NFL Week 2 Predictions: Betting Guide and Picks for Second Week of NFL Action

Week 2 of the NFL season begins on Thursday night with the Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers and runs through Monday, when the Denver Broncos take on the Atlanta Falcons.

In between those two games, there will be plenty of action that gamblers just can’t wait to get in on.

Let’s take a look at some of the top games of the week that promise to pay big dividends for those who wager on them.

*Home team in CAPS, odds via ScoresAndOdds.com

 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-14) vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Pats are simply a much better team than the Cardinals, who will be without their starting QB for the contest.

John Skelton is out for two to four weeks with a sprained ankle, meaning that Kevin Kolb—the backup quarterback paid like a franchise one—will get the nod on Sunday.

He has simply not been successful running this team, with an extremely poor record both against the spread and straight up.

Lay the points with New England—a team that can score at will against a mediocre defense like Arizona, especially at home. 

Chicago Bears (+6) vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS (Under 51)

The real value in this NFC North matchup is the under. Eight out of the past nine times these heated rivals have met on the gridiron, the contest has gone under the point total.

These teams tend to focus on the power running game and short passes that move the chains and eat up the game clock when they play one another.

While the Bears and Packers are both certainly capable of big scoring outbursts—as the total indicates—this will be a low-scoring affair.

Oakland Raiders (-2.5) vs. MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Raiders are the much better 0-1 team in this matchup.

Miami is going through some growing pains with rookie QB Ryan Tannehill under center, and the interception-prone signal-caller isn’t going to suddenly change his ways in his second career start.

Expect Carson Palmer to take a few more shots downfield in this game—something he was hesitant to do against the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football.

If the Raiders D can do its job and create some turnovers, this should be an easy touchdown-or-more victory for the Silver and Black.