After months of waiting, Week 1 is finally here. For my fellow NFL betting degenerates out there, that means it’s time to get our Week 1 NFL picks and predictions in order. Let’s take a look at who I like to cover the spread in Week 1.
NFL Picks and Predictions | Week 1
Oddsmakers are extremely sharp when it comes to setting lines. With a week in between games, they have ample time to fine-tune their numbers to get action on both sides.
The good news about Week 1 is it’s probably the most even playing field we will get. At this point, oddsmakers don’t know much more than we do. Let’s take a look at every Week 1 game and pick some winners against the spread. All lines are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of 6 PM ET on September 10.
Week 1 NFL odds and lines
Here are the Week 1 betting lines and NFL odds for Sunday’s 1:00 games as of 6 PM ET on September 10.
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
This game features two teams not likely to make the playoffs. Jalen Hurts gets his chance at a full season as the starter. On the other side, Matt Ryan enters the post-Julio Jones era. This is your standard 3-point-home-favorite matchup that is a true toss-up.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Falcons 27, Eagles 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
With the core pieces of these two teams still in place, it’s hard not to look at last season’s Week 14 matchup and not expect the same thing (Bills won 26-15). I actually expect the Bills to lay it on even thicker this time.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Bills 34, Steelers 24
Minnesota Vikings (-3.0) at Cincinnati Bengals
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, NFL FOX
When a line looks too easy, it probably is. However, if you are going to go with the square play and lay the 3 on the road, Week 1 is the time to do it. I just have a funny feeling about this one.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Bengals 24, Vikings 22
San Francisco 49ers (-8.5) at Detroit Lions
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
I hate the idea of laying 7 on the road, but this has all the makings of a beatdown. The Lions’ offense is just devoid of any high-end talent outside of the meaningless running back position. Jared Goff should have time behind the Lions’ improved offensive line, but he’s got no one to throw to. The 49ers are going to run all over the Lions in this one.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: 49ers 27, Lions 13
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (-3.0)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
Will 2021 be more of the same from the Cardinals’ fast-paced offense? We know this team can move the ball, but they seem to struggle in the red zone, often settling for field goals. The Titans should have every opportunity to ram Derrick Henry down the Cardinals’ throats. The line scares me a bit, but I’m going with the home team here.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Titans 24, Cardinals 20
Seattle Seahawks (-3.0) at Indianapolis Colts
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, FOX
The dreaded West Coast team playing a 1:00 East Coast game. This game feels eerily similar to Week 1 in 2019 when the Seahawks almost dropped a home game to the Bengals. The Colts were able to get Carson Wentz back on the field following foot surgery, and I think they sneak one out here.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Colts 24, Seahawks 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team (-1.5)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
There are three things you count on — death, taxes, and #chargersthings. For those new to me, #chargersthings are when the Chargers find miraculous new ways to lose games they should win. They open the season on the road against a revamped Washington offense. Give me the home team.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Washington 27, Chargers 24
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-4.0)
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson makes his NFL debut on the road against the man he replaced, Sam Darnold. The Panthers drafted CB Jaycee Horn in the first round and signed free agents Haason Reddick, A.J. Bouye, and Denzel Perryman. This is an improved defense facing a rookie QB making his first career start. With that being said, a 4-point favorite feels like too much for an offense led by Darnold.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Panthers 20, Jets 16
Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5) at Houston Texans
Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS
Despite the addition of Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars are not going to be a good team this year. The Texans, however, will be the worst team in the NFL. It feels dirty to lay anything on the road with the Jaguars, but I’m not sure how the Texans are ever winning a game.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Jaguars 24, Texans 17
Here are the Week 1 betting lines and NFL odds for Sunday’s 4:00 games as of 6 PM ET on September 10.
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, CBS
Whenever Patrick Mahomes is on a field, he’s liable to blow out any opponent. The Browns have a strong defense, and Baker Mayfield is much improved. The Browns almost toppled the Chiefs in the playoffs last season. The Chiefs should win this game, but it’ll be close.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Chiefs 28, Browns 24
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-3.5)
Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, CBS
Mac Jones makes his first career NFL start against Tua Tagovailoa entering his first season as the unquestioned starter. The Patriots were a disaster in their first season without Tom Brady, but Bill Belichick is too good to let that happen again. I feel like the Patriots find a way to start their season with a win in a low-scoring barn burner.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Patriots 17, Dolphins 13
Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at New Orleans Saints
Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, Local
I really liked the Saints before Hurricane Ida displaced them from the Superdome. This game will be held in Jacksonville, and the lack of home-field advantage combined with Jameis Winston throwing the ball to the wrong team will stymie the Saints here.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Packers 31, Saints 20
Denver Broncos (-3.0) at New York Giants
Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, FOX
All summer, I had this pegged as a game where I would be fading the public and going with the Giants as home underdogs. I’m not nearly as confident as I would be if the inferior Drew Lock had won the starting quarterback job over Teddy Bridgewater. However, I still prefer the points at home.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Giants 20, Broncos 17
Sunday Night Football
Here is the Week 1 betting line and NFL odds for Sunday Night Football as of 6 PM ET on September 10.
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams (-8.0)
Time and channel: 8:20 PM ET, NBC
Matthew Stafford makes his first start with his new team in primetime against a former division rival and a team he knows well. The Rams will win this game, but the -8 spread feels like a lot. If Andy Dalton faceplants, we could see Justin Fields as soon as possible. However, I have a sneaking suspicion he does enough to keep his job one more week.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Rams 24, Bears 20
Monday Night Football
Here are the NFL Week 1 betting lines and odds for Monday Night Football as of 6 PM ET on September 10.
Baltimore Ravens (-4.0) at Las Vegas Raiders
Time and channel: 8:15 PM ET, ESPN
The Ravens will be present for the debut of Allegiant Stadium and will have the privilege of sending Raiders fans home unhappy. The Raiders will be helpless to stop Lamar Jackson. I don’t love road favorites in primetime (or in general), but this feels like a Ravens rout.
NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Ravens 34, Raiders 20