We got some surprises in the first week of the 2017 NFL regular season — did you expect the Rams to hang 46 on the Colts? Did you think the Jaguars would go down to Houston and rout
the Texans? Who thought that the Dallas defense would hold the Giants to a field goal? We also had a few things confirmed — Oakland has the moxie to go on the road and take down a plucky Titans team, and Carson Wentz is the quarterback of the future in Philadelphia. As you consider your NFL betting for week 2, take a look at our takes on each of the 16
matchups.
NFL Week 2 ATS Betting Picks
Just like we all expected. pic.twitter.com/DInbOBllHw
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 11, 2017
Thursday, September 14
Houston (+3) at Cincinnati (8:30pm ET, NBC)
I’m not sure that the Texans and Bengals are what the NFL wants for prime-time ratings on anational broadcast. However, it looks like Deshaun Watson is likely to start, which could give the Texans a jump-start. I see them knocking off the feckless Bengals in a slugfest. Take the Texans.Sunday, September 17
Cleveland (-7.5) at Baltimore (1:00pm ET, CBS)
The Ravens looked cold and methodical in delivering a 20-0 shutout of Cincinnati in Week One. The Browns would have had enough points to beat Pittsburgh at home if the Steelers hadn’t blocked the Browns’ punt on the first possession and scored a touchdown. The Ravens won’t overlook them. Go with the Ravens.Buffalo (+8) at Carolina (1:00pm ET, CBS)
The Bills did knock off the Jets at home in Week One, while Carolina went west and took down the 49ers. Carolina’s defense, led by Luke Kuechly, is a lot stouter than New York’s. Take the Panthers at home.Arizona (-6.5) at Indianapolis (1:00pm ET, FOX)
What’s up with Andrew Luck’s shoulder? Scott Tolzien looked BAD in Week One against theRams. Could Colin Kaepernick go to Indy? Arizona did give up a second-half lead against Detroit, but they won’t do the same with the Colts. Bet on the Cardinals.Tennessee (-1) at Jacksonville (1:00pm ET, CBS)
Did you see Jacksonville blow out Houston on the road? They have the moxie to take down the Titans at home, especially with Leonard Fournette (with the first 100-yard debut in Jaguars history) carrying the ball. Go with the Jags.Philadelphia (+4) at Kansas City (1:00pm ET, FOX)
The Eagles were impressive against Washington on Sunday — but Kansas City looked amazing against New England back on Thursday. I like that Chiefs’ defense to do a better job against the Eagles than Washington did. Bet on the Chiefs.New England (-5) at New Orleans (1:00pm ET, CBS)
The Saints don’t have much going in their secondary — which should give Tom Brady and the New England offense new confidence after that loss to Kansas City. However, the Saints have the offense to torch that Patriot secondary. I see the Patriots winning a barnburner, but take the Saints to cover.Minnesota (+7) at Pittsburgh (1:00pm ET, FOX)
That’s a big line, given that the Steelers only won in Cleveland by three. The Vikings’ defense is much better than Cleveland’s, and the Vikings have some real weapons on offense, with Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook keying the pass and the run. Bet on the Vikings.Chicago (+6) at Tampa Bay (1:00pm ET, FOX)
The Bears only lost to the Falcons by six at home — and the Falcons’ offense wasn’t looking in sync yet. This game will be Tampa Bay’s opener thanks to Hurricane Irma, but I still see them being sharp enough to handle the Bears. Take the Bucs.
