NFL Week 1 is in the rearview mirror, NFL Week 2 odds are on the board, and several betting factors are already in play. Maybe a key player got dinged up last weekend, or public opinion is forming around a convincing Week 1 winner.
This week’s NFL Cheat Sheet will serve as one-stop shopping for all that information and more. Covers checks in on NFL Week 2 injuries, weather, consensus picks, Pros vs. Joes and more. Check back throughout the week for NFL injury updates, popular picks, and notable contrasts between sharp bets and public money.
Week 2 Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin was placed in the concussion protocol Wednesday, after being hit helmet-to-helmet by Saints safety D.J. Swearinger. On Saturday, he was ruled out. The line for Tampa's home game vs. Carolina moved from -9 to -8.5 Thursday at The Superbook at Westgate.
New York Jets: Running back Le’Veon Bell will be out this week at home against the 49ers with a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. He has been placed on IR and will miss, at least, the next three games. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) was also ruled out of their Week 2 game on Friday. Most books were already at Jets +7 and remained there on the Crowder news; a couple that were still at +6.5 moved to +7, including PointsBet USA.
San Francisco 49ers: Star tight end George Kittle has a sprained left knee, the team announced Monday. Kittle's status was still uncertain all week, until he was officially ruled out on Friday. His status all week didn't affect the line much at The SuperBook at Westgate, however: The Niners opened at -6.5 and have been at -7 since Tuesday. The Niners announced on Wednesday that CB Richard Sherman (leg) has been placed on IR and will miss at least the next three games.
New England Patriots: Per usual, coach Bill Belichick has several players listed as questionable, including wideouts Julian Edelman (knee) and N'Keal Harry (shoulder). Those two combined for 10 catches in the Patriots' Week 1 win over the Dolphins. But New England remains at -4, where it has been since Monday at The SuperBook.
Detroit Lions: Star wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring) missed the Lions' season-opening loss to Chicago. He was a long shot to play in Week 2 as it was, but now it's official, as the team confirmed on Friday that he will miss their Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers. Detroit also will be without CB Desmond Trufant, who suffered a hamstring injury of his own in Week 1. The Lions had opened as 6.5-point road underdogs, and that line has generally held solid.
New Orleans Saints: Wideout Michael Thomas suffered a high ankle injury against the Buccaneers and will miss Monday's game in Las Vegas vs the Raiders. By early Tuesday, the Saints had already moved from the opener of -4.5 to -6.5 at The SuperBook, but the news of Thomas' injury Tuesday afternoon took the number down a half-point to Saints -6. The line went to Saints -5.5 Wednesday.
Indianapolis Colts: Running back Marlon Mack tore his Achilles in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville, and he is done for the season. Whatever impact Mack’s absence has on the line was factored into The SuperBook’s opening number of -3, which stuck after going up Sunday night.
Denver Broncos: Already without star linebacker Von Miller for the season, standout Denver cornerback A.J. Bouye left Monday's loss with a shoulder injury. He was ruled out on Thursday, while running back Phillip Lindsay (toe) was ruled out on Friday for Week 2 on the road against the Steelers. The SuperBook responded by hiking this line a whole point, from Broncos +6.5 to +7.5. On Saturday, the Broncos were +7.
Find the latest injury news for every game with our NFL Injury Report.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Week 2 Weather
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Thunderstorms are possible Sunday afternoon in Tampa, with a 40 percent chance, along with northeast winds of 10-20 mph. SuperBook oddsmakers opened the total at 49, but that number is now down to 47.5.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins: There's a 60 percent chance of afternoon rain in Miami on Sunday, with north/northeast winds of 10-15 mph. The total ticked from 41.5 to 41 early in the week, though that was not a weather-related move.
Week 2 Pros vs Joes
San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets: "The public is all over the 49ers, but we have seen some sharp money on the Jets," said Eric Osterman, manager and oddsmaker at The SuperBook. "The line has moved a little bit from 49ers -7 (-110) to -7 (even), even though more money is on the 49ers."
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles: PointsBet USA's Patrick Eichner said the Rams-Eagles total has the public on the Over and the wiseguys on the Under. "Sixty percent of bets on the Over, yet 70 percent of money is on the Under. The total is currently at 45.5, off an opener of 49. We took sharp action right from the open." ... The SuperBook opened the Eagles -2.5, but by Tuesday morning, the line jumped the fence to Rams -1.5 on mostly public play. "We have since seen the line come back down to pick, along with some sharp money on the Eagles," Osterman said Wednesday. "The public say the Eagles look bad and the Rams look good, but the Eagles should have some key guys coming back this week." That appears to include stud right tackle Lane Johnson, bolstering Philadelphia's offensive line.
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys: "Multiple sharp bets on the Falcons, at +4.5 and +4," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said, while noting a 4/1 ticket-count edge to Dallas. "The public is all over the Cowboys. This is the Pros vs Joes game of the early games, for sure."
New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders: PointsBet USA's Patrick Eichner said 85 percent of tickets are on the Saints. However, 60 percent of the money is on the Raiders in their new-home debut, with some sharp dollars on Las Vegas.
Week 2 Consensus
Where can I bet on the NFL?
Many online books and casinos offer bets on football odds and props. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live.
