NFL Week 2 Predictions: Best Games on Board to Bet Big

It’s time to get your bets in for Week 2 of the 2013 NFL campaign, as Thursday Night Football is quickly coming up and Sunday will be here before you know it.

Rather than go into the next slate of games completely unprepared and likely to lose, you should check out my guide to get tips on which way to lean on a few games.

Keep reading to see the latest lines, my picks for every single contest and an in-depth look at some games that look quite juicy for bettors in Week 2.

 

New York Jets (+12) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Hammer the Jets line in this short-rest game against New England, as they are almost guaranteed to cover the spread.

Although the Pats have been laying the smack down on poor Gang Green over the past few years, this meeting looks to be different.

Instead of being stocked with the usual arsenal of weapons around him, New England quarterback Tom Brady has a group of unheralded, unproven and sometimes unproductive receivers and tight ends surrounding him.

The Pats may have edged out the Buffalo Bills in a Week 1 battle, but they failed to cover the spread and could lose a war of attrition against the Jets. Leading rusher Shane Vereen will be sidelined with a wrist injury, plus top receiver Danny Amendola is likely to miss the contest with a groin issue.

Couple that with New York riding an emotional high after an improbable victory in rookie signal-caller Geno Smith’s first start and you have a recipe for a close game.

Expect the Jets to keep things interesting by using Smith’s accuracy and mobility in short-yardage situations to extend drives and keep the Pats offense off the field.

The end result should be much tighter than the spread indicates when the final whistle blows.

 

ARIZONA CARDINALS (+2.5) over Detroit Lions

This surefire bet isn’t about backing the Cardinals as much as it is fading the Lions. Detroit was a dismal 2-6 straight up away from home in 2012 and should not be favored against a criminally underrated Arizona squad.

Although the Lions are great against the ground and were able to bottle up Adrian Peterson after he gashed them for a 78-yard touchdown run from scrimmage in Week 1, they won’t be as fortunate containing the passing game out in the desert.

Carson Palmer clearly has a rapport with Larry Fitzgerald and connected with him on eight passes for 80 yards and two scores. There’s also Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd to worry about, totaling a formidable trio of wideouts for the Red Birds.

The Cards were a last-minute field goal away from starting 1-0 and will be looking to get revenge in front of their home crowd on Sunday afternoon.

They are a good team that is flying under the radar. Even playing in the stacked NFC West, I currently rate Arizona as dark horse to make a run at a wild-card spot in the playoffs.

Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals come away with a big win this weekend over an unfocused opponent that can’t get it done on the road. Maybe then they start to get some respect from the public.