The New York Jets visit the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night in a game that can be seen on CBS and NFL Network. Both teams are coming off losses in Week 1 as the Jets were beaten by Cincinnati while the Bills lost to Baltimore. It is hard to say that any game in Week 2 is a must-win contest but history has shown that starting a season 0-2 is usually the kiss of death. Let’s take a look at the top sportsbooks to bet on Thursday night and Week 2 NFL picks.
Week 2 NFL Odds at the Best Sports Betting Sites
Jets pick, total 40.5
The Jets had every chance to win last week but fell 23-22 to the Bengals as Cincinnati kicked a late field goal to win. The Jets played well enough to win but they missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked. The Jets defense harassed Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton as they sacked him seven times. They should do well again this week against Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor who threw for just 111 yards last week in the loss to Baltimore. The Bills may not have top receiver Sammy Watkins on Thursday as Watkins has a foot injury. Watkins has said he is going to play but that remains to be seen. Watkins caught 11 passes for 136 yards in a Week 17 win over the Jets last season.
Must-Win Game
As mentioned earlier, it is hard to call any game in Week 2 a must-win but this one on Sunday really is if you look at the numbers. Since 2007 there have been 75 teams that started a season 0-2. Only seven of those teams ended up making the playoffs.
You can actually make a case that this game is more important to the Jets as they face a difficult schedule coming up as they go to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, get the Seahawks at home, travel to Pittsburgh and then have to go to Arizona to face the Cardinals. You can make a case that the Jets will have a tough time winning just one of those games.
The Jets players are saying all the right things including quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick who said, “I don’t really buy into that. I don’t want to start 0-2, though. I think every game is important for us coming off of a loss, but we didn’t want to lose one today, either. We just have to go out there and do a better job.”
Game Trends
The Jets are 5-1-1 against the spread at the best online sports betting sites in their last 7 games in Week 2. The Jets are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. the AFC East. The Jets are 1-3-2 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Jets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Buffalo.
The Bills are 4-0 ATS at top sportsbooks in their last 4 home games. The Bills are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. the AFC East. The Bills are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games in Week 2.
The Over is 7-3 at the best online sportsbook in the Jets last 10 vs. the AFC. The Under is 12-5 in the Bills last 17 home games. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Buffalo.
Week 2 NFL Picks
The line at sites that offer the best online sportsbook bonus has moved toward New York and I agree as the Jets are the better team. I will take the Jets to get this win on Thursday night.