NFL Week 2 Picks Against the Spread: Underdogs That Could Surprise

By (Contributor) on September 15, 2012

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The Jaguars may make you pay for overlooking them
The Jaguars may make you pay for overlooking them

Did you overreact to the results of the NFL's first week?

Of course not. I completely agree, the San Francisco 49ers will play the New York Jets in the Super Bowl, the New Orleans Saints are terrible and Robert Griffin III should already be in the Hall of Fame.

Obviously all that's ridiculous, but it's just as ridiculous to write off any NFL team or assume that they don't stand a chance of covering a spread in Week 2.

Here are a few teams you may regret overlooking on Sunday.

Point spreads are according to covers.com

Browns (+7) at Bengals

Trent Richardson is yet to show what he can do.
Trent Richardson is yet to show what he can do.

The Browns have covered in five straight games and are 4-1 against the spread in their last five against the AFC North.

The Bengals, conversely, have covered just once in their last five games at home, just once in their last 10 overall and are 0-5-1 in their last six within the division.

Browns stud rookie Trent Richardson is much better than he showed against the Eagles, and the Ravens exposed plenty of holes in the Bengals defense on Monday night.

Cincinnati will probably win this game, but laying seven points to a division rival isn't wise.

Jaguars (+ 7) vs. Texans

Blaine Gabbert has the pedigree and the weapons to cost you.
Blaine Gabbert has the pedigree and the weapons to cost you.

No, I'm not insane.

The Texans struggled with the Dolphins in Week 1, showing their mortality. Meanwhile, Blaine Gabbert flashed some of his potential, accumulating 260 yards against Minnesota. His new weapons, Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon, fit nicely with Marcedes Lewis and Maurice Jones-Drew to give the Jags a respectable offensive attack.

Jacksonville has covered the spread four of the last five times these divisional foes have met, and their defense was a stout 11th best in 2011.

This game is anything but a lock.

Dolphins (+1) vs. Raiders

Reggie Bush and the Dolphins are a smart bet in Week 2.
Reggie Bush and the Dolphins are a smart bet in Week 2.

This is one of the most attractive plays of the week.

Oakland comes in on short rest following its Monday night loss to San Diego, and is 9-21 straight up in early games on the East Coast since 2005, according to ESPN's Mike Sando.

Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offense will probably struggle, but it's easy to forget that the 'Phins defense was sixth best in the NFL last season, allowing just 19.6 points per game.

Miami also defeated visiting Oakland, 34-14, in Week 13 last season, a possible preview of Sunday's contest.

Seattle (+3) vs. Dallas

Wilson and the Seahawks will be tough to beat at home.
Wilson and the Seahawks will be tough to beat at home.

Seattle's Qwest Field may be the NFL's most challenging place for visiting teams to play.

The Seahawks have covered seven of their last 10 games at home and made substantial improvements at quarterback in the offseason.

Dallas has covered the spread just twice in its last eight contests, and could have trouble establishing DeMarco Murray and the running game against Seattle's enormous front line. Three of the Seahawks' four starting defensive linemen, including 325-lb. end Red Bryant, are over 300 lbs.

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