NFL Week 2 is best known for its overreactions. That can be evidenced in the NFL odds.
Teams that put on a strong showing in the season opener are instantly elevated to elite status. Teams that didn’t are demoted to the drudges.
Those knee-jerk reactions open up great value, if you can stop those overreactions and action them to your favor.
That’s exactly what I try to do with my NFL picks in the first “Bet Now, Bet Later” of the 2025 season.
NFL predictions: Week 2 bet now, bet later picks
- Patriots (+2.5) at Dolphins: Bet Now
- Commanders (+3) at Packers: Bet Later
- Jaguars at Bengals (Over 49.5): Bet Now
- Seahawks at Steelers (Under 40.5): Bet Later
New England Patriots (+2.5) at Miami Dolphins: Bet Now
It was a rough Week 1 for the AFC East. But there are losses, and then there are losses like the Miami Dolphins’ turd in Indianapolis.
Miami was a mess with turnovers, killing any offensive cohesion and forcing the defense to play almost 39 minutes. Receiver Jaylen Waddle injured his shoulder, and Tyreek Hill looked like he was about to pack his bags for Kansas City.
The New England Patriots had a rough Week 1 showing, too. The Patriots lost 20-13 to the Las Vegas Raiders at home, but at least put up a fight.
New England’s new/old offense managed 336 yards and whiffed in the red zone with a 1-for-3 day inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line.
This spread is available at Patriots +2.5, but is shrinking quickly, with spreads as low as Dolphins -1.5. It wouldn’t surprise me to see this close somewhere near pick’em, given public perception of Miami after one game.
Best odds to bet Patriots +2.5 right now
Washington Commanders (+3) at Green Bay Packers: Bet Later
The Green Bay Packers sent a statement across the nose of the NFC by demolishing the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Green Bay was already picking up steam after the Micah Parsons trade, and now everyone and their dog will back the Pack on Thursday night in Week 2.
The Washington Commanders beat up the New York Giants in the opener, but didn’t crack that game open until late in the fourth quarter. They still finished with 432 yards on offense and 25 first downs, but scored just 21 points – thanks in part to 12 penalties amassing 89 yards against.
The Commanders defense looked improved from 2024. The pass pressure was consistent, and the Giants gained just 4.0 yards per pass attempt. They also slammed the door on both trips inside their own red zone.
There are already some Green Bay -3.5 spreads bubbling up on Sunday night for a game that was Packers -2.5 on the look-ahead lines. If you’re not buying into the Cheeseheads, wait for more points with Washington.
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals (Over 49.5): Bet Now
The Cincinnati Bengals barely got by the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, squeaking out a 17-16 victory with just 141 total yards on the road, including just seven yards - SEVEN - in the second half. Not what you would expect from an offense that ranked among the best attacks in 2024.
The Jacksonville Jaguars offer a much softer defensive opponent than the rival Browns, and Cincinnati is on its own turf for this Week 2 matchup.
Jacksonville put up 26 points in a win over the Carolina Panthers, but left a lot of points on the table. The Jags finished 2-for-5 inside the red zone and posted 378 yards of offense.
The Bengals defense got blasted for 22 first downs and 327 yards from Cleveland and could have given up more if Joe Flacco’s receivers hadn’t bobbled balls into the hands of the defenders.
But first week jitters are gone, and I expect fireworks in this 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Most books are dealing the total at 49.5, but some have crept up to 50.5 Over/Under. Grab the Over on the lowest total you can find.
Best odds to bet Over 49.5 right now
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers (Under 40.5: Bet Later
One of the big surprises of Week 1 was the play of Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, who tossed four touchdowns in an improbable 34-32 shootout in New Jersey.
That was a revenge game for Rodgers against his former team, setting up a potential letdown in Week 2. And after the Steelers defense allowed 394 yards to the New York Jets, you can be sure that Mike Tomlin will unleash hell in the film session this week.
Pittsburgh welcomes the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Seattle is coming off a 17-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, with Mike Macdonald’s defense keeping the team in it. That group played nearly 38 minutes but still checked the Niners to a 2-for-5 success in the red zone and 5.3 yards per play.
This Week 2 Over/Under is 40.5 at most books, but some 41.5-point numbers are popping up – just on the other side of the key number.
Keep an eye on injuries to Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott in the Steelers’ secondary and wait to see if this total climbs across the board before coming back on the Under.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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