Expect Drake Maye and the Patriots to rebound from a sluggish Week 1 performance. Kevin Sabitus/Getty ImagesESPNMultiple AuthorsSep 14, 2026, 10:48 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsWith most of Week 1 of the NFL season in the books, we’re already looking ahead to Week 2.The Buffalo Bills will debut their new stadium Thursday night against the Detroit Lions in a game that has the highest total of the young season (53.5).The biggest spread of the week belongs to the San Francisco 49ers, who will host the Miami Dolphins. Of course, Week 1’s biggest favorite, the Los Angeles Chargers, lost outright to the Arizona Cardinals.Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody and Seth Walder looked at the early Week 2 odds and identified which ones are worth jumping on now before potential shifts later in the week.Note: Odds by DraftKings and subject to change. Carolina Panthers +1.5 at Atlanta FalconsMatt Bowen: It’s a bounce-back game for a Panthers team that showed explosive-play juice versus the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Bryce Young threw for 361 yards, and we saw the perimeter one-on-one ability of Jalen Coker.
Sure, the Carolina defense gave up 59 points. That’s bad football. But the Atlanta quarterback situation (due to injuries) limits that offense. Let’s take Carolina to cover on the road.
Seattle Seahawks at Cardinals total points UNDER 41.5Pamela Maldonado: The Cardinals controlled Week 1, but they did so through short passes, long drives and 34 rushing attempts that produced 3.4 yards per carry. Seattle’s offense went 2-of-11 on third down and failed to score a touchdown on either red zone trip. Both defenses also forced turnovers and limited explosive opportunities. Unless those red zone results swing drastically, this should be another slow divisional game heavy on field goals.
Lions at Bills total points OVER 53.5Eric Moody: The over is appealing after both teams opened the season in high-scoring affairs. Detroit’s game totaled 61 points, while Buffalo’s reached 67. The Lions just gave up 410 passing yards and three touchdowns to Tyler Shough, and now they get Josh Allen, who accounted for four touchdowns against the Houston Texans. Buffalo’s defense also allowed 31 points and 381 yards.
Both offenses can score in bunches, and neither defense looked especially dominant in Week 1. New England Patriots -5.5 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersSeth Walder: The Patriots’ offense was stymied in Week 1 and lost A.J. Brown for at least four games due to his high ankle sprain.
Not ideal! But I think anyone can be forgiven for failing to score on the Seahawks’ defense. And the Patriots were uncharacteristically run-heavy on first down in that game. This was an outrageously efficient pass-first team last year without Brown.
It can be that again. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh struggled to pull away from the Cooper Rush-led Falcons. That’s far more bearish than a loss to the reigning champs.
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