Cooper Kupp and Sam LaPorta headline these NFL Week 2 TD picks.
The pregame narrative: Kupp turned back the clock for a vintage performance in Week 1 and I expect him to terrorize the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Elsewhere, back Sam LaPorta in a juicy matchup and take a plus-money swing at … Daniel Jones.
Check out the best NFL Week 2 TD picks for the upcoming games.
NFL Week 2 TD picks
Go to full NFL betting markets.
Best bet: Kupp anytime TD (-132)
If you drafted Kupp in fantasy, congratulations.
The veteran wide-out looked like the 2021 version of himself last weekend when he caught 14 passes for 110 yards in a losing effort against the Detroit Lions. Kupp’s 21 targets and 14 receptions were by far the most of any receiver in Week 1.
Kupp also had three red zone targets in that game.
The Rams will be short-staffed with Puka Nacua sidelined and that should only work in Kupp’s favour.
Nacua had 160 targets last season and turned that into 1,486 yards. That production has to go somewhere, and Sean McVay made it clear where it’s heading.
You could argue that will allow the Cardinals to simplify their game plan and double-team Kupp, but the Lions weren’t able to do that and their defence is far better than Arizona’s.
The Cards ranked 31st in defensive EPA per play last season, per RBSDM.com, and were 31st in Week 1 as well.
This game has all the makings of a shootout and that type of script is benificial.
Key stat: Arizona allowed the third-most receiving touchdowns (32) in 2023.
Quick picks
Laporta anytime TD (+106): Sunday’s matchup between the Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers features the highest projected total (51.0) of any game. That should be a TD bettor’s dream.
Both of Detroit’s tailbacks — Jamhyr Gibbs and David Montgomery — hold juiced-up odds to score, so I’m looking elsewhere for value.
LaPorta broke out in a big way last season. His 15 red zone targets were the fourth-most among all tight ends and he turned nearly half of those into touchdowns (seven).
His 10 total touchdowns were four more than any other TE.
The Buccaneers laid a beating on the Washington Commanders in Week 1 but their defence looked shaky, ranking 27th in EPA per play.
Detroit hung 31 points on them in the divisional round last year in a game where LaPorta caught nine of 11 targets for 65 yards. He didn’t score but should feature heavily once again.
Jones to score (+170): You’re probably looking at this bet and thinking: “Wow, what a sick individual.”
You’re right, I am. Jones is awful, but he’s potentially playing for his job this weekend and I expect him to put his body on the line against the Washington Commanders.
Washington’s defence is among the worst in football and Jones has consistently carved his divisional rivals on the ground.
He didn’t play the Commanders last year but had nine-plus carries against them in each of his three prior meetings, averaging 67.0 rushing yards and scoring one touchdown.
We’re also only two seasons removed from Jones scoring seven rushing TDs. Plug your nose and just go with it.
Picks made at 9:20 a.m. ET on 09/13/2024.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.