If you’re coming here looking for picks, that’s not what this is. We’ll get to those later in the week.
This right here is an early betting preview of the upcoming action in the NFL, with a first impression of each game and betting line, with a few trends and hints sprinkled in. Sometimes, bettors can overthink things and talk themselves out of making the right pick. So these are just baseline thoughts before we take a deeper dive into the numbers later in the week.
Spreads and over/under numbers are from Tipico Sportsbook and likely to change after this is published.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-4.5) (O/U: 38.5)
Steelers: 1-1 (1-0-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Browns: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 2-0 O/U)
Cleveland was just a few seconds away from a 2-0 record before Joe Flacco’s game-winning touchdown for the Jets on Sunday. And the Steelers could very easily be 0-2. But while the Browns have the edge, 4.5 points is a lot between division rivals with a combined +1 margin through two weeks.
Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts (+6.5) (O/U: 49.5)
Chiefs: 2-0 (1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Colts: 0-1-1 (0-2 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
This might’ve been circled as a true measuring stick game for the Colts before the season started, but after stumbling out the game, they’ll be lucky not to get blown out. The Chiefs were lucky to escape last week’s game with a win, so they’ll want to have a cleaner performance this time around.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (+5.5) (O/U: 53.5)
Bills: 2-0 (2-0 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Dolphins: 2-0 (2-0 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Just when you thought Miami’s incredible comeback performance against the Ravens couldn’t be topped, their division foe in Buffalo dismantled the Titans a day later on national TV. Miami is a better team than Tennessee, so this game shouldn’t be as lopsided. But it’s still unclear just how good the Dolphins are. That’s what we’re about to find out.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5) (O/U: 53.5)
Lions: 1-1 (2-0 ATS, 2-0 O/U)
Vikings: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
The vibes are definitely on Detroit’s side after the Lions had their way with Washington, and Minnesota was manhandled by the Eagles. That’s not to say the Lions will win — Washington is far worse than the Eagles — but their 2-0 record against the spread isn’t fluke. This should be a good one to the end.
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (+4) (O/U: 49.5)
Rams: 1-1 (0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Cardinals: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Both teams were thumped in Week 1 by AFC favorites, and both bounced back in Week 2. The Rams still hold an edge to me because outside of nearly allowing Atlanta to exorcise its 28-3 demons on Sunday, they had their way in the win. Arizona had to overcome a 20-0 halftime deficit to the Raiders, so there’s still some concern there.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots (+3.5) (O/U: 43.5)
Ravens: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Patriots: 1-1 (0-1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Even in a week the Ravens lost and the Patriots won, Baltimore looked like the better team. The Ravens went toe-to-toe and probably should have beat a Dolphins team that handled New England in the opener. So, while their close loss was disappointing, they still hold an advantage against a Pats offense struggling to move the ball.
Las Vegas Raiders at Tennessee Titans (+2.5) (O/U: 45.5)
Raiders: 0-2 (0-2 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Titans: 0-2 (0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
The Raiders were at least in their last game. They blew a 20-0 lead to lose in overtime, but they’ve been in every game this season. That’s more than we can say about the Titans. Losing to the Bills isn’t something to be ashamed of, but the way it happened can’t leave them feeling good coming into this one.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders (+6.5) (46.5)
Eagles: 2-0 (1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Commanders: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 2-0 O/U)
Jalen Hurts showed out on Monday night against the Vikings, and the Eagles defense did too after a scare against Detroit in Week 1. Washington, on the other hand, didn’t look like it belonged on a field through most of its game with the Lions.
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets (+4.5) (O/U: 45.5)
Bengals: 0-2 (0-2 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Jets: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Incredibly, the Jets feel better about themselves than the Bengals right now after a close win over Cleveland. In defense of Cincy’s 0-2 start, though, it went up against some tough defenses in the opening weeks. New York should be a little easier to move the ball on.
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears (-2.5) (O/U: 40.5)
Texans: 0-1-1 (2-0 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Bears: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Neither of these teams should feel great coming out of Week 2, but at least Houston held up relatively well against a Denver team we thought would be good coming into the season. They were gashed by the running game for a second straight week, though, as was Chicago. So we’ll probably see a lot of yards on the ground.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers (+3.5) (O/U: 40.5)
Saints: 1-1 (0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Panthers: 0-2 (0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
The good news for New Orleans is the defense held up against Tom Brady and co. yet again. The bad news is bad Jameis Winston made an appearance, and the offense turned the ball over more than it scored. Still, the Saints are clearly better than the Panthers, who just lost a close one to the Giants.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5) (O/U: 47.5)
Jaguars: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)
Chargers: 1-1 (2-0 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
The Chargers probably should have won their Thursday night showdown with the Chiefs, but they faded in the second half for a second straight game. And now Justin Herbert is dealing with fractured ribs. The Jaguars are frisky and feeling good about themselves coming off a shutout of the Colts.
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) (O/U: 41.5)
Packers: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Buccaneers: 2-0 (2-0 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Two of the favorites to win the NFC, the Packers and Bucs have looked anything but conference-championship level through two weeks. The Bucs feel like the better team right now because they’re undefeated in spite of poor offense. Green Bay was better in Week 2 than it was in the opener, but I’m hesitant to give too much credit for beating the Bears.
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) (O/U: 41.5)
Falcons: 0-2 (2-0 ATS, 2-0 O/U)
Seahawks: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Seattle doesn’t score much, averaging just 10 points through two games. And Atlanta surprisingly has averaged 26, and against some pretty good defenses. And yet they come into this one as road underdogs, going into a tough place to play. Feels like a pick ’em.
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (+1.5) (O/U: 45.5)
49ers: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Broncos: 1-1 (0-2 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
This feels like a pretty good candidate to hit the under, as each one of these teams’ games have fallen under the total. Denver couldn’t get it going against the Seahawks or Texans. And San Fran is turning back to Jimmy Garoppolo, which means it won’t be taking many shots downfield.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-2.5) (O/U: 39.5)
Cowboys: 1-1 (1-1 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Giants: 2-0 (2-0 ATS, 0-2 O/U)
Dallas’ defense has lived up to the billing through two weeks, making the Cowboys a tough team to bet against even while Dak Prescott remains out. But Brian Daboll has the Giants playing tough, smart football. All signs point to another low-scoring game for these teams.
