NFL Preseason Week 2: Patriots at Falcons Odds – 8:00pm EST
A pair of teams that are football betting favorites to make the playoffs will be featured on FOX TV for a Thursday night match-up in NFL preseason odds for week 2 as the Atlanta Falcons host the New England Patriots with kick-off set for 8:00pm EST. Online sportsbooks opened with Atlanta as a 2.5-point home favorite in NFL picks vs the New England with an over/under of 37 while 2011 Super Bowl odds have the Falcons 25-1 longshots and Patriots 12-1 NFL betting favorites. Both clubs were successful in their NFL preseason openers as New England beat the defending world champion New Orleans Saints 27-24 at home while Atlanta scored a 20-10 win at home over the Kansas City Chiefs in week 1.
The win in week 1 NFL picks felt good for the Pats, who last played at home in a 33-14 playoff loss to Baltimore. “It’s a new year,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “Whatever happened last year was last year.” New England quarterback Tom Brady was sharp as he went 5-8 for 67 yards heading into week 2 NFL odds. Brady had to carry far too much of the offensive burden last year and the Patriots are working on better balance for their attack in the preseason. New England revamped much of the roster with a youth movement in the attempt to take the load off Brady and improve the defense. “We have a very different team this year,” said Brady.
“You know we have to be able to run the football, something that we are really making a point of emphasis. We are incorporating the new players and seeing what kind of offense we can put together,” Brady added this week. The Falcons are optimistic as their defense showed marked improvement against the Chiefs in week 1. Cornerback Dunta Robinson was signed for $57 million from Houston so that the Falcons could compete against Drew Brees and New Orleans in NFL picks for the NFC South. “There’s no doubt about it. I’m here to improve the pass defense,” said Robinson. “Expectations are higher because we have young players, but they’re experienced players,” said Atlanta coach Mike Smith.