The NFL opening weekend was jam-packed with storylines, highlight performances, upsets and unusual blowouts. Underdogs got the overall edge, winning seven games against the spread while favorites took six. There was a push and two pick ’em point spreads. In addition, five underdogs won their games outright. Of course, Week 1 is now in the books, and it’s time to get back down to the business of looking ahead.

We are most interested in how the Week 1 results can be used to turn into Week 2 profits. I have analyzed numerous transitional situations in the NFL to uncover some highly profitable systems to utilize in the coming weekend.

The NFL is a huge momentum league, and with one game every week, it gives a team a lot of time to either stew on a loss or bask in a victory. During this time, the losing teams may be starting to doubt themselves, or the winning teams may be thinking too highly of their own games. The betting public and media sensationalize this type of thinking, and theorize that what they just saw in Week 1 is the new standard. Bookmakers are thus placed in a precarious position of having to balance what just happened with what could/should happen in the follow-up week.

In my opinion, the systems below come as a result of two things: first, bookmakers not wanting to overadjust, and second, bookmakers trying to balance their sides against new public sentiment.

1. Week 2 teams playing as favorites or underdogs of less than three points against an opponent that scored more than 30 points in the prior week are 36-9 SU & 31-11-3 ATS (73.8%) since ’03.

Week 2 plays: On Dolphins, Eagles, Steelers.

Analysis: Over the last five seasons, this system is a solid 17-4 SU & 15-6 ATS. It seems that these 30-point teams may have overachieved in Week 1 and are naturally due for a letdown, or an overinflated line in Week 2. There was a very high total of six teams that topped the 30-point mark last weekend.

2. Teams that lost on the point spread by 15 or more points in Week 1 divisional games are 9-4 SU & 11-1-1 ATS (91.7%) in Week 2 since ’07.

Week 2 play: On Saints.

Analysis: Second-week point-spread adjustments tend to go against teams that were blown out by divisional opponents in Week 1, and in most cases they are overadjustments.

3. Week 1 favorites of six points or more that lost their game have bounced back with a record of 13-3 SU & ATS (81.3%) in Week 2 since ’02.

Week 2 plays: On Lions, Saints.

Analysis: Teams favored by six points or more in Week 1 are typically well-respected clubs in the NFL, and naturally they tend to bounce back when aided by a sense of urgency. For 2018, I’m not sure Detroit is that well respected, but New Orleans certainly is. Last year in this system, Houston went into Cincinnati on Thursday night and won, while New England also secured a victory three days later in New Orleans. Four straight wins in this system have moved in up to No. 3 on our list.

4. Teams that beat their Week 1 point spread by eight points or more in non-conference games are 16-5-3 Under the total (76.2%) in Week 2 since ’02.

Week 2 plays: Under in Cardinals-Rams and Dolphins-Jets.

Analysis: Week 1 overachievers that lit it up against unfamiliar opponents typically come back down to earth offensively against higher totals.

5. Teams playing a second straight divisional game in Week 2 are an impressive 30-11 SU & 28-12-1 ATS (70%) since ’03.

Week 2 play: On Packers.

Analysis: Divisional games typically require greater focus and intensity, and these teams are well prepared the second time around. Of course, for 2018, the status of Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers will certainly have an impact on whether or not bettors trust in this angle.

6. Teams that won close games in Week 1 (3 points or less) are 27-13-1 Under the total (67.5%) in Week 2 since ’05.

Week 2 plays: Under in Vikings-Packers and Raiders-Broncos.

Analysis: This one is genuinely tough to explain but its success is tough to argue. A strong 11-4 record over the last four seasons has bumped this system up several spots in our rankings for 2018.