NFL Week 2 Top Bets on the Total Line

 The new NFL season is off and running out of the gate. Underdogs barked rather loud throughout the first round of games. Nine NFL teams getting points won their season opener straight-up. Out of the first 16 games, 12 underdogs covered against the spread.

This was music to the ears of sportsbooks after cleaning up in Week 1. Betting the total line slightly favored the UNDER with the final score in nine of the 17 games staying below the closing betting line. Recapping my top five plays on the total line for ScoresandStats.com, I cashed in on three of those bets.

Below is the link to ScoresandStats for this week's top five bets on the NFL total line. I added brief recaps of those picks below as well.

Week 2 NFL Over/Under Predictions

Sunday, Sept. 19

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers: UNDER 44

The Saints made a major splash in Week 1 by knocking off the Green Bay Packers 38-3 as 3.5-point underdogs. The big takeaway from that game was just how well the New Orleans’ defense played. Carolina squeezed past the New York Jets 19-14 to keep that total UNDER 44.5 points.

Look for each team’s defense to once again dominate play in this NFC South Division clash. The total has stayed UNDER in New Orleans’ last five division games. It has stayed UNDER in four of Carolina’s last five NFC matchups.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins: UNDER 47.5

Buffalo was stunned by Pittsburgh 23-16 in its home opener as a 6.5-point favorite. The total stayed UNDER 48 points. Miami shocked New England 17-16 as a 3.5-point road underdog in a game that stayed well UNDER the closing 43-point line.

This is another division battle that should have a lower final score than expected. While recent head-to-head trends in this AFC East showdown lean towards the OVER, the total has stayed UNDER in four of Miami’s last five division games.

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles: OVER 50

San Francisco decided to make things interesting in its 41-33 victory against Detroit by giving up 16 fourth quarter points. Philadelphia’s offense looked sharp behind Jalen Hurts at quarterback. He led his team to a 32-6 rout over Atlanta.

Both teams showed the ability to put points on the board in Week 1 through big play capabilities. The total has gone OVER in four of the 49ers’ last six games. The total has gone OVER in nine of the Eagles’ last 13 Week 2 games.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OVER 52

The Falcons’ offense sputtered in the loss to Philly but it is still better than advertised. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense picked up where it left off last season with 31 points against Dallas. However, the Buc’s defense gave up 29 points in that win.

We already know that Tampa Bay will score its fair share of points this Sunday. Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan should have a better showing against this NFC South rival. The total has gone OVER in four of the last five meetings in Tampa Bay.

Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers: OVER 55

The Cowboys might have been on the losing end of their season opener. However, they are more than happy to have Dak Prescott back under center. The Chargers did just enough to get by Washington 20-16 in Week 1. However, Justin Herbert and the LA offense should flourish against a very suspect Dallas defense.

Look for more fireworks from Prescott this week win or lose. The total has gone OVER in six of the Cowboys’ last eight games and it has gone OVER in four of their last five Week 2 games.