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3 NFL Week 2 Bets to Fade (2024)

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Everyone loves betting on the NFL. However, knowing which bets to make is critical. It's also important to know which bets you should avoid placing.

I have three bets you should avoid making in Week 2. I also have three bets in the same games you should make instead. Let's dive in.

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NFL Week 2 Bets to Fade

(Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)

New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders

Avoid Betting Terry McLaurin Under 3.5 Receptions (+120)

  • Terry McLaurin struggled in Week 1, totaling 17 receiving yards on only two receptions. However, he led the team in target share, route participation and first-read target share.
  • The veteran has always dominated the Giants, averaging 6.8 receptions per game. McLaurin had at least four receptions in every game, totaling six or more in 77.8% of the matchups.
  • New York only gave up eight receptions to wide receivers in a blowout loss last week. Yet, Justin Jefferson accounted for half of them (four) on only six targets and 24 routes.
  • More aggressive bettors should bet McLaurin over 90 receiving yards (+500). He has hit that total in five of his nine matchups against the Giants (55.6%).

Instead, Bet Wan'Dale Robinson Over 4.5 Receptions (+110)

  • Wan’Dale Robinson led New York in receptions (six), targets (12) and target per route run rate (34%) despite finishing fourth in total routes (32) in Week 1.
  • He ran 83.9% of his routes from the slot, posting a 26% target per route run rate in the slot, both team-highs
  • The Commanders gave up 15 receptions to wide receivers in Week 1, the fourth-most in the NFL. Last year, they surrendered the sixth-most receptions per game to wide receivers (13.4).
  • Washington allowed the highest receiving first downs per reception rate (17.8%) and the second-most receptions (10) to slot receivers last week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions

Avoid Betting Amon-Ra St. Brown Under 80.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown struggled in Week 1, totaling 13 receiving yards on only three receptions. Expect the slot receiver to bounce back in Week 2.
  • He averaged 94.7 yards per game in 2023, the fifth-most in the NFL. St. Brown had 90+ yards in 68.8% of the games, including the matchup against the Buccaneers.
  • Tampa Bay's secondary got destroyed by injuries in Week 1. Four defensive backs likely won't play Sunday, including superstar safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
  • The Buccaneers gave up 82 yards on only eight receptions and 10 routes to slot receivers in Week 1 despite Jayden Daniels having only 184 passing yards.

Instead, Bet Chris Godwin Over 62.5 Receiving Yards (-125)

  • Chris Godwin led the team with 83 receiving yards last week despite finishing third in routes run (22) and target per route run rate (36%).
  • The veteran wide receiver averaged 60.2 yards per game in 2023. Yet, Godwin had 77 yards in the regular season matchup against the Lions.
  • He is back to playing in the slot and dominating. Godwin posted the third-highest yards per route run (4.36) among wide receivers with at least 10 slot routes in Week 1.
  • Detroit’s defense surrendered the third-most receiving yards (135) and the most air yards (164) to slot wide receivers last week.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Avoid Betting Kirk Cousins Under 226.5 Passing Yards (-115)

  • Kirk Cousins struggled in Week 1, totaling only 155 passing yards on 26 attempts. However, it was his first game since tearing his Achilles with a new set of receivers and a new play-caller.
  • He averaged 291.4 yards per game in 2023, totaling 274+ yards in 75% of the contests. Cousins should throw a ton Monday night, with the Falcons often likely chasing points.
  • The veteran totaled 364 yards on 44 attempts against the Eagles last season. He has had 300+ yards in four of the past five matchups against them.
  • Philadelphia surrendered the fourth-most yards per game to quarterbacks last year (267.7) and the fifth-most in Week 1 (278).

Instead, Bet DeVonta Smith Over 60.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

  • DeVonta Smith had 84 receiving yards in Week 1, catching seven of his eight targets. He led the team in routes run (36) and was second in yards per route run rate (2.33).
  • Last season, Smith averaged 66.6 yards per game. Furthermore, the star receiver averaged 77.5 yards per game at home, totaling 78+ in 62.5% of those contests.
  • He primarily played in the slot in Week 1, running 26 routes, twice as many as any other Eagle. Over 72% of his routes (26) and 69.1% of his yards (58) last week came from the slot.
  • The Falcons gave up 85 receiving yards to George Pickens last week despite Justin Fields having only 156 passing yards on 23 attempts.

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday:

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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