NFL team total bets for Week 2
Each week of the NFL season, we'll highlight our best bets on projected team totals, which are released closer to kickoff of each respective game. Last week, the Saints and Cardinals both flirted with their team totals, while the Raiders' offense surprised sans Antonio Brown.
Here are our picks for Week 2:
Chicago Bears team total under (at Denver Broncos)
Play: 21.5 or higher
The Bears laid an egg of epic proportions in last Thursday's season opener, mustering three points at home against a rebuilt Packers defense. Mitchell Trubisky was particularly horrendous, posting a 16.2 QBR with -6.1 points added - better only than Jameis Winston's double-pick-six outing against San Francisco.
Since 1989, teams that score three points or fewer at home have scored more than 21 points the following game just 23.1% of the time. Of the 18 teams to score three or fewer in a home opener, just two have topped 21 points in Week 2.
Former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will have his talented Broncos defense ready for Trubisky's road opener, and it likely won't be pretty for Chicago's offense. Hit the under with confidence here.
Dallas Cowboys team total over (at Washington Redskins)
Play: 25.5 or lower
If Dak Prescott is garnering MVP love after his stellar Week 1 performance, Kellen Moore better be getting some head coaching calls in a few months. The Cowboys' new offensive coordinator brought out the best in Prescott as the quarterback turned in a 405-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Giants - even with All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott working his way back into the offense.
The Redskins held their own for the first half against Philly but eventually succumbed to the Eagles' high-powered attack, allowing 302 yards and 25 points in the final two quarters. While Philadelphia mostly rode Carson Wentz in its comeback win, Washington's defense graded out as the third-worst against the run in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus.
An encore performance from Prescott and a bit of improvement from Elliott should be more than enough to hit a modest team total against a frisky but overmatched Redskins team.
New York Jets team total under (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Play: 24.5 or higher
The Jets' offense is in shambles. Quarterback Sam Darnold is a late scratch with mononucleosis and star running back Le'Veon Bell is nursing a sore shoulder that required a precautionary MRI on Thursday. This comes after head coach Adam Gase called his offense "inept" following a 16-point, 223-yard showing against Buffalo.
The Browns looked pretty rough in their opener, too, but they have the talent to build an early lead in this game. That would put the pressure on Trevor Siemian to throw his team back into it.
In the 25 career games in which Siemian has thrown a pass, his teams have scored 25 points just nine times. It likely won't happen Monday night against a fiery Cleveland defense.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.