Connect with us

Football

NFL Thursday Night Football best bets for Week 2

NFL Thursday Night Football best bets for Week 2

Week 2 of the NFL season kicks off with a matchup that could produce plenty of points as the Detroit Lions travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. Both teams are coming off high-scoring wins, with Detroit beating New Orleans 31-30 in overtime and Buffalo defeating Houston 36-31.

The current total is 54.5 points, and Buffalo is a 4.5-point favorite. Here are four bets worth considering for Thursday night’s matchup.

Advertisement

MORE: Bold predictions for Week 2 of 2026 NFL season

Lions at Bills Over 54.5 points

Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

This is a massive total, but the Week 1 performances from both offenses provide plenty of reason to expect another high-scoring game.

Detroit scored 31 points against New Orleans despite its offense becoming much less productive in the second half, while Buffalo put up 36 points against a Houston defense that was among the league’s tougher units. Josh Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing scores.

Advertisement

The Lions also have enough offensive firepower to keep pace. Detroit produced 469 total yards in Week 1, including 378 through the air, while Buffalo totaled 381 yards against Houston.

The last meeting between these teams produced 90 combined points, with Buffalo winning 48-42 in 2024.

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions

Sep 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) carries the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Gibbs was spectacular in Detroit’s opener, rushing 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 30 yards receiving. That workload is exactly what makes this prop attractive.

Advertisement

The Bills just allowed Houston to run for 124 yards in Week 1, and Detroit’s offense has plenty of ways to create running lanes for Gibbs.

At 79.5 yards, Gibbs needs only 80 yards to cash this bet. After receiving 29 carries in Week 1, another substantial workload could put him in position to clear that number.

MORE: 7 biggest NFL takeaways from Week 1 of 2026 season

DJ Moore Over 4.5 receptions

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills

Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Advertisement

D.J. Moore immediately made an impact in his Buffalo debut. Moore caught 5 of 8 targets for 100 yards and a touchdown against Houston, giving him exactly the type of volume needed to clear this reception prop.

Now Moore gets a Detroit defense that allowed the Saints to dominate through the air, and Buffalo has already shown a willingness to get him involved in the passing game. He finished second on the Bills in targets behind Dalton Kincaid, who had 130 receiving yards.

The Over 4.5 receptions requires just five catches — the exact number Moore recorded in Week 1 against a talented Texans secondary.

Jared Goff Over 259.5 passing yards

NFL: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions

NFL: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions

Aug 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) on the sidelines before their preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Advertisement

Goff threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans, but this matchup should provide considerably more passing opportunities if Buffalo’s offense continues producing at the rate it did in Week 1.

Goff averaged 268.5 passing yards per game in 2025, which is above Thursday’s 259.5-yard number.

In a game that should be high-scoring, expect the Lions to go to the air more often than they did in Week one, especially because they aren’t likely to jump out to a big lead early on the Bills as they did against the Saints.

****Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.****

Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter




Source link

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in Football