NFL Week 2 betting guide: Top plays for Sunday afternoon's games - ESPN

Value is value, no matter where — or how — you find it. And that's what we'll aim to do each week in this space: finding betting value.

Ben Solak, Seth Walder and Matt Bowen bring different perspectives into how they approach sports betting. Solak leans on his expertise in player evaluation and the X's and O's to find edges, while Walder relies on statistical models to pick out plus-expected value bets, focusing mainly on defense. Bowen, a former NFL safety, predicts positive matchups and game winners from tape study and his understanding of the league.

From spreads and money lines to totals and defensive player props, a good price might be found anywhere. Results will be tracked throughout the season, with flat one-unit wagers for each listed bet. With that, let's dive into our best bets, favorite defensive props and the top game to bet in Week 1.

Note: Odds by DraftKings and subject to change.

Jump to:
Bowen's Game of the Week | Solak's plays | Walder's props

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans (-2.5, 46.5)
1 p.m. ET on CBS, Reliant Stadium, Houston

This line has fluctuated but at -2.5, I am all-in. Would I feel the same at -3? I wouldn't love it, but I'd be willing to bet Houston at home in a bounce-back game after the Week 1 loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Let's get into what to look for on both sides of the ball, and we'll finish with some props bets to play.

• Top predicted TD scorers for Week 2
• Odds for every Week 2 game | First bets
• Recapping a wild Week 1 | Latest buzz
• Odds to win major awards | Early picks
• Super Bowl odds: Rams hold top spot
• Betting preview for the 2026 season
• Betting home | Super Bowl on ESPN

When Houston has the ball: Houston spent the offseason working on its run