Week 2 is always a time for panic for the 16 teams that lost in Week 1, and this week we go with three of those teams to even their slate. This week’s bets include the biggest point-spread favorite to cover, a road underdog to cover, two division champs going under their point projection, two young contenders combining to hit the Over, and a road underdog to win on the moneyline.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
5
Take Los Angeles Rams on the moneyline (+100) at Arizona Cardinals
The Rams are only a 1-point underdog, which tells you that those setting the lines are convinced the Rams are the better team. However, there is a bigger reason for confidence in LA.
The last time the Cardinals beat them at home was in 2014 when the Rams were still in St. Louis. The LA Rams are 8-0 in Arizona and will continue their dominance, avoiding a crippling 0-2 start to the season.
4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions: Take UNDER 51.5 points (-110)
This is the highest Over/Under on the board this week, because both offenses have the ability to light up the scoreboard. Both teams can run the ball effectively, which eats time off the clock if done often enough.
These two played last year and the Lions won 20-6. Strange things can happen at Ford Field, but with a point this high, all it takes is a couple of run-heavy, 12-play drives to take off enough time to make it difficult to top this number.
3
Take Cleveland Browns plus 3 points (-115) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Browns looked awful in the first half against Dallas and couldn’t come back. Cleveland has one of the best defenses in the league playing a Jaguars team that ran just 50 plays last week against Miami – due in large part to converting only two of 10 third-down opportunities.
The Browns offense remains a legitimate concern, but Cleveland’s defense can win game on its own. Getting three points is a bonus.
2
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans: Take OVER 45.5 points (-110)
This primetime game was selected by the NFL because of the matchup of last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year (C.J. Stroud) and the preseason favorite to win it this year, Caleb Williams.
One thing both organizations share is that they made a significant investment to bring in offensive weapons to help their young QBs. Both teams can play solid defense, but this point total seems too low given the firepower both offenses possess.
1
Take Baltimore Ravens and lay 8.5 points (-115) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Ravens are stinging from the season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Thursday and are rested and at home to welcome the Raiders. Las Vegas lost by 12 points to the Los Angeles Chargers – a team far inferior to Baltimore. Throw in that the Raiders have to travel across the country to play in an early-window game.
Good teams can travel well and not be impacted by adversity. The Raiders aren’t one of those teams. Baltimore winning by 17 isn’t out of the question.
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