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DETROIT LIONS (-1.5) vs Washington Commanders 10/11
The Lions faced the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 and covered the six-point spread in a 38-35 loss.
The Eagles are a hot pick to win the NFC this season, so Detroit’s ability to keep up was impressive. It’s worth noting that while they had a 3-13-1 record in 2021, they improved as the season went on, going 3-3 in their final six games.
They look a good bet at home against the Commanders, who needed a late touchdown to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-22 at home last Sunday.
Washington got the win, but there were some warning signs for them defensively. In particular, they gave up over 7.5 yards per carry to Jacksonville’s running backs, which doesn’t bode well for them against D’Andre Swift, who looked great in a 15-carry, 144-yard performance last week.
Detroit should be able to control possession through Swift and force Washington to try to move the ball quickly. They did so last week, but quarterback Carson Wentz has struggled with inconsistency throughout his career and it’d be no surprise if he makes some mistakes in a defeat here.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (+2.5) vs Atlanta Falcons 19/20
The Saints have dominated this divisional rivalry over the past few years, going 7-1 both against the spread and straight up in regular season meetings with the Buccaneers since 2018.
Last season, New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 36-27 at home despite losing quarterback Jameis Winston to a torn ACL in the first half. They then won a defensive battle 9-0 on the road in Week 15.
Last weekend, the Saints started poorly against the Atlanta Falcons but came back to earn a 27-26 win on the road. Winston struggled early on but was almost faultless in the fourth quarter, ending the game with 269 passing yards and two TDs, with no interceptions.
He’ll face a tougher test against the Buccaneers, but the Saints’ defence should also make things very difficult for Tom Brady, whose top four receivers are all dealing with injuries.
Home underdogs have gone 39-22-1 against the spread since 2010, and the Saints’ record against the Buccaneers – along with Tampa Bay’s offensive injuries – means it’s worth backing that trend to continue.
HOUSTON TEXANS (+10.5) vs Denver Broncos 20/23
The Texans defied all expectations in Week 1 by earning a tie against the Indianapolis Colts after overtime. Despite entering the game as seven-point underdogs, Houston actually led 20-3 in the fourth quarter before allowing Indianapolis back into the game.
Given their commanding position after three quarters, the Texans will be disappointed to have not secured the win, but it was an encouraging performance from a team expected to be at the bottom of the AFC South this year.
It’s surprising, then, that they’re now huge underdogs on the road against the Broncos, who lost 17-16 to Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
With Russell Wilson now at quarterback, the Broncos should be a playoff team this year, but the offense didn’t look in sync in the season opener and it will likely take some time for them to find their groove.
The Texans probably won’t win in Denver, but they look well worth backing to cover given they only need to stay within a touchdown and a field goal.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (-4.5) vs Arizona Cardinals 20/23
The Raiders also suffered a loss in Week 1, but were always in the game against a Los Angeles Chargers team picked by many to win the Super Bowl.
Star wide receiver Davante Adams has already built a strong connection with quarterback Derek Carr after being traded to Las Vegas in the offseason. He went for 141 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches in Week 1, and takes this Raiders offense to another level.
The Cardinals were torched by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday, giving up 44 points and five passing touchdowns in a game that was over by the end of the third quarter.
Arizona has problems on both sides of the ball, but the offensive line is a major issue. Quarterback Kyler Murray was under pressure all game against the Chiefs, and now he’ll now have to evade the Raiders’ pass rushing combination of Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.
This is simply a bad match up for the Cardinals, and the Raiders look a good bet to secure a comfortable home win.
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