Bet on It

By Dalton Del Don

Last week I went 10-6, including winning my “best bet,” so I’m 1-0 there. Most will say the opposite, but I typically find Week 1 the easiest slate of the year, so unsurprisingly, it got harder for me this week. Here are the Week 2 picks, now with comments.

Raiders +3.5 at Chiefs – Oakland looked awful on MNF and now travels during a short week. Still, they are better than what they showed Week 1, and if they can’t keep it close against KC after that embarrassment, this franchise is even worse than I thought.

Packers -3 at Lions – Another team traveling during a short week, Green Bay looks like the obvious play here. That’s why I’m buying low on the Lions, who aren’t nearly as bad as they appeared last week.

Titans +1 at Bengals – The Titans look like a sucker bet, but usually one or two of those come through each week. I’m not confident on this one.

Bears +3 at Panthers (best bet) – The Bears looked good last week, but I have a hard time viewing these two teams as equals. The Panthers have played better on the road than at home over the past few years, but their defense should have a big game Sunday.

Bills +5.5 at Jaguars – This is a tough one, and the fact the entire middle of the Jags’ O-line will be missing doesn’t help, but Buffalo could be in trouble if they get down early. 82 percent of the public is backing Buffalo, so give me Jacksonville.

Saints -1 at Redskins – Washington has 10 days to prepare, and New Orleans really loses something when playing outdoors. Still, this is a tough one.

Colts -2 at Vikings – Will the Colts really start 0-2?

Giants -9 at Rams – Looks like a huge mismatch on paper, but you’ve got to think the Rams play better coming off such a blowout loss. Plus, they dramatically improve at home. They should keep it relatively close.

49ers +7.5 at Seahawks – The Seahawks shouldn’t be favored by more than a TD to anyone right now.

Falcons +7.5 at Buccaneers – This doesn’t seem like that big of an overreaction to last week, does it? The Tampa 2 scheme could give Matt Ryan fits, but I’m not giving up more than a touchdown backing this pedestrian Bucs team.

Dolphins +7 at Cardinals – Miami really isn’t that bad.

Patriots +1.5 at Jets – The Patriots have won 20 consecutive regular season games, but because Tom Brady was lost for the season, the team is now 20/1 long shots to win the Super Bowl and underdogs to a Jets squad that finished 4-12 last year. Craziness. Surprisingly, the public is backing NE this week, but I’m not too confident in NYJ.

Chargers -1.5 at Broncos – Well, I entered the year considering Denver the better team. Even after last week, Vegas apparently considers SD the better team by 4.5 points. Back the Broncos.

Steelers -6.5 at Browns – The NFL did Cleveland no favors with their early season schedule.

Ravens +4.5 at Texans – I still believe in Houston.

Eagles +7 at Cowboys – This will be the last time the Cowboys aren’t double-digit favorites at home for a while.