Sports

N.F.L. Week 2 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread

Jets at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Browns -6 | Total: 40.5

The Jets (0-1) were handled by the Ravens last week but still managed to put up nearly 400 yards of offense. The Browns (1-0) pulled off a win in Charlotte, thanks to a big rushing game and a 58-yard last-minute field goal. Cleveland should win this one at home, but the Jets will put up a good fight. The market so far favors the Jets, with the line having moved a half point toward the Browns. Pick: Jets +6

Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Lions -1.5 | Total: 49.5

This game’s line opened as Lions +1, and it has moved all the way to Lions -2.5 at some shops. It may keep moving: Over 90 percent of the money wagered so far is on the Lions (0-1) and not the Commanders (1-0). It’s not clear, however, what line most of those bets landed on, nor where the line will settle. (You can find 2.5, 2, 1.5 and 1 at various places.) One important consideration when line shopping: -2.5 at -110 and -1 at -126 are mathematically the same bet. Pick: Lions -1.5

Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m., Fox

Line: Rams -10.5 | Total: 47

Both teams will look to get past embarrassing Week 1 miscues: The Rams (0-1) are hoping to avenge their home loss in the season opener, and the Falcons (0-1) are still smarting after blowing a big lead in the fourth quarter to the Saints. The Rams have all the advantages in this matchup, and should win, but 10.5 seems like a half point too many. Pick: Falcons +10.5

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m., Fox

Line: 49ers -10 | Total: 42

After the Seahawks (1-0) beat the Broncos on Monday night, Geno Smith said “they wrote me off; I ain’t write back, though.” He may have convinced Seattle fans that he could fill Russell Wilson’s shoes, but he didn’t convince the bookmakers, who made the Seahawks big underdogs against the 49ers.

Trey Lance, with far fewer doubters, had a disappointing game against the Bears last week in a downpour. Most of the money has come in on the Seahawks, but the line moved from +8 to +10. Some interpret this type of counterintuitive move as the sportsbook believing they are exposed on the right side of the bet, in this case with the 49ers (0-1). Caveat emptor: I’ll take the points. Pick: Seahawks +10

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button