NFL Best Bets for Week 2 (Bengals Blow Out Cowboys, Jaguars and Texans Predicted to Cover)
The BetSided went 3-1 in NFL Best Bets last week, and we’re looking to stay hot with an intriguing Week 2 slate.
After backing an underdog last week, BetSided’s Iain MacMillan has a play on a big favorite in Week 2, while Joe Summers thinks the Detroit Lions deserve to be favored against Washington.
Looking to tail, or maybe fade these picks? Here’s what we’re taking with all odds from FanDuel:
NFL Best Bets for Week 2
- Jacksonville Jaguars +4.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Cincinnati Bengals -7.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Detroit Lions -1.5 vs. Washington Commanders
- Houston Texans +9.5 vs. Denver Broncos
Jacksonville Jaguars +4.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
I’m not only picking the Jags to cover a very favorable number at home against the Colts this week, I’m also taking them on the moneyline as well in our weekly upset picks here at BetSided.
There’s clearly something in the water in Duval County that doesn’t sit right with Indy. Under Frank Reich, the Colts have never won, nor have they covered at Jacksonville over the last four seasons. While I can’t put this remarkable trend on the head coach, the Colts are an astonishing 1-12-1 against the spread in Jacksonville the last 14 years.
I’m also fading Indy in the early portion of the season in large part due to their quarterback carousel the last five years. With a different starting quarterback each season that Reich has been at the helm, the Colts are just 8-12-1 straight up in Weeks 1-5, compared to 29-16 in Week 6 and beyond.
The long-standing nightmare continues in Week 2 for Indy. Give me the Jags at +4.5 for my favorite NFL bet of the week. - Ben Heisler
Cincinnati Bengals -7.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys
I’m not going to judge the Bengals for their Week 1 loss to the Steelers. They still dominated that game in almost every area. They gained 423 total yards, and converted 8-of-16 third downs. If it wasn’t for their five turnovers, which could be attributed to Joe Burrow missing the preseason, the Bengals would have won in Week 1.
Now, they get to go up against a Cowboys team that was on its way to have the most underwhelming opening week performance amongst all teams. People will focus on the Dak Prescott injury, and rightfully so, but even when he was in the game, the Dallas offense was stagnant.
Cooper Rush will take over as QB, and if you think I’m going to bet on them to cover the spread against the defending AFC champions with Cooper Rusher at quarterback, think again.
I think the Bengals get back on track in a big way in Week 2. – Iain MacMillan
Detroit Lions -1.5 vs. Washington Commanders
Fading Carson Wentz is one of my favorite pastimes, and now I get to enjoy his failures while backing the upstart Detroit Lions at home.
Detroit is 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games at home, including five consecutive covers. In their last seven September games at Ford Field, the Lions are 6-1 ATS. Meanwhile, the Commanders are a woeful 2-5 in their last seven as road underdogs.
But trends aren’t the only reason to back Detroit. This offensive line is legitimately one of the NFL’s best, and D’Andre Swift utilized that advantage to rush for 9.6 yards per carry in Week 1. Amon-Ra St. Brown just tied an NFL record with eight or more catches and a touchdown in five straight games, and I love his chances to etch his name in the history books this week.
Washington needed a miracle to beat the lowly Jaguars, while Detroit hung tough with an excellent Eagles team. Dan Campbell has these Lions roaring and Wentz’ terrible decision-making will give Detroit the opportunities it needs to secure a home victory.
Feel comfortable backing the Lions up to -3. - Joe Summers
Houston Texans +9.5 vs. Denver Broncos
Davis Mills and the Texans showed that they can compete a little this season in Week 1, although the team’s collapse in the fourth quarter certainly is concerning.
That being said, the Broncos were about as undisciplined as a team could be in Week 1, fumbling twice on the one-yard line and committing over a dozen penalties.
Nathaniel Hackett has far less experience as a head coach than Lovie Smith, and even if the Denver defense shows up, the play calling for the Broncos was highly questionable in Week 1, especially in the red zone.
Had Jerry Jeudy not made a terrific catch and run for a 67-yard score, the Broncos would’ve arguably put up the most disappointing performance of any team in the opening week. Asking them to win this game by double digits seems like way too many points. – Peter Dewey