NFL Week 1 betting preview: Picks for every game plus a lock of the week

Football is back, which means it’s betting season. The first week of the NFL regular season is always a tricky one to bet, but fortunately there are some favorable matchups this year. Before you place your bets, check out our Week 1 betting preview. (All betting lines are via DraftKings)

Biggest Favorite: Indianapolis Colts -8 at Jacksonville Jaguars

Highest Over: Dallas Cowboys as Los Angeles Rams OVER 51.5

Lowest Under: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills UNDER 39.5

Week 1 Picks

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)

The Pick - Ravens (-7.5)

Despite a disappointing end to their 2019 season, the Baltimore Ravens come into 2020 neck and neck with the Kansas City Chiefs as Super Bowl favorites. Cleveland, on the other hand, has lost 14 consecutive season-openers dating back to 2004. The Browns will be much improved this season, but take Baltimore and the points in Week 1.

Indianapolis Colts ( -8) at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Pick - UNDER 45

Philip Rivers will make his first start as an Indianapolis Colt after spending sixteen years with the Chargers. With no preseason, Indy likely will be a bit sluggish out of the gate on offense. They should have no problem handling an abysmal Jacksonville team, but look for points to be scarce in this one.

Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) at Washington Football Team

The Pick - Eagles (-5.5)

Much like Jacksonville, Washington figures to be much more likely to battle for the number one overall pick than a playoff spot in 2020. Philadelphia does have some injury concerns, running back Miles Sanders has been ruled out, but with a new coaching staff and bad offense, they should easily cover the spread.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-7)

The Pick - OVER 39.5

The Bills are my sleeper pick as a Super Bowl contender in the AFC. I think Josh Allen has a breakout season, starting against a poor Jets’ defense in Week 1. New York is without their best defensive player, C.J. Mosley, for the season and also traded away All-Pro Jamal Adams to Seattle. Buffalo starts off the year hot on offense, dropping 28 plus points on New York in the win.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-2.5)

The Pick - Bears +114 (MONEYLINE)

The Detroit Lions are a popular pick as a surprise playoff contender, but is that real? This team had serious coaching issues towards the end of last season and head coach Matt Patrica seems like a lame duck. The Bears still have an extremely talented defense, and despite having Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback, should be able to put up enough points to led them to victory against a poor Lions’ defense.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-7)

The Pick - Miami (+7)

For the first time since 2002, someone other than Tom Brady will be the Patriots starting quarterback in Week 1. While Cam Newton should do enough to lead New England to victory in his first start, the gritty Miami Dolphins will make it a game. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a notorious quick starter, and the Dolphins upgraded in a big way on defense. Look for Miami to stick around all day and cover the spread, but New England to escape with a narrow victory.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)

The Pick - Green Bay +120 (MONEYLINE)

There sure has been a lot of Packers slander this offseason. A team that made it to the NFC Championship Game just a season ago has been predicted by some to miss the playoffs in 2020. Aaron Rodgers will have something to say about that this Sunday, having a flashback to his dominant days, leading Green Bay to an upset victory in Minnesota.

Seattle Seahawks (-1.5) at Atlanta Falcons

The Pick - Atlanta (+1.5)

Matt Ryan has always played well against the Seahawks throughout the course of his career. Ryan’s 5-2 with 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions in his career against Seattle. The Seahawks are going to be a good team this year, but they will get off to a sloppy start in Week 1. Atlanta covers the spread and wins the game, flipping the script on 2019 and getting off to a hot start.

Los Vegas Raiders (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers

The Pick - Carolina +125 (MONEYLINE)

Carolina is my surprise playoff pick in the NFC. They have the best running back in football, Christian McCaffrey, veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who’s 16-6 as a starter, and young stud receiver D.J. Moore on offense. First-year head coach Matt Rhule will make an immediate impact on the offense. For Las Vegas, this is the year it all falls down for Derek Carr, starting with a loss at Carolina.

Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at Cincinnati Bengals - LOCK OF THE WEEK

The Pick - Los Angeles (-2.5)

I absolutely love this pick. The star studded Chargers defense gets to go up against rookie Joe Burrow in his first NFL start. No quarterback selected number one overall has won their first NFL start since David Carr back in 2002. Burrow is going to be running for his life from a dangerous Chargers’ defensive line all day, with the Chargers winning the game handily.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)

The Pick - Tampa Bay (+3.5)

The Fox game of the week will be must watch TV for all football fans. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski make their Buccaneers debut in New Orleans against the Saints. Tampa likely will have some early season struggles on offense, leading to Drew Brees and company winning the game on a last second field goal, 24-23.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-6.5)

The Pick - Arizona (+6.5)

The Cardinals have a great chance to be one of the most improved teams in football in 2020. If they can protect Kyler Murray, he and newly acquired All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins have a chance to be one of the best duos in all of football. While the 49ers remain atop the NFC’s elite, Arizona will do enough to hang with them and cover the spread, despite ultimately losing the game.

Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams

The Pick - Dallas (-2.5)

Dallas gets off to a good start in the Mike McCarthy era, led by big days from running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in a seven point victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) at New York Giants

The Pick - New York (+6)

First-year head coach Joe Judge has the Giants headed in the right direction. The former Patriots assistant is trying to develop a tougher culture in New York, and it will show right out of the gate. Pittsburgh is a pretty big unknown coming into 2020, and a lot will be dependent on how Ben Roethlisberger returns from injury. Look for the Steelers to pull out a narrow victory.

Tennessee Titans (-3) at Denver Broncos

The Pick - Denver +140 (MONEYLINE)

Over the offseason the Tennessee Titans gave $118 million to quarterback Ryan Tannehill. They will have big time buyers remorse this season, starting Monday night. Despite losing Von Miller for the season, Denver does have some talent on defense to go with a better quarterback in Drew Lock. Look for Tannehill to get off to a bad start in mile high, turning the football over a few times in a Denver win.

Parlay of the Week: Los Angeles (-2.5), Carolina +125, New York (+6)