With bettors needing to tackle NFL Week 2 picks out of Las Vegas, they had better learn the hard way from this year's opening salvo of games.
Week 1 just wasn't kind to those who bet with favorites. Seattle took a dive, Houston didn't have an answer for Kansas City and Indianapolis got a taste of what a new-look Buffalo squad under coach Rex Ryan can do.
Bettors need to regroup in a hurry and apply the lessons learned before falling too far behind the house ahead of Thursday Night Football between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
Below, let's take an early look at the offerings out of Las Vegas.
NFL Week 2 Odds
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
Early Lines to Bet
Houston at Carolina (-3)
The Houston Texans struggled in Week 1, but was it enough to place J.J. Watt and Co. as underdogs here?
Probably not.
Kansas City got three scores out of quarterback Alex Smith in large part thanks to a superhuman effort from tight end Travis Kelce. On the other hand, Carolina doesn't exactly have a weapon capable of carrying the offense.
In fact, the biggest concern in Houston for this game comes from under center. Brian Hoyer went 18-of-34 with 236 yards and a score and pick last week, while Ryan Mallett went 8-of-13 for 98 yards and a score. Coach Bill O'Brien won't say who will get the start in Carolina.
"You'll have to wait until the first offensive play of the Carolina game to see who the quarterback will be," O'Brien said, per ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli.
It shouldn't matter for bettors. Cam Newton struggled to 175 passing yards last week in an iffy 20-9 victory against Jacksonville where his leading receivers were Ted Ginn Jr. and Jerricho Cotchery. The team ran for just 3.0 yards per carry.
This is a much, much easier matchup for the Texans, and to make matters even more favorable, Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly currently sits in concussion protocol, per the Associated Press' Steve Reed. Look for Houston wideouts such as DeAndre Hopkins to have big days in the win.
Prediction: Texans 28, Panthers 17
Tennessee at Cleveland (-1)
This line could wind up going either way, but it's smart to jump on the Tennessee bandwagon before it shifts.
Cleveland is at home for this one, but last week's 31-10 thumping at the hands of the New York Jets means this line won't last. It might be Johnny Manziel time, but throwing for 182 yards and a score with three turnovers doesn't equate to smooth sailing just yet.
Things look as smooth as it can get for Tennessee, though. Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota exploded onto the scene last week in Tampa Bay, throwing four touchdowns in a 13-of-16 effort while getting 74 yards and a score from lead back Bishop Sankey.
Considering the Cleveland defense allowed 154 yards and two scores on the ground last week, Sankey and Terrance West—against his former team, no less—won't have many issues balancing things out for Mariota so he can hit wide passing lanes.
Look for Tennessee to jump out to a lead and grind this one out. Cleveland lacks the firepower to keep pace, and until the offense can prove to limit turnovers, there's no reason for bettors to roll with the Browns as opposed to against them.
Prediction: Titans 23, Browns 14
Miami (-7) at Jacksonville
It seems Las Vegas has Miami's recent trip to Washington on the mind.
Granted, the Dolphins weren't impressive in Week 1 on the road, just slipping past Washington with a 17-10 win despite 74 total rushing yards and a struggle-filled day for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
A win is a win, though, and a contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars figures to make the team look much better.
Jacksonville suffered the loss to Carolina at home with Blake Bortles throwing a pair of interceptions and suffering five sacks while the game plan called for 40 pass attempts and 21 rushes.
One thing bettors need to take into account? This figures to be a home game for the Dolphins, especially if the turnout in Washington last weekend is any sign. NFL on CBS provided a look:
On a matchup level, Washington has an underrated defense. Jacksonville, not so much. Look for Tannehill to spread the ball around well to his wealth of weapons and get back Lamar Miller—who received just 13 carries in Week 1—more involved in the offense.
Also expect a jump in form for the Ndamukong Suh-led defense with fewer weapons to account for on every down. Miami received a scare as a whole in Week 1, but better to have it early in the season and kick into gear later, right?
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Jaguars 7
Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of September 15. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2566943-week-2-nfl-picks-latest-betting-odds-vegas-spreads-and-projections
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