Best NFL Week 2 Bets
Best NFL Week 2 Bets
Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season provided plenty of memorable moments and some surprising results as well. A number of upsets occurred in the first weekend of the season, but things should start to even out again in Week 2.
Injuries will once again play a role in Week 2, and it appears that COVID-19 could be affecting at least one team as well. After looking over the Week 2 schedule, here are the best NFL bets to make on the games throughout the league this weekend.
Houston Texans +12.5 at Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are massive 12.5-point favorites over the Houston Texans in Week 2, but this line just doesn't seem right. Houston comes into this game with a 1-0 record, while the Cleveland Browns are 0-1.
The Texans scored 37 points in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it was Tyrod Taylor leading that offense. Houston did about everything right on offense in that game, and they will come into this game with some momentum. Cleveland nearly found a way to upset the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 but fell just a little short on the road. Baker Mayfield threw for 321 yards in that loss but did have a costly interception that could have been the difference.
There is no doubt that Cleveland is the better team in this game, but Houston is going to come into this game with some fight. The Texans are getting 12.5 points, and they will find a way to cover the spread and keep this game close.
Buffalo Bills -3.5 at Miami Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills were expected to dominate the AFC East this season, but they might get a challenge from the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo suffered a Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Miami Dolphins knocked off the New England Patriots.
The Bills were expected to be one of the best offensive teams in the NFL this season, but they managed just 16 points in Week 1. Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers is quite the challenge, but the Miami Dolphins have a pretty stout defense of their own.
Miami only managed 74 rushing yards in the season opener, and the Dolphins will need to find more balance on offense as the season moves along. The Dolphins are going to try to win games with their defense, but stopping Josh Allen is not an easy task.
Buffalo will want to make a statement on Sunday, and that could spell trouble for the Miami Dolphins. This is a game that should be tight throughout, but the Bills will win this game and find a way to cover the small spread.
New Orleans Saints -3.5 at Carolina Panthers
The New Orleans Saints began the 2021 season without Drew Brees under center, but the franchise didn't show any signs of slowing down. The Saints blasted the Green Bay Packers at "home" in a game that was played in Jacksonville.
Carolina was also victorious in Week 1, but that victory game against the lowly New York Jets. The Panthers will have to play much better in Week 2 if they want to keep this game close. Jameis Winston threw five touchdown passes in the season opener, and he also played that game without throwing an interception. The Saints' defense completely shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, and this should be another great performance.
Carolina still has some questions about quarterback Sam Darnold, and this is going to be a tough test. The Panthers will make this game interesting, but the Saints are winning this game by at least a touchdown.
Arizona Cardinals -3.5 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Arizona Cardinals might not have had the most impressive win in Week 1, but they might have been the team that played the best. Arizona was sharp on both sides of the football in dismantling the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
The Cardinals will now have their home opener on Sunday, and they will be facing the 0-1 Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota went into Cincinnati on Sunday and suffered a brutal overtime loss after making a number of key mistakes. Quarterback Kyler Murray was nearly unstoppable for the Cardinals in Week 1, and he proved that he is back to full strength. The defense for Arizona was tremendous as well, and Chandler Jones had five quarterback sacks in the season opener.
Minnesota got 351 passing yards from Kirk Cousins in the first game, but it was the defense that completely fell apart. The Vikings allowed 410 total yards in Week 1, and that is a big cause for concern in this matchup.
The Vikings are going to play much better in Week 2, but they are also facing a much tougher opponent. Arizona is winning this game by a touchdown, at least to cover the spread.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
