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Before the second Sunday of the 2021 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 8-8. That’s better than the BGN Community, which finished below .500 at 6-10.
Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds.
NFL WEEK 2 GAMES
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3.5) at CAROLINA PANTHERS: It’s not easy to believe Jameis Winston has turned a corner and the Saints are truly going to be great. But Sean Payton has earned some benefit of the doubt and there’s some reliability with their defense. Plus, it’s hard to trust Sam Darnold. PICK: Saints -3.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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73%
Saints -3.5
(219 votes) -
26%
Panthers +3.5
(80 votes)
CINCINNATI BENGALS at CHICAGO BEARS (-1.5): A little curious that the Bears are favored with the Bengals looking like a more inspiring side in Week 1. No one should be fully sold on Cincy just yet but it’s hard to feel good about Chicago. At least, as long as the Bears are starting Andy Dalton. Revenge game? I’m skeptical. Then again, weird to envision the Bengals as 2-0 ... but, screw it. PICK: Bengals +1.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
HOUSTON TEXANS at CLEVELAND BROWNS (-13.5): The Texans demonstrated some competency in their season opener but they were aided by a listless Jags team. By contrast, the Browns very much have their stuff together. 13.5 points is a lot but Cleveland is good and has the capability to make the Texans look like the team we all thought they’d be heading into the season. PICK: Browns -13.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
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49%
Texans +13.5
(131 votes) -
50%
Browns -13.5
(132 votes)
LOS ANGELES RAMS (-4) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: This line feels low. The Rams looked pretty good in Week 1. The Colts? Not so much. Carson Wentz didn’t look all the dissimilar from the player that he was in 2020. Getting Eric Fisher back could help his offensive line situation but that doesn’t necessarily matter if he’s going to hold on to the ball too long yet again. LA’s defense should be able to effectively limit the Colts’ offense. And Indy, missing Xavier Rhodes, will struggle to contain Matthew Stafford. PICK: Rams -4
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
DENVER BRONCOS (-6) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Are we sure that Urban Meyer is going to last the entire 2021 season? We shouldn’t be. Poor Trevor Lawrence doesn’t have much of a chance on a Jags team that’s both bad and poorly coached. The Broncos at least have some level of competency going for them with Vic Fangio and Teddy Bridgewater. PICK: Broncos -6
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
BUFFALO BILLS (-3.5) at MIAMI DOLPHINS: The Bills struggled in Week 1 but they’re poised to rebound after eating some humble pie. They won’t be underestimating their division rivals, who were fortunate to win in Week 1. Josh Allen is a more inspiring bet than Tua Tagovailoa. PICK: Bills -3.5
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Which bet do you like more?
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75%
Bills -3.5
(199 votes) -
24%
Dolphins +3.5
(63 votes)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-6) at NEW YORK JETS: The Pats were in position to win last week before an unlucky mistake. They’ll bounce back in Week 2. Zach Wilson and the Jets as a whole have some serious growing pains to go through as the youngest team in the league. PICK: Patriots -6
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-2.5) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Wow. This game opened at 49ers -3.5 but it’s since dropped an entire point. Looks like a lot of late money is coming in on the Birds. And for good reason. The 49ers are banged up and the Eagles’ Week 1 performance was very inspiring. The crowd in Philly is something that can’t be ignored in this matchup. The Eagles have a real chance to upset the 49ers. At the very least, it should be close. PICK: Eagles +2.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-6): Tough one. The Raiders are coming off short rest from Monday Night Football and they’re a more volatile operation. The Steelers, meanwhile, are a model of consistency. But Ben Roethlisberger is still limited to some extent. And Pittsburgh’s defense is good but the Raiders have enough weapons to at least keep this one competitive, even if they might lose. PICK: Raiders +6
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at ARIZONA CARDINALS (-4): The Cards were really impressive in Week 1. Can they keep it going? Sure. The Vikings’ defense just isn’t what it used to be. Minny is not trending in a good way with a head coach and a quarterback who are solid but not good enough to get their franchise over the hump. PICK: Cardinals -4
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-12.5): The Falcons might be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Their offensive line is a major issue and they can’t really rush the passer. The Bucs are going to capitalize on extra rest to drub their NFC South division rivals. PICK: Buccaneers -12.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
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22%
Falcons +12.5
(54 votes) -
77%
Buccaneers -12.5
(182 votes)
DALLAS COWBOYS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-3): The Cowboys have bad vibes. Since losing in Week 1, they’ve lost Michael Gallup (injury), DeMarcus Lawrence (injury), and La’el Collins (suspension). Dallas is also going to be without Randy Gregory, leaving them without much hope of generating a pass rush against one of the league’s best pass protecting units from Week 1. Justin Herbert is going to have time to do damage. On the other side of the ball, Joey Bosa is going to cause problems for Dak Prescott. PICK: Chargers -3
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
TENNESSEE TITANS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-6.5): The Titans’ defensive struggles aren’t new; they had issues on that side of the ball last season. And they don’t appear to be fixed. That’s gotta be pretty concerning for them with Russell Wilson up next. Russ is going to cook again just like he did in Week 1. PICK: Seahawks -6.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
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38%
Titans +6.5
(82 votes) -
61%
Seahawks -6.5
(131 votes)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-3.5) at BALTIMORE RAVENS: Lamar Jackson has never beaten Patrick Mahomes and the conditions aren’t ripe for that to change. The Ravens are coming off a short week and they’re really banged up. Especially on the offensive line. Plus, like, it’s the Chiefs. KC’s got this. PICK: Chiefs -3.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
DETROIT LIONS at GREEN BAY PACKERS (-12): There’s no way that Aaron Rodgers is going to be nearly as bad as he was in Week 1. Right? That was a fluke? I wouldn’t count out the Lions showing some fight. But, man, it’s Rodgers going up against Jared Goff. How do you not lean with the former? PICK: Packers -12
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