Few would have been bold enough to project before the NFL betting lines lockout came to an end that while the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, and defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers struggled out of the gate, it would be the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and new-look Cincinnati Bengals opening the year on a winning note. The fact remains however that it is just one week after all, and heading in to week two there is a lot that can change in the AFC. Here is a quick look at three AFC matchups for this weekend.
Oakland Raiders @ Buffalo Bills
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
The Bills came out and absolutely dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in hostile territory week one to the tune of a 41-7 final at Arrowhead, opening the game with 20 straight points before allowing the defending AFC West champions the chance to even get on the board. Buffalo will look to parlay those efforts against one of the Chiefs’ divisional rivals as they open the home portion of their schedule against the Oakland Raiders, who managed to knock off another AFC West team on the road with a 23-20 win at Mile High. One of the biggest keys to victory for the Bills in week one was their ability to stop the run while opening things up through the air, and those sports betting strengths match up well again this week against the Raiders.
NFL Betting Pick: Buffalo Bills – 3.5
Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
The Ravens absolutely dominated from the outset against the Steelers, putting to rest any fishing talk about how they wouldn’t be able to beat their biggest rivals with Joe Flacco under center. All Flacco did was throw for 224 yards and three touchdowns while his opposing quarterback threw three interceptions and fumbled twice for five of Pittsburgh’s seven turnovers on the day. Baltimore was able to move the ball almost at will whether through the air or on the ground with running back Ray Rice, and that shouldn’t change against a Titans’ team that lost at Jacksonville week one. Tennessee is a team in transition, and why this spread is so low may be one of the biggest NFL mysteries heading in to week two.
NFL Betting Pick: Baltimore Ravens - 6
Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
While the Colts were expected to falter against a tough division rival on the road week one with Peyton Manning out, much more was expected of the Browns. Cleveland spent too much time concentrating on being conservative on offense rather than taking their shots downfield, and the defense ended up making them pay for it when they allowed the Cincinnati Bengals to score 14 in the final frame to lose at home. It doesn’t get much worse than that for the Browns, and it’s hard to imagine them now going on the road and laying an NFL picks beat down on the Colts even without Manning.
NFL Betting Pick: Indianapolis Colts + 3.5
