There were some surprising results during the NFL Week 2 slate.
We saw a Monday Night Football upset when Kirk Cousins and the Falcons took down the Eagles in Philadelphia, and, also in the NFC South, we saw the Saints take an absolute blow torch to the Cowboys.
So, now we move on to Week 3 and try to identify three early lines that we like.
New England Patriots +6.5 (-108) DraftKings
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets, Thursday Sept. 19, 8:15 p.m. ET
For the third straight week, we are going to ride with the Patriots, as they continue to be undervalued to begin the season. Their loss in Week 2 might have helped this cause, as it means they are going to continue to be overlooked in the betting markets.
New England lost a tough game to Seattle last week in overtime, but it covered the 3.5-point spread, and we like the Pats to cover once again this week. They even have an opportunity to win straight up, which we will talk about.
The Patriots defense is legit, and that is why this is a smart play. Through two games, PFF gives them the 12th-ranked defense, which is not phenomenal, but they have had two impressive performances.
In Week 1, New England completely shut down Joe Burrow, only allowing 10 points and holding Burrow to 164 passing yards.
In Week 2, while they did give up some passing yards to Geno Smith, keep in mind that Smith made some incredible throws in that game, and the Pats completely shut down Seattle’s running game. The Seahawks finished with 358 yards of total offense against New England in a game that went to overtime.
$250 BONUS BETS
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK
$1,000 FIRST BET RESET (MUST USE CODE NEWSWEEK)
ESPN BET
UP TO $1,000 BONUS BETS
FANATICS SPORTSBOOK
$1,500 FIRST-BET OFFER
BETMGM
$200 BONUS OR $1,000 FIRST-BET SAFETY NET
BET365
$1,000 FIRST BET
CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
$200 BONUS BETS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
On the other side of the field, even though they won last week, the Jets still do not inspire a ton of confidence.
They were the beneficiary of a turnover in the red zone from a completely boneheaded play by Will Levis, but veteran NE QB Jacoby Brissett is not going to make such mistakes. It was not an impressive performance from the Jets offense in Week 2, either.
They only recorded 265 total yards, as Aaron Rodgers threw for 176 yards against Tennessee. The Jets defense has also not been nearly as good as it was projected to be heading into the year. They were not horrible against the Titans, but they did allow 130 rushing yards, which is now the second straight game in which they have been leaky against the run.
Through two games, the Jets have the 21st-ranked defense overall, and the the fifth-worst rushing defense specifically. The Patriots, meanwhile, have been able to run the ball well in two straight games to start the season.
New England has the eighth-best rush offense, according to PFF, after running for 170 yards against the Bengals on 4.5 yards per carry and 185 against the Seahawks (4.7 YPC).
- Patriots +6.5 (-108): 1 Unit
- Patriots Moneyline (+240) DraftKings: 0.5 Units
Minnesota Vikings +2.5 (-105) BetMGM
Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
This is an interesting battle between two teams that are 2-0, with the Vikings as the home team. Admittedly, we were not sold on the Vikings after a Week 1 shellacking of the Giants, but, after taking it to the 49ers last week, they look legit.
Sam Darnold looks legitimately good (apparently getting out of Carolina can do wonders for a QB, just look at him and Baker Mayfield), and he played well against good competition in Week 2.
He did throw an interception on Sunday against San Francisco, but he also threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, and overall, the Vikings hung over 400 yards on the 49ers.
Overall, the Vikings have the fourth-best offense through two games, according to PFF, with the third-best passing offense and the seventh-best rushing offense. Part of their success last week was on the ground, where Ty Chandler ran for 82 yards on 10 carries.
Their defense has also been very good, and the quotes after the game from 49ers QB Brock Purdy were encouraging for the Vikings. For those who missed it, Purdy went up to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and complimented Minnesota’s “crazy” defensive scheme.
The more film opposing offenses get against the Vikings defense, the more prepared they are going to be, but if the Vikings can out-scheme the 49ers of all offenses, that is impressive.
As for the 2-0 Texans, despite being undefeated, they have not been very inspiring, especially last week in a gross offensive performance against the Bears in which they only scored 19 points and were bailed out by three long field goals from their kicker.
Last year, the Texans offense was lights-out against bad competition but was not able to replicate that same level of success against good defenses, and that is a concern to start this season, too.
So, let’s roll with the Vikings to win straight up and start 3-0.
- Vikings +2.5 (-105): 1 Unit
- Vikings Moneyline (+120) FanDuel: 0.5 Units
Los Angeles Chargers +2 (-110) Bet365
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET
Three early predictions, three underdogs that we not only like to cover the spread, but to win straight up as well.
This is another situation where both teams are 2-0, but it is hard to be that inspired by the Steelers and their two victories. Yes, they are 2-0 and their defense is legit, but they have scored one offensive touchdown through two games, and the QBs they have beaten are a clearly rusty and immoble Kirk Cousins in Week 1, and Broncos rookie Bo Nix, who does not look ready to play QB in the NFL yet.
Even with the easier schedule, both of Pittsburgh’s victories have been by one score. So, as impressive as the Steelers defense has been, it has been against competition that is as easy as it gets, and this team has still barely managed to win because its offense has been so brutal.
That is the biggest difference in these teams, as the Chargers have also had an easy schedule, but L.A. has won both of its games by double-digits, as they have not been playing with their food the way the Steelers have.
According to PFF, the Chargers actually have been the best defense in the NFL through two games, while the Steelers are fourth. Yes, now-benched Panthers QB Bryce Young will make any defense look good, but you could make the same argument for both Cousins and Nix.
The Chargers offense is also much more trustworthy than Pittsburgh’s thanks to the advantage at quarterback with Justin Herbert as opposed to Justin Fields. Again, the Steelers have scored one offensive touchdown through two games, and they still played in two one-score games, while the Chargers have won both their games by double-digits.
Lastly, in Week ,1 the Chargers beat the Raiders by 12, and that same Raiders team just beat the Ravens in Week 2.
So, let’s ride with the Chargers to win and cover in this game as well.
- Chargers +2 (-110): 1 Unit
- Chargers Moneyline (+110) Caesars: 0.5 Units
Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
