NFL Week Two betting preview: Free NFL tips, predictions and selected touchdown scorers from Sunday's American Football
After a clean sweep of winners in Week One, Paul Higham returns with his preview and best bets for the second week of NFL action.
Recommended bets
2pts Buffalo Bills (-5.5) to beat Miami Dolphins at Evens
1pt LA Rams to beat the Philadelphia Eagles at 21/20
1pt Packers (-4.5) to beat Lions & over 47.5pts at 13/8
1pt Packers, Bills & Cowboys to win at 2/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Week One of the NFL season always throws up a few surprise results and a few upsets in terms of the odds, as we never really know who is who until teams take to the field.
Even more so this season, and it was therefore no real surprise to see the favourites go 10-6 last week, while only nine of 16 favourites covered their handicap points spread.
There are some heavy odds-on shots in Week Two as the oddsmakers react to opening week so shocks may be in shorter supply this time around, but although it’s a bit tougher to find some value there are still a few prices that jump out.
LA Rams (1-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (0-1)
It was a good week for us last week with three winners including a nice treble, but a big regret in not backing Green Bay as underdogs at Minnesota.
The Packers were simply a better team, and it’s a similar case for the LA Rams as they head to Philly after an impressive win over Dallas last week, while the Eagles had a stinker when letting a 17-0 lead slip against Washington.
The Rams may not be ‘all that’ but defensively they were excellent against the Cowboys, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald in particular should enjoy playing against a depleted Eagles offensive line.
QB Carson Wentz was sacked eight times by Washington last week and if they can’t make huge strides in that area it’ll be tough to get anything going even if running back Miles Sanders is fit enough to play.
There’s enough in LA’s favour to be favourites here yet they’re narrow underdogs – and odds against the Rams look a great bet for the week.
Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ Miami Dolphins (0-1)
The Bills were well fancied to beat the Patriots to the AFC East title before the season – and while they got off to a winning start, New England look like being far tougher than many thought even without Tom Brady.
The Bills took care of the Jets easily enough and although Miami will be a step up from that, it’s not a huge step, and going on their loss in New England they’ll give Buffalo plenty of chances.
QB Josh Allen is not as imposing as Cam Newton, but he’s faster and more elusive and if the Dolphins couldn’t handle Cam they’ll also struggle with Allen.
It’s in defence where Buffalo really shine though, and although former QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will be eager to make an impact, he’s looking over his shoulder all the time this season as the team look to eventually transition to the era of Tua Tagovailoa.
The Bills are at least a touchdown better, and even though an opening line of -3 has shifted to -5.5, that’s still close enough for Buffalo to cover.
Detroit Lions (0-1) @ Green Bay Packers (1-0)
Aaron Rodgers looked at his very best as he dispatched Minnesota last week, so maybe the Packers drafting his replacement and making him angry in the off-season was actually a tactical masterstroke and not just the poor management we all thought it was?
In any case, coach Matt Le Fleur’s determination to run the ball actually opens up the field for Rodgers, who has at times been forced to win games on his own when throwing to limited options.
Those options haven’t really increased, but having a run game spreads defences and forces them to loosen their focus from merely Rodgers’ arm.
Detroit have now lost 10 games on the bounce after blowing a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter against Chicago last week, while Green Bay won easily at Minnesota.
They’re easily a touchdown better than the Lions and there'll be plenty of points on show too.
Green Bay Packers (-4.5) to beat the Detroit Lions & over 47.5pts at 13/8
Odds correct as of 2334 BST on 18/9/20
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