NFL Betting Recap: Books Strike Back In Week 2

By Bill Speros

Sep 21st, 2026 1:44 PM EDT

NFL Week 2 Betting Recap

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The books and market-makers rallied for big wins in Week 2 in our NFL Betting Recap.

The four heaviest ticket sides of the week — Eagles, Bucs, Bears, Packers — went 1-3 ATS. The Eagles and Bucs were the two loudest “lock” public plays and both failed to cover. 

Patriots money (+80% handle) was one of the few big-favorite public sides that cashed.

Fading the most one-sided public favorites was the winning Week 2 angle through Sunday. The crowd was right on Carolina, New England, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver; wrong on Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Baltimore, Green Bay, Kansas City, and the Chargers. Dogs and unders in the early window did the most damage to square tickets.

The public came up short on the heavy over/under play. The Vikings-Bears game was most-bet side in terms of handle at DraftKings. The Vikings won 9-3 off a total of 47.5 points. The Packers-Jets landed under 44.5 points, but the Patriots and Steelers generated just 23 points against a well-bet over of 41.5 points.

Week 2 - Where The Money Landed

Week 2 Betting Breakdown - Trends

Here's a look at some of the key trends that held in Week 2.

• Small/road dogs and 0-1 teams covering in Week 2: held. Vikings +4.5, Bengals +2.5, Browns +8.5, Saints +8.5, Titans +7, Jets +3.5, Raiders +6.5, Colts +6.5 all covered.
• Fade inflated 1-0 home favorites: Bears, Ravens, Bucs, Texans all failed to cover.
• Public on big favorites: poor. The 7+ and 8+ favorites the public hammered (Eagles, Bucs, Ravens) did not cover.
• Panthers as a slight favorite: they covered and snapped the long “can’t cover as a favorite” narrative.
• Bucs ATS skid: continued (lost as a big home favorite).
• Chiefs as a mid-range favorite: won outright 33-30 but did not cover -6.5, consistent with Mahomes/Chiefs often being closer than the number as favorites.

Prop Recap: Injuries Pushed Unders On Heavy Plays

The most-bet player props of the week drained player wallets and app accounts. Caleb Williams over 26.5 yards rushing was the most-bet prop at BetMGM. Williams snagged the over before suffering his hamstring injury.

Books have routinely voided prop wagers and parlay legs following some injuries. But prediction markets have yet to adopt a similar policy. That is something to consider, especially when backing the unders.

Jamar Chase was the big payoff for the public, catching two touchdown passes in Cincinnati's 20-6 win at Houston. Derrick Henry also cashed with a one-yard first-quarter TD.

Philadelphia's two popular TD bets were wiped out in part by injuries. Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger on his first carry and finished with just four carries for nine yards, while Dallas Goedert left with a knee injury after making one catch. Neither scored.

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