It's a Trap: Which Week 2 NFL Odds are Most Deceiving?

The NFL betting market is the most efficient in all of sports, so sometimes you need to hold your nose and play some spots that look unappealing, but are the right side. 

In Week 2, I’m going to look to fade some Week 1 narratives and catch some undervalued teams and avoid the dreaded ‘trap’ line. Here are three, with all odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook:

Denver Broncos (-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | TOTAL: 45

I can understand why many don’t want to bet Jacksonville after their disastrous Week 1 loss to the Texans. There were a myriad of questions around new head coach Urban Meyer heading into the season and the Jaguars' worst nightmare came to fruition in a loss to a team that was projected to have the worst team in the league this season. 

However, this is too many points to give against a Broncos team that is making their second consecutive cross country flight in as many weeks.

The Broncos were -3 in the lookahead market and I see this number jumping way too far out. Denver lost wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to a high ankle sprain and starting cornerback Ronald Darby to a hamstring injury as well, leaving them shorthanded in Jacksonville.

There is a ton of talk around Teddy Bridgewater’s ability to cover games, 22-3 ATS on the road but he has never been a road favorite of more than three points in his career. Bridgewater is a great bet as an underdog but he's in uncharted waters here, I'll buy the dip on Jacksonville and play this at +6, but no further.

New Orleans Saints (-3.5) vs. Carolina Panthers | TOTAL: 44.5

The Saints had the most impressive performance of Week 1, boat racing the Green Bay Packers 38-3 on a neutral site. 

However, I’m going to play against them in Week 2 with my favorite dark horse playoff team this season, Matt Rhule’s Panthers. 

Let’s start with the off-field handicap. Not only is New Orleans on the road again for the second straight week, but the team has several members of the coaching staff and a player in COVID-19 Protocols. While not a critical blow to their chances of winning, this definitely impacts the practice schedule of the team. 

As for the on-field handicap, I see the Panthers offense due for a breakout in this spot. If not for some red zone issues in Week 1, scoring six on one-of-four tries, the Panthers win over the lowly Jets would have looked more impressive. 

I love the weapons on Joe Brady's offense this season with Sam Darnold under center and think they are in line for an impressive outing against a banged up Saints defense.

The Saints injury report also looks rough heading into this matchup, with cornerback Marshon Lattimore limited in practice due to a hand injury while Kwon Alexander and Marcus Davenport have not practiced all week. Keep an eye on the injury report ahead of kickoff.

The Saints may have looked like world beaters in Week 1, but I have this game lined at under a field goal, so I'll take the key number of 3 on the home dog.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-12.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons | TOTAL: 52.5

Take the team that looked like arguably the worst team in the league last week? Yup.

The Falcons lost 32-6 to the Eagles on Sunday at home and now have to travel to Tampa Bay to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions who have 10 days to prepare for this one.

However, I still see this as too many points to lay in a divisional matchup. Tampa Bay’s defense did appear vulnerable downfield against a pass-heavy Dallas offense and lost starting cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting to an elbow injury.

With Matt Ryan under center, who led the league in passing attempts last season, I can see him keeping the Falcons inside of this number with chunk plays late in the game. The Falcons have weapons in the passing game with Calvin Ridley and rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, let's see how new head coach Arthur Smith uses them.

People are going to be sour towards the Falcons after they laid an egg in Week 1, but this is the time to buy low on Atlanta to put up just a little resistance to the Bucs. Not to mention, Tampa Bay may take their foot off the gas on Sunday, knowing that they play the Rams next week in Los Angeles. 

This game could definitely come down to a late possession by Ryan getting in the backdoor.

Looking to get in on the action Sunday? Make sure to do so with WynnBET!