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Here are our 5 best NFL Week 2 picks against the spread, plus one bonus player prop bet

albert bainbridge iv, northjersey.com
·6 min read

There's no denying it was a wild Week 1 of the NFL season with a slew of upsets, a blowout we didn't see coming, and of course the devastating Achilles injury to New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

As far as the games go, we started on a positive note, going 3-2 in Week 1 against the spread (ATS) picks, including outright wins from two home underdogs in the Green Bay Packers (+1) and Cleveland Browns (+2.5).

Browns RB Nick Chubb cleared his 73.5-rushing yard prop with ease, as he was one of three running backs on Sunday to clear 100+ yards on the ground.

2023 record: 4-2

Against the spread: 3-2

Bonus bets: 1-0

With a 4-2 record to start the year, let's keep it moving to next weekend. Here are my five teams to bet on against the spread for Week 2, plus one bonus over/under play to wager on.

Jets vs. Cowboys predictions: Our expert picks for Sunday's game

Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) slips past Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II (25) on his way to a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) slips past Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II (25) on his way to a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

One of the biggest letdowns of Week 1 was on opening night when the Kansas City Chiefs were upset by the Detroit Lions as they raised their second Super Bowl banner in four years.

While QB Patrick Mahomes may get his favorite target in tight end Travis Kelce back this week, I'm backing Jacksonville as three-point home underdogs.

The Jaguars were impressive in a 31-21 victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week. QB Trevor Lawrence completed 24-of-32 passes and WR Calvin Ridley had a monster game in his first action since October 2021.

With Kelce's status uncertain, Jacksonville will cover the current field-goal spread and I'd make this a must-bet on the Jaguars if this number moves in favor of the Chiefs if Kelce suits up. The best price to get the Jaguars right now is at +3 (-114) on BetRivers Sportsbook.

Despite having the highest total on the board for Week 2, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on the current over of 51 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Eagles vs. Vikings predictions: Our expert picks for Thursday night's game

Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) recovers on the ground after being sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) recovers on the ground after being sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.

Speaking of Week 1 woes, it couldn't have gotten any worse for QB Joe Burrow.

The 2020 first overall pick had the worst game of his career, throwing for a career-low 82 yards and completing just 45 percent of his passes in a rain-filled 24-3 loss at Cleveland.

The Ravens took care of business in a 25-9 win over the Houston Texans but at a massive cost. RB J.K. Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles, while starters Marcus Williams, Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum all left the game with injuries. TE Mark Andrews and CB Marlon Humphrey were also absent from Sunday's game and are not a definite to play in this matchup.

I'm banking on a bounce-back spot here for the Bengals as they win their home opener by at least four points against a banged-up Ravens squad.

Wager on Cincinnati to cover the -3.5 spread (-102) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Giants vs. Cardinals predictions Our expert picks for Sunday's game

Atlanta Falcons (+1.5) vs. Green Bay Packers

Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) reacts after an interception against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) reacts after an interception against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

After a slow start, the Falcons got things going quickly as they outscored the Panthers 17-0 in the second half en route to a 24-10 win in Week 1.

Rookie RB Bijan Robinson had a strong debut that included a highlight-reel 11-yard touchdown catch for his first career touchdown.

For the Packers, QB Jordan Love looked sharp, and RB Aaron Jones had 127 total yards and two touchdowns in the team's 38-20 rout of the Chicago Bears. However, Jones tweaked his hamstring on his second TD and didn't return with the game out of hand. Second year WR Christian Watson sat out Sunday with his own hamstring injury.

Keep an eye out during the week on how Jones and Watson are trending toward Sunday afternoon but as of now, I'm on the Falcons to cover and win outright (+106) as a home underdog.

The best price to get Atlanta +1.5 is at BetRivers Sportsbook at -109.

More: Yankees on Deck: Moving on after Jasson Dominguez's shocking elbow injury

NY Giants (-4) vs. Arizona Cardinals

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) catches a ball during the game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023.
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) catches a ball during the game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023.

There's no denying the scariest bet of the group is the Giants. It's hard to play any worse than they did in their 40-0 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys at the Meadowlands on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals nearly pulled off a massive upset in a 20-16 loss to the Washington Commanders.

The G-Men opened as 4.5-point favorites but some sportsbooks already have the number down to four points.

It's a risky proposition, but after playing one of the best defenses in the league, Big Blue will get back on track on both sides of the ball, earning their first win of the season in the desert this weekend.

Bet on the Giants currently at -4 on a variety of sportsbooks as of Monday evening.

New England Patriots (+2.5) vs. Miami Dolphins

Mac Jones looking for a receiver in the 2nd quarter. The New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles in their home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sept 10, 2023. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]
Mac Jones looking for a receiver in the 2nd quarter. The New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles in their home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sept 10, 2023. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]

The Dolphins pulled off one of the best victories of the weekend slate behind a dominant offensive performance from QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Tyreek Hill.

There will be obvious regression from Miami's offense after Sunday's outburst, and the Patriots played much better after a dreadful first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.

New England has won 12 of the past 14 matchups at Gillette Stadium, including a 23-21 win on New Year's Day last season.

This will be a field goal game that the Pats cover, and I would not be surprised if they pull out the victory here.

The best price to get the Patriots at +2.5 (-109) is on BetRivers Sportsbook.

Bonus pick: Philadelphia Eagles/Minnesota Vikings UNDER 48.5 total points (-110)

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, top right, is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, center left, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, top right, is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, center left, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.

My bonus bet of Week 2 is the Eagles and Vikings under 48.5 points scored.

Both teams went below this number in their opening games.

For this head-to-head matchup, the total has gone below 48.5 points in six of the last eight meetings in the regular season. In fact, the total has hit this under in seven straight contests (including playoffs) at Lincoln Financial Field.

I could see a similar outcome as last season where these two teams also met in Week 2 and the Eagles came out on top in a 24-7 victory at home.

After opening at 51 points, I'd bet this number sooner rather than later as it could continue to go even lower ahead of the Thursday Night Football matchup.

Wager on there being 48 or fewer points scored (-110) at multiple sportsbooks to kickoff Week 2 of the NFL season.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NFL Week 2 picks against the spread and player prop bet