NFL Week 1 Picks: Early Betting Predictions for Every Game

In a little over a month, the 2018 regular season in the National Football League will get underway, starting with a Thursday night prime-time tilt between the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles, who will be looking to defend their Super Bowl title as Carson Wentz looks to return at quarterback. We have sports betting lines for each matchup in the opening week, as well as an early prediction as to the outcome. Obviously, training camp can bring injuries and free-agent signings that can alter possibilities significantly, but take a look at our NFL Week 1 betting suggestions to see where you can start making some money on your football wagering.

NFL Week 1 Picks: Early Betting Predictions for Every Game

Here’s an updated look at how the Patriots WR corps will look Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/JzRIVQ79mH

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 2, 2018

Thursday, September 6, 8:20pm ET, NBC

Atlanta (+4) at Philadelphia, O/U 4

The Falcons were somewhat overlooked in the NFC last year, but they had one of the better performances down the stretch and in the postseason. They won six of eight to get a wild card slot and then went to Los Angeles to beat a talented but young Rams team. Their divisional game ended in a 15-10 loss to an Eagles team that would then demolish Minnesota and outplay New England to win a title. I think Atlanta comes out hungrier here — both teams have largely stood pat in their off-season, and Atlanta got Julio Jones signed and into camp, so I’m taking the Falcons to win outright.

Sunday, September 9, 1:00pm ET, FOX

Jacksonville (-4) at N.Y. Giants, O/U 44

The Giants have Odell Beckham, Jr. at the negotiating table for a new contract, a process that will likely give him a lot of money. But how good can Eli Manning be at quarterback? Jacksonville has a physical defense, but they wore down late in the AFC Championship and got torched by Pittsburgh in the divisional round. Even so, they have more going on offense than the Giants, so give me the Jaguars to win and cover.

Tampa Bay (+7) at New Orleans, O/U 52

Tampa Bay will have Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback thanks to the Jameis Winston suspension. New Orleans revamped their defense last year and should have what it takes to lower the boom on a divisional foe with a backup signal-caller. Give me the Saints to win and cover — and give me the “under” here, because the Buccaneers have a good enough defense to keep New Orleans under 35, but they won’t put up enough points on their own end to get to the total.

San Francisco (+4.5) at Minnesota, O/U 45.5

This is an intriguing matchup here as San Francisco brings in Jimmy Garoppolo and a new tailback, but Minnesota is the most talented team on both sides of the ball. Can Kirk Cousins adapt to his new surroundings? I think he can, and I see the Vikings delivering an opening-week lesson to the upstart Niners. Give me the Vikings to win and cover.

Tennessee (+2.5) at Miami, O/U 46.5

Yes, the Titans have a new head coach, but Miami is a mess. Their starting quarterback is the oft-injured Ryan Tannehill, and behind him they have a bust in Brock Osweiler and an unproven quantity in Bryce Petty. Marcus Mariota’s new offensive coordinator will have a system that takes advantage of his strengths, and I see the Titans not only covering but winning on the road.

Sunday, September 9, 1:00pm ET, CBS

Buffalo (+3.5) at Baltimore, O/U 42

Baltimore has the defense to make AJ McCarron look silly as the Bills’ quarterback, and the addition of Lamar Jackson as a potential wideout in this offense — or a trick-play option to throw the ball — makes the Ravens an uncharacteristically exciting team on offense this season. Baltimore will win convincingly.

Houston (+7) at New England, O/U 51

The Texans pushed the Patriots hard in September last year, as the Patriots needed a late comeback to win, 36-33. Deshaun Watson returns, hungry, as the Texans’ quarterback, and J.J. Watt should be back on the defensive line. I think the Patriots escape with another win, but that line seems to large. Give me Houston to cover.

Cincinnati (+1) at Indianapolis, O/U 47

I’m probably staying away from this game altogether with my betting, but Andrew Luck has a higher ceiling right now than Andy Dalton, assuming he makes it to Week 1 without another injury. Also, the Bengals are in a tailspin on both sides of the ball, but the Colts could be on the rise. So I’ll take the Colts to win and cover, but a more solid bet is the “under” as I see both teams struggling to move the ball in the early going.

Pittsburgh (-7) at Cleveland, O/U 48

Will this be the year that the Browns make an early statement? They have the talent on offense to do it, thanks to their offseason signings, and their defense was already improving. If the Steelers aren’t focused, this could get interesting in a hurry. I’m taking the Browns to cover here, but I see the Steelers sneaking out with a win.

Sunday, September 9, 4:05pm ET, CBS

Kansas City (+3) at L.A. Chargers, O/U 48

Second-year quarterback Pat Mahomes II vs seasoned veteran Philip Rivers? I like the upside that Mahomes brings, but that Chargers pass rush will force him into multiple mistakes. Give me the Chargers to win and cover at home.

Sunday, September 9, 4:25pm ET, FOX

Seattle (+2) at Denver, O/U 42

The former Legion of Boom now has lost Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas may be in Dallas by this point. Denver has upgraded at quarterback by moving to Case Keenum, but the Broncos’ defense looks a little long in the tooth. This is a low point total, but I’d still look hard at the “under,” because I see both teams slogging with the ball throughout. I like Denver to win here, if only because the Seahawks play so much better at home than on the road.

Dallas (+2.5) at Carolina, O/U 45

Dallas doesn’t have a tight end, and they don’t have a top wide receiver. Carolina has put more offensive talent around Cam Newton than he has ever had as a Panther. Will his head be in the right place? I say yes as the Panthers look to return to the playoffs. Give me the Panthers to win and cover.

Washington (+1) at Arizona, O/U 45

Alex Smith vs Sam Bradford in the desert. The Cardinals will have David Johnson back at tailback, while the Redskins really didn’t upgrade at the tailback position. Which game manager will win? In a tossup like this, I’m going with the home team, so give me the Cardinals to win.

Sunday, September 9, 8:20pm ET, NBC

Chicago (+8.5) at Green Bay, O/U 48

Aaron Rodgers returns to the field in prime time and deals Mitch Trubisky another lesson as a young quarterback. The Bears have added talent, and they have some good wide receivers, but does Trubisky have the confidence to find them at Lambeau Field? His jitters will doom the Bears as the Packers win and cover.

Monday, September 10, 7:10pm ET, ESPN

N.Y. Jets (+6) at Detroit, O/U 44

Sam Darnold looks likely to start this game for the Jets, and rookie starters almost never come out and deliver dominant starts. The Jets don’t have that much going for them on defense either, so I like the Lions to win and cover in Matt Patricia’s debut.

Monday, September 10, 10:20pm ET, ESPN

L.A. Rams (+1.5) at Oakland, O/U 49.5

This might be the most interesting game in Week 1, as Jon Gruden returns to coaching and hopes to help the Greatness get back to where they were just a couple seasons ago, winners of 12 games in the regular season. The Rams added Brandin Cooks to catch the ball and are ahead in terms of a running game, and I see Jared Goff and Derek Carr as largely equal at this point. Give me the Rams to win in a close one here — and give me the “under.”