2018 NFL Preseason Week 1 Sure Winners

On Thursday night, the first round of pre-season games in the National Football League begins, as teams start to sort out the lower tiers of their depth charts. Don’t expect to see more than a series or two out of the starters (at least as far as quarterbacks and established running backs and receivers go), before the reserves and the others trying to make their mark with a team get to take the field. Even so, you can make some money if you know what to look for. We’ve put together a list of four teams that we feel confident supporting with our NFL Preseason Week 1 betting for the week ahead. Home teams are in all caps.

2018 NFL Preseason Week 1 Sure Winners

#Jaguars come in at the No. 2 spot of https://t.co/TQfIe1EDUC‘s power rankings. https://t.co/ppkwPadWhX

— The Jaguars Wire (@TheJaguarsWire) August 8, 2018

Thursday, August 9

Cleveland (+1.5) over N.Y. GIANTS (7:00pm ET)

I don’t expect to see too much out of Eli Manning in this contest, which means we’re left with the likes of Davis Webb and the rest of the Giants’ depth chart leading their offense. This is not a team built for optimism right now, especially with the departure of Jason Pierre-Paul from their pass rush and with the contract talks for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. still ongoing. On the other side of the ball, we have a Cleveland Browns lineup that will show us a lot of rookie Baker Mayfield at quarterback, as well as a trio of exciting tailbacks in Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson. I see the Browns getting enough movement on offense to outscore a Giants’ offense that, at this point, is just looking for an identity.

GREEN BAY (PK) over Tennessee (8:00pm ET)

The Tennessee Titans come in with a new head coach — and in Blaine Gabbert, they have a backup quarterback who has had some success running an NFL offense and should have at least a little success moving the ball against a Green Bay defense that has lots of holes, especially in the secondary. Then there’s also rookie quarterback Luke Falk, from Washington State. But the Packers have some quickness down their quarterback depth chart with DeShone Kizer and Brett Hundley, as well as rookie Tim Boyle from Eastern Kentucky. Based on the stability of system, I’m picking the Packers to come out on top here.

KANSAS CITY (+2.5) over Houston (8:30pm ET)

This is an interesting line, because I don’t expect Deshaun Watson to take the field as he comes back from a season-ending knee injury last year. That means that the offense will be led by a trio of journeymen: Stephen Morris, Brandon Weeden and Joe Webb. If you’ve seen Houston’s defense, you know that Kansas City will have a hard time getting the ball past midfield. The Chiefs are likely to give Pat Mahomes II a little more time than a starter might normally get at quarterback, but he is a largely untested second-year player. Behind him are journeymen Chad Henne (who lost his job to Blake Bortles) and Matt McGloin. I see the Chiefs winning an uglyfest here.

SEATTLE (-2.5) over Indianapolis (10:00pm ET)

Pete Carroll loves to win preseason games more than just about any other head coach, despite the fact that a preseason record does not translate into regular-season success. Just ask the Cleveland Browns, who went 4-0 in their postseason last year but then won exactly zero games the rest of the way. The Seahawks welcome an Indianapolis team that will likely feature more of Andrew Luck than one might expect to see from a starter, but the rust he will have is likely to be considerable, and Seattle will take advantage of that. Also, Indianapolis has a shaky defense — and while Seattle does not have anyone particularly impressive behind Russell Wilson (Austin Davis and Alex McGough, the Seattle defense should be the story here.