As the new NFL season gains momentum after an incredible first week, there’s something important we have to keep in mind about the first week. It is always a tricky and delicate thing to identify which NFL teams’ Week 1 wins or losses were true indicators of the season to come, or temporary aberrations. Let’s delve deeper as we play our parlay for Week 2.
The Favorite
Cleveland Browns @ New Orleans Saints
Odds: Saints -8
With our first play of the week we go to New Orleans, where one would have to think that the Saints will be very mad. New Orleans got torn apart on defense by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a longtime backup with some experience as a starting quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Saints came one play away from making the NFC Championship Game last season and while this year’s team probably won’t be as good as last year’s, it also probably won’t be terrible. Cleveland did tie Pittsburgh, but the Steelers were without Le’Veon Bell, which had something to do with that outcome. The Browns were also the recipients of six turnovers and the best they could do is tie. The Browns might have a measure of confidence after avoiding a loss to Pittsburgh, but they still aren’t nearly as skilled as the Saints are.
Pick: Saints -380
The Underdog
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Odds: Cowboys -3
The Cowboys and Giants both struggled on offense in Week 1. We’re willing to give the Giants more of a reprieve. To start, they faced the Jacksonville Jaguars, which have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Eli Manning was alright, going 23-of-37 for 224 yards and an interception, and rookie running back Saquon Barkley had 18 carries for 106 yards. And their defense looked improved as they held the Jags offense to just 13 points (Manning threw a pick-six).
The Giants will need their run defense in this one and it was mostly good last week. They gave up a 41-yard run to Blake Bortles but other than that, gave up just 96 yards on 27 carries. The Cowboys have no passing game to speak of. As long as the Giants stop the run, they should get the win here.
Pick: Giants +140
The Total
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Odds: 43.5
Speaking of the Giants-Cowboys game, the under in this contest looks like the right play. Both teams have issues along their offensive lines. Dak Prescott had no time to operate last week and while that should change a bit at home – and given the opponent – it doesn’t mean the offense will be completely fluid. They still don’t have great targets for him to work with.
As for the Giants, they’ll move the ball but we’re expecting more field goals than touchdowns from them as some of their drives will stall too. Go with the under.
Pick: Under 43.5
The Point Spread
Indianapolis Colts @ Washington Redskins
Odds: Redskins -5
While the Kansas City Chiefs roared with new quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Washington Redskins did the same with Alex Smith, who looked very comfortable in his new home. And the Redskins – for the first time in a while – had good balance with a strong effort from running back Adrian Peterson.
It’s hard to see either of those things changing this week as the Redskins have another subpar defense on tap. The Colts unit doesn’t scare anyone as we saw last week, giving up 34 at home to the Bengals. Take the Redskins on the spread.
Pick: Redskins -5 -110
Four-Team Parlay
Saints -380 & Giants +140 & DAL-NYG under 43.5 -110 & Redskins -5 -110
$100 pays $1004.90
