NFL 2024 Week 2 Prequel
Thursday, September 12, 2024, 8pm
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (-2 1/2) — The Dolphins looked listless for large stretches last week until mounting a comeback. The Bills also fell behind early before righting the ship. The Bills swept the season series last year and stole the division from Miami at the last moment. The Bills have the better defense. Until the Dolphins show they can beat the Bills, they don’t get the benefit of the doubt. Upset special, Bills win outright
Sunday, September 15, 1pm
Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens (-8 1/2) — The Raiders defense is improved. Their running game is terrible, affecting their whole offense. The Ravens lost their road opener at Kansas City by the length of one toe. The Ravens will be angry. Lamar Jackson is tough to corral. Ravens cover
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) — The Browns looked like the same old Browns in a blowout home loss against Dallas. The Jaguars were on the verge of building a 17 point lead when they gave the game away at Miami. Trevor Lawrence has shown he can play. Deshaun Watson has not shown he can return his old form. Jaguars cover
New York Jets (-4) at Tennessee Titans — Both teams looked awful in their opening week losses. Aaron Rodgers is obviously better than Will Levis, and the Jets have the better defense. Yet it is hard to trust the Jets with such a high spread on the road until they prove themselves. Jets win but fail to cover
San Francisco 49ers at (5 1/2) Minnesota Vikings — Both teams won last week, but a victory over the Giants might not count. The 49ers obliterated what was supposed to be a good football team, and they did it without McCaffrey. The spread is high for a road team. 49ers win but fail to cover
Los Angeles Chargers (-6) at Carolina Panthers — The Jim Harbaugh tea began with a win, and now they face off against perhaps the worst team in the league. The Panthers are a total mess. Expect Justin Herbert to throw the ball at will. Chargers cover
Seattle Seahawks (3 1/2) at New England Patriots — Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick are gone, but both teams got impressive wins in their opener. The Seahawks have more talent on offense while the Patriots had solid defensive performance in their road win at Cincinnati. Go with the home crowd absent any compelling storylines. Upset special, Patriots win outright
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys (-6 1/2) — The Saints put up 47 points last week, but Carolina is awful. The Cowboys are expected to make a deep playoff run and they won easily at Cleveland last week. The spread is high but this week will tell us if the saints are for real and if the cowboys really are that good as advertised. Cowboys cover
New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-1 1/2) — This is the Stupor Bowl. League rules prevent this game from being canceled. After losing by 22 points at home, the Giants do not deserve the benefit of the doubt even against the lowly Commanders. Commanders cover
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (-7 1/2) — The Lions showed guts and heart in surviving the Rams in overtime at home.Yet the spread is too high against a Buccaneers team that is not bad. Baker Mayfield can play, and he has solid wide receivers to throw to. Jared Goff should fare well enough to win, especially with Dan Campbell willing to go big and bold when needed. Lions win but fail to cover
Indianapolis Colts (-2 1/2) at Green Bay Packers — Both of these teams were awful when Lindy Infante coached them 30 years ago. Jordan Love suffered an injury in the final seconds of the loss in Brazil, and the oddsmakers are not impressed with Malik Willis. Anthony Richardson looked impressive. If he can stay healthy, he will light up the league. Yet it’s hard to bet against the Packers at home, especially since the team has enough talent at the skill positions to rally around Willis. Upset special, Packers win outright
4pm
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (-1) — The Cardinals put up a fight at Buffalo in a loss. They are an improved team with a healthy Kyler Murray, but the Rams are a superior team. Despite their loss at Detroit, it is tough to go against an offense led by Sean McVay. The Rams have more offensive weapons. Upset special, Rams win outright
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2 1/2) at Denver Broncos — The Steelers won on the road las week without scoring a touchdown. Justin Fields filled in for the injured Russell Wilson and will again. The Broncos lost last week. Neither team is that good or that bad. So in a battle of average teams with great coaches, go with the home crowd. Upset special, Broncos win outright
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (-5 1/2) — The Bengals looked awful in a home loss to New England, but they traditionally get off to slow starts before ramping up. The Chiefs barely survived their home opener by a toe. These teams play each other tough. Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes have different styles but both get the job done. The Bengals have had success in Arrowhead. The spread is too high for a Chiefs team that often was close games. Chiefs win but fail to cover
8pm
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans (-6 1/2) — This really does not deserve to be a prime time game, but the league wants to showcase Caleb Williams. Last week the Bears came back and won despite having no offense. CJ Stroud led the Texans to a thrilling road win at Indianapolis. Stroud proved himself in his rookie season. Williams has not proven anything yet. DeMeco Ryans has proven himself as a coach. Matt Eberflus has not. Go with the better team at home. Texans cover
Monday, September 16, 8pm
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (-6 1/2)