The opening week of the NFL’s common season is at all times enjoyable for a few causes. First off, we get soccer again in our lives. Second, we will wildly overreact to all of what unfolded in Week 1. As an example, Daniel Jones must be the favourite for NFL MVP now, proper? In spite of everything, he simply led the Indianapolis Colts on scoring drives on each single possession in opposition to Miami. What concerning the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs? They’re completed after dropping the opener in opposition to the Chargers! After all, each are foolish decrees to make, and are over-the-top examples to say that not every little thing you see in Week 1 is because it seems.
That is the place groups and spectators alike will be thrown off in Week 2 with upsets that they did not see coming primarily based on what they noticed all through the opening weekend. So, as we did final week, we’ll spotlight 5 betting favorites who’re on upset alert on this upcoming slate. Final week, we precisely recognized the New England Patriots as a favourite that ended up falling, and the New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks have been all canines that we highlighted that almost pulled off the upset as effectively. Which groups are on upset alert in Week 2? Let’s discover out.
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- When: Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET | The place: Lambeau Subject (Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin)
- Stream: Prime Video
- Commanders ML odds: +150
The Inexperienced Bay Packers have been wildly spectacular of their thumping of the Detroit Lions. They’re clearly the apple of the attention of numerous NFL followers in the meanwhile, and rightfully so. That stated, they do have a troublesome matchup on a brief week as they host the Washington Commanders on Thursday night time. Inexperienced Bay is laying 3.5 on this head-to-head, which feels too wealthy, notably as a result of I really feel Washington can clip them outright.
Jordan Love had a stable displaying from a statistical standpoint, however a few of his underlying metrics do elevate the antenna a bit. Whereas the Packers QB did not flip the ball over, he had one would-be interception that was dropped and completed with a 4.5% turnover-worthy throw price, which ranked eighth-highest amongst starters in Week 1. Additionally, 18.2% of his throws have been off-target in Week 1, the second-highest price amongst quarterbacks, and solely wanting as much as Caleb Williams.
In the meantime, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense ought to give the Packers go rush a lot more durable of a time than the Lions, who have been working in a brand new offensive play caller. There’s extra continuity with Washington’s teaching employees coming into Yr 2 of Daniels, and the second-year signal-caller continues to be one of many extra dynamic dual-threats within the NFL. Do not forget what Washington was in a position to do a yr in the past on their NFC Championship run.
NFL Week 2 picks and rating predictions: Packers prime Commanders, Chiefs lose Tremendous Bowl rematch with Eagles
John Breech
- When: 1 p.m. ET | The place: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
- TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+
- Jaguars ML odds: +150
The Cincinnati Bengals received in Week 1! All is mounted … proper? Improper. Sorry, however Cincinnati barely escaping Cleveland with a one-point win would not precisely instill a ton of confidence that their early-season struggles are literally a factor of the previous.
Whereas the protection did decide off Joe Flacco twice, additionally they allowed 4 totally different receivers to report no less than 5 catches for 50 yards. In the meantime, the high-priced offense managed simply 2.9 yards per play within the win. That will not reduce it in opposition to the Jaguars, who have been spectacular in a Week 1 blowout over Carolina. Jacksonville ran the ball notably effectively with Travis Etienne Jr. logging 143 yards speeding on simply 16 carries, and Trevor Lawrence did appear to get right into a rhythm, particularly when concentrating on tight finish Brenton Unusual (4 catches on 4 targets for 59 yards). He may as soon as once more be a favourite goal for Lawrence because the Bengals struggled to defend Cleveland’s tight ends in Week 1.
As a house favourite in 2024, the Bengals went 3-4, and I feel they’re nonetheless nearer to that squad than the rest.
- When: 1 p.m. ET | The place: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
- TV: Fox | Stream: (Fubo, strive totally free)
- Seahawks ML odds: +126
Aaron Rodgers received the Spite Bowl, taking down his former New York Jets squad with a four-touchdown displaying in his Pittsburgh Steelers debut. At instances, Rodgers regarded like his classic self, which understandably excites what Pittsburgh’s prospects can be this season. However let’s not soar too far out forward of ourselves. I ponder if Pittsburgh’s offense is due for a letdown after that 34-point outburst in Week 1. Furthermore, Rodgers, who was sacked 4 instances, did not flip the ball over as soon as, however completed with a 6.7% turnover-worthy throw price and had two would-be interceptions that have been dropped. I stay excessive on the Seahawks and thought the protection largely performed effectively in opposition to the Niners.
Sam Darnold did not have a prolific debut — and largely zeroed in on Jaxon Smith-Njigba — however ought to face a lot simpler sledding in opposition to this Pittsburgh protection that alarmingly delicate in opposition to New York, surrendering 6.4 yards per play.
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Denver Broncos (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
- When: 4:05 p.m. ET | The place: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
- TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+
- Colts ML odds: +102
As I highlighted within the open, I am not precisely shopping for that the Daniel Jones we noticed in Week 1 is the one we will get all through the 2025 season. How a lot of that was Miami being in disarray? We’ll discover out this week when he faces a lot stiffer competitors within the Broncos protection. Whereas I stay skeptical about Jones, I consider even a serviceable displaying may preserve Indy inside vary of an upset as a house canine to Denver. Why? I wasn’t overly impressed with Bo Nix, which is a scary takeaway contemplating the Broncos have been one in every of my preseason finest bets. Nix had a 7.5 turnover-worthy throw price in Week 1, which ranked third-highest amongst quarterbacks. He had three whole turnovers and had one would-be interception that was dropped. If he is embarking on a sophomore hunch and is forcing his protection — the energy of this crew — to play with brief fields, they will drastically be behind the eight-ball.
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- When: Monday, 7 p.m. ET | The place: NRG Stadium (Houston)
- TV: ABC, ESPN | Stream: (Fubo, strive totally free)
- Buccaneers ML odds: +126
Let’s throw the 9 factors scored off to the aspect as a result of we all know that is dangerous. Houston’s reshaped offensive line regarded quite a bit just like the unit that had C.J. Stroud working for his life in 2024, because the Texans QB was sacked 3 times in Week 1. General, the Texans offensive line surrendered 14 pressures, and the 41.2% pressures allowed per dropback was the seventh-highest. If that continues, this may dramatically decrease the ceiling for this franchise, notably in opposition to high-powered offenses just like the Bucs. Baker Mayfield did not have the perfect displaying in Week 1, however nonetheless managed three passing touchdowns, two of which went to rookie Emeka Egbuka. If Tampa Bay continues to maneuver the ball with regularity, it places numerous strain on the Houston O-line to carry up, and I am uncertain they’re in a position to reply that bell in the meanwhile.
