NFL Week 2 Betting Picks

Following an opening weekend in which the underdogs dominated, the National Football League kicks it into high gear this weekend with a full slate of 16 games for football bettors. Here is an overview of some of the games to watch out for in Week 2 of the schedule, along with a free pick for each.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

Game Line: Baltimore -3 | OU 44

The Baltimore Ravens will take the field as 3-point favorites on the NFL betting lines over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football following a disappointing 23-16 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. The Steelers failed to cover in their 30-27 win over the Cleveland Browns last week and have been a less than stellar option on the road, going 3-6 SU in their last nine games, and even worse when visiting the Ravens, going 3-8 SU in their last 11 games.

While the Steelers did blow a big halftime lead against Cleveland last week, there was nothing wrong with their offense. Conversely, Joe Flacco’s 345-yard performance was the only highlight in the Ravens’ sloppy loss to the Bengals. With the Ravens in disarray, both on and off the field, Pittsburgh will never have a better chance to top their division rivals.

Free Pick: Take Pittsburgh and the points. Pittsburgh 30-24

Atlanta Falcons @ Cincinnati Bengals

Game Line: Cincinnati -5 | OU 48

The Falcons stunned New Orleans in Week 1, knocking off the favored Saints by a score of 37-34. They face a tougher task this week against a Cincy team that has won their last nine regular season home games SU and ATS on the NFL online betting lines.

The Falcons may be improved over last season, but it is hard to get past their feeble 1-7 SU record in their last eight road games. However, for those who like offense, this may be a game to watch this weekend. The OVER is 5-1 in Cincinnati’s last six games at home, and with Falcons QB Matt Ryan coming off a monster 448-yard, three-TD performance in Week 1, this matchup has all the makings of a shootout.

Free Pick: Take Cincinnati and give the points. Cincinnati 35-28

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Washington Redskins

Game Line: Washington -6 | OU 43.5

The question facing NFL bettors is which Jags team will show up in Washington this week? The Jaguars that last week jumped out to a fast 17-0 halftime lead against the Eagles, or the Jaguars that surrendered 291 second-half yards and 34 unanswered points to lose to Philadelphia by a score of 34-17.

While Jacksonville are a poor 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five games against the Redskins, they face a DC squad that was unable to generate points in a 17-6 Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans, despite Robert Griffin III’s 267 passing yards. The Jags may not be a playoff team just yet, but it would be a mistake to discount their offense. The OVER is 7-3 on the NFL betting odds in their last 10 games, with the Jags winning SU in three of those seven games.

Free Pick: Take Jacksonville and the points. Jacksonville 20-10

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

Game Line: Miami -1.5 | OU 43

Both these teams are coming off stunning upsets in Week 1 of the season. The Miami Dolphins defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 33-20 as 3.5-point dogs, while the Buffalo Bills scored when they had to, to post a 23-20 OT win in Chicago against the Bears as 6.5-point underdogs.

Buffalo have been strong at home, 7-2 ATS in their last nine games, and 7-3 SU and ATS in their last ten games against Miami at Ralph Wilson Stadium. But Miami looked like the more polished team in Week 1, overcoming a 20-10 halftime deficit to beat the Patriots. If the Bills are unable to shut down running back Knowshon Moreno, who led the Miami attack with 134 rushing yards against New England, it could be a long day for the Bills.

Free Pick: Take Miami and give the points. Miami 28-13

New England Patriots @ Minnesota Vikings

Game Line: New England -3 | OU 49

The New England Patriots are 16-7 SU in their last 23 games overall, and 10-0 SU in their last 10 games against NFC North opponents. But following their season opening 33-20 loss to Miami, their fifth road loss SU in their last seven games, it’s no surprise that the betting line has swung in Minnesota’s favor since opening at Patriots -4.5 early in the week.

The Vikings were dominant defensively in their 34-6 demolition of the St. Louis Rams in Week 1, holding the Rams to just 170 total yards through three quarters, while the tag-team of Peterson and Patterson ran all over the Rams, amassing a combined 177 ground yards. If the Patriots continue to struggle defensively and the Vikings can duplicate the stellar defensive effort they showed against St. Louis last week, the Vikes could shock once again as the NFL betting picks in this one.

Free Pick: Take Minnesota and the points. Minnesota 24-21

Philadelphia Eagles @ Indianapolis Colts

Game Line: Indianapolis -3 | OU 53.5

The Philadelphia Eagles needed a big second-half to overcome a 17-point deficit and defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 34-17 in Week 1. Last season’s road warriors are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last six away contests, but just 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS in their last five games versus Indy.

Peyton Manning finally got his long-awaited first win over his old Indy teammates on Sunday Night Football, but the Colts covered an 8.5-point spread in that 31-24 loss to the Broncos. Even after opening with 24 straight points, the Broncos struggled to hang on against the Colts’ second half onslaught, with QB Andrew Luck managing to throw for 370 yards.

Free Pick: Take Indianapolis and give the points. Indianapolis 38-21