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NFL betting: Early Week 2 line movement

The beauty of the NFL season is that it never stops. The transition from reacting to the previous week to looking forward to the next week is seamless for a lot of football fans. Sports bettors are no different, as they waste no time taking their positions for the upcoming week.

Often, it's successful and professional bettors who get involved in betting games early in the week. These people are confident in their positions and don't need to wait or second-guess. These successful bettors are also the ones most likely to cause a sportsbook to move its lines.

Let's take a look at some of the early line movements at BetMGM for Week 2 of the NFL season.

New York Giants @ Washington Football Team

The Football Team currently sits as 3.5-point home favorites against the Giants, with the total set at 40.5. However, there's been significant movement in both markets.

On the look ahead line, the Football team was projected to be a 5-point favorite in this game. After losing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to injury in Week 1, Washington opened as a 4-point favorite. That line has come down since opening, to the current number of New York +3.5.

The total has also seen significant movement. After opening at an already low number of 42.5 points, the total has gone even lower. Currently, the total for this game sits at just 40.5 points at BetMGM. It's currently the lowest total on the slate.

New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers

It seems like destroying the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 will get you some respect.

The New Orleans Saints were projected to be just 1.5-point favorites in Carolina on the look ahead line for Week 2. However, after the Saints destroyed the Packers in impressive fashion, they opened as 3-point favorites.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints points during the fourth quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at TIAA Bank Field on September 12, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

The Saints love did not stop there. Currently, New Orleans sits as 3.5-point road favorites against the Panthers. The line has even touched 4-points at times, but it seems like there is some Carolina buy-back at that number. Nevertheless, don't be surprised if this line keeps moving in favor of New Orleans.

The look ahead total for this game was 47 points, but the current total sits at 44.5 points. New Orleans' defense dominated the reigning MVP while Sam Darnold couldn't crack 20 points against the Jets. That likely explains the drop in the total.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Chicago Bears

The Cincinnati Bengals are currently 2.5-point underdogs in Chicago against the Bears. They opened as 3.5-point underdogs, but they've been bet through the key number of three. Some line movements are more significant than others, and this is an obvious example of that.

The Bengals were impressive in Week 1, beating the Vikings in overtime as three-point underdogs. On the other hand, the Bears were completely outclassed against the Rams on Sunday night. Andy Dalton keeps proving he's not the answer.

Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars

There was a lot unknown about Jacksonville entering the season with a first-time head coach in Urban Meyer and a rookie quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. Early returns were not good for the Jaguars, and the line for their Week 2 game reflects that.

The Denver Broncos are 6-point road favorites in Jacksonville this upcoming weekend. On the look ahead line, the Broncos were projected to be just three point favorites. While Denver was impressive in beating the Giants in Week 1, this line movement feels like a complete fade of Urban Meyer and Co. in Jacksonville.

New England Patriots @ New York Jets

The Patriots opened as 4-point favorites for Week 2, but that number is long gone. Currently, New England finds themselves as 6-point favorites on the road against the New York Jets.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 12: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets stiff arms Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Zach Wilson of the New York Jets under pressure from Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images) (Grant Halverson via Getty Images)

New York did not do a great job of protecting Zach Wilson in their opener, and that is a recipe for failure against Bill Belichick. It seems like early bettors are expecting the Patriots' coach to continue his history of terrorizing rookie quarterbacks.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens

The Chiefs currently sit as 3.5-point road favorites against the Baltimore Ravens. The line opened at 2.5-points, but Kansas City has been steamed through the key number of three.

These two teams played in Baltimore last season, with the Chiefs winning 34-20. In Week 1 of this season, Kansas City came back from two scores down in the 4th quarter against the Cleveland Browns to win the game. On the other hand, Baltimore blew a late game lead against the Raiders before losing in overtime.

The rest of the slate

Tennessee @ Seattle: Seattle is a 5.5-point favorite despite being just 3.5-point favorites on the look ahead line. The look ahead total was 51, but the current total sits at 54 points. Both of these seem like reactions to Tennessee's poor defensive showing in Week 1.

Dallas @ LA Chargers: Dallas opened as 2.5-point underdogs, but it seems like early action is favoring the Chargers. Los Angeles is now a 3-point favorite. The total sits at 55 points, much higher than the projected 51 total on the look ahead line.

Houston @ Cleveland: The Browns are 12.5 point favorites at this point, a move from the opening line of 11.5 points.

Las Vegas @ Pittsburgh: The Raiders opened as 6-point underdogs, but that line is now down to just 5.5-points.

Minnesota @ Arizona: The Cardinals are up to a 4.5-point favorite after the line opened at 4. The total is at 51 points.

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay: The defending Super Bowl champions are seeing the line move against them. After opening as 13.5-point favorites, the current line has the Buccaneers as 12-point favorites.