Are you ready for some NFL football? Everybody is, and Week 1 is right around the corner. Sports bettors everywhere have been waiting patiently for the NFL campaign to kick off, and here we are with a full slate of games.
The 2022 NFL season begins on September 8, with the Buffalo Bills facing the defending Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium — the sight of Super Bowl 56.
Let’s hop in and examine the NFL odds each game one by one and make picks for all of the Week 1 slate.
NFL Week 1 Odds
DateNFL Week 1 OddsThursday, September 8Buffalo Bills -2.5 vs. LA Rams +2.5Sunday, September 11San Francisco 49ers -7 vs. Chicago Bears +7Sunday, September 11Jacksonville Jaguars +3.5 vs. Washington Commanders -3.5Sunday, September 11Pittsburgh Steelers +6.5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals -6.5Sunday, September 11New Orleans Saints -5 vs. Atlanta Falcons +5Sunday, September 11Cleveland Browns +1 vs. Carolina Panthers -1Sunday, September 11Baltimore Ravens -7 vs. New York Jets +7Sunday, September 11Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 vs. Detroit Lions +3.5Sunday, September 11New England Patriots +3 vs. Miami Dolphins -3Sunday, September 11Indianapolis Colts -8 vs. Houston Texans +8Sunday, September 11New York Giants +6 vs. Tennessee Titans -6Sunday, September 11Green Bay Packers -2 vs. Minnesota Vikings +2Sunday, September 11Las Vegas Raiders +3.5 vs. LA Chargers -3.5Sunday, September 11Kansas City Chiefs -3.5 vs. Arizona Cardinals +3.5Sunday, September 11Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys +1.5Monday, September 12Denver Broncos -4.5 vs. Seattle Seahawks +4.5
NFL Promos for Week 1 of Football
Buffalo Bills (-2.5) vs Los Angeles Rams Prediction
Will the Rams have a Super Bowl hangover? This is the biggest question, and Josh Allen and the Bills are still upset after the thrilling playoff duel with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. This will easily be the best game of the weekend — and perhaps the entire season. But the Rams are still hot and added Allen Robinson II. Fire up the Rams to continue winning football games in an overtime thriller.
Betting Pick: Rams +2.5
San Francisco 49ers (-7) vs. Chicago Bears Prediction
We finally get to see Trey Lance and Justin Fields battle it out. Hopefully. However, the Bears might lose a dozen games this season, and the 49ers just went to the NFC title game. The 49ers should have zero problems and they likely win this game by at least two touchdowns.
Betting Pick: 49ers -7
NFL Week 1 Betting Guide: TOP UPSET PICKS [Rams vs Bills, Vikings vs Packers & More] | CBS Sports HQ
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders (-3.5) Prediction
This is a toss-up. Will Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars move on from the Urban Meyer debacle? Will Carson Wentz improve after an up-and-down season with the Indianapolis Colts?
The Jaguars should have James Robinson healthy for Week 1 along with Travis Etienne, and Lawrence has been impressive this offseason. This is one of the most difficult games of the weekend, but let’s roll with Jacksonville on the road by a narrow margin as Lawrence throws for a couple of touchdowns and gets off on the right foot in his sophomore campaign. Hey, a $20 bet would earn you a total payout of $70. That’s worth the gamble, and use a PointsBet promo code to make your deposit multiple.
Betting Pick: Jaguars (+3.5)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5) Prediction
The AFC Champions begin the season with a fiery AFC North rivalry at home. However, Ben Roethlisberger is gone, as is JuJu Smith-Schuster, so this Steelers team looks much different than before.
The Bengals improved drastically upfront, something they needed to do, and Joe Burrow is Joe Burrow. It’s hard to put money on Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, or Mason Rudolph, regardless of how many weapons the Steelers have on both sides of the ball.
The Bengals start their title quest with a victory and this one could be a lopsided battle. If you are betting on any of these NFL teams from Canada, check out these Ontario sports betting apps now!
Betting Pick: Bengals (-6.5)
New Orleans Saints (-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction
For now, Alvin Kamara is not suspended and Michael Thomas looks to be ready to roll after a rough couple of seasons. On the other hand, the Falcons have a young, rebuilding team and might not win very many games this season.
With Jameis Winston looking healthy as well, the Saints should have no issues defeating the Falcons and taking an early upper hand in the NFC South race. Winston throws for a couple of touchdowns (with Thomas returning to paydirt).
Betting Pick: Saints (-5)
Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers (-1) Prediction
Baker Mayfield makes his Panthers debut against the Browns in Carolina. This game has the biggest storyline of Week 1 by far, and with the suspension of Deshaun Watson, it looks like it will be Jacoby Brissett season in the Dawg Pound.
However, the Panthers have some concerns on both sides, and the Browns still have a dangerous 1-2 punch with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb running the football. Mayfield struggles out of the gate — prompting Matt Rhule to consider playing Sam Darnold — and the Browns defeat the Panthers in a close game on the road.
Betting Pick: Browns (+1)
Baltimore Ravens (-7) vs. New York Jets Prediction
Zach Wilson likely won’t be ready by Week 1, so that hurts. What hurts even more for the Jets is that Lamar Jackson is on a contract year and determined to earn lots of cash this upcoming offseason,
JK Dobbins is healthy, and oh yeah, Mark Andrews is still in Baltimore. Unless Joe Flacco or Mike White put together a magnificent performance (we saw that from White last season), the Jets simply have no chance. The Ravens win by a couple of touchdowns, at least, and Jackson’s season gets off to an MVP-caliber start. Since earlier this year Jets fans can bet on their favorite team using any of these NY sports betting apps.
Betting Pick: Ravens (-7)
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NFL Week 1:
Baker Mayfield vs. the Browns❗️
Joe Flacco vs. the Ravens ❗️
A Bama face off between Tua and Mac Jones❗️
Russell Wilson vs. the Seahawks❗️
The NFL is starting with some heat.
pic.twitter.com/vgpCezx6F5
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) August 22, 2022
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) vs. Detroit Lions Prediction
Let’s have some fun, shall we?
Yes, the Eagles brought in AJ Brown to form a talented wide receiver corp. Jalen Hurts is expected to do big things, and the Eagles just might hang around in the NFC East.
On the other hand, Lions head coach Dan Campbell is already firing up his team in every way possible, and a first-round class that included Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams has everybody buzzing in the Motor City. This game is in Detroit, and D’Andre Swift and TJ Hockenson will be difficult to stop, even with Jared Goff throwing the football.
The Lions stun the world by beginning the season with a win by a touchdown. Plus, a $10 bet would earn you $35. Why not take the chance on the Lions?
Betting Pick: Lions (+3.5)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (-3) Prediction
This line seems a bit surprising for a number of reasons. However, the Dolphins did acquire superstar Tyreek Hill and new head coach Mike McDaniel is supposed to do big things in Florida.
But Bill Belichick is the best there is in preparation, and it’s always hard to bet against the Patriots, even with Mac Jones at quarterback. This sure feels like a DeVante Parker revenge game, and the new Patriots WR put together an impressive performance and scores against this former team as New England wins Week 1 in this AFC East battle.
Betting Pick: Patriots (+3)
Indianapolis Colts (-8) vs. Houston Texans Prediction
It will be weird seeing Matt Ryan in a different uniform, yet here we are. Ryan’s Colts’ career begins with a road game against the Texans, and it should be a perfect chance for him to dazzle right out of the gates.
The Texans dealt Deshaun Watson — finally — and Lovie Smith has a rough season ahead of him in the midst of a massive rebuild. Ryan and Michael Pittman come out with impressive chemistry, and Jonathan Taylor starts off strong as he aims for an MVP-caliber season as the Colts win by a couple of touchdowns, at least.
Betting Pick: Colts (-7)
New York Giants vs. Tennessee Titans (-6) Prediction
The Titans have Derrick Henry still; maybe you’ve heard of him. The Titans also added Robert Woods and rookie Treylon Burks to the offense.
On the other sideline, the Giants have a lot of question marks with a new head coach in Brian Daboll. The former Bills OC should do just fine, but the verdict is still out on Daniel Jones and Kenny Golladay. Saquon Barkley looks ready to roll, and frankly, nobody knows what this offense will look like in the Big Apple. Reports even surfaced that Tyrod Taylor could start some games this year.
All in all, the Giants look to be a mess from the start, and the Titans should be dangerous again.
Betting Pick: Titans (-6)
Green Bay Packers (-2) vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction
The loss of Davante Adams is going to hurt Aaron Rodgers for a long time, especially since Green Bay didn’t do much to replace him at all. Still, they have some decent pass-catchers and a two-headed monster at RB with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.
The Vikings look much different with former Rams OC Kevin O’Connell wearing the headset in the Twin Cities, and Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook continue to form a loaded offense.
This might come as a surprise, but the Packers might struggle to get their offense flowing without Adams for the first time since they drafted him. With that, the Vikings sneak by on a late field goal and take a one-game lead on Green Bay in the NFC North.
Betting Pick: Vikings (+2)
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) Prediction
Well, this is the team Davante Adams is on now — the Raiders. Everybody remembers the thrilling Week 18 finish between these two teams that almost ended in a tie. Instead, the Raiders went to the playoffs and the Chargers went home.
But the Chargers loaded up everywhere and added Khalil Mack and JC Jackson to a star-studded defense. Now, Derwin James is locked up for a long time, and there is serious Super Bowl buzz for the other team in SoFi Stadium.
Justin Herbert comes out firing — as does Derek Carr with his new weapon and former college teammate — but the Charger avenge that Week 18 loss with a thrilling victory against the Raiders.
Betting Pick: Chargers (-3.5)
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction
Yes, Tyreek Hill is no longer in Kansas City, and that will be strange. But the Chiefs brought in JuJu Smith-Schuster and drafted Skyy Moore in the 2022 NFL Draft. Oh, and Travis Kelce is still around along with Patrick Mahomes.
The Cardinals are trying to stay afloat until DeAndre Hopkins returns from his suspension, and now Kyler Murray has even more to prove after earning a $231-million extension. The Cardinals will put up a fight definitely, and James Conner and former Oklahoma star Hollywood Brown will score, but the Chiefs drop 40+ points in an offensive slugfest in the desert to get the victory.
Betting Pick: Chiefs (-3.5)
Max Kellerman proclaims Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs dominance in the AFC will continue this season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys Prediction
Remember the 2021 season? Yes, it was the Cowboys against the Buccaneers, with Tom Brady taking the victory in a 31-29 thriller. This offseason, Brady retired, then un-retired, and Julio Jones and Russell Gage came over to give him more weapons.
The Cowboys are an interesting case every year, and the pressure is on for Mike McCarthy to win the division in 2022. However, they begin the year 0-1 as Brady looks like his usual self and throws for a few touchdowns with another Lombardi Trophy on his mind.
Betting Pick: Buccaneers (-1.5)
Denver Broncos (-4.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks Prediction
The Monday night game is the Seahawks and Broncos. Yes, Russell Wilson makes his return to the Pacific Northwest and his Broncos debut at the same time. The Seahawks, unfortunately, will trot out one of Drew Lock or Geno Smith, barring a last-minute trade for somebody else.
However, don’t be too sold on the Broncos, especially with all of the emotions riding high in Seattle. Rashaad Penny is set to break out, and former Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III will help carry the load. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett catch whatever is thrown their way as well, and there are some concerns about the Broncos’ weapons on offense.
This Monday night game goes to the Seahawks in overtime, and Wilson loses his first game back in Seattle.
Betting Pick: Seahawks (+4.5)
Stay tuned to Betting Insider Journal this 2022-23 NFL season. Comment below on your football picks for Week 1 of action!
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