All 32 NFL teams enter Week 1 with the hope of a successful season. Unfortunately for half the league, a Week 1 loss will put them in panic mode to get their season back on track and stop piling up losses.
For this week’s bets, we take a pair of home favorites, one Over, one Under, and a road dog with a pretty good pedigree.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
5
Take Tampa Bay Buccaneers and lay 3.5 points (-105) vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are turning the page on a new era in many significant respects, from ownership to coaching to the start of the Jayden Daniels era.
The Buccaneers aren’t a powerhouse but are veteran-laden on both sides of the ball. The line started at 3 points and could move to 4 by Sunday. Washington is in the first stages of its rebuilding process. Buccaneers veterans should be handle their business against a team that is a work in progress and come away with a home win.
4
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions: Take OVER 51 points (-110)
This is the highest Over/Under of the week for good reason. When the Rams are healthy on offense, they are one of most explosive in the league. The Rams scored 26 points in six of their final seven games last season. The Lions scored 26 or more points in 10 of their final 16 regular season games and their final two postseason games in 2023.
With the drama of Matthew Stafford coming back to Detroit in prime time, it will be raucous at Ford Field with both offenses capable of scoring 30 or more points.
3
Take Dallas Cowboys on the moneyline (+115) at Cleveland Browns
The Browns have been much improved the last couple of years, but have been historically brutal coming out of the gate – posting a dismal 2-15-1 record on Opening Day since 2006. That may play in to why the Browns are just a 2.5-point home favorite.
Of the road underdogs on the Week 1 schedule, the Cowboys may be the best team. Deshaun Watson hasn’t lived up to his hype since coming to Cleveland and will likely make the critical mistakes that will put Dallas over the top.
2
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: Take UNDER 40.5 points (-110)
The Raiders offense is among the weakest in the NFL, but they make up for that by having a strong defense, especially up front. The Chargers parted ways with their top three receiving threats in the offseason and Justin Herbert had to hit the reset button with lesser talent.
If Jim Harbaugh has his way, the Chargers are going to want to run the ball more and play a time of possession game. It’s hard to imagine either team lighting up the scoreboard, and this should be a field-position game that has more field goals than touchdowns.
1
Take Buffalo Bills and lay 6.5 points (-110) vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are heading across the country for an early-window game, which historically has been problematic for the West Coast team. The Bills are going to look different this season, but they will be in their comfort zone in front of the Bills Mafia. Aside from the inability for the Cardinals offense to hear through the crowd noise, they also will be stunted because their body clocks will be at 10 a.m. Arizona time.
West Coast teams face the challenges of long road trips east and earlier game times than they’re used to playing, and the Cardinals aren’t an elite team that can overcome Buffalo’s distinct home-field advantage.
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