NFL Week 2 Picks: Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 9/14/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Cincinnati -5
Current Betting Line: Cincinnati -5.5
Opening Total: 48
Current Total: 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Cincinnati Bengals are 5-1-1 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 7 points since 2012

Atlanta picked up a 37-34 overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints as three-point home underdogs last Sunday, as it won the statistical battle by 96 yards, while going OVER the betting total of 51. Falcons head coach Mike Smith owns a 1-0 record against his former colleague Marvin Lewis, as he picked up a 39-32 home victory in this series in 2010. Quarterback Matt Ryan had a career day versus the Saints, as he set the franchise record for total passing yards in a single game with 448. Atlanta is 5-11 SU and 9-7 ATS as underdogs over the last two-plus seasons.

The Falcons have one of the best wide receiver duos in the league, with Julio Jones and Roddy White combining to catch 12 passes for 188 yards versus the Saints, while running back Steven Jackson contributed 52 rushing yards on 12 carries. Atlanta also has another weapon with return man Devin Hester coming over from the Chicago Bears during the offseason—catching five passes for99 yards.

Cincinnati has failed to start a season with two wins since winning its first three games in 2006, as it comes off a 23-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens as one-point road underdogs in Week 1, while going UNDER the betting total of 43.5. The Bengals are 15-6-1 in their last 22 home games versus NFC teams, including a 2-0 mark in that situation a season ago. Under Lewis, the franchise has captured seven of 11 home openers. Cincinnati is 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 7 points since 2012.

The Bengals are very pleased with the progress signal-caller Andy Dalton has made since the end of last season, as he completed 25-of-38 passing without an interception versus the Ravens. Cincinnati’s running game missed the mark in the opener, but the squad can’t give up on handing the ball off to Giovani Bernard, as the second-year running back out of North Carolina is an explosive playmaker.