This article presents early predictions and analysis for NFL Week 2 games, focusing on achieving closing line value that allows for potential profitable betting opportunities. For the Giants vs. Rams game, it predicts the Giants will play tough defense and control time of possession, making them a strong underdog at +7 points despite the Rams' losses to key players. In the Patriots vs. Steelers matchup, it argues that New England's rest advantage and superior performance against Atlanta mean they should be favored more than the current 5.5-point spread suggests. The piece is written as straight reporting but includes personal insights from Erich Richter, a professional sports bettor known for successful prop bets in previous seasons.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In NFL Week 2 early predictions, Erich Richter from the New York Post analyzes key matchups like Giants (+7) versus Rams and Patriots (-5.5) against the Steelers. The Giants demonstrated a strong approach with ball control and time of possession in their 28-20 win over the Cowboys, setting up a challenging game for the Rams. Meanwhile, the Patriots face the Steelers without star receiver AJ Brown, which could dampen their prospects despite being favored by 5.5 points. Richter emphasizes achieving "closing line value" to bet effectively and highlights recent successes like the Jets’ upset win as examples of successful betting strategies.
Written for “NFL Predictions Week 2” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 9170 · logged 2026-09-14
NFL Week 1 was a blast, and we head into Week 2 with some real momentum.
asserted
we → head → momentum
The goal of this weekly betting column isn’t just to win the bets (that certainly helps), but it’s also to achieve closing line value that is bettable on the other side for a potential middle spot.
asserted
that → win → spot
Last week we hammered the Jets +2.5; they closed +1 and won outright.
asserted
they → hammer → +2.5
We snagged under 39.5, which easily won, though the line didn’t move as I predicted it might.
uncertain
it → snag → 39.5
We also bet on the Browns +9; it closed +8, but they got annihilated by the Jaguars.
asserted
they → bet → Jaguars
Each of the three wagers achieved our goal of beating the closing line and two produced results.
asserted
two → achieve → results
We look to Week 2 for our early predictions and target a few key numbers this coming weekend.
asserted
We → look → numbers
NFL Week 2 early predictions
Giants (+7, Caesars) vs. Rams
Anyone else see that “Sunday Night Football” masterclass?
asserted
Anyone → see → masterclass
The Giants have made things clear: ball control, time of possession, and limiting turnovers are the keys to victory.
asserted
control → make → victory
In their 28-20 win over the Cowboys, John Harbaugh’s group went back to playing old-school, hard-nosed football the way he has always wanted.
asserted
he → go → football
And respect to Jaxson Dart, who starred for the Giants on Sunday night and had the top quarterback performance in Week 1 based on Expected Points Added per play and Win Probability Added per play.
asserted
who → star → play
The Rams just lost Myles Garrett for the foreseeable future, and who knows if Aaron Donald will play.
asserted
Donald → lose → future
If Los Angeles can’t stay off the field, I suspect the Giants will keep this game within a field goal.
asserted
Giants → stay → goal
Rally around Big Blue; they’re going to be a pain to play and exhausting to defend against.
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Patriots (-5.5, bet365) vs. Steelers
New England just lost AJ Brown, so there will be some Debbie-downers out there who will be negative about their outlook.
asserted
who → rally → outlook
I’ll take a different approach.
asserted
I → take → approach
Let’s start with how horrible the Steelers looked.
asserted
Steelers → start → ?
Seriously, they may have lost outright to the Cooper Rush-led Atlanta Falcons if it weren’t for a herculean play by TJ Watt, in which he intercepted a dump-off and returned it to the house when it was a three-point game.
uncertain
it → lose → house
New England has a massive rest advantage as well; they’ll be on 11 days’ rest while 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers may be feeling the effects of Sunday’s slugfest with a bad defense.
uncertain
Rodgers → have → defense
According to Sumer Sports, the Falcons-Steelers game was ranked 1,069th in total Expected Points Added (EPA) out of a data set that includes 1,097 games.
uncertain
that → accord → games
I watched way too much of the Steelers on Sunday, and the Patriots are being disrespected as 5.5-point home favorites.
asserted
Patriots → watch → favorites
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting.
asserted
he → trust → betting
During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons.
asserted
he → showcase → market
While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.
asserted
return → bet → 2022
