Week one of the NFL season is here. Here are five spreads that bettors should put their money on.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!49ers -2.5 at Steelers
The San Francisco 49ers made it to the NFC championship game last season. They have a very well rounded roster that seems to have no holes in it. The 49ers finished last season ranked number six in offense and number one in defense. This team was the definition of balance and there is no reason why this should change.
The Pittsburgh Steelers missed the playoffs last season with a 9-8 record. They struggled to score for most of the season as they averaged 18.1 points per game. This landed them with the 26th ranked offense. Pittsburgh did have a very good defense. They finished the season with the 10th ranked defense in the league.
Pittsburgh’s quarterback, Kenny Pickett will have his hands full with the 49er pass rush. That is led by the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, Nick Bosa. The Steelers’ defense will keep this game close but they will not score enough to win. Take the 49ers -2.5.
Commanders -7 vs Cardinals
The Washington Commanders are favored by seven points against the Arizona Cardinals. The Commanders should defeat the Cardinals by much more than eight points.
The Cardinals had the second worst defense in the NFL last season and there is no reason to believe it will better this year. Commanders’ quarterback, Sam Howell is in his second year, making his second career start. The inexperience may cause concern but even the most novice of quarterbacks should succeed against this Arizona defense.
The Cardinals are starting journeyman quarterback, Joshua Dobbs in this game. Dobbs in going against seventh ranked defense in the NFL from last season. There is no reason to believe the Cardinals will be able to score enough points to keep up with Washington.
Washington covering the seven point spread may be the easiest pick of the weekend.
Jaguars -4.5 at Colts
The Jacksonville Jaguars come into this season with very high expectations after a strong finish to last season. They won their last five regular season games to win the AFC South. Then in the Wildcard round of the playoffs, came back from being down 27 points to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers. Jacksonville would go on to lose in the Divisional round to the eventual SuperBowl champion, Kansas City Chiefs.
The Indianapolis Colts had the complete opposite experience of the Jaguars last season. The Colts lost their last seven games of the regular season which led to their 4-12-1 record. They fired their head coach Frank Reich in the middle of the season. After that brought in Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach. Saturday had no NFL coaching experience prior to last season. The bold move did not work out in Indianapolis’ favor.
Now, they have a new rookie quarterback in Anthony Richardson who is expected to have steep learning curve as he adjusts to the NFL game. This is not a recipe for success going against Jacksonville’s defense that only gave up 20.6 points per game last season.
The Jaguars offense was 10th in the NFL last year and should be even better this season. Emerging superstar quarterback, Trevor Lawerence is in his second year under head coach Doug Pederson. He should be more comfortable in the offensive system. Lawerence also has a new weapon to throw to as star wide receiver, Calvin Ridley is now a Jaguar. This all adds up to the Jaguars winning in a comfortable fashion, covering the four and half point spread.
Seahawks -4.5 vs Rams
The Seattle Seahawks shocked the NFL world last season. They were able to make it to the playoffs with Geno Smith as their quarterback. Smith led the Seahawks to the ninth ranked offense in the league. In the off-season the offense became even more dangerous as they drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba out of Ohio State. Smith-Njigba suffered a wrist injury in training camp but will be active in week one. Geno Smith has an embarrassment of weapons on that offense.
The Los Angeles Rams went 5-12 last season as they dealt with injuries to very important players throughout the season. This season is starting off with a similar theme as wide receiver, Cooper Kupp will not be playing in week one. This is not the same team that won the SuperBowl a couple of seasons ago. The roster is totally different and the expectations are much lower.
Last season the Rams finished with the 21st ranked defense against the pass. This season the secondary may be even worse with the departure of all-pro corner back, Jalen Ramsey. Seattle will feast on the secondary, on their way to an easy win. Seattle covers the four and a half point spread with no issue.
Packers +1.5 at Bears
The oldest rivalry in the NFL is the Green Bay Packers vs the Chicago Bears. This year the battle will seem new as the Packers are starting the season with a quarterback not named Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers for the first time since 1991. Jordan Love is hoping to continue the tradition of excellent quarterback play in the green and gold.
Love has looked excellent in the pre-season. Which can be deceiving but he has looked like a player who is ready to take on this role.
While the Packers want to continue a tradition, the Bears are looking to start a new one as Justin Fields enters his third season as their quarterback. Chicago has never had a quarterback pass for more than 4,000 yards in a season. Will Fields be able to do that this season? That is the million dollar question as last season he was excellent running the football but not passing it.
Fields may turn into an excellent passer of the football but that will not start in week one against that Packers defense. Green Bay had the sixth best passing defense in the NFL last season. Chicago’s offense will struggle in this game and Love will lead the Packers to a 1-0 start. Take the Packers +1.5 or straight up on the money line to win.
Remember to always bet responsibly!
