THE 10 BEST GAMES TO BET
BILLS at JETS
1 p.m., Bills by 7, 44 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Jets have won two of the last three meetings at MetLife and have closed the talent gap this season. The Bills could be due for a letdown after their stunning comeback over the Ravens and, if Aaron Glenn really has changed the culture, it will show up here in a hungry Jets team. The Jets ran the ball with ease against the Steelers and should be able to follow that up against the Bills. Buffalo’s young defense has a lot of concerns, particularly up the middle. This is another excellent chance for the Jets to control the tempo.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jets and the under.
GIANTS at COWBOYS
1 p.m., Cowboys by 4 ½, 44 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: So much for that undefeated preseason. Now comes a second straight divisional road trip against a team that has owned them, winning 15 of the last 16 SU. The worst combination is a bad offensive line and an old QB and there was no way around that fact for the Giants in D.C. Brian Daboll isn’t ready to pull the break the Jaxson Dart emergency glass yet but this offense doesn’t look as though it’s going anywhere with Russell Wilson. The Cowboys put up a fight in Philly and could have pulled an upset but for a few CeeDee Lamb drops. Dak Prescott, who has lost only once to the Giants at home, should thrive.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cowboys and the under.
RAMS at TITANS
1 p.m., Rams by 6 ½, 41
HANK’S HONEYS: Things don’t get any easier for Cam Ward, up against a Rams defense that neutered C.J. Stroud last week. It’s just as hard to see how the Titans can slow down a balanced Rams attack, with top-flight talent like Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. Last week’s loss in Denver was probably closer than it should have been. Until they prove otherwise, the Titans should be a weekly fade.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Rams and the under.
PATRIOTS at DOLPHINS
1 p.m., Dolphins by 1 ½, 43
HANK’S HONEYS: Are the Dolphins as putrid as they looked against Daniel Jones and the Colts? Talk about dysfunction. Coach Mike McDaniel is sounding incoherent, Tyreek Hill has become an enormous distraction and Tua Tagovailoa is being taunted for panicking under pressure. Meanwhile, the O-line keeps falling apart because of injuries. That’s exactly what makes them an attractive pick here in their home opener. They’re not exactly facing a powerhouse. Man-for-man, they are more talented. They face a moment of truth here, a last chance to stop the bleeding.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Dolphins and the under.
BEARS at LIONS
1 p.m., Lions by 4 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Would anyone want to be Ben Johnson this week? He was out-coached in a fourth quarter collapse against the Vikings and returns to Detroit to face his old team, a squad that will be in perfect bounce back mode after that disaster in Green Bay. Take note that under Dan Campbell, they have followed up their last 10 losses with an ATS win. Maybe it seems too easy. Maybe it is. But given the explosive capabilities of the Lions’ offense in angry mood in their home opener, it’s the only way we can go.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Lions and the over.
BRONCOS at COLTS
4:05 p.m., Broncos by 2 ½, 44 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Weeks 2 is famous for overreactions. Here’s a classic example. No one looked better than the Colts last week while the Broncos were lucky to survive the Titans. But Daniel Jones can’t go up against the Dolphins’ defense every week. Reality sets back in here as he faces a Broncos’ ball-hungry secondary and a pass rush that sacked Cam Ward six times. Meanwhile, we are bound to see a more efficient Denver offense than the one that turned the ball over four times against Tennessee. Sean Payton has no doubt driven that point home all week in the film room. The Colts better be ready to face a focused team.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Broncos and the under.
PANTHERS at CARDINALS
4:05 p.m., Cards by 6 ½, 44
HANK’S HONEYS: The schedule maker lined up two patsies for the Cardinals to start the season. They managed an ugly win but still covered against a lousy Saints team last week. That should serve as a wakeup call. They aren’t likely to look past a Panthers team that can’t match them in any area. James Conner and Kyler Murray should feast on a linebacking corps that can’t stop the run. Bryce Young, 18-35 for 154 yards with two picks and a lost fumble, is saddled with a lack of playmakers. We don’t see many points out of the visitors, making under the pick.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cardinals and the over.
EAGLES at CHIEFS
4:25 p.m., Eagles by 1 ½, 47
HANK’S HONEYS: The Super Bowl rematch finds both teams coming off blah Week 1 performances although the Eagles were able to squeak out a SU win over the Cowboys. Jalen Carter will be back in the middle of the Eagles front after escaping a suspension and he’ll be up against a K.C. offense that is lacking firepower without Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, Patrick Mahomes not withstanding. Even more of a concern is the Chiefs’ defense, which failed to mount any pressure on Justin Herbert and saw their secondary lit up. Philly was the better team in February and even more better now.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Eagles and the over.
FALCONS at VIKINGS
8:20 p.m., Vikes by 4 ½, 45
HANK’S HONEYS: The Vikings got away with one thanks to the Bears’ collapse. Going 3-for-12 on third down isn’t a winning formula. But J.J. McCarthy did turn it on in the fourth quarter and that should carry over in the form of confidence for both him and his team against a young Atlanta defense. Michael Penix was impressive throwing against the blitz last week and should have been rewarded with a W. The Vikings, however, should be able to shut down the run and pressure Penix with their front four alone. Home field should carry them through to a cover.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Vikings and the over.
BUCS at TEXANS
Monday, 7 p.m., Texans by 2 ½, 43
HANK’S HONEYS: It doesn’t look as though the Texans have resolved their offensive line issues. They left C.J. Stroud at the mercy of the Rams’ pass rush last week and they will be without C Jake Andrews in this one. Todd Bowles blitzes teams off the bus and Stroud isn’t likely to be any happier this week. Houston does have an outstanding defense that could make the Bucs one-dimensional. Still, Baker Mayfield generally figures out ways to get things done.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bucs and the over.
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LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH
CHARGERS at RAIDERS
Monday, 10 p.m., Chargers by 3, 46
HANK’S HONEYS: The final game of the week’s slate features a divisional matchup with the AFC West seemingly up for grabs given the Chiefs’ apparent backslide. That was one impressive win by the Chargers in Brazil and they are the better team here. Still, it’s also a terrible spot for them. They go from Sao Paulo to Las Vegas to play the Raiders in a prime time home opener with the Broncos looming next week. Pete Carroll seems to be changing the culture with his new team and Geno Smith gives him an experienced hand with whom he has worked with before. Bottom line: be careful.
CAN’T HELP YOURSELF?: Raiders and the over.
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BEST OF THE REST
BROWNS at RAVENS
1 p.m., Ravens by 11 ½, 45
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Browns and the over.
SEAHAWKS at STEELERS
1 p.m., Steelers by 2 ½, 40
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Seahawks and the over.
JAGUARS at BENGALS
1 p.m., Bengals by 3 ½, 49
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jaguars and the over.
49ERS at SAINTS
1 p.m., Niners by 6 ½, 40 ½
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: 49ers and the under.
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WEEK’S BEST BET: Broncos. Tough encore for Daniel Jones.
LAST WEEK: 7-9
OVER/UNDER: 6-10
BEST BETS: 1-0
