MNF betting preview: Chargers-Raiders headlines prime-time doubleheader

Monday Night Football features a doubleheader to cap Week 2, starting with the Texans hosting the Buccaneers, followed by an AFC West battle between the Chargers and Raiders in Las Vegas.

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🏈 Pick: Texans (-2.5)

Houston's defense is the best unit in this game. It matches up well against Tampa Bay and should cause problems for Baker Mayfield. Shutdown corner Derek Stingley will likely cover Mike Evans on the outside, allowing the rest of the secondary to focus on rookie Emeka Egbuka. The Buccaneers' other receiving options aren't very dangerous, and the Texans will happily let Mayfield try to beat them by throwing to Cade Otton or Sterling Shepard.

On the other side of the ball, Tampa's defense lacks the elite pass-rush talent to take advantage of Houston's weak offensive line. If C.J. Stroud has a decent amount of time to make his reads and deliver the ball to the open receiver, the Texans shouldn't have an issue scoring plenty of points to cover this number.

Confidence level: ★★★★☆

🏈 Pick: Raiders (+3.5)

The Chargers looked impressive in their Friday night win over the Chiefs in Brazil, while Justin Herbert played at an MVP level. However, the Raiders also secured a solid victory on the road in New England, battling through wet conditions in their season opener.

The Raiders now return home for Geno Smith's debut in Las Vegas. Smith threw for 362 yards against the Patriots, spreading the ball around to his receiving weapons to overcome an inefficient rushing game. Ashton Jeanty should have an easier time getting things going in Week 2, which will help alleviate some pressure on Smith and the passing game.

This is a divisional battle, and the Raiders will be up for the task in front of their home crowd. Getting 3.5 points at home is a nice bonus in a game they're capable of winning, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if they did.

Confidence level: ★★☆☆☆

🏈 Bet: Over 79.5 receiving yards

Collins couldn't get anything going in Week 1 versus the Rams, recording just three catches for 25 yards on five targets. Stroud knows he needs to get his top receiver involved if the Texans want to win games, and with some extra time in the pocket, he should look Collins' way often. Collins surpassed this number in eight of 14 games last season.

🏈 Bet: Over 1.5 receptions

Ogunbowale caught two passes in Week 1 and worked ahead of rookie Woody Marks as Houston's passing-down back. The Texans should have him on the field plenty since they use a rotation of running backs, and two check-downs from Stroud is more likely than the +150 odds suggest.

🏈 Bet: Over 249.5 passing yards

Although the Chargers are still viewed as a run-first team, that's not entirely the case. They let Herbert sling it often, and he has three solid receiving weapons with Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnson. Herbert threw for 318 yards in Week 1 and recorded over 249.5 passing yards in three of his final four games last year.

🏈 Bet: Over 59.5 receiving yards

Bowers dealt with a knee injury during the week, but he appears healthy and ready to go for Monday night. The second-year tight end hauled in five catches for 103 yards last week and already seems to have built some chemistry with Smith.

🏈 Bet: Over 4.5 receptions

Nobody wanted Allen this offseason, but he made an immediate impact in Week 1 after the Chargers brought him back late in training camp. Allen drew 10 targets from Herbert, catching seven for 68 yards. While he may not be the same receiver he was during his best years with the Chargers, Allen's more than capable of working out of the slot, finding soft spots in the defense, and being a reliable target-earner.

NFL news editor Brenden Deeg will provide touchdown scorer props all season long

🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (+150)

We're all over Collins to bounce back on prime time after a disappointing season opener. The Buccaneers' secondary isn't elite and allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to opposing wide receivers in 2024. The Falcons actively targeted the outside in Week 1 against Tampa Bay, following a similar game plan that opposing teams used last season. Coming off a campaign with eight touchdowns in 14 contests, Collins is once again the Texans' top pass-catcher.

🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (+185)

If it's not broken, don't fix it. We hit on Egbuka last week, so let's go back to the well. The rookie wideout hauled in two touchdown passes in his NFL debut, and his odds didn't take a big hit for Week 2. Egbuka played 93% of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps in the season opener and should continue to see a heavy workload in this pass-happy offense.

🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (+175)

Meyers at these odds is well worth the bet. The 28-year-old had a productive opening game, leading the Raiders with 10 targets while hauling in eight catches for 97 yards. He's the top wide receiver on the team, and Bowers could see a lesser workload due to a knee injury. The Chargers don't have elite corners on the outside, as they allowed the third-most targets to opposing wideouts in Week 1. This is an excellent matchup for Meyers and quarterback Geno Smith.

🙌 Bet: To score 2+ TDs (+500)

Our long shot is for Hampton to find the end zone multiple times. His 52 offensive snaps marked the most by a rookie running back in Week 1 since his teammate Najee Harris played 58 in 2021. Harbaugh said Harris could see more playing time going forward, but we'll believe it when we see it. Hampton had 17 touches in the season opener, which is more than enough for a two-plus touchdown bet. The Raiders allowed the fifth-most red-zone touches to opposing running backs in 2024.

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