NFL Week 2 Line Movement Analysis (2023)

Tracking how lines move throughout an NFL week can provide meaningful information to bettors. In general, lines become more sharp throughout the week as the sportsbook collects more information. Each game will have its reasoning for movement (e.g., injuries, betting activity, weather, etc.) and varying degrees of impact on the line.

For example, the Chiefs moved from 6.5 to four-point favorites after the news that Travis Kelce injured his knee in practice two days before the 2023 opening night game. Meanwhile, Cooper Kupp was ruled out against Seattle, and the line stayed within a point of the Seahawks opening line of -5.5.

NFL Week 2 Line Movement Analysis

The below is intended to summarize the home team spread and total movement for this week’s games and help provide context for any significant movements.

		Home Spread			Total
Away	Home	Open	Current	Diff	Open	Current	Diff
NYG	ARI	4.5	4	-0.5	38.5	40	1.5
GB	ATL	1	-1.5	-2.5	41.5	40.5	-1
LV	BUF	-9.5	-8.5	1	48	46.5	-1.5
NO	CAR	3	3	0	41	40	-1
BAL	CIN	-3.5	-3.5	0	46.5	46	-0.5
NYJ	DAL	-7.5	-9.5	-2	42	38.5	-3.5
WAS	DEN	-3.5	-3.5	0	40.5	39	-1.5
SEA	DET	-5.5	-5	0.5	49	47.5	-1.5
IND	HOU	1.5	-1.5	-3	40	39	-1
KC	JAX	2.5	3.5	1	51	51	0
SF	LAR	7	7.5	0.5	43	45	2
MIA	NE	2.5	3	0.5	46.5	46.5	0
MIN	PHI	-7	-6	1	48	49	1
CLE	PIT	1.5	2	0.5	41	39	-2
CHI	TB	-3	-2.5	0.5	42	40.5	-1.5
LAC	TEN	3	3	0	46	45	-1

(Lines per DraftKings Sportsbook | Line movement via @betstamp | Open odds as of Monday | Current odds as of Thursday evening)

NFL Week 2 Spread Movement Analysis

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons +1.0 ?' -1.5

The Packers flip from slight favorite to slight underdog most likely stems from the current injury situation in Green Bay. Aaron Jones has not practiced as of Thursday with a hamstring injury, while WR Christian Watson looks unlikely for his season debut. Atlanta will look to take advantage of the Packers being without their top two offensive playmakers.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans +1.5 ?' -1.5

This is another matchup where the home team has gone from slight underdog to start the week to slight favorite. It looks like it has flipped back and forth multiple times since being posted but has now settled at Texans -1.5 as of Thursday night. It would not be surprising if it were to flip again. Both teams are starting rookie QBs on bad rosters, so it is hard to get a good read on the matchup.

NFL Week 2 Total Movement Analysis

New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys 42.0 ?' 38.5

The total continues to drop as a result of the fallout of the Aaron Rodgers injury. It also reflects how dominant the Cowboys’ defense was in a shutout victory against the Giants on Sunday night. They now get to face a Zach Wilson-led offense for their home opener. To add on, the Jets’ defense looked dominant themselves, holding the Bills to just 16 points.

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams 43.0 ?' 45.0

The total rose two points throughout the week after good offensive performances from both teams in Week 1. The 49ers put up a 30-point effort on the road in Pittsburgh, while the Rams offense was also able to score 30 on the Road in Seattle. The latter was a more shocking result, especially without their best offensive player, Cooper Kupp. This matchup suddenly got more interesting than initially expected prior to Week 1.

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: