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Betting on the NFL is a numbers game. It has more to do with numbers than with teams, and getting numbers at the right time is critical. I have already seen some Week 2 numbers on PointsBet that I like. Here are the games I’ve put wagers on.
Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns (-11.5) Total: 48
The Houston Texans won’t be as bad as people think. Tyrod Taylor rarely gets embarrassed. Taylor is 38-28-4 ATS (57%) as a starter. In fact, he is Over .500 on the Money Line as a starter. Houston’s Week 1 performance vs. the Jaguars will get dismissed by some given the Jaguars’ overall talent level, yet these are the same people that had their money on Jacksonville. The Browns, even though they lost, will be praised all week. It will be interesting to see where this number goes. The look ahead line was Browns -12.5. I think this should be closer to Browns - 8.5. Wager: Texans +11.5
Los Angeles Rams vs. Indianapolis Colts (+4) Total: 47
Home Underdogs were 3-2 in Week 1, though the Lions had no business covering the spread. In Week 2, seven teams will be home dogs including the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts had an uninspiring Week 1. They only averaged four yards per play. Carson Wentz didn’t play at all in the preseason and was coming off an injury, and it showed in his play. I’m not ready to fade the Colts just yet, but they face a very tough Rams team in Week 2. The strength of the NFC West will dominate sports talk this week. The Rams will be an overvalued road favorite. Wager +4.5
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) Total: 49
You can bet on the Raiders Week 2 game before they even play their first game. It’s probably a good idea to do just that. I would not be surprised if they start the season 1-0. The Steelers looked good in their Week 1 victory over the Bills. In week 2 they return home and will have a big public backing. I fired on the Raiders at +6. We could very well see a better number at some point during the week. Wager: Raiders +6
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Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks (-6) Total:52.5
The Titans did not look impressive in Week 1, and I feel confident they will lose ATS again in Week 2. Tennessee looked bad on both sides of the ball vs. the Cardinals, which implies the Seahawks should roll against them. The opening Total in this game is 52.5. The Titans offense could not even average four yards per play in Week 1, leading me to believe they will struggle to score on the road in Seattle. Wager: Under 52.5
Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals (-4.5) Total:51
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will be a hot topic in NFL circles this week. They certainly looked good, but let’s keep our composure. Minnesota looked pedestrian in their road loss vs. the Bengals. I don’t think the Cardinals are runaway winners in Week 2, however. If I was betting it ATS I would back the road team. The look ahead line had the Cardinals as a 1.5 point favorite. The Vikings’ main issue is their defense, and it could be a problem all season. In Week 1, they allowed Joe Mixon and Ja’Marr Chase to climb over the 100 yard rushing and receiving marks, respectively. The Vikings can move the ball just as well as any other team, and I think this game flies Over the Total. In the past two seasons the Cardinals are 10-6-1 to the Over at home. Wager: Over 51
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