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NFL Betting Predictions: Week 2 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Spencer Toth - 9/8/2025

NFL betting predictions Week 2 opening line report Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys

The first week of the NFL season is in the books, and it is now time to look ahead at the lines for the upcoming slate of Week 2 matchups. Locking in your picks early can be the difference between winning and losing over the course of an NFL season, as the importance of a single point of line movement can’t be overstated. All 16 teams are in action once again, and there is no shortage of games to choose from early in the week. We were unable to capitalize on our chances in Week 1, but we will get back on track this week after going 32-20-2 against the spread last season. Before jumping into our Week 2 picks, here are the biggest storylines from a dramatic Week 1 of NFL football. 

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  • A shift in the AFC West? The Chargers edged out the Chiefs in Brazil to open up their season with a win, while the Raiders and Broncos both also took care of business. It’s too early to overreact, but the Chiefs' 9-year reign on top of the division may be coming to an end. 
  • Two words, Daniel Jones: Daniel Jones became the first quarterback in recorded NFL history to score on all seven possessions in the Colts' 33-8 victory. He was efficient, composed, and is a comfortable starter in Indianapolis. 
  • Steelers Shootout: Pittsburgh has been able to string together winning seasons thanks to gritty defense and dominance in the trenches. However, their Week 1 34-32 shootout was a very different story. Aaron Rodgers looked fantastic in his Steelers debut, and this is a team to watch if they can clean things up on the defensive side of the ball.
  • A win is a win? The Bengals snapped their streak of Week 1 losses with a crucial victory over the Cleveland Browns. A 1-0 start is all that matters, but being outgained 327-141 against the league’s worst team and holding on to a 17-16 win after Cleveland missed two field goals will not fill the fanbase with confidence. 
  • Incoming Cheeseheads: The fact that the Packers beat the 15-2 Lions in Week 1 is impressive, but how they did it is even more so. Green Bay dominated from start to finish on both sides of the ball, as the Lions looked truly lost on offense. Micah Parsons made an instant impact, as the Packers became frontrunners in the NFC North. 
  • You had to be there Sunday Night: On paper, the Bills and Ravens facing off on Sunday Night Football was the best game of the week, and it managed to exceed those lofty expectations. Buffalo put together a 15-point comeback in the final five minutes to edge out the Ravens 41-40 in Week 1. 

Every win in the NFL is worth the same, whether it’s Week 2 or Week 16, and playoff hopes already hinge on these early-season results. These three games have value heading into the new week, but must be locked in immediately as there is no guarantee these lines will be available when kickoff rolls around. 

Game 1: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys 

Opening Line: Dallas Cowboys (-5)

Neither of these NFC East rivals was able to win in Week 1, but one looked far better than the other to open up the year. Dallas was able to go toe-to-toe with the reigning Super Bowl champions and did well to stay close with the Eagles until the final possession. Meanwhile, the New York Giants got smashed by the Washington Commanders and weren’t even able to find the end zone on Sunday. Once you factor in home-field advantage plus three extra days of rest for Dallas, this spread is suddenly a fantastic play. Dak Prescott looked confident in the pocket and was able to deliver the ball into the hands of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens with precision and consistency. If it weren’t for costly Lamb drops in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys could have gone on to beat the Eagles outright. The same can’t be said for the Giants, who looked woeful with an immobilized Russell Wilson in the pocket. Wilson doesn’t have the legs needed to offset the Giants' poor offensive line, and Dallas will look better than they are on defense. This is a team that still struggles on the defensive side of the ball, but has the offense needed to outscore those issues against subpar teams. Even on neutral ground, this is a fair spread considering the discrepancy in offense for these two teams, but the rest and field advantage for Dallas makes this a home run play. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this line creep closer to a touchdown before kickoff, and this one must be taken immediately. 

Pick: Dallas Cowboys (-5)

Game 2: Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

Opening Line: Denver Broncos (-2.5)
The Broncos are road favorites against the Colts in Week 2, and it’s hard to argue with this line. Indianapolis erupted for seven scores on seven possessions against the Dolphins last week, but that was aided by several Tua Tagovailoa turnovers. The Broncos will be much more responsible with the football on offense, and this is a great time to sell high on the Daniel Jones buzz. Jones looked good against a truly lost Miami defense, but it’s not the time to start acting like he is suddenly an elite quarterback. The Broncos have the far better defense in this matchup, and they were never in danger against the Titans in Week 1. Bo Nix and company were able to pull out an 8-point win despite poor play on offense, thanks to a rock-solid Broncos defense. I expect more of the same on that side of the ball for Denver, and that will be enough to slam the door on Jones and the Colts. With a spread under a field goal, we will lay the points. 

Pick: Denver Broncos (-2.5)

Game 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans

Opening Line: Houston Texans (-2.5)

The Texans' offensive line is nonexistent, and they simply can’t be trusted in the favorite role against competent NFL opposition. Houston scored just 9 points in Week 1 against the Rams, with CJ Stroud scrambling around the backfield every time he touched the ball. Trading franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil left the Texans shorthanded, and things got even worse with a pair of injuries to kick off the season. Stroud doesn’t have the playmakers needed to take advantage of short throws with Tank Dell and Joe Mixon still on the sidelines. Without the protection he needs, he is left helpless, and a sturdy Buccaneers defensive line will punish Stroud early and often. Tampa Bay is dominant in the trenches and has a true gunslinger on offense to capitalize on its strengths. Baker Mayfield was able to lead Tampa Bay to a comeback against the Falcons last week, and it’s surprising to see the Bucs as an underdog in this matchup. Houston has too many holes on their roster due to injuries and busted talents, and it will struggle to win, let alone cover this spread. 

Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5)

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