Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

NFL Betting Predictions: Week 2 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Spencer Toth - 9/12/2023

NFL betting predictions Week 2 opening line report Tyreek Hill Miami Dolphins

Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books, and it is now time to look ahead at Week 2’s opening lines. In Week 1, we correctly picked the Ravens and Jaguars to win and cover, as both teams won by double digits. We failed to pick up the sweep, as the Steelers got pummeled by the 49ers, but I will take a 2-1 result every week this season.

There are few things more crucial than locking in the best number when placing a bet. These lines will shift before Week 2 kicks off, and getting even an extra half point can be a critical difference maker. Before we jump into Week 2, let’s take a look at the biggest storylines from the opening week of the season.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

  • Lions start off with a bang: The Detroit Lions came into the season as one of the dark horses thanks to a quality defense and electric offense. After taking down the reigning Super Bowl champions 21-20 on the road, they will be using that momentum in their quest for their first NFC North title since 1993. 
  • Ravens win, but at what cost: The Ravens swatted aside the Houston Texans in Week 1 but lost running back J.K. Dobbins for the rest of the season. A talented offense with a stingy defense still leaves the Ravens among the best, but a thin backfield could cost them in the long run. 
  • Browns make a statement: The Browns demolished Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 24-3 in Week 1. Burrow was held to 82 passing yards, allowing the Browns to post 208 more total yards in the season opener. 
  • New Super Bowl favorite? The San Francisco 49ers walked into Pittsburgh and made it look easy. Brock Purdy was phenomenal while Christian McCaffrey ran for 152 yards and a touchdown. Drake Jackson registered 3 sacks on defense, and the 49ers are now joint Super Bowl favorites at +750
  • Vikings wilt under pressure: Justin Jefferson did all he could to lead the Vikings to a victory against the lowly Buccaneers, but they fell short 20-17. His 150 yards receiving yards and fantastic defensive hit wasn’t enough as Baker Mayfield had a solid debut with his new team. 
  • Sean Payton’s debut goes south: The Las Vegas Raiders edged out the Denver Broncos 17-16 in Payton’s first game as head coach. Russell Wilson was solid, but this is not how the Broncos wanted to start a pivotal season in their franchise’s history. 
  • Tagovailoa and Hill put on a show: The Dolphins were in the game of the week as they outlasted the Chargers 36-34 in a shootout. Hill stuffed the stat sheet with the 3rd most receiving yards of all time in Week 1, as his 215 yards and 2 TDs were the difference maker. The Dolphins weren’t perfect. However, if Tagovailoa can remain healthy, this team is a legitimate Super Bowl threat. 
  • Stafford not done yet: The Rams stomped on the Seahawks 30-13 in the opening week, all without Cooper Kupp. The expectations are still limited, but the Rams have added their name in the NFC Wild card race. 
  • Dallas domination: The Dallas Cowboys rode a historic defensive performance to a 40-0 whooping of their division rival Giants. A first half blocked field goal touchdown and a pick six was enough for the Cowboys to cruise to victory. Once you factor in their 7 sacks and the Giants 5 fumbles, 40-0 is a generous scoreline for New York. 
  • Retirement for Rodgers? The Jets may have won their season opener, but it was at the cost of Aaron Rodgers. It appears as though Rodgers will be out for the whole season, as an offseason of optimism goes down the drain for the New York Jets. 

Now that Week 1 is done, it’s time to look ahead to Week 2. Sixteen teams are looking to avoid the dreaded 0-2 hole, as a poor start could wrap up any playoff hopes before the bye weeks. Locking up the bankroll for almost a week can be annoying, but the value of an extra point on Sunday cannot be understated, let’s dive in.

Game 1: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Opening Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

The 0-1 Chicago Bears will be looking to get back to .500 after a trip to 1-0 Tampa Bay in Week 2. A painful 38-20 loss against the Green Bay Packers must be put behind them, as the Bears will look to take advantage of their wide-open division. Justin Fields looked solid in his season debut. However, if he continues to turn the ball over, the Bears will not find success. His 16 fumbles and 11 interceptions last season repeatedly cost the Bears, and his pick and fumble in Week 1 did once again. A matchup against Tampa Bay has the potential to get him feeling good once again, as the season expectations for the Buccaneers are limited despite their winning start. Baker Mayfield played a mistake free game against Minnesota, allowing the Buccaneers to capture a rare road victory. The Buccaneers may be better than expected this season, but this line is an overreaction. There is no reason the Bears should be an underdog in this game. If Fields can post 1 or fewer turnovers, I expect the Bears to not only cover as underdogs, but win outright. Baker Mayfield cannot be trusted, and Tampa Bay will not win again with just 242 yards of total offense. A focused Bears team keeps themselves in the NFC North race with a crucial win in Florida.

Pick: Chicago Bears (+3)

Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at LA Rams 

Opening Line: San Francisco 49ers (-8)

Both of these NFC West teams started the season strong, winning by 3 scores a piece. The 49ers marched into Heinz Field and dominated the Steelers thanks to strong defense and consistent offense, while the Rams leaned on Matthew Stafford to spread the ball and deliver a solid performance. In Week 2, they will square off in LA with the Rams coming in as sizable underdogs, and I’m not sure why. The 49ers looked fantastic in Week 1, but a divisional road game always comes with issues. The Rams will be desperate to have a decent record when Cooper Kupp steps back on the field and are good enough to avoid a blowout against the 49ers. A reliable offensive line will keep the eager 49er pass rushers at bay and allow Stafford to settle into a groove once again. I’m not calling for an outright Rams victory. However, in what will turn out to be a back and forth game, these 8 points in the back pocket will be crucial. Not only that, I expect this line to drop to 7.5 or 7 points in the coming days once the sharps hop back on the Rams train. The public hammered the Seahawks at -5 against the Rams in Week 1 and will likely fade LA once again.

Pick: LA Rams (+8)

Game 2: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

Opening Line: Miami Dolphins (-2)

The Dolphins put on a show against the Chargers in Week 1 but face a tougher test in Week 2 against the Patriots. The Dolphins have rarely been able to win at Gillette Stadium in years past, but this year is very different. A healthy Tagovailoa is a force to be reckoned with, as his connection with Hill and Waddle creates one of the deadliest trios in the league. While Bill Belichick will have all week to cook up a defensive scheme to shut them down, it will not be enough. The Patriots 25-20 loss against the Eagles in Week 1 was a generous final result after the Eagles took their foot off the gas in the second half. Mac Jones still has plenty to prove and will almost certainly get out dueled by Tagovailoa if this is a wide-open affair. We are not being asked to lay many points, as this 2-point spread ensures almost any win comes with a cover. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this line swell up to 3 or even 3.5 points as we inch closer to kickoff, and this one must absolutely be locked in as soon as possible.

Pick: Miami Dolphins (-2)

Season ATS Record: 2-1
Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

 

 

Most Recent NFL Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers