2026 NFL Week 2 Best Bets
2026 NFL Week 2 Best Bets
For the first time in NFL history, the opening week spanned from Wednesday evening to Monday night. The result? A slow, low scoring start to the week, that eventually turned into one of the highest scoring opening weeks in NFL history. This week’s Thursday night game was a major hit, as the Bills opened up their new stadium with an offensive firework display against the Lions. We still have 15 games left for week 2. Here are my favorite week 2 NFL bets.
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New Orleans Saints (0-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Baltimore -8.5; O/U 46.5
Baltimore: Team Total Over 27.5 (-110)
If you’ve been reading my articles, you know I’ve loved this type of play for years. Lamar Jackson is 25-5 against the NFC in his career. Since 2021, the Ravens have scored 29.2 PPG in 18 games against the NFC. They have cleared 30 in 10 of 18. In the month of September, the Ravens average 30.2 PPG in Jackson’s 25 career starts.
The Saints are coming off an overtime loss against the Lions, where their defense was on the field for 74 snaps. We already saw how the Lions faired on a short week, allowing 41 to Josh Allen and the Bills. Zay Flowers is doubtful for this game, but I think Baltimore can clear this number as Zach Minter coaches his first game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) vs. Chicago Bears (1-0)
Chicago -4.5; O/U 47.5
Under 47.5 (-105)
Chicago: Team Total Under 26.5 (-110)
Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense was humming last week, as they scored 59 points while averaging an astounding 7.9 YPP. But I believe we can pick on this number a bit in week 2.
In the first year with Ben Johnson at head coach, the Bears averaged 20.5 PPG in NFC North matchups. This was a leap from Williams’ rookie year, where they averaged just 17 PPG under a different leadership. Brian Flores has been the defensive coordinator for the Vikings since 2023. In the 19 games against the NFC North, Flores’ defenses allow just 21.5 PPG, with teams falling under 27 points in 11 of 19. When it is the first time seeing his defense that year, NFC North foes average just 23.3 PPG, clearing 27 points four times. Finally, in the two times the Bears faced Flores’ defense last year, they had 24 drives, but ultimately scored just three touchdowns. I think this number might be a tad too high this early in the season for the Bears. I won’t overreact to last week’s performance, and will be on the under.
As far as the game total, Kyler Murray is out for the Vikings. And while they hung 39 in the opener against the Packers, they scored 29-unsanswered over the last 17 minutes of game time. I think that regresses, and the under cashes.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (0-1)
Los Angeles -6.5; O/U 43.5
Los Angeles -6.5 (-118)
The Chargers lost a stinker last week, likely ruining many people’s survivor pools as they were a 9.5-point favorite, minus-520 on the moneyline.
In divisional games since Jim Harbaugh joined the Chargers, they are 9-2-1 ATS. The defense is allowing just 17.1 PPG in that span to divisional opponents. This should be a step up in competition for the Raiders after going against one of the projected worse teams in Miami (although you could have said the same last week for the Chargers). Brock Bowers is expected to be out again this week, and the best option for the Raiders will be Ashton Jeanty. The Chargers allowed just 3.4 YPC last week to Arizona, and Jeanty totaled just 26 carries for 71 yards in his two matchups with the Chargers last year. I’m on the Chargers to get right this week.
Week 2, 6-Point Teaser Parlay: +163
Baltimore: Team Total Over 21.5 (vs. New Orleans)
Chicago: Team Total Under 32.5
Minnesota/Chicago: Under 53.5
Los Angeles ML (vs. Las Vegas)
Outright Underdogs (.5 Units):
Atlanta vs. Carolina +124
We had five divisional games in the opener last week, with the home team going 4-0 (excluding the neutral site game between the Rams and 49ers in Australia). While wins are not just a quarterback stat, the Panthers are 14-31 when Bryce Young starts. This worsens to 4-20 on the road and 2-7 in road divisional games. Both of those wins came against Atlanta and came in overtime. I think Cooper Rush (maybe Jack Strand) and Kevin Stefanski win in their home opener in Atlanta.
What are some of your favorite Week 2 NFL best bets? Let me know on X! Follow me @DrewRoberts_ on X for more football content!
