NFL Point Spreads Week 1: Best Picks Against the Spread
Here’s a quick look at all the Week 13 matchups with Sports Interaction NFL odds. Games Sunday unless noted.
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles – Thurs, Sept 6
The defending Super Bowl champions, as the Eagles are, have largely dominated this Kickoff Game. However, those teams also had their starting quarterbacks healthy. Philadelphia doesn’t as backup Nick Foles gets the call with Carson Wentz still not quite ready off his major knee injury suffered late last season. Click here for Sports Interaction’s full betting preview of the Falcons vs. the Eagles in Week 1.
Point spread: Eagles -2.5
Pick ATS: Atlanta
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo has named Nathan Peterman its Week 1 starting quarterback over first-round rookie Josh Allen. Peterman is best known for a game last year as a rookie when he made his first start and was historically bad with five interceptions in a half vs. the Chargers. Here’s our full preview of this matchup.
Point spread: Ravens -7
Pick ATS: Baltimore
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts welcome back star quarterback Andrew Luck, who missed all of last season due to shoulder surgery. He also hurt his foot this preseason but will be good to go. Alas, QB is probably the only spot the Colts are better than the Bengals. Click here for a complete preview of this week 1 NFL matchup.
Point spread: Colts -3
Pick ATS: Cincinnati
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
The Patriots still have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and that’s why they remain Super Bowl favourites. They won’t have one of Brady’s top targets in WR Julian Edelman, who is suspended four games. The Texans welcome back star QB Deshaun Watson and DE JJ Watt, both of whom were lost to serious injury during last season. Our full preview of the Patriots vs. the Texans is here.
Point spread: Patriots -6.5
Pick ATS: New England
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
Were the Jaguars one-year wonders in reaching last season’s AFC title game? They do have a loaded defence but major questions on offence – especially after losing top WR Marqise Lee to a season-ending injury already. Giants running back Saquon Barkley is the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favourite. For our full preview of the Jags vs. Giants game, click here.
Point spread: Jaguars -3
Pick ATS: NY Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Nowhere to go but up for the Browns as they come off the second-ever 0-16 season in NFL history and have one victory the past two seasons combined. Steelers star RB Le’Veon Bell missed all of camp and the preseason holding out but will likely play. Click here for our full betting preview of the Steelers vs. the Browns in Week 1.
Point spread: Steelers -5.5
Pick ATS: Pittsburgh
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
The Niners are a chic playoff pick because of QB Jimmy Garoppolo. He started the final five games last season after coming over in trade from New England, and the Niners won them all. It’s the Vikings regular-season debut of QB Kirk Cousins, signed as a free agent from the Redskins. Take a look at our full preview of the 49ers vs. the Vikes here.
Point spread: Vikings -6
Pick ATS: Minnesota
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
The biggest spread on the board, taking a leap when Bucs QB Jameis Winston was suspended the first three games. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick starts for him. The Saints are without co-starting running back Mark Ingram the first four games. Check out our Week 1 preview for the Saints vs. the Bucs here.
Point spread: Saints -9.5
Pick ATS: Tampa Bay
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
It’s the return of Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, who missed all of last year to injury. Coach Adam Gase enters the year on the hot seat. The Titans were a playoff team last year but decided to change coaches anyways: It’s Mike Vrabel’s first game on the sideline that counts. A full preview of the Titans vs. Dolphins game can be found here.
Point spread: Titans -1
Pick ATS: Miami
Kansas City Chiefs at LA Chargers
The Chiefs have won eight straight in this series, but a few things are different now. First, it’s only the second career start at QB for Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. Second, this looks like potentially the best Chargers team in years. Click this link for our preview of Chiefs vs. Chargers.
Point spread: Chargers -3
Pick ATS: LA Chargers
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
Carolina opens the season without one of its top defenders in linebacker Thomas Davis, suspended four games. But the Cats still have QB Cam Newton, and that will be enough to beat a banged-up Cowboys squad. Check out our complete betting preview of this matchup here.
Point spread: Panthers -2.5
Pick ATS: Carolina
Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a new starting quarterback in Case Keenum, who led Minnesota to last season’s NFC title game. The Seahawks used to be known for their Legion of Boom secondary but that has been completely broken up. Check out our complete preview for this Sunday matchup here.
Point spread: Broncos -3
Pick ATS: Denver
Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals
Only pick’em in Week 1. Two new starting quarterbacks in this one: Alex Smith for Washington and Sam Bradford for Arizona. Bradford is probably just keeping the seat warm for first-round rookie Josh Allen. Have a closer look at this matchup with our full preview here.
Point spread: Pick’em
Pick ATS: Arizona
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
The NFL’s oldest rivalry and the Sunday night game. The Bears already beat the Packers in one regard: Trading for Oakland end/linebacker Khalil Mack, the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Green Bay also made an offer to the Raiders. It’s not 100 per cent that Mack plays since he held out of Raiders camp, but he’s likely to. Check out our full preview of the Bears vs. Packers game in Week 1.
Point spread: Packers -7.5
Pick ATS: Chicago
New York Jets at Detroit Lions, Monday
The Jets’ Sam Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick this year, becomes the youngest Week 1 starting quarterback in league history. Rookie QBs don’t have a good history of winning on the road in a season opener. Check out our full preview of this week 1 game here.
Point spread: Lions -6.5
Pick ATS: Detroit
Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders, Monday
One of the great things about Week 1 is the Monday doubleheader. The Raiders clearly aren’t as good after just trading 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to Chicago. Last year’s DPOY was the Rams’ Aaron Donald. He’ll play after holding out all of camp and the pre-season. Click here for our full Monday Night Football preview.
Point spread: Rams -5
Pick ATS: LA Rams