Preseason NFL betting moves

into Week 2 after favorites posted a 12-4 record against the spread record and the ‘over’ finished 9-7 during the first round of action. Home favorites are once again found all over the odds board, as 15 of the 16 games were released with the host laying points.
Ironically enough, the Washington Redskins, who finished with a 6-10 straight-up record a year ago were sent out as the only road favorite against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The opening line was 3 and has since moved to its current place of 5 ½.
Thursday night’s action kicks off with the New England Patriots (1-0) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Raymond James Stadium, as both teams come off impressive opening week wins.
New England dominated Jacksonville in a 47-12 home win as 3-point favorites, out-gaining the Jaguars by 283 yards. The offense racked up 476 yards without the services of starting quarterback Tom Brady, who was surprised about not seeing any action.
Tampa Bay has been made a 2 ½-point favorite due to a 25-0 shutout of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Buccaneers delivered a spread victory to backers as the only road favorite of the opening weekhttp://www.donbest.com/nfl/preseason-week-1-nfl-betting-review-a-12934.html .
Brady is expected to see action in this contest and will likely work on building chemistry with newly-acquired wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. The total has moved from its opening number of 34 ½ to 37 points to reflect this notion.
The second scheduled game on Thursday night features a battle of teams from Pennsylvania, as the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) and Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) face off in front of a national audience at 5:00 (PT) on FOX.
Head coach Andy Reid has stated that Eagles starters will likely play an entire half after being limited to 15 minutes of action in a 13-6 home win over the Baltimore Ravens the previous week.
Pittsburgh was handed a listless 16-7 defeat by the Washington Redskins and head coach Mike Tomlin was visibly upset at the team’s performance in the post-game news conference.
Still, the Steelers will have no game plan installed for the Eagles, as the staff focuses on strictly evaluating performances of their players. The defending AFC champions are 3-point favorites and the total has held steady at 34.
The New Orleans Saints (1-0) and Houston Texans (1-0) both picked up ATS victories over San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets respectively in opening up exhibition play.
Offense is certainly the name of the game in this matchup, with both teams possessing Pro Bowl caliber quarterbacks. The total reflects this outlook by currently being tied for the second-highest number of the week at 37.
Early betting has moved the line four points in some spots, as the Saints were released as 3-point road underdogs to their current position of being favored by a point.
Saturday’s meeting will be the fifth preseason meeting between the two franchises and the series is split at 2-2, following a 38-20 New Orleans win in the Superdome last August.
A marquee NFC contest closes things out in Week 2, with the Chicago Bears (1-0) and New York Giants (0-1) squaring off on Monday Night Football at New Meadowlands Stadium with the opening kickoff scheduled for 5:00 (PT).
The Giants are currently 4-point favorites and the total stands at 34 ½. Bettors will find that the Bears often close the offensive playbook against conference opponents, posting a 1-8 ATS record against such teams under head coach Lovie Smith.
New York quarterback Eli Manning will need to perform at a high level in front of the home faithful after missing the playoffs in two consecutive years, while also stating a claim on Wednesday that he belongs in the same class as Brady in terms of NFL signal callers.