The Buccaneers are the odds-on favorite to win the NFC South at -200, while the Texans now find themselves co-favorites with the Jacksonville Jaguars at +185 in the AFC South.
Houston is a 2.5-point favorite in the second game of Monday night’s doubleheader.
Maldonado: This is on the premise that Houston doesn’t get its act together fast. The Texans were stuck in neutral in Week 1 — bottom three in success rate and a league-worst third-down rate (22%) — and played way too much 11 personnel behind a shaky offensive line. If adjustments aren’t made, C.J. Stroud could be in for another long night. Tampa’s defense just held Atlanta to 2.5 yards per carry and made Michael Penix Jr. settle for a quick-passing game script. With Vita Vea clogging lanes and Haason Reddick screaming off the edge, Nick Chubb isn’t likely to save Houston, especially with no role in the passing game. Baker Mayfield isn’t perfect, but he has Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka to work with, and his defense can carry the weight. If the Texans don’t fix things quick, the Bucs could be the ones cashing in on Sunday night.
Notable player props, bets
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Nico Collins looking to get back on track in Week 2
DJ Bien-Aime breaks down how the Texans plan to get Nico Collins more involved in Week 2.
Maldonado: This makes too much sense. Chubb had 60 yards last week, but that was against light boxes all game, and he handled only about half the backfield touches. Now he faces a Tampa defense that just held Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier to a combined 48 yards on 22 carries. The Buccaneers were top five against the run last year and picked up right where they left off. With Vea and Reddick up front, they can bottle up Chubb, especially with Chubb a nonfactor in the passing game.
Loza: The Texans held Kyren Williams to 3.7 yards per carry in Week 1. As such, I’m not expecting a terribly efficient showing from Irving. However, his talent as a pass-catcher figures to be on full display. Houston pressured Matthew Stafford to the tune of six QB hits and three sacks last week. Given Tristan Wirfs‘ absence, Mayfield is also likely to feel the heat and, subsequently, rely on a short-yardage outlet. I expect Irving to be peppered (he converted 4-of-4 targets in Week 1) enough to boost his overall output over the above line.
Bowen: With Christian Kirk expected to miss his second straight game (hamstring), let’s play for Higgins to see a bump in volume. Higgins caught two of three targets in his pro debut versus the Rams in Week 1, and he will have opportunities to work the intermediate windows against the Bucs’ zone coverages on Monday night.
Walder: Last season, no player recorded more pass rush wins or a higher pass rush win rate than Hunter. Maybe I would think twice here if the Texans defensive end were facing Tristan Wirfs, but the Buccaneers’ star left tackle is out with a knee injury. And Houston is also a light favorite, so there are no expected game-script issues working against Hunter, either. All in all, my model is fully on board here, making Hunter +104 to go over 0.5 sacks on Monday night.
Betting trends
Courtesy ESPN Research
Tampa Bay is 11-2 against the spread as a road underdog since 2023 and 14-4 ATS in road games overall in that span.
The Buccaneers moved from -110 to -200 to win the NFC South after beating the Falcons in Week 1.
Houston is 0-5 ATS in September since 2024 but is 4-0 ATS in games off more than six days rest since 2024.
Despite the Texans’ Week 1 loss, they are still favored to win the AFC South, dropping from -110 to +185.
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Schefter: Raiders look like a tough out in a tough division
Adam Schefter was impressed by Pete Carroll’s debut as Raiders coach.
The Chargers are now +200 to win the AFC West, just behind the Chiefs at +160. Meanwhile, the Raiders saw their odds to make the playoffs shift from +340 to +130.
The Chargers won both matchups with the Raiders by double digits last season.
Maldonado: Mega-small sample size, but it looks like the Chargers are the more complete offense with sustained drives, while the Raiders are more explosive but less balanced. If the Chargers’ offensive line neutralizes Maxx Crosby and company, they cover.
Moody: Herbert was excellent against the Chiefs in Week 1, spreading the ball to Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. Despite playing in Greg Roman’s run-oriented offense, it looks like the Chargers might lean on Herbert and the passing game more than expected. Herbert has cleared this line in four of his last five games dating back to last season — including one against the Raiders — and Las Vegas just allowed 287 passing yards to Drake Maye in Week 1. Herbert is well-positioned for another strong outing.
Loza: The Raiders invested significant resources in their defense over the offseason, and those efforts appeared to pay off in Week 1, as they held New England to 3.3 YPC. But the Patriots’ backfield became an afterthought as the Raiders’ lead increased. Moreover, it’s worth noting that TreVeyon Henderson was able to rip off a long run. Hampton figures to be a bigger test and, given the spread, game flow should work in his favor.
Bowen: Hampton had two receptions in Week 1, and he has the ability to produce on swings, screens or checkdowns. Look for Hampton to post numbers as an outlet for Herbert on Monday night.
Maldonado: This feels automatic. McConkey was inches away from cashing this exact look in Week 1 and now draws a Raiders defense that just gave up 362 through the air and got burned for multiple chunk plays. With defenses having to respect Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and even Tyler Conklin, McConkey is going to see single coverage in spots where Herbert can let it rip.
Betting trends
Courtesy ESPN Research
The Chargers are 11-2 ATS as a favorite since 2024 and 6-1 ATS as road favorites.
The Chargers are 7-0 ATS against division opponents since 2024.
The Raiders are 0-3 ATS in their last three games as a home underdog.
The Raiders’ opening win total was 5.5 (Even) at ESPN BET but moved to 7.5 (-120) after last week’s win.
No. 5 seed Houston defeated No. 4 seed Los Angeles, 99-93, on Wednesday in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs first round at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series, 3-2.
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Former Vol Dalton Knecht did not play for the Lakers due to coach’s decision.
LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 25 points. He also totaled seven assists, three rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes.
Austin Reaves scored 22 points in 34 minutes for Los Angeles.
Knecht was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17) by the Lakers.
He transferred to Tennessee from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes.
During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for a second time in school history.
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The Lakers and Rockets will next play Friday in Game 3 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The Lakers and Rockets will next play Friday in Game 6 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 9:30 p.m. EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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Jalen Haralson ‘a superb fit’ with Tennessee basketball
Feb. 28, 2026; South Bend, Indiana; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jalen Haralson (10) drives as NC State Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland (11) defends during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
Belmont’s Tyler Lundblade, right, shoots against Bradley in the second half of its MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade converted eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins, 80-77.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 15, 2025; Washington, D.C.; Loyola Chicago Ramblers center Miles Rubin (24) shoots the ball as VCU Rams forward Luke Bamgboye (9) defends in the first half in a semifinal of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
Dai Dai Ames #7 of the California Golden Bears dribbles the ball against Elias Rapieque #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half at Bramlage Coliseum on November 13, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas.
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A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 1, 2026.
Jeenah Moon | Reuters
The S&P 500 rose to a fresh all-time intraday high on Friday, boosted by Apple shares, while oil prices fell as a new month of trading got underway.
The broad market index advanced 0.29% to end at 7,230.12. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.89%, reaching an all-time high and closing at 25,114.44. Both indexes posted closing records. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 152.87 points, or 0.31%, to settle at 49,499.27.
Shares of Apple climbed more than 3% after the consumer tech giant posted a fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue beat. Not only that, the company’s revenue outlook for the current quarter was better than expected, overshadowing the fact that iPhone revenue fell short of estimates for the second time in three quarters.
On the flip side, oil prices fell after Iran reportedly sent its response through Pakistani mediators to the latest U.S. amendments to a draft agreement to end the Middle East conflict.
President Donald Trump revealed later Friday he is displeased with a new peace offer from Iran, saying that the country “wants to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it.”
Oil prices were off their lows of the day following that development. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 2.98% to settle at $101.94 a barrel. International benchmark Brent crude futures slid 2.02% to $108.17 a barrel.
The moves come after a record-setting session, with the S&P 500 closing above the 7,200 threshold for the first time ever. That helped both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq — which also notched a new record closing high — secure their strongest monthly performances since 2020. The Dow, meanwhile, saw its strongest monthly performance since November 2024.
A strong first-quarter earnings season, as well as hopes for easing tensions in the Middle East, have ultimately boosted stocks higher on the year. Although the major averages took a dip on the commencement of the U.S. war with Iran, all three indexes are now trading well above where they began 2026.
David Krakauer of Mercer Advisors believes that positive trajectory can continue in the long term for equities. While Krakauer is hopeful that the Iran war will conclude in the near term, leading to a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, he believes that the earnings growth potential in the U.S. as well as overseas will offer momentum to stocks, even if the conflict persists.
“There could be always new news or some sentiment declining, where we could see a little bit of a pullback here after a strong pop up, but we’re still just overall strategically bullish on equities,” the vice president of portfolio management said.
Noting that there will be winners and losers in technology as “not all” of the artificial intelligence capital expenditures spending is going to “pay off,” Krakauer added, “We think the enhanced productivity story remains intact.”