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Before the second Sunday of the 2020 NFL regular season kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for the Week 2 games. You can CLICK HERE for straight up NFL picks without regard to the spread. You can find all of the NFL betting lines via DraftKings.
My overall record so far is 9-7. Solid start. I’m ahead of the BGN community, which finished 7-9 after Week 1.
Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds.
NFL WEEK 2 GAMES
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-6.5) at NEW YORK JETS: The 49ers are pretty banged up; Jimmy Garoppolo will notably be without George Kittle. But the Jets are dealing with some injuries as well. Sam Darnold’s primary supporting cast consists of ... Frank Gore, Breshad Perriman, Chris Hogan, and Braxton Berries. Hard to love that. Also trust Kyle Shanahan much more than Adam Gase. PICK: 49ers -6.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
DETROIT LIONS at GREEN BAY PACKERS (-6.5): If his Week 1 performance is any indication, Aaron Rodgers is in total “F*** you” mode following the Jordan Love pick. I have to wonder if we’ll see Rodgers maintain consistency, which makes me wonder about taking the points here. But I’d much rather put faith in Rodgers than Matt Patricia, who is a joke. PICK: Packers -6.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
BUFFALO BILLS (-5.5) at MIAMI DOLPHINS: The Bills are very capable of beating bad teams and the Dolphins are still one of those. The only concern here is that Ryan Fitzpatrick, who’s hella streaky, could randomly get red hot. Or he could totally suck like he did in Week 1. Buffalo is the safer bet. PICK: Bills -5.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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82%
Bills -5.5
(323 votes) -
17%
Dolphins +5.5
(68 votes)
DENVER BRONCOS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-7): This is easily the toughest NFL defense that Drew Lock has ever had to face. Playing merely fine won’t cut it against a Pittsburgh team that’s also going to be able to put up points. Ben Roethlisberger still very much has it. PICK: Steelers -7
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-3): I’m not so sure that Philip Rivers still has it. The Vikings’ pass rush should be able to pressure him into some costly turnovers. Kirk Cousins fares well against subpar teams and the Colts just might be one of those. PICK: Vikings +3
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
LOS ANGELES RAMS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-1.5): This line has moved all over the place. The Eagles opened as four-point favorites, then dropped to 1.5-point underdogs, and now they’re favored again. At the risk of sounding like a total fool (what’s new, though?) I think there’s a 100% chance the Eagles win this game. I have a really good feeling about this one after previously feeling uneasy about Week 1. Getting Miles Sanders and Lane Johnson back is really big. Carson Wentz won’t be as bad as he was against Washington and Doug Pederson is quite capable of outcoaching Sean McVay. PICK: Eagles -1.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
CAROLINA PANTHERS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-8.5): I wasn’t bullish on the Bucs heading into this season. I’m hardly ready to take a victory lap after their Week 1 loss in New Orleans since they lost to a tough opponent. But that game didn’t exactly disprove concerns about Tom Brady being over the hill. The Bucs may very well win this one but Matt Rhule will have his guys playing hard enough to cover the spread. PICK: Panthers +8.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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44%
Panthers +8.5
(145 votes) -
55%
Buccaneers -8.5
(180 votes)
NEW YORK GIANTS at CHICAGO BEARS (-5.5): This line is showing too much respect to Mitchell Trubisky. He ultimately posted good numbers against Detroit but 1) he always owns Patricia and 2) he still struggled before turning it around. I’d actually rather bet on the admittedly volatile Daniel Jones to at least find a way to keep this game close, if not outright pull off the upset. PICK: Giants +5.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
ATLANTA FALCONS at DALLAS COWBOYS (-4): Not sure how this line isn’t bigger in favor of the Cowboys. Dallas has some issues, for sure. Their offensive line outlook is concerning with Tyron Smith expected to be a game-time decision and La’el Collins out. But their offensive talent should still be able to score against a 32nd ranked Atlanta defense that got absolutely carved up in Week 1. Just hard to see Falcons players fighting hard for their obviously lame duck coaching staff.
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at TENNESSEE TITANS (-7.5): The Jags did some real nice things in their upset Week 1 win. I like a Gardner Minshew. But he’s obviously not going to play as well as he did (only one incompletion!) against Tennessee. The Titans’ shaky kicking situation makes me nervous about taking them to cover but I’ll pull the trigger. The Jags need more than one good game to prove they’re not as bad as we all expected them to be. PICK: Titans -7.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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41%
Jaguars +7.5
(121 votes) -
58%
Titans -7.5
(173 votes)
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM at ARIZONA CARDINALS (-7): I’m bullish on the Cards and I do not buy Dwayne Haskins at all. With that said, Arizona might be due for a bit of a letdown after a big Week 1 win. Washington’s defensive line could cause some problems for Kyler Murray. It would very 2020 for the Football Team to start 2-0. PICK: Football Team +7
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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23%
Football Team +7
(70 votes) -
76%
Cardinals -7
(233 votes)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-8) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: The Chiefs own their division. They’re 27-3 in 30 games against AFC West rivals since the end of 2014, including an 11-1 record against the Bolts. There’s just no good reason to bet on Tyrod Taylor over Patrick Mahomes. PICK: Chiefs -8
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
BALTIMORE RAVENS (-7.5) at HOUSTON TEXANS: The Texans have a rest advantage heading into this matchup after playing in the season kickoff game. Will it matter? Probably not. The Ravens’ offense looks as dangerous as ever with Lamar Jackson running the show. Baltimore is the number one team in DVOA by far. The Texans, meanwhile, rank 20th. PICK: Ravens -7
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-4): Still not exactly sure what to make of the Pats after a Week 1 win over a bad Miami team. Totally sure what to make of the Seahawks, who appear to finally be letting Russell Wilson cook. Seattle is a force to be reckoned with if they’re maximizing Russ. PICK: Seahawks -4
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-5.5) at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: The Saints’ offense didn’t look quite as impressive as we’re used to seeing but that could change against this Raiders defense. Las Vegas should be able to put up some points of their own, however. Despite the lack of fans, Jon Gruden’s going to have his team juiced up for their debut in their new stadium. The Raiders will at least find a way to keep it close. Especially given no Michael Thomas for the Saints. PICK: Raiders +5.5
Poll
Which bet do you prefer?
This poll is closed
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73%
Saints -5.5
(217 votes) -
26%
Raiders +5.5
(80 votes)