Matthew Ross
Let’s get going, baby. It’s NFL Week 2 and we’re hot off a 3-1 opening week. We’re all still feeling out the teams but I believe that we already see some patterns emerging. Without further ado, here are our football betting picks for the second round of NFL action.
2017 Week 2 NFL Picks
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5)
KC is favored based on their impressive win over New England last week. But the Eagles were equally impressive as a road winner last week. Carson Wentz is really coming into his own, as Philly begins to develop an explosive offensive identity. Yes, the Chiefs are very good; but are they are good as what we saw in Week 1 versus the Pats? I don’t think so. KC’s strengths on offense perfectly matched the defensive weaknesses of New England, who may have been suffering a little from the proverbial Super Bowl hangover. The Eagles are hungry and should keep this game close. Heck, if they can contain rookie Kareem Hunt at running back then they have a chance to win! Take the Eagles and the points.
Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6)
The way critics have been talking about Le’Veon Bell you’d think that the Steelers lost in the opener to Cleveland. Yes, Bell was not exactly vintage in Week 1, but is anyone really that concerned? Meanwhile, the Vikings looked like world beaters against a bad Saints D last week. I think they come back down to earth versus a re-focused Pitt team. Give me the Steelers to win by a converted touchdown.
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5)
This Bucs team has been displaced and distracted. They haven’t yet played a game. So to install them as more than a touchdown favorite seems a little off. The Bears played well in defeat last week against the Falcons. Chicago can really run the ball with Jordan Howard and rookie Tariq Cohen. I see this as a close, low-scoring affair. So let’s grab the points and the Bears.
Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
Dallas beat up Giants team playing without OBJ, while Denver dominated the Chargers for three quarters before a couple of turnovers made it close in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys live and die with their running game behind the league’s best offensive line. But Denver allowed less than 70 yards rushing to Melvin Gordon last week, so the confidence is sky high. It’s odd to see the Broncos as underdogs at home, so let’s take the points and the Broncos.
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.
