. Chicago is another tough defensive matchup, although they struggled a bit stopping the run. I am not surprised to see the Bears as five-point favorites here. New York is on a short week and the Giants are still viewed as a bottom five team. The thing is the Bears play like a bottom five team at times. I might look at the under here instead of dealing with the spread.

DEN @ PIT

It is a short week for both teams, but Denver has a tougher task with their offense a bit banged up. Courtland Sutton sat out Week 1 and Phillip Lindsay left the game and needs an MRI. Pittsburgh's defense is going to overwhelm another young quarterback and it won't be pretty. Denver's defense is improved in comparison to the Giants defense which still had question marks, but overall Pittsburgh is still the better team. With Pittsburgh needing wins in a division with Baltimore, they can't slip up in these types of games. The running back situation is a little wonky in Pittsburgh but that isn't a major concern.

WAS @ ARI

Both of these teams are coming off somewhat surprise wins in Week 1. Washington's defense was able to take advantage of a battered Eagles line and then you had the Cardinals offense thriving against a tough 49ers defense. I am buying into both sides being vastly improved in comparison to last week. This is a game where we will quickly see if the Cardinals are for real because coming off a big win and then facing what is still a lesser team can be tricky for young squads. I do think this line will move a bit, but Arizona is still a team that should cover.

KC @ LAC

The Chiefs were able to win both games against the Chargers last season and are coming off an easy win against Houston. The Los Angeles change at quarterback isn't really built to be trailing from larger numbers as they are built more to win games like how they did against Cincinnati. Kansas City is a team I find will cover a lot of larger spreads this season as their offense is obviously built to put up 30+ a game and the pass defense is able to limit production against them. While these games were closer than usual last season, I doubt that is the case in 2020.

BAL @ HOU

Houston has an extremely tough run-in for 2020 as they welcome now Baltimore after facing Kansas City in the opener. Houston has a few extra rest days but the Ravens are touchdown favorites on the road. Baltimore crushed Houston last season 41-7. The Texans defense continues to be a weak spot and Baltimore will be able to exploit it with their talented offense. Houston's offensive line is also still a concern for me and the fact is they are just not as good as some of the other power teams in the conference and it will show again this week.

NE @ SEA

This is an interesting game as the Patriots handled Miami with a heavy rushing attack but this is a week where they might need to let loose a bit more on the offensive side. New England has a stingy defense, but will this be the week we see some cracks in the defense after those opt-outs in the offseason? The interesting matchup will be the secondary of New England against Wilson, Lockett, and Metcalf. Seattle was inconsistent at home last season and what is usually a tough place to play, but this year without fans it will be a little easier. This game should be close, and it feels like it comes down to a field goal.

NO @ LV

The Saints are touchdown favorites on the road against the Raiders. Las Vegas will open up their new home as underdogs and are coming off a win against the Panthers. This Raiders group is sneaky on offense but the Saints matchup well against the run, and also the Raiders defense is exploitable for this Saints offense. The news to watch is Michael Thomas as he is dealing with an ankle injury. The total here is high with the Raiders defense in play and the ability to be able to put up some points if it comes to chasing the game. I like the Saints here to take care of business.

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