NFL Week 2 Preview: NFC North showdown and resurgent Tampa QB

Odds and storylines as the season hots up

Week one of the NFL season included an 88-point thriller as Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged out New Orleans Saints, and a gripping tie between Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ahead of what promises to be another cracking week of gridiron action, the Coral News Team are back with the odds and talking points…

Rodgers rushing for return ahead of NFC North showdown

One of the NFL’s most storied fixtures returns this weekend, as Minnesota Vikings face Green Bay Packers. But the Pack could be without star QB Aaron Rodgers through a knee injury, and past history shows that could be an enormous loss in this game.

He went off injured after a monster hit from Anthony Barr in the pair’s October 2017 meeting – with the Vikings winning 23-10.

Crocked Rodgers – who produced a sensational comeback versus the Chicago Bears last week – does have a decent understudy in DeShone Kizer, who is more reliable than last year’s number two Brett Hundley. But he’d still be up against it facing a Vikings side who boasted the best defensive record in the 2017 regular season.

As it stands, the Vikings are Evens in the Money Line ahead of their trip to Lambeau Field. Meanwhile, the Vikings -3.0 handicap is a 27/20 shot.

Can Chargers keep up impressive Bills streak?

They may have made the move from San Diego to L.A. in recent times, but one thing that hasn’t changed is Los Angeles Chargers’ impressive record against Buffalo Bills.

The Californian outfit have won five of the previous six meetings, including all of the last three. That included a 54-24 mauling in November 2017 – the most points the Bills have conceded in any game during the last decade.

More of the same is likely again. A ramshackle Bills backline saw them suffer a 47-3 defeat to Baltimore Ravens last weekend. And they face a tough test against Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw for 424 yards in their opener.

The Chargers -10 handicap is 11/8, while another 25-30 point Winning Margin for the L.A. side in this fixture is priced up at 12/1.

Fitzpatrick rolling back the years ahead of Eagles test

Veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was arguably the top performer of Week One, throwing for 418 yards and four TDs as the Buccaneers beat the Saints 48-40.

Despite being a stand-in for the injured Ryan Griffin, it’s hard to see Fitzpatrick losing the spot if he keeps performing this way. And the Philadelphia Eagles could have their hands full when they travel to Tampa this weekend.

Wide Receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson gave the Saints defence plenty of headaches last weekend, and offer a good blend of strength and speed.

The Eagles are looking to build on last season’s Super Bowl win, and edged past Atlanta Falcons 18-12 on Week One. This could be a tight one, but Tampa are 29/20 in the Money Line. Meanwhile, the hosts are 5/4 to Score Over 22.5 Points.

Click here for Coral’s latest NFL 2018 odds.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing