2019 NFL Week 2 Odds, Predictions & Picks

Were you concerned that the New England Patriots might stumble out of the gate without Gronk? Well, they hung 33 points on Pittsburgh in a 30-point rout in prime time on Sunday night. Did you think Chicago would make a strong statement at home in their Thursday night opener? Well, they didn’t even the end zone one time, losing 10-3 to Green Bay. It was the first time the Packers had won in Chicago while scoring 10 or fewer points since 1923, when they won 2-0 on a safety after a blocked punt. Did you think that the New York Jets were ready to take on the role of foil for New England in the AFC East? Well, they were up by 16 on Buffalo at home…and then gave up 17 unanswered points to take the loss. What can you expect for NFL Week 2? We have a quick NFL betting take on each game.

2019 NFL Week 2 Odds, Predictions & Picks

Just another day at the office for @TomBrady: 🐐 341 yards 🐐 3 TD 🐐 24 completions 🐐 Prime time WIN#GoPats pic.twitter.com/YaijrQz2Hw

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2019

Thursday, September 12

Tampa Bay (+5) at Carolina (8:20pm ET, NFL Network)

The Panthers did lose at home to the Rams by three in their opener, but Cam Newton threw for 239 yards, and Christian McCaffrey was the game’s leading rusher (with 128 yards) AND receiver (with 81 yards). The Panthers’ problems came on defense, giving up 30 points to the Rams on a subpar day by quarterback Jared Goff. Tampa Bay lost by 14 at home to San Francisco…so I don’t see them going to Carolina and winning. Give me Carolina to win and cover.

Sunday, September 15 (1:00pm ET games)

San Francisco (-1.5) at Cincinnati (FOX)

Cincinnati went to Seattle and threw the ball all over the field, with Andy Dalton throwing for 418 yards. Fortunately, the Seahawks’ defense held when it counted, as Seattle won by one. San Francisco has already put up 31 points on the road against a decent defense, and I see them repeating that this week. Give me the 49ers to win and cover.

Minnesota (+3) at Green Bay (FOX)

Minnesota went to Atlanta and won, 28-12, behind 111 yards on the ground from Dalvin Cook. The Vikings’ defense appears to be back — and Green Bay could only muster 10 points in Chicago. Can Aaron Rodgers outduel Kirk Cousins as well? Of course he can. I like Green Bay to win and cover.

Seattle (+4) at Pittsburgh (FOX)

I would put as much money on Seattle in this game as I can before the line moves. Pittsburgh scored three points in New England on Sunday night. Is Seattle worse on the road? Yes, but Russell Wilson can torch the Steelers too. Seattle to cover.

Dallas (-7) at Washington (FOX)

The Cowboys trailed the Giants 7-0 in their opener before scoring on five consecutive possessions, rolling to a 35-17 win. Washington built a big lead on the Eagles at home in their opener…and then let it slip away. I like Dallas to win and cover.

Arizona (+13.5) at Baltimore (FOX)

The Ravens hung 59 points on Miami last week. Now they welcome in an Arizona team that trailed by 18 in the fourth quarter…and came back to tie Detroit at home. Baltimore’s defense won’t make that mistakes. Give me the Ravens to win and cover.

L.A. Chargers (-2.5) at Detroit (CBS)

The Chargers needed overtime to beat the Colts at home on Sunday. The Colts don’t have Andrew Luck anymore, but Jacoby Brissett is not much of a dropoff, and the Colts have a stout team. Now the Chargers head to Detroit and should win, but it won’t be easy, as the Lions will make defensive adjustments after that collapse in the desert. I like the Chargers to win and cover.

Indianapolis (+3) at Tennessee (CBS)

The Titans put up 43 points on Cleveland in their opener. Their defensive line was terrific, but Cleveland was missing their top two left tackles, and the Browns committed 18 penalties, their most in a game since 1951. The Colts are a more complete team right now, and the Titans usually follow up a dominant performance with a stinker. Give me Indy to cover.

New England (-14.5) at Miami (CBS)

Miami just gave up 59 points to Baltimore, while the Patriots just won by 30 at home. Yes, strange things happen when the Patriots head down to South Beach, but the Dolphins aren’t in position to make strange things happen this year. New England will win and cover.

Buffalo (-2.5) at N.Y. Giants (CBS)

How about Josh Allen and that fourth quarter? Where is the Giants’ defense? I see the G-men’s woes continuing in Week 2. Give me the Bills to win and cover.

Jacksonville (+9.5) at Houston (CBS)

The Jaguars just lost quarterback Nick Foles with a broken clavicle. So I would put some money down on the Texans, because Jacksonville looked bad even with Foles in the preseason. Houston to win and cover.

Sunday, September 15 (4:00/4:25pm ET games)

Chicago (+1) at Denver (FOX)

We’ll know more about Denver after tonight’s game, but Chicago’s offense looked dreadful against a Packer defense that was not that highly rated coming in. So for now, give me Denver to cover, but I’m waiting to watch the Broncos on Monday night before I commit.

New Orleans (+3) at L.A. Rams (FOX)

The Saints will certainly be dialed in for this game after that controversial loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship last year. However, the Rams looked sharp in their opener, hanging 30 on Carolina (although their defense gave up a surprising 27 points). The Saints play on Monday Night Football, so I’m waiting to commit on this wager to see that game, but for now I like New Orleans to cover.

Kansas City (-8.5) at Oakland (CBS)

The Chiefs’ offense looked solid in Jacksonville in their opener, putting up 40 points behind 378 yards from Patrick Mahomes II and 81 yards from tailback LeSean McCoy. However, Kansas City let the Jaguars’ backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, for 275 yards and a touchdown after Nick Foles broke his collarbone. So the defense for the Chiefs still has some work to do. Will the Chiefs cover against Oakland? I still think so — but I’m waiting for the Oakland game on Monday night before I commit. For now, give me the Chiefs to win and cover.

Sunday, September 15

Philadelphia (PK) at Atlanta (8:20pm ET, NBC)

Which Philadelphia team will show up? The one that dug itself a big hole in Washington? Or the one that clawed its way out of that hole to win? The Falcons only scored 12 points against Minnesota in their opener at home. Can they do a better job against Philadelphia? I see Philadelphia controlling the action in this game down the stretch. I like the Eagles to win and cover.

Monday, September 16

Cleveland (-2.5) at N.Y. Jets (8:15pm ET, ESPN)

Both of these teams had forgettable openers. Baker Mayfield had three interceptions, including a pick-six, for the Browns. Sam Darnold and the Jets’ offense went ice-cold, giving up a 16-point lead down the stretch. Cleveland has the higher ceiling right now, so I like the Browns to win and cover in this matchup of works in progress.