NFL Week 2 Betting Recap: Underdogs Bark, Favorites Whimper

Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and it was a bloodbath for bettors who blindly backed the favorites. From stunning outright upsets to nail-biting finishes that swung against the spread, Week 2 was a powerful reminder that anything can happen on any given Sunday. In this comprehensive breakdown, we’ll dissect the betting action from every game, highlighting the key takeaways for bettors and looking ahead to what it all means for Week 3.

Week 2 was defined by the underdogs. Five underdogs won their games outright, and many more covered the spread, leaving many bettors with torn-up tickets and a newfound respect for the unpredictability of the NFL. The week kicked off with a hard-fought battle and ended with a Monday night doubleheader that provided even more betting drama. Let’s dive into the betting recap for every game of Week 2.

Monday Night Football: Chargers Hold Off Raiders, Bucs Stun Texans

Los Angeles Chargers 20, Las Vegas 9

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Chargers -3.5 (Chargers Covered)
• Total: Under 45.5 (29 total points)
• Moneyline: Chargers -190 (Chargers Won)

The Chargers entered as 3.5-point favorites and managed to cover the spread in a game that was more of a defensive struggle than an offensive shootout. The under was never in doubt, as both offenses struggled to find a rhythm. For bettors, the key takeaway here is the Chargers’ ability to win and cover on the road in a divisional game, a positive sign for their future prospects. The Raiders, on the other hand, showed that their offensive line issues are a major concern for their betting outlook.

Betting Trend to Watch: The under has now hit in both of the Raiders’ games this season. Bettors should keep a close eye on this trend, as their offensive struggles could continue to lead to low-scoring affairs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Houston 19

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Texans -2.5 (Buccaneers Covered)
• Total: Under 42.5 (39 total points)
• Moneyline: Buccaneers +125 (Buccaneers Won)

In one of the biggest upsets of the week, the Buccaneers went into Houston as 2.5-point underdogs and came out with a stunning outright victory. The Bucs moneyline at +125 was a fantastic payout for those who believed in Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense. The Texans, who were a trendy pick to win the AFC South, showed that they still have some growing to do. The under was the right play here, as both defenses played well.

Betting Trend to Watch: The Buccaneers are now 2-0 against the spread (ATS) this season, both as underdogs. This team is being consistently undervalued by the market, and bettors should take notice.

Sunday Showdowns: Upsets and Close Calls

Atlanta Falcons 22, Minnesota Vikings 6

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Vikings -3.5 (Falcons Covered)
• Total: Under 44.5 (28 total points)
• Moneyline: Falcons +145 (Falcons Won)

The Falcons pulled off one of the most shocking upsets of Week 2, dominating the Vikings from start to finish. Not only did they cover the 3.5-point spread with ease, but they won the game outright as +145 moneyline underdogs. The under was never in doubt, as the Vikings offense was completely shut down. This was a brutal result for Vikings bettors and a massive win for anyone who took a chance on the Falcons.

Betting Trend to Watch: The Vikings are now 0-2 ATS this season. Their offense looks completely out of sync, and bettors should be wary of backing them until they show signs of life.

Philadelphia Eagles 20, Kansas City Chiefs 17

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Eagles -1.5 (Eagles Covered)
• Total: Under 46.5 (37 total points)
• Moneyline: Eagles -120 (Eagles Won)

In a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch, the Eagles edged out the Chiefs in a tight, low-scoring affair. The Eagles covered the small 1.5-point spread, and the under was the correct play. This game was a classic example of two elite teams battling it out, and it could have gone either way. For bettors, the takeaway is that both of these teams are legitimate contenders, and their games will likely be priced tightly all season.

Betting Trend to Watch: The under is now 2-0 in Chiefs games this season. While their offense is still explosive, their defense has been playing at a high level, leading to lower-scoring games than many expect.

Indianapolis Colts 29, Denver Broncos 28

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Broncos -2.5 (Colts Covered)
• Total: Over 43.5 (57 total points)
• Moneyline: Colts +105 (Colts Won)

In a back-and-forth thriller, the Colts pulled off a narrow upset victory over the Broncos. The Colts covered the 2.5-point spread and won the game outright as +105 moneyline underdogs. The over was the right side, as both offenses were able to move the ball effectively. This was a tough loss for Broncos bettors, as they had a lead late in the game.

Betting Trend to Watch: The over is now 2-0 in Colts games this season. This team is playing a high-flying brand of football, and their games have been shootouts so far.

Carolina Panthers 16, Arizona Cardinals 27

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Cardinals -6.5 (Cardinals Covered)
• Total: Under 44.5 (43 total points)
• Moneyline: Cardinals -320 (Cardinals Won)

The Cardinals took care of business at home, covering the 6.5-point spread against the struggling Panthers. The under was the correct play, as the Panthers offense was unable to do much of anything. This was a straightforward win for the Cardinals, and a good result for bettors who laid the points.

Betting Trend to Watch: The Panthers are now 0-2 ATS this season. This team looks to be in for a long year, and bettors should be cautious about backing them.

Sunday Early Slate: Chaos and Surprises

New England Patriots 33, Miami Dolphins 27

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Dolphins -2.5 (Patriots Covered)
• Total: Over 43.5 (60 total points)
• Moneyline: Patriots +110 (Patriots Won)

In a divisional showdown, the Patriots went into Miami as slight underdogs and came away with a high-scoring victory. The Patriots easily covered the 2.5-point spread and cashed for moneyline bettors at +110. The over was the story of this game, as both offenses lit up the scoreboard. This was a statement win for the Patriots and a concerning loss for the Dolphins, who were expected to contend for the AFC East title.

Betting Trend to Watch: The over is now 2-0 in Patriots games this season. This is a departure from their historical trend of being an under team, and bettors should adjust their expectations accordingly.

Seattle Seahawks 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

Betting Recap:

• Spread: Steelers -3.5 (Seahawks Covered)
• Total: Over 40.5 (48 total points)
• Moneyline: Seahawks +165 (Seahawks Won)

The Seahawks pulled off a significant upset on the road, dominating the Steelers in a game that was not as close as the final score indicates. The Seahawks covered the 3.5-point spread with ease and were a fantastic value for moneyline bettors at +165. The over was the correct play, as the Seahawks offense was firing on all cylinders.

Betting Trend to Watch: The Seahawks are now 2-0 ATS this season, both as underdogs. This is another team that the market seems to be undervaluing.

Other Early Games

• San Francisco 49ers 26, New Orleans Saints 2: The 49ers (-3.5) covered the spread in a dominant defensive performance. The under (40.5) was the right side.
• Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Cincinnati Bengals 31: The Bengals (-3.5) held on to win and cover in a close game. The over (48.5) was the correct play.
• Buffalo Bills 30, New York Jets 10: The Bills (-6.5) rolled to an easy victory, covering the spread with ease. The under (47.5) was the right side.
• New York Giants 37, Dallas Cowboys 34 (OT): The Giants (+5.5) not only covered the spread but won the game outright in a thrilling overtime finish. The over (44.5) was the correct play.
• Los Angeles Rams 33, Tennessee Titans 19: The Rams (-5.5) took care of business at home, covering the spread in a comfortable victory. The over (41.5) was the right side.
• Cleveland Browns 17, Baltimore Ravens 41: The Ravens (-11.5) dominated the Browns from start to finish, easily covering the large spread. The over (44.5) was the correct play.

Key Betting Trends and Takeaways from Week 2

Underdogs Ruled the Day

Week 2 was a masterclass in why the NFL is the most unpredictable sport for bettors. Five underdogs won their games outright: the Falcons (+145), Seahawks (+165), Buccaneers (+125), Colts (+105), and Patriots (+110). For moneyline bettors who took chances on these underdogs, it was a profitable week. The lesson here is clear: in the NFL, any team can beat any other team on any given Sunday.

Totals Were Mixed but Trending Under

While some games went over their totals, the majority of Week 2 games stayed under. This is particularly notable given that many expected high-scoring affairs. The under was the correct play in 9 of the 16 games, suggesting that defenses may be ahead of offenses early in the season, or that weather and other factors played a role in keeping scores down.

Home Field Advantage Was Overrated

Several home favorites failed to cover the spread or lost outright in Week 2. The Vikings, Steelers, Texans, and Dolphins all lost as home favorites, while the Cowboys needed overtime to beat the Giants. This suggests that home field advantage may not be as significant as the betting markets are pricing it, at least early in the season.

Teams to Watch Going Forward

Bet On: Buccaneers, Seahawks, Falcons – These teams are being consistently undervalued by the market and have shown they can compete with anyone.

Bet Against: Vikings, Panthers, Raiders – These teams have struggled both on the field and against the spread, and their issues may continue.

Monitor Closely: Chiefs, Eagles, Bills – These elite teams are being priced tightly, but their games often provide value on the under.

Looking Ahead to Week 3

As we head into Week 3, bettors should keep these trends in mind. The market will likely adjust to some of the surprises from Week 2, but there may still be value in backing teams that have been undervalued. The key is to stay disciplined, do your research, and remember that in the NFL, anything can happen.

Week 2 was a reminder that the NFL is the ultimate equalizer, and for bettors, that means opportunity. Whether you’re backing underdogs, looking for value on totals, or trying to find edges in the spread, the key is to stay informed and make smart, calculated decisions.

Remember to bet responsibly and within your means. Good luck in Week 3!