Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
Line: Chiefs -7.
My Guess: Chiefs -7.5.
The sportsbooks seem to be enticing the public into betting the Chiefs at this number. I can’t say I’m surprised, given how much I love the Lions this offseason. As LionKing pointed out in this video, the Chiefs could lack focus in this game, opening up the possibility for Detroit to win outright:
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings.
Line: Vikings -6.5.
My Guess: Vikings -6.5.
This was the Week 1 matchup in 2005. I picked the Vikings for my survivor pool, and they lost outright. Redemption time? Perhaps, given how terrible the Buccaneers are likely to be this upcoming season. The Vikings aren’t great either, but they should cover.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts.
Line: Jaguars -3.5.
My Guess: Jaguars -3.5.
The hook here might cost those eager to bet the Jaguars. The Colts aren’t a terrible team, and they should be able to move the ball on Jacksonville’s miserable defense. The Jaguars winning by three is probably the most likely result of this game.
San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers.
Line: 49ers -3.
My Guess: 49ers -3.
I love the Steelers in this spot. They were 8-2 with T.J. Watt last year, and they added Isaac Seumalo and Patrick Peterson to bolster their roster. Meanwhile, the 49ers lost Pro Bowl right tackle Mike McGlinchey, as well as key depth on their defensive line. There’s also the issue with both Trey Lance and Brock Purdy dealing with injuries. Sam Darnold may start this game!
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons.
Line: Falcons -3.
My Guess: Falcons -3.5.
The Falcons are underrated. They’re not a great team or anything, but they’ve added solid talent this offseason, like Calais Campbell, Jessie Bates, and Bud Dupree on defense, and Bijan Robinson and Mack Hollins on offense. Desmond Ridder is still a question mark, but I like the Falcons to win the division. The Panthers will be operating with a new coach and new quarterback, which is generally not a good recipe for Week 1.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns.
Line: Bengals -2.5.
My Guess: Bengals -3.5.
Why is this line under three? I don’t get it. Perhaps it has something to do with the widespread belief that the Browns will live up to their potential with Deshaun Watson, but we haven’t seen Watson play on a high level since 2020. The defense has some problems as well.
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens.
Line: Ravens -9.5.
My Guess: Ravens -7.
This spread came in high because the sportsbooks know how great John Harbaugh is in Week 1 when battling mediocre or bad competition. The Ravens should win this game easily.
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints.
Line: Saints -3.5.
My Guess: Saints -3.
The Saints are the opposite of the Falcons. The sportsbooks are overrating them. They’re a mediocre team at best that is coached very poorly. The Titans have the huge coaching edge in this game. As long as they don’t trade away their key veterans, I like them to pull the upset.
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins.
Line: Redskins -5.5.
My Guess: Redskins -5.5.
The Redskins should probably be favored by more, but the public isn’t going to bet -6 or higher with Sam Howell anytime soon. Arizona is absolutely dreadful.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks.
Line: Seahawks -6.
My Guess: Seahawks -3.5.
I love the Rams in this spot. This is nothing against the Seahawks, save for their poor pass rush not being able to take advantage of the Rams’ weak offensive line. The Rams nearly beat the Seahawks twice late last year, and that was without Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald. All three will be back, while Sean McVay will do his magic in Week 1.
Miami Dolphins at San Angeles Chargers.
Line: Chargers -2.5.
My Guess: Chargers -1.5.
The Chargers have the worst home-field advantage in the NFL, so I was tempted to make the Dolphins a favorite. Miami is one of the best teams in the NFL as long as Tua Tagovailoa and the rest of the key players are healthy.
Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots.
Line: Eagles -5.
My Guess: Eagles -6.5.
I don’t understand why this line is so low. The Eagles are arguably the best team in the NFL, while the Patriots are mediocre at best. I know Bill Belichick is great with extra time to prepare, but that doesn’t apply when going against superior competition. See the Week 1 matchup last year when they were blown out in Miami.
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos.
Line: Broncos -3.5.
My Guess: Broncos -3.
The Broncos are better than the Raiders, but better enough to warrant the hook? Maybe. I don’t know what to make of this matchup, but maybe I’ll have a better idea later in the summer.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears.
Line: Bears -2.5.
My Guess: Bears -2.5.
The Bears are better than the Packers, so they should probably be -3. Then again, it’s tough to know what to expect from No Cookie Jordan Love.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants.
Line: Cowboys -3.
My Guess: Cowboys -2.5.
Why does it seem like the Cowboys and Giants always battle each other on Sunday Night Football to open the season? The Giants could be better this upcoming season, and it’s easy to like the coaching edge with the home dog.
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets.
Line: Bills -1.
My Guess: Bills -2.5.
Reports have surfaced that Von Miller may not be ready to start the season. We saw how bad their defense was without him after Thanksgiving. If Miller isn’t available, the Jets will be the play, especially with the 9/11 anniversary momentum on their side.
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