NFL Best Bets Week 2 (9/20/26)
Author: Dylan Lieck | September 20, 2026 | 1:55 A.M. CST
Best Bets:
1) Bengals @ Texans 1st Half Under 23.5
I love this spot for an under. The Texans defense was embarrassed by their performance last week, where the Bills put up 36 points. We know the Texans defense is much better than what they showed against Josh Allen and company. And, after we saw the Bills put up 41 on a short week Thursday night, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Additionally, when you dig into the numbers, the defense really wasn’t THAT bad. From a down-to-down persepctive, they actually played above average last week. Where they struggled was explosive plays. They got torched for big plays by the Bills. While Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense has been great over the last couple years (when he’s healthy), I don’t see them being anywhere close the Buffalo Bills. I would be shocked to see the Bengals have consistent success against the Texans defense this week. They will come out with a much better gameplan and much more motivated than they were week 1.
On the other side, the key is Nico Collins being out for the Texans. This Texans offense isn’t great to start. But, when you take Nico Collins out of the picture, over the last few seasons, the Texans have been horrific offensively. Specifically, CJ Stroud is AWFUL when he does not have Nico Collins. I’d be shocked to see the Texans sniff the 20s. This Bengals defense had an entire overhaul over the offseason, and while I don’t think they will be great, I believe they are MUCH improved this season. So we’re going to look under in the first half here. The current number is 23.5 but it’s getting bet down (play to 21.5)
Official Pick: Bengals @ Texans 1st Half Under 23.5
Play Rating: 3%
2) 2 Team Teaser: Chiefs -.5 | Rams -1
This is a play on two teams that I think are both Super Bowl contenders. The Chiefs looked phenomenal week 1 against the Broncos. Normally, this would be a bit of a let down spot, playing a subpar team (the Colts) after a big emotional win. But I don’t think this Chiefs team cares enough about a win against the Broncos week 1 to have a big let down. I believe they want to make a statement early in the year that they are back. Secondly, the Colts played way above expectation last year, and because of that they are getting a little too much credit. This number is basically saying the Chiefs are a 3 point favorite on a neutral field against the Colts. I know it’s early, but the way Kenneth Walker looked week 1, I have no clue how that’s what oddsmakers believe. I make the Chiefs a 6.3 point favorite on a neutral. So to get them to a pick’em is a steal in my opinion. Not to mention, Mahomes is elite in primetime.
The Rams are coming off a loss week 1 in Austrailia. While I’d normally look to fade a team coming back from overseas, we know the Rams were only there a few days, and their internal clocks aren’t nearly as affected as a team like the 49ers who spent over a week there. Additionally, the game was last Thursday, and we get the Rams on a Monday night - so they’ve had nearly 10 days to adjust. Then you look at the spot. The Giants played late Sunday night, which loses an additional day for them. It was the first game of the Harbaugh era in New York, and they got a big win against the Cowboys. They played about as well as they could’ve hoped and got a big win over a divisional rival. Everyone talked about them all week as a legit contender in the division. It sets up perfectly for a huge letdown spot for the Giants. Additionally, the Rams were picked as the favorites to win it all prior to the season, so I just don’t buy the idea of them going 0-2 to start. And obviously we have the Giants making the cross country trip. I love the Rams to win in this spot. I think we’re getting a steal on each of these teaser legs.
Official Pick: 2 Team 6 Point Teaser (Chiefs -.5 & Rams -1)
Play Rating: 3%
