NFL lines, Week 2: 5 best bets

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ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after defeating the New York Jets 21-12 on September 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

3. Buffalo Bills (+8.5) at Carolina Panthers

Though the Carolina Panthers smoked the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Week 1 23-3, it’s not like the Panthers offense went to town on the 49ers defense. Quarterback Cam Newton struggled with his accuracy. Rookie running back Christian McCaffrey got a ton of touches, but didn’t do much with them.

Carolina may be coming back to Charlotte with a Week 1 road victory, but this one with the Buffalo Bills feels like a definite trap game for the Panthers. Buffalo is getting 8.5 points after beating the New York Jets at home in Orchard Park on Sunday, 21-12. It’s early in the year, but Buffalo matches up well with Carolina.

Not saying Buffalo will win this road game, but the Panthers shouldn’t be favored by more than a touchdown against the Bills. Buffalo will be able to run the football behind that underrated offensive line of theirs. Until Newton proves he can be a more accurate passer, it’s hard to see the Panthers laying more than a touchdown on anybody.

Add in that this will be Bills head coach Sean McDermott’s first game back in Charlotte and that should have Buffalo fired up for this game even more. McDermott was Carolina’s defensive coordinator the last few years. He is well aware of how to put points up on Ron Rivera’s defense, as well as how to limit the effectiveness of Don Shula’s offense. Take the Bills if they are getting more than a touchdown at Carolina.