NFL Week 2 Picks: Tough Games to Avoid Betting Big

Some gamblers like to get in on as much action as they possibly can. Some gamblers are also huge losers who fail to realize that picking your spots is one of the smartest strategies in the betting world.

Every week of the NFL season there are a number of games that you would be best off just avoiding. Regardless of the circumstance—injuries, tight lines or what have you—it just doesn’t seem like a wise idea to take or lay the points.

Instead of ignoring your intuition and getting your money in a situation in which you feel uneasy, just forget those games altogether.

If you still need some advice on which contests to stay away from in Week 2, here’s a quick and dirty primer to accompany my picks for every game.

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

The outcome is anything but predictable anytime these two NFC West powerhouses collide. Although the Niners got the better of Seattle when the game was played at Candlestick Park, the Seahawks absolutely decimated San Francisco with the 12th man cheering on the home team at CenturyLink Field.

Although the Seahawks dominated that game and have been given a slight 2.5-point edge by the oddsmakers, they looked dismal on offense in the season opener.

Seattle mustered just 12 points in a gritty 12-7 battle with the Carolina Panthers, although the game did take place on the road; the team is notoriously bad—especially against the spread—away from home.

Seahawks fans are hoping that a return home will give a boost to the offense, but nothing can be certain. Russell Wilson is a skilled quarterback but needs to improve and hope that the running game emerges around him.

There’s simply too many uncertainties surrounding this Seahawks squad to back them, but it’s also wise to shy away from the Niners.

They are coming off an emotional victory against the Green Bay Packers, with Anquan Boldin and Colin Kaepernick hooking up for a ton of yards and two scores.

However, the Packers’ secondary doesn’t measure up to the tall, strong, lightning-quick defensive backs on the Seattle roster. The 49ers could be due for a serious regression in the passing game—especially with Michael Crabtree still sidelined.

Because of the powerful defenses and hit-or-miss offensive firepower involved, avoid this intense NFC West matchup at all costs.

 

Denver Broncos at New York Giants

The Manning Bowl makes a return in 2013, with Eli and Peyton squaring off for the third time since the younger brother entered the league with Big Blue in 2004.

Peyton won the first two showdowns as a member of the Indianapolis Colts and now has a chance to notch a third-straight “W” with the Broncos.

It’s a must-see event that fans are going to be excited to watch, but once which bettors would be wise to ignore.

Although The Broncos debuted a new-look offense to start the season against the defending-champion Baltimore Ravens—with Peyton Manning tying the league record with seven touchdown passes in a 49-27 shellacking of their newest rival—things could quickly change away from Mile High Stadium.

The G-Men’s defense won't be as tired with the home crowd encouraging them to dig deep and the air in East Rutherford much easier to breathe than in Denver.

There’s also a revenge factor, as the Giants are coming off a bitter loss to the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys. They turned the ball over far too many times in that contest, meaning it’s going to be a tough week of practice—but one that should have this group much more disciplined on offense in time for Sunday’s game.

With either team capable of winning and the fact that two brothers are squaring off in a quarterback battle, this one would be best observed as a fan and not a bettor.