We’ve put a bow on an entertaining Week 1, and several betting factors are already impacting NFL Week 2 odds. That includes the typical injury information, most notably the Washington Football Team losing its starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.
This week and every week, Props.com’s Countdown to Kickoff serves as a one-stop-shop for info on injuries, weather conditions and Pros vs Joes action. Check back regularly for injury updates, popular picks, and notable contrasts between NFL sharp bets and public money.
NFL Week 2 Injuries
Las Vegas Raiders: The news of the day Friday was that running back Josh Jacobs (toe/ankle) won’t play Sunday at Pittsburgh. Reaction was swift at TwinSpires Sportsbook, which moved to Raiders +6.5, after opening +6 and dipping to +5.5 earlier in the week.
“After the Jacobs news, it’s been Steelers money ever since,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.
The total is down a point to 47, as well.
Dallas Cowboys: Star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence broke a foot in practice Wednesday and will miss six to eight weeks. Dallas opened +2.5 for Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers then jumped to +3. In the wake of the Lawrence news, The SuperBook moved the Cowboys to +3.5, but on Saturday reverted to +3.
“There was sharp money on Chargers -2.5 early in the week. That, coupled with the Lawrence injury, resulted in the line climbing,” Murray said.
San Francisco 49ers: Running back Raheem Mostert suffered a knee injury in his team’s Week 1 victory in Detroit and will undergo season-ending surgery. Despite losing a key offensive weapon, the 49ers jumped from -3 to -3.5 for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia, before going back to -3 Wednesday at The SuperBook. The total went from 48 to 50.5 by Monday afternoon, then dialed back to 49.5 Thursday and 49 Saturday.
Denver Broncos: Wideout Jerry Jeudy was carted off the field after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Broncos’ victory at the Giants last week and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. The SuperBook opened Denver -6 at Jacksonville, and there was no movement off the Jeudy news.
Chicago Bears: Starting wideouts Darnell Mooney (back) and Marquise Goodwin (quad), and backup wideout Nsimba Webster (hamstring) are all questionable for Sunday’s home tilt against Cincinnati. Chicago opened -3.5, got as low as -2 midweek and hit -1.5 Saturday at The SuperBook. The total opened at 46, spent most of the week at 45 and fell to 44.5 Friday afternoon.
Cleveland Browns: Star wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who missed Week 1 as he continues his comeback from an ACL tear, will also sit this week at home against the Texans. However, that was already baked into The SuperBook’s point-spread cake; in fact, the Browns are up to -13.5 from a -11 opener.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints have a few injuries, but perhaps more noteworthy, seven assistant coaches will miss Sunday’s game at Carolina due to COVID protocols. New Orleans opened -3, got to -4 Tuesday, then sank back to -3 Wednesday at The SuperBook. The total initially rose from 46 to 46.5, but by Friday evening was down to 44.5.
Indianapolis Colts: Indy’s main issue is cluster injuries at multiple positions. Starting wideouts Michael Pittman (ankle) and Parris Campbell (abdomen) are questionable, as are left tackle Eric Fisher (Achilles) and left guard Quenton Nelson (foot/back). Safeties Khari Wills (illness) and Julian Blackmon (back) are also questionable, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (calf) is out. All that said, the Colts opened +4.5 and are down to +3.5 at The SuperBook.
New York Giants: Running back Saquon Barkley (knee), continuing his comeback from a torn ACL last season, is questionable Thursday night at Washington. Tight end Evan Engram (calf) is also out. The SuperBook moved the Giants from +3 to +3.5 (-120), where the number remains a few hours before kickoff.
Washington Football Team: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a right hip injury in a Week 1 home loss to the Chargers, and he was placed on injured reserve Monday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Fitzpatrick will miss six to eight weeks. So Taylor Heinicke will now start, beginning in Thursday night’s NFC East clash against the visiting New York Giants.
John Murray, executive director of The SuperBook, said Sunday night the QB situation didn’t mean that much to Thursday’s spread, which opened Washington -4.5. However, the line dropped to -3 by Monday night, and the total dipped from 43 to 40.5 by Tuesday morning. A few hours before Thursday’s game, the line was at WFT -3.5.
NFL Week 2 Weather
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars: As the saying goes, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” Sunday’s high is expected to be in the mid-80s, with humidity of 88%, which can zap players in these early-season games. There’s also a 70% chance of rain in Jacksonville. All that said, the total opened at 44.5 and was up to 45.5 Monday at The SuperBook, before dipping to 45 Friday.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins: The forecast calls for 88 degrees and 76% humidity, and there’s also a coin-flip chance of afternoon thunderstorms. The total moved from 47.5 to 48.5, then down to 47, and it’s been stable at 47.5 since Wednesday at The SuperBook.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s another game in which humidity (and precipitation) might be an issue. The high should be in the mid-80s with humidity of 77%. There’s also a 60% chance of rain. The total opened at 52.5, bottomed out at 51 Friday and was 51.5 Saturday at The SuperBook.
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks: No surprise, there’s rain in the Seattle forecast Sunday, with overcast skies and a 70% chance of precipitation. However, the total is up to 54 from a 52.5 opener at The SuperBook.
New York Giants at Washington Football Team: The updated Thursday night forecast shows likely scattered showers ending before the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. By Monday night, the total was already down to 41 from a 43 opener at The SuperBook, but that likely had more to do with Washington’s QB situation (see injuries above). A few hours before kickoff, the total was at 40.5.
NFL Week 2 Pros Vs Joes
Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: This matchup opened Steelers -6 and dipped to -5.5 early in the week at PointsBet USA, but Pittsburgh is now back at -6. “The public is on the Steelers, while there’s heavy (sharp) bets on the Raiders,” PointsBet’s Wyatt Yearout said.
Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts: The Rams fell from -4 to -3.5 at TwinSpires, but not for a lack of attention, with 82% of early bets/71% of early money on L.A. “Pros are on the Colts, and Joes are all on the Rams,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.