posted September 10, 2008 at 13:10 EST in NFL Free Picks
NFL Week Two Odds and Lines
by Tim Furious
The first week of football is behind us, and now the serious NFL wagering can begin. As is to be expected with Week 1 betting, only one winning team failed to cover the NFL point spread. Not any expected Tom Brady to be gone with the wind, but a huge amount of gambling degenerates also god fleeced by San Diego and Indianapolis.
BetUS.com gladly brings you a preview of every, single game this week to get you set up for your NFL betting weekend!
EARLY BIRDS
Oakland Raiders (0-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Kansas -3.5 (36)
We kick this week off with an absolute dud. The Raiders looked lifeless last week, especially after they inexplicably abandoned their running game and Darren McFadden left with a shoulder injury. The Raiders are 2-6 ATS in their last 6 games and have gone 1-9 SU in their last 10 games against KC.
This Raiders, at least, lost to a good team. I bet that they bounce back this week. Oakland, at least, has some big play ability. I can’t say the same about KC, especially after Dwayne Bowe practically lost the game for the Chiefs by dropping a pass in the endzone.
NFL FREE PICK: OAK +3.5 (UNDER)
Tennessee Titans (1-0) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Cincinnati -1 (37.5)
The Titans will be without the services of quarterback Vince Young for nearly a month. Should that worry you? Absolutely not! The Titans are a running team with a sick defense that will put away the sputtering Bengals with ease. The Titans are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games, and Chris Johnson looks like a rookie of the year candidate.
NFL FREE PICK: TEN +1 (UNDER)
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
NFL Gambling Line: Indianapolis -2.5 (43.5)
Last week the Colts were victimized by a team that was efficient on the ground, and vultures on defense. Minnesota looks like an even better version of Chicago on paper, but the Colts passing game is too much for Minnesota. Peyton Manning on company looked a little out of sync last weekend, but in a dome I like Peyton’s chances of decimating a team that has gone 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games at home.
NFL FREE PICK: INDIANPOLIS -2.5 (OVER)
New Orleans Saints (1-0) vs. Washington Redskins (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: PK (42)
Washington is again one of the most overrated teams in the league, while the Saints look like they’re piecing things together. Making this game a pick ‘em makes it a safe bet on the Saints to win outright, in spite of losing Marques Colston for 4-6 weeks.
NFL FREE PICK: NO (UNDER)
Green Bay Packers (1-0) vs. Detroit Lions (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Green Bay -3 (44.5)
Some things never change. The Packers still look like Kings in the NFC North, while the Detroit Lions look like…well…the Detroit Lions. The only question mark on Green Bay was Aaron Rodgers, and I’m pretty sure you’re a believer now. The oddsmakers won’t be fully convinced for weeks on Rodgers, so cash in as the Packers become spread monsters again this year!
NFL FREE PICK: GREEN BAY -3 (OVER)
Chicago Bears (1-0) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-0)
NFL Betting Line: Carolina -3 (37)
The battle of the upstarts takes us down South, where the Panthers look to squeak out one more victory until Steve Smith returns. Chicago returned to an old formula last weekend, beating Indy with an unexpectedly strong rushing attack, and a stifling defense that is once again healthy.
Both teams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games. However, I like what they’re doing in Chicago overall. The Panthers just look like one of those kitchen sink teams that needs to unload everything in order to win. You can’t do that every weekend, and you certainly can’t feel safe backing them in our sportsbook with that kind of mentality.
NFL FREE PICK: CHICAGO +3 (UNDER)
New York Giants (1-0) vs. St. Louis Rams (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: NYG -8.5 (41.5)
The defending champs can move the ball any which way, and their defense is better than we expected. The Giants may not need a solid defense for now if their offense can continue to wear down defenses. “This is a huge spread though!!!” Oh really? Did you see St. Louis last weekend? Right.
NFL FREE PICK: NYG -8.5 (OVER)
Buffalo Bills (1-0) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Jax -5.5 (37)
My favorite game of the week once again stars the Buffalo Bills! Buffalo may be the best all-round team, when you factor that their special teams unit accounted for 22 of 34 points last weekend. Their front seven is fast enough to shut down a Jacksonville running game, and their offense is efficient enough to score if necessary. Don’t fall asleep on Buffalo again this year!
NFL FREE PICK: BUFFALO +5.5 (OVER)
AFTERNOON TEA
Atlanta Falcons (1-0) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Tampa -8 (38)
Michael who? The Falcons literally ran Detroit out of the building last weekend, compiling an astonishing 318 yards on the ground with a 220 yard, two touchdown performance from Michael Turner. With Matt Ryan completing 9-of-13 for 161 yards and a score, I’d say that this team has a good shot at surprising…if their defense wasn’t so horrific.
The Bucs lack any big play ability, but I’d say a lot of that had to do with Galloway and Garcia’s rust. The defense will not be surprised by Burner and Ryan this week, and I say the rookie quarterback puts his team in serious jeopardy as he tries to throw an a pick-happy secondary in Tampa. The Bucs are still 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games against Atlanta.
NFL FREE PICK: TAMPA -8 (OVER)
San Francisco 49ers (0-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Seattle -7 (38)
Seattle can’t throw or run, and they apparently can’t play defense either. A lot is left to be desired in San Francisco, but getting points against a horrific team will suit their betting backers quite nicely. The Niners get back on track by rewarding their betting faithful this weekend.
NFL FREE PICK: SAN FRANCISCO +7 (UNDER)
New England Patriots (1-0) vs. New York Jets (1-0)
NFL Betting Line: NYJ -1.5 (37)
Though I believe that Matt Cassell is better than anyone expects, I also feel the Jets are as good as everyone estimates them to be. Brett Favre will lead an amped Jets team to give the Patriots their first regular season loss in over a year. This will begin to even a 10-1 SU record that the Pats hold over their hated, rival Jets.
NFL FREE PICK: NYJ -1.5 (OVER)
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) vs. Houston Texans (1-0)
NFL Betting Line: Houston -4.5 (37.5)
Baltimore had fun beating up the Bengals last weekend, but are still 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games. Without a fully healthy Willis McGahee, and a rookie quarterback on the road, I say Houston wins this game outright.
They ran in to a juggernaut last weekend in Pittsburgh. They return to form and continue their 4-1 ATS record at home.
NFL FREE PICK: HOUSTON -4.5 (UNDER)
Miami Dolphins (0-1) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
NFL Betting line: Arizona -6.5 (39)
The Dolphins were largely able to pick apart the Jets last weekend because Chad Pennington knew that defense inside and out. He doesn’t have the same advantage against the Cardinals, who have massive big play potential and a savvy coaching staff that makes this an easy pick.
NFL FREE PICK: ARIZONA -6.5 (UNDER)
San Diego Chargers (1-0). Denver Broncos (1-0)
NFL Betting Line: an Diego -1.5 (45.5)
Betting against the Broncos at home, with a returning Brandon Marshall is simply dumb. The Chargers are a great team, I have no doubt about that. But the Broncos have a nasty habit of fooling people (like me) especially when they play at home. Don’t bet against the Broncos unless they’re on the road for now.
The Chargers can move the chains, score at will, but they have a lot to prove after losing in the opener against an abysmal squad like Carolina.
NFL FREE PICK: DENVER +1.5 (OVER)
UNDER THE LIGHTS
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
NFL Betting Line: Pittsburgh -6 (44.5)
The Browns fell back to Earth the hardest way possible – by getting trounced by the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers are virtually the same team, posing a serious ground assault complimented by a consistent and dangerous aerial attack. Bet on Pittsburgh’s defense to shut down a squandering Cleveland offense as the Browns get off to a bad start and let their betting faithful down.
NFL FREE PICK: PITTSBURGH -6 (OVER)
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
NFL Wagering Line: Dallas -7 (47)
Don’t be fooled, Eagles bettors. Philadelphia can throw with Donavan McNabb playing at his absolute best, but we all know McNabb can’t keep up that pace. The Cowboys will be out to silence any critics that believe that Philadelphia has a legitimate shot at their crown.
The Cowboys are the best team in football, now that Brady is gone and the Chargers have lost Merrimen. Don’t get suckered in to thinking their big play secondary will fall flat against McNabb this weekend. It ain’t happening.
NFL FREE PICK: DALLAS -7 (OVER)
Tim Furious is a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room, and is a VIP Account Manager. He can be reached by dialing 1-888-51-BETUS (23887) and asking for Tim at extension 2305.
