NFL Week 2 Underdog Betting Picks, Odds, & Bets
Week 2 of the NFL season tees kicks off with a handful of double-digit spreads and home dogs again. Find the best NFL Week 2 underdog picks, odds, and bets.
Week 2 NFL Underdog Betting Picks & Bets
Week 2 is the perfect time to take a look at underdogs around the NFL. Betting lines move aggressively after Week 1 overreactions, leaving some hidden value in overlooked teams that might’ve just had an off game. Let’s take a look at which underdogs could give you some value this weekend.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
This is an obvious matchup you have to pay attention to. The Saints are +122 on the moneyline despite being 4-0 against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers in the regular season over the past two years – a stretch that includes a 9-0 shutout win without a legitimate quarterback last December.
The Saints had some defensive issues in Week 1, but they’ve proven they know what it takes to beat Brady anywhere. Tampa didn’t have a very fluid offense in their Week 1 win over the Cowboys. With Chris Godwin out for this one, it would surprise me if the Buccaneers’ offense came out and lit up the Saints. Brady just hasn’t done it yet, even in the playoff win two years ago.
So, what about the Saints’ offense? It was a tale of two halves in Week 1, but Jameis Winston clearly settled in as the game went on. It’s no surprise it took a couple quarters of football for Winston to get acquainted with three receivers he didn’t have last season. By the end of the day, he connected with Jarvis Landry for 114 yards and threw a combined three touchdowns to Michael Thomas and Chris Olave.
With the getting-to-know-each-other phase over, the Saints have a better offensive outlook than they did either time they beat the Buccaneers last season. At +122 on the moneyline and a +2.5 spread, New Orleans is a strong bet at home.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Cardinals and Raiders are both coming off disappointing Week 1 losses. Arizona was quickly dispatched by the Chiefs, while the Raiders had their chances against the Chargers but were hurt by turnovers. There’s still a lot we don’t know about these two teams. With the Raiders entering as decisive favorites at -240 on the moneyline, the Cardinals could be a great value here.
Derek Carr flashed a strong connection with Davante Adams and Darren Waller in Week 1, but he threw three interceptions and was sacked five times. The Raiders’ offensive line still has a ways to go, and the defense didn’t look too impressive against Justin Herbert.
Arizona doesn’t have too much to be positive about after its Week 1 loss, but everyone gets their face beaten in by Patrick Mahomes at some point. Kyler Murray played better in garbage time, which optimists could take as a sign he’s found his rhythm heading into Week 2.
A Cardinals team that tends to play better early in the season may have some extra motivation after last week. Plus, are these teams really that different in terms of talent level? At the very least, Cardinals +5.5 is worth considering.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Vikings are slight underdogs for the second consecutive week, despite their dismantling of the Packers to open the season. Home-field advantage might be the only thing keeping the Eagles favored at -132 on the moneyline, but playing on the road won’t matter much for the Vikings if they play like they did in Week 1.
The Eagles are suddenly the clear NFC East favorites after Dak Prescott’s injury. What about the rest of the NFC? Philadelphia struggled against great teams last season, and we haven’t seen Jalen Hurts prove he can consistently beat those teams yet.
The Vikings looked like a great team in their win over Green Bay, torching the Packers’ secondary with Justin Jefferson and showing off their healthier, more balanced defense. It’s the Eagles’ leaky defense that concerns me the most. Philadelphia had a tough time closing out the Lions in the second half on Sunday – if those problems carry over into this game, the Vikings won’t allow them as much breathing room.
The Vikings’ new defense looks like it’s a world ahead of the Lions’ unit, so the idea the Eagles can win this one in a shootout isn’t likely. As long as you can get the Vikings at +112, they’re the better value.
Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Dolphins and Ravens were the only two teams to come away with comfortable wins in the early slate of games on Sunday. They both did what was asked of them. Now comes the real test.
Miami looked like a legitimate playoff team in Week 1. The up-and-coming defense did what it wanted to do and shut down both facets of the Patriots’ offense, but more importantly, Tua Tagovailoa looked solid and showed he’s already established a connection with Tyreek Hill.
The Dolphins stunned the Ravens last year by limiting Lamar Jackson on the ground and through the air. Now, Miami has a legitimate passing game. Is that enough to counter the Ravens’ much improved secondary and home-field advantage? It’s realistic enough that Dolphins +3.5 is worth a look, along with Dolphins +160 on the moneyline.
