NFL Week 2 Look-Ahead Lines: Chiefs, Bengals Favored In Battles Of AFC Contenders

NFL Week 2 look-ahead lines are out. Two marquee games feature potential AFC playoff contenders, with the Chiefs (road) and Bengals (home) favored over the Jaguars and Ravens, respectively. Bettors will surely have those games circled.

Every week, usually on Friday, TheLines will post look-ahead lines for the following week’s games, pulled from NFL betting sites. These look aheads give an early snapshot of the current market opinions of teams absent the week-to-week bias that can take hold following weekend results. Scroll to the bottom of the page for info on how to use them.

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NFL Week 2 Look-Ahead Lines

Compare NFL Week 2 odds below and click to bet now.

Week 2 NFL NFL Primetime Games

Thursday Night Football Odds

Since this one opened with Eagles odds at the key number of -7, we could see any number of moves that could bring significant value to either side. Both teams face perceived bottom-feeders in Week 1, so any poor performance might have an outsized impact on the line.

The Eagles are perceived by the market to be in a bit more danger playing on the road. But, with Tampa Bay expected to end up in the basement of arguably the worst division in football, Minnesota could stand to shift the line more here. A poor performance by a weak on-paper secondary would portend poor things against a loaded Eagles skill group.

Sunday Night Football Odds

Aside from a Tua Tagovailoa injury, it seems hard to fathom any scenario where the Patriots become favored here. Even a surprise victory against the Eagles probably wouldn’t do it unless it comes in concert with a Miami blowout loss in LA to the Chargers. Therefore, bettors may find some early value in taking the Dolphins here short of a field goal.

Monday Night Football Odds

With both the Saints and Panthers breaking in new quarterbacks, a lot could change here. Particularly on the Panthers end with rookie Bryce Young, his range of outcomes obviously looks wide heading into a Week 1 matchup with a much improved Falcons D. A poor performance there could see the Saints reopen closer or at -3, so again, the road favorite may hold some early value.

Monday Night Football Odds

Speaking of fluid quarterbacks in terms of market value, few veterans carry more uncertainty into 2023 than Deshaun Watson. After he performed incredibly poorly last year, the market holds some cautious optimism thanks largely to the excellent roster the Browns front office has placed around him.

However, any hint of the 2022 Watson and Browns odds could shift drastically. Steelers -2.5 or even -3 could appear. But by the same token, if Kenny Pickett looks outmatched by the 49ers, the market will expect another crash against a similarly talented defense. The Browns seem unlikely to approach any key numbers, however.

MORE POTENTIAL WEEK 1 IMPACT ON WEEK 2 LOOK-AHEAD LINES

Chiefs At Jaguars

Chiefs odds have crashed for Week 1, but that obviously stems from the Travis Kelce injury and Chris Jones holdout more than anything that’s on the field. Still, the market seems quite bearish at this point, and there’s no guarantee either player will be ready/willing to suit up for Week 2. Essentially, those players’ status seems more likely to move this line than anything else. Keep an eye on how the KC offense looks on Thursday Night Football.

Ravens At Bengals

Another AFC playoff rematch from 2022, the familiar division foes face off in Cincinnati to kick off their 2023 rivalry. Some early numbers have the Ravens getting the hook here, and with the Bengals facing a tough road game in Cleveland to start the campaign, they could struggle for a variety of reasons. Not only does Cleveland boast a talented roster, but Joe Burrow has been slowed by an ankle injury.

Grabbing the +3.5 looks prudent here if you like the Ravens, as +3 seems more likely to wind up the consensus number.

HOW TO USE NFL LOOK-AHEAD LINES

The look-ahead lines allow you a sneak peek at the projected lines for the following week’s games. This information from a leading online sportsbook will help provide lessons in understanding lines and projections before the current week’s games are played.

Many bettors tend to overreact to the previous week’s scores and results. The NFL Week 2 look-ahead lines provide a sense of stability from the oddsmaker. They sometimes offer a clear, unbiased snapshot of perceived team strength.

Bettors can also gain an edge or find value in the lines once the weekend results take hold. See if you can find any over- or under-reactions by the market.

Of course, always take note of key injuries, travel and scheduling situations, and NFL power rankings. Making adjustments is part of the process, along with accounting for teams’ strengths and weaknesses, against-the-spread angles, and personnel matchups.

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