Last Updated on September 19, 2010 1:13 pm by Anthony Rome
NFL Week 2 Public Betting Info
Who does the public like in Week 2 of the NFL? Let’s take a look at who bettors favor the most so you can either tail or fade them this Sunday.
The public took an absolute bath last weekend, as the 49ers, Colts and Chargers (three of their top 5 favorites in Week 1) all lost outright to their respective opponents. Let’s take a look at who the public likes in Week 2. (For updated public betting information, check out our NFL Public Betting Information Page.)
The Public’s Top 5:
1. New England Patriots –3 84% (47,905 public wagers)
2. Philadelphia Eagles –6.5 81% (34,690 public wagers)
3. Green Bay Packers –12.5 81% (48,451 public wagers)
4. New Orleans Saints –5.5 79% (32,873 public wagers)
5. Kansas City Chiefs +3 77% (25,916 public wagers)
Analysis:
It’s no surprise that the public favors the Patriots most in Week 2 with how good they looked in Week 1 and how bad the Jets looked on Monday night against the Ravens. But keep in mind that the Jets beat the Pats in New York last season and did so when Mark Sanchez was struggling (when isn’t he?) then, too. If the Jets can get their running game going this week, they may fair better and screw bettors out of what looks like an easy New England cover. (Of course, they’re never easy are they?)
The Eagles will start a backup quarterback against an opponent that will also be starting a backup quarterback. The difference is that the Eagles’ backup quarterback has more starting experience and, uh, overall talent than the Lions’ backup. Michael Vick will start in place of Kevin Kolb, while Shaun Hill will start in place of Matthew Stafford. While the Eagles are giving up 6.5 points on the road, Hill isn’t a threat in the vertical passing game and Philly has the better overall team depth.
The Packers make the top 5 for the second straight week after covering in Philadelphia last Sunday. They’re laying 12.5 points this week, but they’re playing a Bills team that struggled in a home loss to the Dolphins last Sunday. There’s no doubt Green Bay is the better team, although the loss of starting running back Ryan Grant certainly hurts.
The Saints hit the road in Week 2 after a lackluster win over the Vikings on opening night. The play a 49er team that the Seahawks hammered in Seattle last Sunday, although be weary of a home team getting 5.5 (according to online sports book BroburySports.com) points in a nationally televised game. Everyone is well aware of the New Orleans’ offensive weapons, but does anyone think that Mike Singletary’s defense will play that bad two weeks in a row? Especially on nationally TV on Monday Night Football? If you do, then the Saints are an easy pick.
There’s a good chance that the Chiefs wouldn’t be on this list if they hadn’t beaten the Chargers outright last Monday night. But they are, which is why it’s easy to gauge the public’s temperature when it comes to NFL betting. The Browns are also starting a backup quarterback in Seneca Wallace, although some would argue that he’s an upgrade over Jake Delhomme. The line is currently sitting at Cleveland –3,