2025 Monday Night Football Bets to Make on Week 2

Best Moneyline Pick: Texans (-120) vs. Buccaneers

The Texans are slight home favorites, and the moneyline says they just need to take care of business straight up. This is where point spread betting gets messy, so we’re keeping it simple. Houston brings back an explosive offense that averaged 27.4 points per game last season, led by a quarterback who ranked top five in passing efficiency. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, struggled to finish drives, ranking in the bottom third in red zone scoring. That kind of mismatch matters in nfl betting props because it means Houston can cash TDs while Tampa settles for field goals.

Vegas sportsbooks opened Houston at -1.5, and early action has already leaned toward the Texans. History helps too: Houston has covered or won outright in four of its last five home openers. In nfl odds and predictions circles, the consensus is Houston at home is the smarter side. Moneyline bettors don’t need style points—just wins.

Read more: Looking for the ultimate guide to NFL betting this season? We've got you covered right here!

Best Spread Pick: Chargers (-3) vs. Raiders

Rivalry games can be unpredictable, but when it comes to nfl betting spreads, Los Angeles looks like the right side. The Chargers are laying a field goal on the road, and that number feels light given recent history. L.A. has taken seven of the last 10 against Vegas, and they’ve done it with style—winning by an average of 8.3 points. That lines up well with the current -3 spread.

The Raiders’ defense gave up 24.9 points per game last season, and that unit hasn’t added enough playmakers to scare anyone. The Chargers’ offense, meanwhile, finished top 10 in explosive plays and added even more speed this offseason. If you’re hunting nfl odds by week, you’ll notice this line opened at -2.5 before quickly bumping to -3. That’s sharp money moving. Monday night football spreads don’t stay cheap for long, so grabbing Chargers -3 early could be the play that pays.

Best Totals Pick: Chargers vs. Raiders – Over 44.5

This matchup screams points. The current over under sits at 44.5, and that feels soft considering these teams’ history. In their last eight meetings, the total has gone over in six, with an average combined score north of 51. Parlay bets love this kind of consistency.

The Chargers’ offense averaged 26.2 points per game last year, while the Raiders quietly improved on offense in the back half of the season, averaging 24.1 points after their bye. Neither defense ranked better than 20th in passing yards allowed, which means both quarterbacks should be airing it out under the lights. In nfl odds and scores tracking, this total has already nudged up from 43.5 to 44.5, which tells you the betting market sees fireworks. If Monday night football is on what channel tonight is your question, the better one might be: how many touchdowns are going to light up the screen?

Our Parlay Picks for the Week 2 Games

Safer Parlay: Texans ML, Chargers -3, Over 44.5

This three-leg parlay keeps things straightforward. Texans on the moneyline protects against a messy point spread. Chargers -3 leans on recent domination of the Raiders. And Over 44.5 ties it together with the trend of high-scoring duels in this AFC West matchup. At around +500 odds, this is the kind of ticket that balances safety with flex-worthy payout. For anyone following nfl betting odds, this mix covers the smart side of the market.

Riskier Parlay: Buccaneers ML, Raiders ML, Over 51.5

Now let’s crank up the juice. Tampa Bay isn’t getting much love, but if they steal one in Houston, it flips the night upside down. Add Raiders moneyline for the divisional upset, and pair it with an alt-total over 51.5 for a real fireworks show. This long-shot parlay pays out at roughly +1300, and while it’s a sweat, these are the kinds of plays that get your group chat buzzing. If you’re digging into nfl odds and predictions, just know this one is all about risk for reward.

Final Takeaways

Week 2 of Monday Night Football gives us two games worth betting, worth watching, and worth talking trash over. From Texans vs. Buccaneers to Chargers vs. Raiders, the nfl betting lines offer solid plays across moneyline, spreads, and totals. If you’re wondering monday night football what time or monday night football where to watch, kickoff brings the action live at prime time with monday night football commentators and the iconic monday night football theme blasting. Just remember: bet smart, manage your bankroll, and enjoy the ride.

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