NFL Week 2 Recap
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Two weeks are in the books inside the new NFL season with a few surprises so far. Only three teams are undefeated in the NFC (Seattle, Chicago, and New Orleans), while the Chiefs and Dolphins are among five 2-0 squads in the AFC. We'll take a look at how things transpired in Week 2.
The Good
New Orleans and Chicago each rallied with late scores to improve to 2-0, but neither team cashed tickets. The Saints overcame a failed goal-line opportunity and a pick-six by the Buccaneers to stun Tampa Bay, 16-14 as 3½-point road favorites. New Orleans picked up its all-important second divisional win in two weeks, as the Saints return home to host the Cardinals next week.
The Bears came back from another second-half deficit at home to grab a victory, this time stunning Minnesota with a last-minute touchdown in a 31-30 triumph. Chicago pushed in its opener against Cincinnati, while failing to cover as six-point favorites in Sunday's one-point victory over Minnesota. The Bears hit the road for the first time in Week 3 with a trip to Pittsburgh on Sunday night.
The Surprising
Kansas City and Miami each didn't make the playoffs last season, but both clubs have jumped out to 2-0 starts. The Chiefs proved that the Week 1 blowout of lowly Jacksonville was no fluke, as Kansas City edged Dallas on Sunday, 17-16. Andy Reid's team didn't cash as three-point home favorites, but the Chiefs equaled their win total from last season already through two weeks.
The Dolphins found a way to win their first two road games, beating the Browns and Colts as short underdogs. Miami avenged a loss at Indianapolis from last season, as the Dolphins edged the Colts, 24-20 as 1½-point 'dogs. Joe Philbin's club is one of three teams that is both 2-0 SU/ATS (Seattle and Denver).
The Ugly
The Redskins have turned into the biggest disappointment through two games, just one season after winning the NFC East title. Washington's defense has allowed 71 points in losses to Philadelphia and Green Bay, while getting blown out by the Packers, 38-20 as 7½-point underdogs. The Redskins closed the 2012 regular season with seven consecutive wins and covers, as Washington looks to get in the win column for the first time this Sunday against Detroit.
Jacksonville has certainly clinched its spot as the worst team in the league after losses to Kansas City and Oakland. Things get even bleaker this Sunday when the Jags travel to Seattle as 19½-point road underdogs, as Jacksonville has scored just 11 points in two defeats. The only piece of good news for the Jags is the team covered all three times last season as a double-digit underdog.
The Middle
The Jets, Cardinals, and Titans have all split their first two games, but the three clubs have each cashed twice in the underdog role. New York pulled out an improbable win over Tampa Bay in the opener, while hanging with the Patriots throughout in a 13-10 loss as 11-point road underdogs last Thursday night. The Jets are listed as short home favorites against the rival Bills in Week 3.
Arizona blew an 11-point lead in a road cover at St. Louis in Week 1, but rallied past Detroit in its home opener on Sunday, 25-21. The Cardinals head to the Big Easy on Sunday, which will be anything but against the 2-0 Saints.
Tennessee won at Pittsburgh in the season opener as six-point underdogs, while blowing a fantastic opportunity in an overtime loss at Houston in Week 2. The Titans are turning into a good value play through two weeks, but will be listed as a favorite for the first time this season when the Chargers play their second straight road game in Nashville in Week 3.
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Two weeks are in the books inside the new NFL season with a few surprises so far. Only three teams are undefeated in the NFC (Seattle, Chicago, and New Orleans), while the Chiefs and Dolphins are among five 2-0 squads in the AFC. We'll take a look at how things transpired in Week 2.
The Good
New Orleans and Chicago each rallied with late scores to improve to 2-0, but neither team cashed tickets. The Saints overcame a failed goal-line opportunity and a pick-six by the Buccaneers to stun Tampa Bay, 16-14 as 3½-point road favorites. New Orleans picked up its all-important second divisional win in two weeks, as the Saints return home to host the Cardinals next week.
The Bears came back from another second-half deficit at home to grab a victory, this time stunning Minnesota with a last-minute touchdown in a 31-30 triumph. Chicago pushed in its opener against Cincinnati, while failing to cover as six-point favorites in Sunday's one-point victory over Minnesota. The Bears hit the road for the first time in Week 3 with a trip to Pittsburgh on Sunday night.
The Surprising
Kansas City and Miami each didn't make the playoffs last season, but both clubs have jumped out to 2-0 starts. The Chiefs proved that the Week 1 blowout of lowly Jacksonville was no fluke, as Kansas City edged Dallas on Sunday, 17-16. Andy Reid's team didn't cash as three-point home favorites, but the Chiefs equaled their win total from last season already through two weeks.
The Dolphins found a way to win their first two road games, beating the Browns and Colts as short underdogs. Miami avenged a loss at Indianapolis from last season, as the Dolphins edged the Colts, 24-20 as 1½-point 'dogs. Joe Philbin's club is one of three teams that is both 2-0 SU/ATS (Seattle and Denver).
The Ugly
The Redskins have turned into the biggest disappointment through two games, just one season after winning the NFC East title. Washington's defense has allowed 71 points in losses to Philadelphia and Green Bay, while getting blown out by the Packers, 38-20 as 7½-point underdogs. The Redskins closed the 2012 regular season with seven consecutive wins and covers, as Washington looks to get in the win column for the first time this Sunday against Detroit.
Jacksonville has certainly clinched its spot as the worst team in the league after losses to Kansas City and Oakland. Things get even bleaker this Sunday when the Jags travel to Seattle as 19½-point road underdogs, as Jacksonville has scored just 11 points in two defeats. The only piece of good news for the Jags is the team covered all three times last season as a double-digit underdog.
The Middle
The Jets, Cardinals, and Titans have all split their first two games, but the three clubs have each cashed twice in the underdog role. New York pulled out an improbable win over Tampa Bay in the opener, while hanging with the Patriots throughout in a 13-10 loss as 11-point road underdogs last Thursday night. The Jets are listed as short home favorites against the rival Bills in Week 3.
Arizona blew an 11-point lead in a road cover at St. Louis in Week 1, but rallied past Detroit in its home opener on Sunday, 25-21. The Cardinals head to the Big Easy on Sunday, which will be anything but against the 2-0 Saints.
Tennessee won at Pittsburgh in the season opener as six-point underdogs, while blowing a fantastic opportunity in an overtime loss at Houston in Week 2. The Titans are turning into a good value play through two weeks, but will be listed as a favorite for the first time this season when the Chargers play their second straight road game in Nashville in Week 3.
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