Week 1 of the 2018 season is almost in the books. Sportsbook sites are getting a better idea of how each team stands in relation to the others. For example, the Buffalo Bills may be the new Cleveland Browns. And the Browns could be close to a victory. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best NFL games to be on week 2.
Cleveland Browns +8 -110 o Ov 50 -110 vs. New Orleans Saints -8 -110 o Un 50 -110
Maybe it’s time to throw caution to the wind and bet on the Cleveland Browns. The Browns snapped a 17-game losing streak on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They did not start a potential winning streak. But they were close. Cleveland rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter. And coulda shoulda woulda won the game. However, linebacker T.J. Watt blocked Zane Gonzalez’s 43-yard field-goal attempt with 9 seconds left in overtime. If one thinks about it, the New Orleans Saints are not that dissimilar to the Steelers. For example, both teams are led by a veteran gunslinger. Speaking of which, the Browns picked off Ben Roethlisberger three times and sacked him four times. Cleveland could conceivably do the same to Drew Brees. They have their own kinks to smooth out though, as Tyrod Taylor was sacked seven times. The Saints lost to the Bucs 40-48.
Los Angeles Chargers -7½ +105 o Ov 44 -105 vs. Buffalo Bills +7½ -125 o Un 44 -115
Sportsbook sites have seemingly written out the Buffalo Bills. Just look at that line. The Los Angeles Chargers are 7.5-point road favorites. This is a rare occurrence for an East Coast team playing in the West Coast. As a matter of fact, the Bolts have been favored by a touchdown or more in ET just once before since 2014. On that occasion, they beat the Jets but did not cover. Bills QB Nathan Peterman is easy pickings, especially for the Chargers. He threw five interceptions in one half against the Bolts last season with the Giants. However, after posting a 0.0 rating he might not even play. Unfortunately for Buffalo, rookie Josh Allen doesn’t appear to be the savior of this franchise either. The Chargers have won five of their last six games against the Bills. Last season, they covered a seven-point spread when they defeated Buffalo 54-24.
Miami Dolphins -1½ -110 vs. New York Jets +1½ -110
The New York Jets posted the best against-the-spread record in 2017. They went 7-1 ATS at MetLife Stadium. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins only covered twice on the road. Which accounts for sportsbook sites favoring the Jets on this one. Then again, one has to bear in mind that the 2018 Dolphins are quarterbacked by Ryan Tannehill as opposed to Jay Cutler. Miami has won three of four versus the Jets, against whom Tannehill is 2-0.
Kansas City Chiefs +5 -105 o Ov 50 -110 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -5 -115 o Un 50 -110
The Chiefs are very adept at finding ways to cover on the road as underdogs. Case in point, they covered in Week 1 as three-point dogs against the Rams in Los Angeles. That improves their ATS record as road underdogs to 6-2 since 2016. Now Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has to find a way to decipher the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reid is 1-4 against the Steelers since 2013. Fortunately for him, Pittsburgh went 3-6 ATS at Heinz Field last season.
All of the above betting lines have been taken from Intertops.eu, one of the best online sportsbooks that are available.
