Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season is officially in the books as fans and bettors watched their favorite teams and players take the field.
We saw rookie quarterbacks come up short in their NFL debuts, top teams struggle, and bettors find value in taking the Under on totals.
Our Week 1 prop bets column was a mixed bag of results as we went 2-1 on game props but 0-4 on player props. I’ll look to provide some more winning plays for Week 2, which begins Thursday night with Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings taking on Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Let’s dig into my best Week 2 NFL props as we get set for more exciting action.
All NFL betting odds used for these Week 2 props are current as of Tuesday, Sept. 12, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
NFL Player Props Week 2
Josh Jacobs: Over 68.5 Rush Yds (-125)
With wide receivers Davante Adams (foot) and Jakobi Meyers (concussion) listed as questionable, the Raiders will have to lean on star running back Josh Jacobs against the Bills Sunday.
The 25-year-old had a quiet outing in the season opener against the Broncos, rushing for 48 yards on 19 carries (2.5 YPC). However, Jacobs played 80% of the offensive snaps, a good sign after missing the preseason.
Jacobs will look to have better success against a Buffalo defense that got pushed around in its opener, allowing 172 rushing yards to the Jets on Monday night.
Looking back at his stellar 2022 campaign, Jacobs went Over 68.5 rushing yards in 11 of 17 games. He’s in a good situation to add to that tally here.
Devin Lloyd: Over 5.5 Tackles + Assists (-110)
The second player prop bet I’m targeting is Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd to go Over 5.5 tackles and assists against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Lloyd didn’t have to make a lot of plays last week against the Colts (three tackles), but that will change if Kansas City has stud tight end Travis Kelce in the lineup. Kelce missed Week 1 with a hyperextended knee. However, he’s reportedly expected to return this week, which means the Jaguars’ back seven should be active.
- Check out Jovan’s favorite NFL Week 2 parlays.
When these two teams met in the playoffs last season, Lloyd recorded eight total tackles and played 82% of defensive snaps. The Kansas City native also went Over 5.5 tackles + assists in 12 out of 17 games last season, recording 115 tackles as a rookie.
Based on what we saw last season from Lloyd and the Chiefs, who use tight ends and running backs heavily in the passing game, bettors should jump on this mispriced prop.
Derek Carr: Over 1.5 Pass TDs (-115)
Last week, I missed on passing TD props for Lamar Jackson and Geno Smith, but I’ll try again with Derek Carr in Week 2.
Carr was solid in his Saints debut, passing for 305 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 16-15 victory over the Titans. The veteran QB has a nice complement of wide receivers (Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed), who should be able to get open against a Carolina defense that registered six quarterback pressures in Week 1.
Therefore, if the Panthers’ defense can’t force Carr out of the pocket, he should throw at least two TDs against a secondary that allowed 25 passing TDs last season and is missing young cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring).
NFL Prop Bets Week 2
Seahawks vs Lions: SEA 1H +3.5 (-118)
The Seahawks got crushed at home in Week 1, falling 30-13 to Matthew Stafford and the rival Rams. Seattle held a six-point lead at halftime (13-7) but allowed Los Angeles to score 23 unanswered points in the second half. Now the Seahawks face the Lions, who are coming off an impressive season-opening road win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seattle and Detroit played each other last season, and Geno Smith and Co. won 48-45 at Ford Field. Smith was excellent, completing 23-of-30 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jared Goff completed 26-of-39 passes for 378 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. The Seahawks also outscored the Lions by nine points in the first half.
- Check out our NFL Week 2 predictions & betting picks.
Detroit is a 5.5-point favorite heading into this Week 2 matchup. But the Seahawks should be able to keep it close in the first half if they can protect Smith and get Kenneth Walker going on the ground.
The Lions will get a significant boost from their home fans, a chunk of whom traveled to the opener in KC, but Seattle has the weapons on offense to keep up.
Bears vs Buccaneers: TB Over 21.5 Points (-115)
The Buccaneers are coming off a hard-fought 20-17 road win over the Vikings and will now return home to play the Bears on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Chicago got embarrassed in Week 1, allowing 38 points to Jordan Love and the Packers.
The Bears have allowed 33.6 points per game over their last five, dating back to last season. On the contrary, Tampa Bay’s defense showed up in Week 1 against Minnesota, forcing three turnovers. The Bucs will try to replicate that performance on Sunday against Justin Fields, who had two turnovers and was under constant pressure against Green Bay.
Regardless of whether it gets help from the defense, Tampa Bay’s offense should get to the end zone often against the Bears, who allowed Green Bay to go 3-for-3 in the red zone.
Chicago’s defense stood tall against the run last week, allowing 92 rushing yards on 2.9 yards per attempt, but couldn’t get off the field on key downs — GB went 10-18 on third- and fourth-down attempts.
For Tampa to win, let alone score 22 points, they need Rachaad White to be better than 39 yards on 17 carries. But if he can find some success on the ground, that will open up the passing game for Baker Mayfield to hit Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Cade Otton, and Trey Palmer.
The Bucs should have enough firepower to get Over this team total.
Chargers vs Titans: TEN Under 21.5 Points (-120)
Some bettors might be shocked that I’m taking the Under on the Titans’ team total in Week 2 after the Dolphins scored 36 points on the Chargers’ defense in Week 1. However, there’s a notable distinction between Miami’s offense and Tennessee’s.
The Dolphins have better playmakers at wide receiver (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle) than the Titans (DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks). Miami also has the better quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, who I trust more to not turn the football over.
- Stay up to date on the latest trends & line moves with our NFL Week 2 odds.
Last weekend, Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill struggled against the Saints’ physical defense, throwing for 198 yards and three interceptions. He also was sacked three times, hit 10 times, and the Titans only scored 15 points.
Tennessee still has Derrick Henry, who can carry the offense and put up big numbers. However, LA held Miami’s running game to 70 yards last week.
The Chargers defense will be determined to stack the box and force Tannehill to beat them with his arm, which isn’t a recipe for success when you have Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack chasing you.