NFL Week 2 betting storylines: Can the Dolphins keep the train rolling?

Week 2 kicks off with Thursday Night Football between the Eagles and Vikings. Beyond this NFC showdown, Sunday's games feature a ton of storylines, including AFC contenders potentially bouncing back, a rookie quarterback duel, and the Dolphins' resurgence. Let's dive in.

Can AFC contenders bounce back?

The Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals - the three favorites to win the AFC - all lost their season openers. Kansas City started its season on Thursday Night Football without Travis Kelce due to injury and Chris Jones due to a contract dispute, leading to a Lions upset win.

There isn't much concern among the media or betting markets about the Chiefs as they remain Super Bowl favorites. After all, as long as Patrick Mahomes is available, Kansas City is almost guaranteed to play football in January.

No team wants to dig itself into a 0-2 hole. Despite being favored by three points in a rematch of last year's AFC divisional-round game, it won't be easy for the Chiefs to win in Jacksonville this Sunday.

The Jaguars have the sixth-best odds to win the AFC and pulled away late from the Colts in Week 1 to escape with a win.

The difference for the Chiefs this week is Jones resolved his dispute with the team and Kelce is expected to play, providing the club with major boosts on each side of the ball.

Both offenses are expected to explode with the total at 51.5, the highest of the weekend.

The next team with little to worry about is the Bengals, despite the Browns walloping them. Joe Burrow missed more than half of training camp recovering from a calf injury, so it'll take some time for him and the rest of the offense to find their rhythm.

Remember last year when Cincinnati started the season 2-3? The club won 10 out of its final 11 games and ended up in the AFC championship.

This week, the Bengals are 3.5-point home favorites against the Ravens, an AFC North rival.

While anyone concerned with the Bengals or Chiefs needs to take a deep breath, Buffalo fans' panic level may be justified.

The Bills' offense looked atrocious against the Jets Monday night, and the blame falls on the shoulders - or arm - of Josh Allen. The signal-caller had four turnovers, including three interceptions, tying the most he's ever thrown in a game.

The Jets' defense is one of the best in the league, and there were a ton of emotions surrounding the evening. That's not to make excuses for the Bills' offense but to provide optimism that it shouldn't be this grim for them the rest of the way.

However, Allen's reckless decisions are a concern. He has a league-leading 83 turnovers since entering the NFL in 2018.

The Bills have an easier test this weekend at home against the Raiders. Buffalo is an 8.5-point favorite in the matchup despite Las Vegas' thrilling win over the Broncos last weekend.

Allen was +120 to throw a pick on the road against the Jets. Those odds have shortened after last week's catastrophe. He's +105 to throw an interception against the Raiders.

A parlay of the Bills, Bengals, and Chiefs to win Week 2 is +199 ($10 to win $19).

Rookie QB Battle

Although there will be little excitement when the Texans and Colts play, the game could be a glimpse of the league's future with two rookie quarterbacks competing head-to-head for the first time.

The Colts' Anthony Richardson and Texans' C.J. Stroud were the fourth and second picks, respectively, in the 2023 NFL Draft, forever linking their career trajectories.

Both teams started the season with a loss, meaning one of these guys will earn their first career win on Sunday. The Colts are slight road favorites.

Richardson had a roller-coaster debut, which is to be expected for a first-time NFL starter. He completed 67% of his passes while throwing for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He led his team to 21 points in a loss.

Stroud threw for 242 yards but didn't throw an interception or a touchdown in an inconspicuous debut.

Richardson has better odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at +550 than Stroud does at +800.

For this week, though, oddsmakers expect Stroud to outduel Richardson through the air. Stroud's total passing yards are set at 215.5, while Richardson's are at 198.5.

However, Richardson is considered the more mobile player. His rushing yards line is 45.5, while Stroud's is 12.5.

Can Tua and Miami replicate Week 1 performance?

While Tua Tagovailoa has been maligned over the last year, he eliminated any doubt about his potential as a franchise quarterback in the season opener.

Tagovailoa threw for a remarkable 466 yards and three touchdowns in a dramatic win. He became the favorite to win the MVP following the game.

Tyreek Hill was a huge beneficiary of Tagovailoa's performance - or maybe it's the other way around. Hill led all receivers with 215 yards and two touchdowns. He leaped four players to become the favorite to win Offensive Player of the Year at +700. He was +1800 before the season.

However, this was all against a suspect Chargers defense. Can Tagovailoa, Hill, and the Dolphins replicate this performance, or anything close to it, against a sturdy Patriots defense in Foxborough?

The Dolphins are 3-point favorites. The Patriots lost in Week 1 but forced an elite Eagles offense into difficult situations, where Philadelphia failed to consistently move the ball most of the second half.

Bill Belichick is known for his exceptional defensive game planning and unique wrinkles. It's hard to completely shut down an offense as prolific as Miami's, but if anyone can do it, it's Belichick.

Tagovailoa and Hill are expected to come back down to earth this week. Tagovailoa's total passing yards are set at 265.5, and Hill's receiving yards are at 83.5.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formally known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.

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