seattle seahawks vs. new england patriots

Can Zach Charbonnet carry load for Seahawks if Kenneth Walker misses Week 2?

Seattle Seahawks starting running back Kenneth Walker III missed his second consecutive practice on Thursday. Walker is day-to-day, per head coach Mike Macdonald, with an oblique injury. His participation for Sunday’s Week 2 game versus the New England Patriots is in legitimate doubt.

If Walker is ruled inactive, Zach Charbonnet would receive the start in Seattle’s backfield. Kenny McIntosh would be elevated to No. 2 duties. Charbonnet is capable of carrying a heavier workload. In two starts for Walker last year, he totaled 157 yards and a TD on 38 touches.

Admittedly, Charbonnet struggled to run the football efficiently in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. The former UCLA standout rushed for just 12 yards via eight carries, averaging an ineffective 1.5 yards per carry en route to a Pro Football Focus rushing grade of 48.0. Charbonnet did make a big-time impact in the second half via a 30-yard receiving touchdown.

OH HELLO, @zachcharbon! pic.twitter.com/4sdw4kZ0wk

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 8, 2024

Walker was electric on the ground versus the Broncos, rushing for 103 yards and a TD via 20 carries. Occasions like this are exactly what the Seahawks drafted Charbonnet with a second-round pick for despite already having Walker. Charbonnet needs to take on larger responsibility when given the opportunity.

The Patriots defense qualifies as a difficult matchup. They allowed a third-best 70.0 rushing yards in a surprising Week 1 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Pay close attention to Walker’s practice participation on Friday. It could indicate whether Charbonnet is getting the first-team nod or not.

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3 Patriots players Seahawks need to be wary of in Week 2

3 Patriots players Seahawks need to be wary of

The Seattle Seahawks (1-0) have a tricky road matchup against the New England Patriots (1-0) in Week 2. The Patriots stunned the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, defeating them 16-10. Jerod Mayo’s stingy defense held an explosive Bengals offense to 10 points and 224 total net yards of offense. Offensively, their biggest playmakers did enough to win the game.

With that in mind, we’ve identified three Patriots players the Seahawks need to be prepared for in Week 2.

Rhamondre Stevenson

Stud running back Rhamondre Stevenson carried a heavy workload for the Patriots in Week 1 and he was extremely effective. The former Oklahoma standout ran the ball 25 times for 120 yards and a touchdown, averaging an efficient 4.8 yards per carry. The Patriots are also willing to get Stevenson involved in the passing game, hence his three targets on Sunday. Seattle’s front seven must be prepared for the threat he poses.

Christian Gonzalez

Sophomore cornerback Christian Gonzalez picked up where he left off after suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury last year. Gonzalez allowed a passer rating of 87.5 and forfeited just 5.0 yards per reception on the three catches he allowed, according to Pro Football Focus’ charting. There’s a decent chance he’ll shadow DK Metcalf on Sunday.

Keion White

One of the more underrated defensive lineman in the league, if Sunday was any indication, Keion White is primed for a monster breakout season. The former Georgia Tech product was credited with 2.5 sacks on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. White’s PFF pass-rushing grade was a 90.1 in Week 1 as a result, the fourth-highest score handed out. Given Seattle’s offensive line woes, this could spell trouble.

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Best NFL underdog picks and predictions for Week 2

Analyzing NFL Week 2 betting odds and lines, with expert predictions and picks of the 3 best underdogs to cash in on.

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The underdogs didn’t do so well in Week 1. Only 3 underdogs won their games outright (the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots), while 7 covered the spread. Can we find the underdog values this week?

Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook NFL odds, and tab the best NFL Week 2 underdog bets to cash in on among SportbookWire’s NFL expert picks and predictions.

Our 3 picks last week went 1-1-1. The Arizona Cardinals covered as 6.5-point underdogs in a 34-28 loss. The Indianapolis Colts covered as 3.5-point underdogs in a 29-27 setback, but did not cash our moneyline (ML) pick. The Denver Broncos lost 26-20, covering as 6.5-point underdogs on the closing line, but we bet them +6 Thursday, resulting in a push.

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NFL underdog predictions: Week 2

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:10 p.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

BILLS (+115) at Dolphins – Thursday, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video)

The Dolphins piled up 400 yards of offense and didn’t turn the ball over while holding the Jacksonville Jaguars to only 267 total yards in Week 1. Even then, it took a last-second field goal to win the game.

Bills QB Josh Allen had 2 TD passes and 2 rushing TDs and led a 14-point comeback against the Cardinals. Buffalo held Cardinals RB James Conner to 50 rushing yards, and Bills DE Greg Rousseau was AFC Defensive Player of the Week after 3 sacks in Week 1.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was sacked 3 times in the season opener. I like the Bills to win this outright.

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BUCCANEERS +7.5 (-110) at Lions – 1 p.m. (FOX)

QB Baker Mayfield had 4 TD passes against the Washington Commanders, and the Bucs scored 37 in Week 1. The Lions shut down the LA Rams’ run game and harassed Rams QB Matthew Stafford, but still only managed to beat LA in overtime. The Bucs only allowed 50 rushing yards to Washington’s RBs, so this should be a close game.

Tampa Bay’s offensive line is in a better place than the Rams’, which had 2 backups at tackle and lost its left tackle to injury in Week 1.

It isn’t a confident enough pick to say the Bucs win outright at +290 on the ML, but this should be within a TD.

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Seahawks at PATRIOTS +3.5 (-115) – 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Seahawks held the Broncos to only 231 yards of offense in Week 1.

But this game features teams that relied heavily on their run game and run defense in their openers. New England allowed 70 rushing yards while rushing for 170, and the Seahawks allowed 99 while going for 146.

Both starting QBs — Jacoby Brissett for the Pats and Geno Smith for Seattle — will be caretakers for the offense. With 2 methodical offenses and defenses that will limit the run, this should be a close game.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Seahawks can’t fall into trap game against Patriots in Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks (1-0) are road favorites against the New England Patriots (1-0) in Week 2. Mike Macdonald began his tenure with a hard-nosed victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 1. That game was occasionally closer than expected, and the Seahawks shouldn’t underestimate the Patriots.

The Patriots defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 in Week 1. Considering the Patriots are perceived contenders for the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2025, and the Bengals are perceived annual contenders, it was among the most surprising results on opening weekend.

The Patriots did some outstanding things throughout that victory. Jerod Mayo’s defense held the Bengals to 70 rushing yards and 154 passing yards, equaling just 224 total. That gives the Patriots the third-ranked run defense, 12th-ranked pass defense, and second-best scoring defense entering Week 2.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was held to 21-of-29 passing for 164 yards and zero touchdowns. The Patriots forced two turnovers on fumbles by Charlie Jones and Tanner Hudson. The Bengals went 4-of-11 on third down.

The Patriots weren’t as impressive offensively, but they executed a clean operation on that side of the ball. Starting QB Jacoby Brissett did not commit any turnovers, and dual-threat running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed 25 times for 120 yards, one touchdown, and 4.8 yards per carry. Kicker Joey Slye went 3-for-3 on field goals.

The Patriots were prepared to play versus a quality Bengals squad. The Seahawks shouldn’t overlook them. Macdonald must avoid falling victim to a trap game.

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