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NFL Picks Against the Spread for Week 2

Last Updated September 10, 2024 9:05 am PDT
Week 2 NFL Picks Against the Spread text centered, Josh Allen and Myles Garrett featured, NFL stadium in background

The right NFL picks against the spread can help you win money, even if you are betting on a significant favorite. This free NFL betting guide will provide an in-depth look at the best NFL picks ATS for Week 2.

I will share my favorite NFL picks ATS available at the top football betting sites. Also, I will break down each matchup and explain why my picks will cover their spreads this week.

XBet Sportsbook provided the odds for my Week 2 NFL picks against the spread. 

Buffalo Bills (+2.5) at Miami Dolphins (-110)

The Bills and Dolphins both secured comeback wins at home in Week 1. The AFC East rivals will square off this week on Thursday Night Football in Miami.

XBet has the Bills available as 2.5-point underdogs for this matchup.

If this were an afternoon game, I would take the Dolphins to cover because Miami’s home field advantage during afternoon games cannot be understated.

The Dolphins’ sideline is shaded, while their opponents have to bake in the hot Florida sun. This is a night game, so Buffalo should not be as disadvantaged if it can handle humidity.

The Bills’ run defense allowed the Cardinals to dominate the game early and control the clock. Buffalo needed Josh Allen’s heroic effort to beat Arizona, and the same will likely happen this week. Allen also suffered an injury to his non-throwing hand. 

Miami has struggled to stop Allen in the past, and the Dolphins could not move the ball on the ground in Week 1. If Miami abandons the run again this week, Allen, a perennial NFL MVP candidate, will have more opportunities to take over the game.

The Dolphins still have a great chance to win, but the Bills should cover the 2.5-point spread.

Las Vegas Raiders (+9.5) at Baltimore Ravens (-110)

The next team in my Week 2 NFL against the spread picks is the Raiders. Las Vegas is a +9.5-point underdog on the road this week in Baltimore.

Baltimore lost a heartbreaker to Kansas City in Week 1. The Ravens had a potential game-winning touchdown as time expired, but TE Isaiah Likely could not keep his feet in bounds. Undoubtedly, the Ravens are motivated to win this week and put their loss in the opener behind them.

Winning by double digits is easier said than done, though. Las Vegas has a good defense line and played well against the run in the first half of their loss to the Chargers. They did allow 135 yards to J.K. Dobbins, but 107 of those yards came on just two plays.

The Ravens have been quick to abandon the run in their last two games, resulting in two brutal losses to Kansas City. Baltimore’s offensive line also struggled in the opener and could be in for another long day at the office with Maxx Crosby coming to town.

The Ravens should win, but they will not cover the 9.5-point spread.

Cleveland Browns (+4.0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-110)

Cleveland suffered an embarrassing 33-17 loss at home to Dallas in Week 1. The Browns were favored at home, but Deshaun Watson and the offense struggled against the Cowboys’ defense.

Jacksonville, on the other hand, had a double-digit lead against Miami early but lost to the Dolphins 20-17.

The Browns and the Jaguars will face off this week, with both teams searching for their first win of the season. Jacksonville is a 4-point favorite at home, but Cleveland’s defense should keep the game close.

This game will come down to whether Watson can have a better game against Jacksonville than he did against Dallas. Cleveland beat Jacksonville last year, and Trevor Lawrence threw three interceptions. However, that game was played in December, and Joe Flacco, not Watson, was starting for the Browns.

The good news for Cleveland is that rain is likely on Sunday in Jacksonville. Lawrence seemingly always struggles in the rain, which should create opportunities for Cleveland’s defense to force turnovers and keep the game close.

New York Jets (-4.0) at Tennessee Titans (-110)

Tennessee had a 17-3 halftime lead over Caleb Williams and the Bears, but the Titans could not put the game away. The Bears’ defense and special teams play brought them back into the game, and the Bears won 24-17.

Tennessee’s struggles in the second half are a major reason the Jets made this list of NFL expert picks against the spread this week. 

The Titans are at home, but even having the crown behind them will not be enough to propel Tennessee to a win. Like Chicago, the Jets have a talented defense that can give Titans’ quarterback Will Levis fits. XBet lists the Jets as 4-point road favorites, and I think they will cover.

New York should not need an outstanding performance out of its offense to cover the spread. Tennessee’s defense played well in Week 1, but that was against a rookie making his first start. Also, the Titans benefited from going against Chicago’s subpar offensive line, allowing them to force Caleb Williams to make several mistakes.

The Jets’ offensive line is better than the Bears’ and forcing Aaron Rodgers into mistakes will be more challenging. New York should cruise to a win, keeping them in the hunt for their first AFC East division crown in over two decades.

New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-2.5) (-110)

Next on my list of free NFL picks against the spread is for the Commanders (-2.5) to cover at home against the Giants.

Both teams lost in Week 1, but Washington and New York are moving in different directions.

Washington struggled on the road against Tampa Bay in their 37-20 loss. Containing the Giants’ offense is much easier, and it is hard to imagine Washington needing more than 20 points to cover their spread.

The Giants’ offense looked lifeless against the Vikings in the team’s 28-6 at home. Despite throwing a terrible pick-six and being mocked by fans after the game, Daniel Jones remains the team’s start for at least another week. That is good news for Commanders fans, and Washington is a 2.5-point at home this weekend.

New York’s defense should be a tough test for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. If Daniels and the Commanders’ offense can build on their performance from Week 1, then Washington should easily cover the spread.

New Orleans Saints (+6.5) at Dallas Cowboys (-110)

My final Week 2 NFL pick against the spread is for the Saints (+6.5) to cover as road underdogs against the Cowboys. Dallas is coming off a massive 33-17 win against the Browns in Cleveland. Likewise, the Saints dominated the Panthers in Week 1, 47-10.

The Cowboys have one of the best NFL stadiums and have been great at home in recent years. I think Dallas will win their home opener this weekend against New Orleans. However, the Saints offense will put up more of a fight than the Browns did on Sunday.

Despite the final score, the Cowboys’ offense did not rack up impressive stats against Cleveland. Dak Prescott had just 179 yards passing, and Ezekiel Elliot, the team’s leading rusher, had just 40 yards on the ground. CeeDee Lamb had five catches, but he finished with just 61 yards.

Dallas will need to be better against the Saints to win this weekend. I believe Derek Carr and the Saints offense will keep this game close and cover the 6.5-point spread.

Betting on NFL Picks ATS in Week 2

Making NFL picks against the spread is one of the easiest ways to bet on America’s most popular sport. Check out the list above to see my favorite picks against the spread for Week 2. I discuss my favorite picks and tell you which side of the line you should bet on.

After reading my best NFL picks against the spread for this week, sign up at XBet Sportsbook. The sportsbook has exciting point-spread odds on every game throughout the football season.

It also has a great welcome sports bonus that offers up to $200 in bonus football bets for new members.

Want even more help betting on the NFL this week? I’ve pinpointed some isolated week 2 NFL player props that could win you some extra money.

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Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he's a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects. When it comes to the NFL, Kevin's favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys cheering them on with his wife and daughter.
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