The 'dogs were barking in Week 2 as eight underdog teams won outright.
Week 2 in the NFL was a massacre for survivor pools as a ridiculous eight underdog teams won outright, capped by Atlanta’s 22-21 victory in Philadelphia on Monday. For context, it’s only the third time in the last decade that at least seven underdogs won outright in the same week (seven won in 2016 and 2019).
Underdogs were incredibly profitable last week, finishing 9-5-2 against the spread and an even 8-8 straight up. The biggest upset was the Raiders winning 26-23 in Baltimore after entering the game as 8.5-point underdogs.
In addition to the ‘dogs who won outright in Week 2, Cincinnati covered as six-point underdogs in a road loss against Kansas City, while the Patriots played to a push in a thee-point overtime loss against Seattle.
Let’s take a look at the eight upset wins in Week 2 and see where the NFL odds were at kickoff.
Raiders 26, Ravens 23
Point spread: Baltimore -8.5
Moneyline: Las Vegas +345
Fact of the game: Entering Week 2, the Raiders lost 49 straight games when trailing by at least 10 points in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas trailed 23-13 in the final frame on Sunday before closing the game out with a touchdown, an extra point and two field goals.
Buccaneers 20, Lions 16
Point spread: Detroit -7.5
Moneyline: Tampa Bay +290
Fact of the game: Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson finished with 4.5 sacks, becoming just the third Lions player ever to record at least four sacks in game after William Gay in 1983 and Keith Ferguson in 1986. The impressive performance, however, wasn’t enough to get past Tampa Bay.
Saints 44, Cowboys 19
Point spread: Dallas -6.5
Moneyline: New Orleans +230
Fact of the game: Believe it or not (I’m still not sure I do), Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints have scored 91 points in the first two weeks of the season, the second-most of any team in the first two games of the season since 1970. Who scored the most? Also New Orleans (93 points) in 2009, the Saints’ only Super Bowl season.
Packers 16, Colts 10
Point spread: Indianapolis -2.5
Moneyline: Green Bay +120
Fact of the game: Off-season signee Josh Jacobs has the most rushing yards (235) and scrimmage yards (255) of any player in their first two games with the Green Bay Packers since 1948.
Vikings 23, 49ers 17
Point spread: San Francisco -4
Moneyline: Minnesota +180
Fact of the game: Justin Jefferson’s 97-yard touchdown is the longest scrimmage TD the 49ers have ever allowed.
Browns 18, Jaguars 13
Point spread: Jacksonville -3
Moneyline: Cleveland +140
Fact of the game: The Jags are off to an ugly 0-2 start for the fourth time since 2015.
Bills 31, Dolphins 10
Point spread: Miami -2.5
Moneyline: Buffalo +115
Fact of the game: Josh Allen owns the Dolphins, going 12-2 (including playoffs) as a starter against Miami.
Falcons 22, Eagles 21
Point spread: Philadelphia -5.5
Moneyline: Atlanta +205
Fact of the game: Kirk Cousins was just 12-20 as a starter in primetime games prior to Week 2, including 3-10 on Monday Night Football.