Sports betting enthusiasts have received more then they could have asked for during the first two weeks of the 2011 NFL season. From crazy blowouts in week one, to wild finishes in week two, save for five games going to overtime in week three, things simply can’t get any wilder. On the online sportsbooks lines, the twilight zone results have caused many bookmakers both online and in person to question if they know how to properly set a line. Despite the St. Louis Rams and New York Giants having yet to play, here is a recap of all the action that has gone down thus far in the NFL fishing games week two.
The Carolina Panthers almost cost several bookmakers to go bankrupt on Sunday, after they jumped out to a 13 to six lead over the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers heading into halftime. Entering the game, Aaron Rodgers and company were favored by eight points over Cam Newton’s Panthers. However, it was the rookie turning heads, as he would throw for over 430 passing yards for the second week in a row, even though he threw three interceptions. In the end the Packers would mount a historic comeback, winning the game outright 30 – 23. Nevertheless, the Panthers were still able to cover the college football betting line spread, which had moved up to eight and a half points to start the second half.
Another game that had fans and bookies alike scratching their heads featured the Buffalo Bills taking on the Oakland Raiders in Buffalo. On paper, regardless of each team winning their week one matchup, fans and handicappers alike expected this game to go under the total of 48 points. Both the Bills and Raiders had two of the top defenses in 2010, and that was expected to carry over in yesterday’s matchup. If you decided to be a wise guy and make an NFL picks on the over in this game, we salute you. What was believed to be a defensive gem, turned into a shootout at the Okay Corral. The Bills and Raiders combined for 73 points, as Ryan Fitzpatrick out dueled Jason Campbell and won the game in the final seconds of regulation on a game winning touchdown pass.
The most surprising win of week two, came in the afternoon affair between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions. A week after getting killed 41 to seven by the Buffalo Bills, many fans and analysts alike, we included, believed that the Kansas City Chiefs would have a bounce back game against the Detroit Lions. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs continued to resemble the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals, as they were lit up by Matthew Stafford and Lions in a 48 to three blowout. To make matters worse, the Chiefs lost star running back Jamal Charles to a torn ACL during the first half of the game.
