NFL Week 2 betting primer: Spread movement, insights, and marquee matchups

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

The Bills dismantled the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 2. Let's dive into the rest of this week's spreads, key matchups, players to watch, and betting nuggets.

While there isn't as much spread movement in Week 2 compared to Week 1, there were a few shifts worth noting.

First, the Cardinals moved from 2-point underdogs to favorites by one. This shift has more to do with the number of key injuries the Rams suffered Sunday night than anything Arizona did in Week 1.

Los Angeles will be without star wideout Puka Nacua, starting left tackle Joe Noteboom, and starting left guard Steve Avila - all three are on the IR. Rob Havenstein and Kevin Dotson, the team's starting right tackle and guard, were also banged up against the Lions and are questionable for Week 2.

That said, the Rams are 13-2 straight up and 12-2-1 against the spread versus the Cardinals since head coach Sean McVay took over in 2017.

Additionally, the Commanders moved from 3-point to 1.5-point favorites despite receiving 80% of the wagers and 58% of the handle. This type of reverse line movement can indicate that shaper bettors took the Giants +3 when the line opened, shifting the spread to a number receiving more even action on both sides.

Marquee matchups

Buccaneers @ Lions (-7, O/U 51)

Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff rejuvenated their careers with different organizations than the ones that drafted them first overall.

Sunday's game between the two former No. 1 picks is a rematch of the NFC divisional-round matchup last season, which the Lions won 31-23 to advance to the conference championship. Detroit is loaded offensively with studs everywhere. There's a reason this is the highest total of the weekend and the only one that eclipsed 50 points.

The Buccaneers offense scored 37 points last week against the Commanders' suspect defense and a rookie quarterback. The Lions aren't a defensive juggernaut, but they should present a greater challenge than Washington.

Player to watch

The Lions have a host of playmakers, but Jameson Williams emerged as Goff's top target in Week 1. Williams led the team in targets with so much attention provided to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams had five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

While he should break free against the Bucs' secondary, replicating that production won't be easy. Williams' reception prop is 3.5, and his receiving yards prop is 47.5, which trails St. Brown's 6.5 reception prop and 79.5 receiving yards prop.

Bengals @ Chiefs (-5, 47.5)

The Bengals aren't getting any favors after their embarrassing loss to the Patriots in Week 1 as 7.5-point favorites. Now Cincinnati has to travel to play the Super Bowl favorites. The Chiefs also have a rest advantage after not playing since last Thursday.

Joe Burrow looked off in his return from injury. It doesn't help that his best receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, was sidelined during training camp because of a contract dispute and that wideout Tee Higgins is out with an injury.

Oddsmakers aren't giving up on the Bengals after one week, but Cincinnati must get Burrow in a groove to compete with Kansas City.

Player to watch

Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy showcased his lightning-quick speed in the Chiefs' opener. He had only two catches but recorded 47 yards and a touchdown. It's a scary thought to give Patrick Mahomes a receiver that explosive. Kansas City might try to feed him even more in its second game. Worthy has a 43.5 receiving yards prop and a 3.5 receptions prop.

Bears @ Texans (-6, O/U 45.5)

Sunday Night Football's showdown between cross-conference opponents features one of the NFL's brightest young signal-callers in C.J. Stroud and one of the most hyped quarterback prospects in recent memory in Caleb Williams.

The Bears accumulated 148 yards of offense, trailed 17-0, and still escaped Week 1 with a win over the Titans. Chicago's remarkable defense and special teams and Titans quarterback Will Levis' indefensible decision-making led the Bears to victory.

Williams became the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall to win his debut since David Carr in 2002. The Bears won despite Williams' poor performance, not because of it. Chicago's offense was putrid, leading the Texans to jump to 6-point favorites after opening at 3.5.

Player to watch

How will Williams respond to a rough debut in which he completed 14 passes for 93 yards? Fans might have to temper expectations as Williams figures out how to read NFL defenses. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had success with the deep ball against Houston. Williams could have an opportunity to showcase his arm.

Oddsmakers expect Williams' second game to go much better than his first, setting his passing yards prop at 224.5 after failing to throw for even half that many yards in his debut.

Eagles @ Falcons (-6.5, O/U 47)

The Eagles are hosting Kirk Cousins in their home opener for the third consecutive season. Only this time, Cousins is with the Falcons. It's no secret Cousins struggles in prime time. He's 16-25 against the spread in prime-time games, 3-10 against the spread on Monday Night Football, and 8-13 against the spread as a prime-time underdog.

Despite a slow start, the Eagles' stacked offense showcased its various weapons against the Packers. Philadelphia should have one of the league's best offenses as long as Jalen Hurts doesn't consistently turn the ball over and quickly delivers it to his playmakers.

Player to watch

Cousins looked uncomfortable and was unwilling to move in or outside the pocket in Week 1. That's unsurprising given it was his first game back from an Achilles tear suffered last October. He threw for 155 yards and two interceptions while Atlanta's offense mustered 10 points. His passing yards prop is 227.5 against the Eagles, and he's -170 (62% implied probability) to throw a pick.

Week 2 notes and insights

• Although the biggest underdog (Patriots +7.5) won in Week 1, favorites reigned supreme. Favorites went 13-3 straight up and 9-7 against the spread in the opening week.
• How's this for parity? There are no double-digit spreads in Weeks 1 or 2, signaling a relatively even playing field across the league.
• One of Week 1's storylines was poor offensive production, leading to lower-scoring games. That's already reflected in the totals markets for Week 2 as the over/under has dropped from its opening line in 11 of the 16 contests.
• The Buccaneers @ Lions have the highest total at 51. The Steelers @ Broncos have the lowest total at 36.5.
• The Ravens are the largest favorite of the weekend as 9-point favorites and -425 on the moneyline against the Raiders.
• Starting quarterbacks averaged just 202 passing yards in Week 1. The average passing yards prop in Week 2 is 227, meaning oddsmakers believe Week 1's passing woes should improve league-wide.
• Chargers @ Panthers is the most lopsided spread on the card with 88% of bets and handle (money wagered) on the Chargers -6.5.