Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) engages in a conversation with head coach Dan Campbell prior to a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. As we analyze the Week 2 NFL picks against the spread, the Buffalo Bills hold a 9.5-point advantage as the favorites over the Las Vegas Raiders in their home game. The Detroit Lions, on the other hand, are favored by 4.5 points as they host the Seattle Seahawks. Following their divisional victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns are favored by 1.5 points as they go head-to-head with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. Let’s take a closer look at the early lines and determine which teams are worth a wager in the Week 2 NFL odds.
In regards to the Week 2 NFL picks against the spread, there are two games presenting notable betting lines. At Ford Field, the 1-0 Detroit Lions find themselves as 4.5-point favorites when they face off against the Seattle Seahawks. This marks only the sixth time in 34 games that the Lions are expected to come out on top. Conversely, the Cleveland Browns will venture to Pittsburgh as the favored team, hoping to break their streak of 19 straight losses in the last 20 games at Heinz Field. Should bettors consider placing wagers on any of these teams in the NFL odds as Week 2 ATS picks? Let’s delve into the possibilities.
When it comes to our top NFL ATS picks for this week, the table above showcases our plays on the Lions, Raiders, and Browns. Please note that the odds are valid as of September 11 at BetMGM Sportsbook, and you can utilize the BetMGM promo code to engage in NFL betting. Bettors in Kentucky can also take advantage of the pre-registration bonus at BetMGM Kentucky, with Kentucky sports betting set to launch on September 28.
NFL ATS Pick 1: Lions Defying the Odds
After securing an impressive victory as underdogs on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Detroit Lions find themselves once again favored as they take on the Seattle Seahawks for the second consecutive year. However, last season proved to be a disappointment for the Lions as they fell 48-45 to the Seahawks as the 3.5-point favorites. Nevertheless, times are changing for the Lions, as they have now become the favored team for the fourth successive home game. In fact, they have covered the spread in all three of their previous home games. With all these factors taken into consideration, our pick for this game would be the Detroit Lions -4.5 (-110), with a unit risked equaling 1.
NFL ATS Pick 2: Bills Struggle as Heavy Favorites
The Buffalo Bills are expected to return to their home turf to face the Las Vegas Raiders, following a short week after their Monday road game against the New York Jets. Last season, the Bills failed to cover the spread in a rest disadvantage situation, going 0-1 ATS. Despite their home advantage, the Bills have struggled to cover the spread as favorites of 9.5 points or more in their last five games. This includes their last three home games. Based on these trends, we would recommend placing a wager on the Las Vegas Raiders +9.5 (-110), with a unit risked of 1.
NFL ATS Pick 3: Browns Eyeing Victory in Pittsburgh
Despite being favored to win the AFC North according to the NFL Divisional odds, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a defeat in their first game of the 2023 NFL season at the hands of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns emerged victorious in this game, which took place in Cleveland. Now, the Browns are heading to Pittsburgh, a city where they have struggled historically, with a record of 1-19 straight up and 2-6 against the spread in their last 20 games. Surprisingly, the opening line for this game favors the Browns by 1.5 points. This marks the first time since 1989 that the Browns have been favored against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Considering the Steelers’ disappointing performance in their Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, we predict that the Browns will come out on top in this matchup. Our suggested pick would be the Cleveland Browns +1.5 (-110), with a unit risked of 1.
Quick Picks for Week 2 NFL Picks Against the Spread:
– Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs Minnesota Vikings
– Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) vs Tennessee Titans
– Green Bay Packers (-1) vs Atlanta Falcons
– Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) vs Houston Texans
– Chicago Bears (+2.5) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
– Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) vs Kansas City Chiefs
– Cincinnati Bengals (-3) vs Baltimore Ravens
– New York Giants (-5) vs Arizona Cardinals
– Dallas Cowboys (-3) vs New York Jets
– Washington Commanders (+3.5) vs Denver Broncos
– Miami Dolphins (-2) vs New England Patriots
– New Orleans Saints (-2.5) vs Carolina Panthers
Make sure to stay tuned for more expert analysis and predictions. For more sports content, be sure to check out our other articles on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAAF, NCAAB, and Tennis. As an industry veteran, Bob has an extensive background in sports, including teaching the history of sports at Elder College. He has written for Postmedia as a Sports Columnist, appeared on multiple radio stations as a guest, served as the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and authored 25 books.
