Week 2 Expert Betting Picks and Predictions
The 2022 NFL Season is here!
Each and every week throughout the NFL season, the experts at numberFire will bring you their three favorite bets on the board -- one side, one total, and one player prop. They'll share some insight into one of their picks to provide context for their reasoning.
For this article, we are using the odds provided at FanDuel Sportsbook to pinpoint spots where value can be had this week.
Note: Betting lines and our player projections may change after this article is published.
Brandon Gdula, Senior Managing Editor
Side: San Francisco 49ers -8.5 (-115)
The Seahawks are coming off of a win with plenty of off-field implications on Monday night, so it's a short week for them and a potential letdown spot. Seattle lost the expected points battle, per numberFire's metrics, so the 1-0 record is misleading. San Francisco needs to bounce back after a Week 1 loss in terrible conditions that saw extremely costly turnovers drag down the offense's output.
Total: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars Over 44.5 (-115)
Player Prop: Rashod Bateman Over 45.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
Jim Sannes, Senior Writer and Analyst
Side: Arizona Cardinals +5.5 (-110)
I was stupidly high on the Cardinals last week. That went so well that I figured we'd run it back again here! Truthfully, unless this team is in a complete spiral (which seems possible), they shouldn't be 5.5-point dogs in this spot. I also think there's value in the moneyline at +198. This is just too much faith to have in a Raiders team that needed a late rally just to make things close last week.
Total: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints Under 44.5 (-110)
Player Prop: Joe Mixon Anytime Touchdown (-135)
Austan Kas, Editor
Side: Detroit Lions -1.5 (-105)
Total: Carolina Panthers at New York Giants Under 43.5 (-110)
Two blah quarterbacks square off in this one, and the Giants played at the second-slowest situation-neutral pace in Week 1. Our projections at numberFire love the under, forecasting the score to be 18.7-18.4.
Player Prop: Trey Lance Anytime Touchdown (+170)
Kenyatta Storin, Editor
Side: New York Jets +6.5 (-105)
The Jets didn't do anything particularly notable in last week's loss to the Ravens, but this is more about a Jacoby Brissett-led offense being favored by nearly a touchdown. In terms of efficiency, Brissett averaged -0.14 Passing NEP per drop back in Week 1, which was the league's ninth-worst mark. Considering Joe Flacco wasn't much better, it's hard to see either side getting out to a big lead, and chances are Cleveland grinds this one out and squeaks by with their run game.
Total: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints Under 44.5 (-110)
Player Prop: Tyreek Hill Over 68.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
Tom Vecchio, Editor
Side: New England Patriots -2.5 (-108)
Total: New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers Under 40.5 (-115)
Player Prop: Terry McLaurin Over 59.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
McLaurin had just four targets in Week 1, which is rather low for a team's top receiver. This week, he's projected for 7.80 targets, per our model, which is the 12th-highest target projection on the slate. If he gets that volume, he should be able to produce since he will likely be lined up against Amani Oruwariye, who is the 74th-ranked cornerback (out of 90), according to PFF.
Austin Swaim, Editor
Side: New Orleans Saints +2.5 (-106)
The Saints' defense has flummoxed Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their four regular-season matchups. They've forced at least two turnovers and secured at least three sacks in every game. Tampa now has injuries to both tackles after both starting centers were lost for the year. All five of Brady's wideouts were on the injury report, as well. To me, this one screams Brady struggling again. Over 70% of bets are on Tampa as a road favorite, and this line hasn't budged. New Orleans can easily win their home opener outright.
Total: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions Over 48.5 (-110)
Player Prop: Nick Chubb Anytime Touchdown (-120)
