Week 2 of the NFL is here and we’re chomping at the big for those seven hours of commercial-free football on Redzone this Sunday evening – the only way it can get any better is with a winning bet!
Gridiron guru Ben Steele is back with five value picks from three games so let’s get into his San Francisco 49ers v Minnesota Vikings betting tips, Las Vegas Raiders v Baltimore Ravens betting tips, and Los Angeles Chargers v Carolina Panthers betting tips.
NFL Week 1 Bets
San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson Anytime Touchdown
San Francisco 49ers -5.5 Points
Las Vegas Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry Anytime Touchdown
Isaiah Likely Over 37.5 Receiving Yards
Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Chargers -5.5 Points
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 28/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings
San Francisco 49ers -5.5 Points
The defending NFC champions kicked off the season with a comprehensive win over the New York Jets where the only real story of note was the decision not to play star running back Christian McCaffrey. Without the man who scored 26 touchdowns last season the Niners were still able to dominate the game with understudy Jordan Mason and wide receiver Deebo Samuel both scoring running touchdowns.
While the 49ers beat the Jets, the Minnesota Vikings were far too good for New York’s other team, the Giants, but Kyle Shanahan’s side are a much more challenging proposition and I think its fair to say that even with home advantage Minnesota won’t get close to San Francisco. Look for a McCaffrey-less 49ers to cover the spread.
Justin Jefferson Anytime Touchdown
The Vikings had a mixed offseason, they saw their first-round pick quarterback JJ McCarthy suffer a season ending injury but they did secure the services of arguably the best pass catcher in the league when they made Justin Jefferson the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Jefferson has already begun repaying that $140 million contract with 59 yards and a touchdown in Minnesota’s Week 1 win. With Sam Darnold replacing the injured McCarthy under center the Vikings have a man who knows Sunday’s opponents well, having played in San Francisco last season. While I don’t think the Vikings will have enough to trouble the Niners I do think Jefferson can combine with Darnold to find the endzone for the second week in a row.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Likely Over 37.5 Receiving Yards
Opening the season on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the toughest assignments in the NFL but the Baltimore Ravens came, quite literally, within an inch of forcing overtime in a real battle between two of the best in the AFC.
The man whose foot was only just out of bounds as he caught what he thought was the game-tying touchdown was Isiah Likely, who had a breakout game, scoring a touchdown and racking up 111 receiving yards. Quarterback Lamar Jackson loves throwing down the middle of the field, where Likely will operate, and the tight end’s receiving yards line looks much too low.
Derrick Henry Anytime Touchdown
The arrival of Derrick Henry in Baltimore was much heralded in the offseason and undoubtedly opens up space for Jackson to show off his running skills, but it is around the goalline where Henry comes into his own.
At nearly 250lbs Henry is one of the most unstoppable short yardage running backs the league has ever seen and with defences having to account for Jackson too it makes him even more of a threat. The Raiders were torched last week by former Raven’s running back J.K. Dobbins and Henry is a much more experienced runner. Henry should find the endzone again this week.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Chargers -5.5 Points
J.K. Dobbins will get another chance to shine this week when the Los Angeles Chargers travel cross country to face a Carolina Panthers side who were probably responsible for the worst performance of Week 1. The New Orleans Saints blew the Panthers apart, winning 47-10, sacking Bryce Young four times in the process.
The Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, will look to pile the misery on with Khalil Mack, (who had a career-high 17 sacks last season) and Joey Bosa chasing Young all day. After a 22-10 win last week, I’m looking at the Chargers to win by a similar scoreline again this week.
NFL Multi Match Bet Builder
San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson Anytime Touchdown
San Francisco 49ers -5.5 Points
Las Vegas Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry Anytime Touchdown
Isaiah Likely Over 37.5 Receiving Yards
Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Chargers -5.5 Points
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 28/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All odds and lines quoted are accurate at time of publication but are subject to change
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