NFL Betting – NFL week 1 Odds & Picks
The rest of our NFL Week 1 odds and picks looks at the night games – including the Monday nighter(s).
This is installment #4 in the season long series of free NFL Pick articles by our experts here at CappersPicks.com.
Week 1 NFL matchup: Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers
Sunday, September 11, 4:15 p.m. ET
NFL betting favorite: Chargers -9.5
Run far, far away from this spread. It’s a nightmare. It doesn’t matter that the Chargers are at home, that they had the NFL’s top defense a year ago, that Phil Rivers will lead an elite offense or that the Vikings just might start a rookie quarterback in Christian Ponder. This is the NFL. Crazy things happen every single week.
The Minnesota Vikings still have Adrian Peterson and a dominant defensive line.
The Chargers will likely win this game but it’s just too crazy to expect a 10-point victory margin in Week 1 when so much changes in the NFL from one season to the next.
Pick: Vikings +9.5
Week 1 NFL matchup: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets
Sunday, September 11, 8:15 p.m. ET
NFL betting favorite: Jets -4
This should be a fun battle between two of the sport’s most storied, high-profile teams. It’s understandable to see the Jets favored after they were Super Bowl contenders the last few seasons and the Dallas Cowboys flopped a year ago.
But the Jets’ line still spooks me. Half this team is set to hit unrestricted free agency next week. Who knows what the Jets’ roster will look like?
Who will start at corner opposite Darrelle Revis? Who will be Mark Sanchez’s receivers? While I won’t be surprised if the Jets keep Tony Romo and the Cowboys’ offense in check, as Romo is returning from a broken collarbone, I also won’t be surprised if Sanchez and the Jets’ offense totally sputter.
I expect a low scoring game – and a Cowboys victory.
Pick: Cowboys +4
Week 1 NFL matchup: New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
Monday, September 12, 7:00 p.m. ET
NFL betting favorite: Patriots -4
I know the Patriots are on the road here but I still think this looks like one of Week 1’s easier decisions. Maybe I’m being naive. But consider that: (a) We don’t know for sure who will start at quarterback for the Dolphins; (b) we don’t know who their starting tailback will be, with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both hitting free agency, leaving rookie Daniel Thomas; (c) the New England Patriots’ core is largely intact. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Tom Brady is fresh off an MVP season, the Pats’ young “D” should keep getting better and it’s possible they’ll improve at the skill positions with an offseason signing (Chad Ochocinco?).
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pats lay a beatdown on Miami.
Pick: Patriots -4
Week 1 NFL matchup: Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos
NFL betting favorite: Broncos -1
This AFC West battle could be a real barn burner. The Raiders and Broncos ranked 29th and 31st, respectively, in run defense last season. Oakland will turn Darren McFadden loose and the Broncos will counter with Tim Tebow (who appears to be on track to start at quarterback for Denver) and Knowshon Moreno.
This should be a back-and-forth affair.
Since it’s just a one-point spread, I like Denver to win at home. Tebow flashed some brilliance late last season and the Raiders’ “D” might be reeling with the probable departure of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the NFL’s most sought-after free agent.
Also, watch for my Defensive Rookie of the Year pick, Von Miller, to make his presence felt with the Broncos right away.
Pick: Broncos -1
Check back with us all NFL Betting season long, and keep on winning those NFL Bets folks!
