The opening week of the 2024 NFL season delivered plenty of excitement, with thrilling plays, nail-biting finishes, and a few unexpected outcomes. While there’s a lot to unpack from Week 1, fans are already turning their attention to what’s in store for Week 2.
The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins will kick off Week 2 on Thursday night in what promises to be an exciting AFC East showdown. Let’s take a closer look at the NFL Vegas odds for some of the key matchups this week and see where the value lies for bettors.
Both teams staged second-half comebacks in Week 1, setting up a compelling Thursday night matchup. Buffalo’s key task will be containing Miami’s dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Each topped 100 yards in the opener. A major factor will be whether Greg Rousseau, coming off a three-sack performance, can pressure Tua Tagovailoa and disrupt the Dolphins’ rhythm.
On offense, Josh Allen effectively spread the ball around to his new group of receivers. The Bills benefited from James Cook’s 103 total yards, giving them more balance in the running game. While Miami is just 1-4 straight up against Buffalo under head coach Mike McDaniel, the prime-time stage of NFL Thursday Night Football makes this game feel like a toss-up.
Below are the odds for the game from three of the best Vegas NFL Football betting sites.
Both the Cowboys and Saints delivered strong performances in their openers, setting up an intriguing matchup. Dallas has been solid as an away favorite, going 4-1 against the spread dating back to last season. The key question will be which quarterback can avoid mistakes under pressure. New Orleans recorded four sacks in Week 1, and Chase Young will need to step up against Dak Prescott, who faces a Saints defense that is known to bring pressure.
On the other side, Dallas’ defense was dominant, tallying six sacks, with Micah Parsons looking as dangerous as ever. The Cowboys won their last meeting at Caesars Superdome 27-17 in 2021, and this matchup could follow a similar script with defense playing a major role.
This matchup is a rematch of last season’s NFC Divisional playoff, and it promises to be another thriller. Baker Mayfield had an impressive Week 1, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns. However, in last season’s 31-23 playoff loss to Detroit, Mayfield was sacked four times and threw two interceptions.
The Lions’ running game remains a force, racking up 163 yards in Week 1, with the dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs leading the charge. Their ground game could be the deciding factor in what is expected to be another closely contested game. Mayfield may get another chance to lead a late-game drive. However, Detroit’s relentless rushing attack could make the difference down the stretch.
Caleb Williams is set to make his NFL Sunday Night Football debut after a modest first outing, where he threw for 93 yards. The Bears’ defense and special teams were key in that game, a formula they’ve relied on successfully before. However, they’ll face a tougher challenge against a Texans team that’s further along in its development, led by C.J. Stroud. Stroud, boasting a 6-2 record and a 108.3 QB rating at home, has proven to be reliable. Houston is 5-5 ATS at home since last season.
While Williams is expected to show improvement and have some standout moments, Stroud’s ability to connect on touchdown passes, combined with Joe Mixon’s continued impact in the red zone, should give the Texans the edge.
The Falcons are at risk of starting the season 0-2, as Kirk Cousins looks to bounce back from a rough Week 1 performance, where he threw two interceptions. Meanwhile, the Eagles seem to have a more well-rounded offense built around Jalen Hurts. Both Saquon Barkley (132 total yards) and Bijan Robinson (113 total yards) are electrifying all-purpose threats who can make game-changing plays.
Cousins’ record on NFL Monday Night Football is a concerning 3-10, but he has won three of his last four starts in prime time. Despite this, the Eagles’ balanced attack may prove to be too much for Atlanta, especially if Cousins can’t shake his turnover issues.
Below is our list of the best online betting sites in USA 2024. You can browse through our reviews before deciding the best option for your NFL bets.
