NFL week 2 is approaching, and here at Ballislife Bets, I'm here to provide you with my best week 2 bests. After an exciting opening week, I am up over 8.5 units when it comes to betting on the NFL.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
If you bet on the first week of NFL, it was certainly entertaining and exciting from a betting perspective. In fact, there were several key upsets, including the Patriots 16-10 victory over the Bengals. Somehow tabbed the underdogs by +2.5 points, the Dallas Cowboys stomped all over the Cleveland Browns, 33-17.
If you're betting on the week 2 matchups, there are 14 games on the NFL slate. Full of division-rival matchups and rematches of last year's playoffs, we are poised for another fun filled weekend. Below are the following week 2 matchups, which include the updated betting odds:
NFL Week 2 Sunday Matchups and FanDuel Odds for September 15
- New Orleans Saints (+6.5) @ Dallas Cowboys (-260 ML)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5) @ Detroit Lions (-370 ML)
- Cleveland Browns (+3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-174 ML)
- San Fransisco 49ers (-5.5) @ Minnesota Vikings (+188 ML)
- Los Angeles Chargers (-4.5) @ Carolina Panthers (+200 ML)
- Las Vegas Raiders (+8.5) @ Baltimore Ravens (-430 ML)
- Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) @ New England Patriots (+154 ML)
- Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) @ Green Bay Packers (+120 ML)
- New York Jets (-3.5) @ Tennessee Titans (+166 ML)
- New York Giants (+1.5) @ Washington Commanders (-130 ML)
- Los Angeles Rams (+1.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (-112 ML)
- Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (-260 ML)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) @ Denver Broncos (+124 ML)
- Chicago Bears (+6.5) @ Houston Texans (-295 ML)
NFL Betting Odds Are Current As of September 14 at 9 P.M. ET
If you're in search of the best NFL week 2 bets, you've come to the best place! Providing a mix of both player prop bets, along with spread bets, I'm here to give you the best picks. Compiled from a list of legal sportsbooks, all of my bets have been placed within FanDuel and DraftKings.
With a large slate, I've come up with 4 of my favorite picks that I believe will cash out this week.
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NFL Week 2 Best Bets #1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
My first NFL best bet of week 2 is the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
to cover the +7.5 underdog spread against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. After conceding to the Lions 31-23 in last year's NFC title game, they will be out for blood this week.
Sure, the Buccaneers lost by 8 total points in the title game, however it's a new season.
- While I can't understand why the spread is so large for this game, I'll break down why I love Tampa Bay to cover Sunday.
With both teams eyeing a 2-0 start, the Buccaneers impressed as much as anyone in week 1. Yes, the Washington Commanders are a in rebuild mode with a green quarterback. However, we saw how lethal their offense can be, rocking Washington 37-20.
I am aware the Commanders were ranked dead last in the NFL defensively last season, allowing nearly 389 total yards per game. I don't care who is on the other side, what I saw from quarterback Baker Mayfield was a trust masterpiece.
- With 289 passing yards, Mayfield finished with four thrown touchdowns, including two to receiver Mike Evans.
Why the Buccaneers Can Cover The Spread
In his second year with the Buccaneers, Mayfield is the leader of this team, and I'm here for every second of it. Sacked just one time, Mayfield looked extremely comfortable in the pocket, and turned on the jets when needing to escape.
- Aside from the departure of a few, Tampa Bay has been lucky enough to retain their veteran receiving core. Led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, both found the end zone, and tallied a combined 144 yards.
While Tampa Bay has two leading receivers, Mayfield was impressive in sharing the ball around, targeting seven different receivers. As far as the rookies are concerned, Bucky Irving and Jalen McMillan provided an extra spark week one. With Irving the leading rusher for the Buccaneers, perhaps offensive coordinate Liam Coen will utilize a shared backfield committee with Irving and Richaad White.
On Sunday, they get a Lions team, who have the third best odds (+1100) to win the Super Bowl. After an exhilarating 26-20 overtime victory against the Rams, there's no doubt the Lions are a superior team.
However, are the Rams poised to be a competitive team this year?
- If the Lions barely scraped by them, there's no question Tampa Bay can cover the spread. Not to mention, Rams receiver Puka Nacua went down with an injury.
Final Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +7.5 (FanDuel)
Overall, I'm expecting a shootout between these two teams. Yes, the Lions are 2-0 post Tom Brady era with a +22 point differential over the last two matchups against the Buccaneers. However, this is a Tampa Bay team that went 9-8 ATS last year, including large underdog spread covers against the Bills (+10) and 49ers (+13.5).
Both the Lions and Buccaneers have key players out with injury, specifically Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and Calijah Kancey. For Detroit, Penei Sewell and Kerby Joseph are both questionable. Missing a tackle and start defensive player in Joseph could very much hurt the Lions.
For my first bet of the game, I'm confident in Buccaneers team that put up over 400 yards last week.
Although both teams don't differ greatly on the offensive end, Detroit didn't look spectacular against the pass. Defensively, Detroit allowed a 41.7 % success rate for third down's, compared to Tampa's 25 %. I'm laying my points with the Buccaneers.
NFL Week 2 Best Bets #2: Jonathan Taylor
- Anytime touchdown scorer (+105 FanDuel)
I have a feeling this will be one of my favorite NFL props for the season.
- I'm not sure how this was plus money at +105 odds, but I grabbed
Jonathan Taylor
to score a touchdown early this week.
And yes, I know this an extremely popular player prop for the week. Cashing in last week, we'll see if we can go for two. For the value, let's break this one down.
Although tallying only 48 yards in week 1, Taylor managed to find the end zone agains the Houston Texans. Splitting the duties with quarterback Anthony Richardson on the ground, the Texans, held the Colts to 1o4 yards on the ground.
- Sunday they get a Packers team who allowed 144 rushing yards in week one, including three touchdowns to running back Saquon Barkley.
With Packers Jordan Love ruled out for week three, I can't imagine Green Bay offense will stay on the field long with backup quaterback Malik Willis. Therefore, I'm predicting plenty of scoring opportunities for Taylor.
- Only three years removed from an incredible 1800 rush season, Taylor is the clear cut workhorse for the Colts this year in the backfield.
Getting nearly 96 percent of the snap counts last week, Taylor is poised for an increase in production Sunday.
- With Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Coote opting to run the ball 43.2 % last week, I have major questions concerning the Packers front four. Better yet, Green Bays linebackers are looking more and more like a liability.
Final Prediction: Jonathan Taylor anytime touchdown scorer (+105 FanDuel)
Overall, I'm not saying Taylor will crush the Packers as Barley did. However, this is an excellent matchup for the Colts running back, who led the team in 16 carries last week. A Green Bay team that allowed teams to score 62.5 % in the red zone last year, I'll take Jonathan Taylor to score a touchdown week 2. Scoring a touchdown in five straight outings, he gets a chance to make it six.
NFL Week 2 Best Bets #3: Terry McLaurin
- Over 49.5 receiving yards (-114 FanDuel)
My third NFL player prop bet for the week is for Commanders receiver
Terry McLaurin
to record over 49.5 receiving yards for -114 odds on FanDuel.
If you're betting on the NFL, McLaurin laid an egg last week, tallying only 17 yards on two receptions. With Austin Ekeler leading the way in receiving yards with 52, McLaurin took a back seat to Zach Ertz among others.
- On Sunday, he has an excellent matchup against the Giants, who have one of the weakest secondary's in all of football.
Overall, 49.5 receiving yards is not considered a large amount, especially for your top wideout. Sure, the addition of Ekeler will cut into the reception yards. However, he split the carried with Brian Robinson Jr.
Even though I hate to admit this, I am a sad Giants fan. And over the years, I've watched McLaurin torch New York's secondary time and time again.
- In fact, soaring over 49.5 receiving yards in five of six games against the Giants, he's been a staple betting wise.
Overall, this is a safe bet, especially for the value. Averaging 84.7 receiving yards against the Giants in their last six outings, he get's a chance for redemption Sunday. Don't forget, it takes time to establish a connection with rookie quarter Jayden Daniels, who made his debut last week.
Final Prediction: Terry McLaurin O 49.5 receiving yards (-114 FanDuel)
Sunday McLaurin gets the Giants, who simply had zero answer for the Minnesota Vikings. Putting up 28 points on New York, it was Justin Jefferson who repeatedly torched second year cornerback Deonte Banks. Lining up in the slot just six times in week 1, McLaurin should get matched up with Banks.
As we saw last week, the Giants made Sam Darnold looks like a pro bowler, airing the ball out for 208 yards across eight receivers. With Washington passing the ball 62.1 % last week, I have all the confidence in the word this prop bet will hit the over.
NFL Week 2 Best Bets #4: Lamar Jackson
- Over 37.5 longest passing completion (-110 DraftKings)
My last NFL player prop for week 2 is Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson
to throw over a 37.5 yard longest passing completion. Able to find the line at DraftKings for -110 odds, I am absolutely in love with this prop. While the casual bettor and NFL believes Jackson isn't much of a thrower, he air the ball out for 273 yards against the Chiefs last week.
- In fact, Jackson completed his longest reception of the game to tight end Isaiah Likely for 49 years. In fact, his second longest completion was dialed in to receiver Rashod Bateman for 38 yards.
If you're betting on the NFL, the increase in throwing production is a great sign for Jackson and the Ravens. Over the years, we often see the occasional bomb thrown down the field, often seen between former receiver Hollywood Brown and Jackson.
Often times, there are games where Lamar will do the heavy lifting with his feet and barely throw. However, in my time of watching football, he's more likely than not to air the ball down field.
- If you're betting on this NFL player prop, let's look at the stats. Over the past ten matchups, Jackson completed a pass for over 37.5 yards in seven of them. That's against the Browns, Bengals, 49ers, Dolphins, and the Chiefs.
Final Prediction: Lamar Jackson over 37.5 longest passing completion (-110 DraftKings)
Sunday, Jackson gets the Las Vegas Raiders, who he last faced in September 2021. Throwing a 49 yard pass to Sammy Watkins, Jackson gets a chance to strike yet again. He now gets a Raiders team, who took a beating 22-10 against the Chargers. Although allowing a high of 27 yards to Hayden Hurst, the Chargers receiver core is not yet defined.
Aside from cornerback, Jakorian Bennett, the Raiders secondary is extremely shaky. With tight end Mark Andrews back in full swing, Jackson has several legitimate receivers in Zay Flowers and tight end Isaiah Likely.
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