Bet These NFL Teams To Win Week 1
The 2024 NFL Season is finally here! With the season getting underway this Thursday night with the Chiefs hosting the Ravens, it is once again time to make some picks. Without further ado, here are the teams YOU should be betting on to win during the first week of the regular season.
Lock Of The Week
New England Patriots (+9) at Cincinnati Bengals - 1 p.m. | CBS
The absolute lock of the week belongs to the Cincinnati Bengals defeating the New England Patriots. New England is coming off a four-win season and while they did improve this off-season, especially at wide receiver, they will have a lot of work to do before becoming a playoff team. Jerod Mayo's defense will keep New England in this game and put a lot of pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who is making his return from last year's season-ending injury.
New England will start veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who appeared in three games last season in relief for starter Sam Howell in Washington. While starting the former Colt is the best option for the Patriots, especially for rookie quarterback Drake Maye's development, the 31-year-old Brissett will likely have his struggles in a brand new and unexperienced offense. This will allow Cincinnati's secondary to create turnovers and hold off in what could be a trap game.
Score Prediction: Bengals 23, Patriots 20
Thursday Night Showdown
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (-3) - 8:20 p.m. | NBC
The biggest game of Week 1 puts the defending Super Bowl champions up against a team they defeated to reach the Big Game. In a rematch of the AFC Championship Game in January, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens. It is a new look for the Ravens offense, which added former rushing leader Derrick Henry. Meanwhile for Kansas City, the team improved their weakest position--wide receiver--with the deep threat Hollywood Brown, who signed a one-year deal, and speedy rookie Xavier Worthy. Worthy broke the record for fastest 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine.
Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Chiefs look better than ever. Baltimore is more prepared, especially with their new-look rushing attack after only having 27 rushing yards from backs in the AFC Championship last January. This should be a fun game to watch as the Chiefs look to avoid losing back-to-back season openers.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24, Ravens 17
Sunday Slate
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons (-3) - 1 p.m. | FOX
It will be the Arthur Smith revenge game in the former Falcons coach's return to the ATL wearing black and gold. In Smith’s offensive coaching debut since his firing from Atlanta, it’ll be two teams with new quarterbacks as Russell Wilson looks to revive his career as a Steeler, while Kirk Cousins makes his first start since his season-ending injury in Minnesota.
Both teams have playoff expectations in 2024 yet every game matters in what the most competitive season could be yet. Both teams have questions; How will Wilson perform after a rough preseason? Will 35-year-old Kirk Cousins be 100% during Week 1? This is one of the hardest games to pick.
Score Prediction: Falcons 17, Steelers 14
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills (-6) - 1 p.m. | CBS
Arizona is a team that will do better than many people expect in 2024. With Kyler Murray healthy and an improved defense, they could win eight or nine games this year. It'll be the debut of Marvin Harrison Jr, the highly anticipated Ohio State superstar expected to make an immediate impact.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are so talented and should be able to compete within the AFC once again. How will the Bills offense look without Stefan Diggs? Josh Allen might have to carry the offense, but if James Cook can get hot, the running game could be the decider.
Score Prediction: Bills 30, Cardinals 22
Tennessee Titans (+4.5) at Chicago Bears - 1 p.m. | FOX
It’s the battle of the two teams that won the 2024 NFL off-season. The Chicago Bears will introduce flashy running back D'Andre Swift, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, and of course their first-overall pick, quarterback Caleb Williams. The team is expected to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Meanwhile, Tennessee is relying on second-year quarterback Will Levis to take a big leap in his sophomore season. The Titans improved their dreadful offensive line, as well as their secondary, and added star wide receiver Calvin Ridley to give Levis support. The team could be a playoff team or sit near the bottom of the league.
Expect Caleb Williams to have some growing pains in his first professional start. Tennessee's roster is more experienced and ready to prove the doubters wrong as the navy and powder blue sneak away with the victory.
Score Prediction: Titans 20, Bears 16
Primetime Pick
Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) at Detroit Lions - 8:20 p.m. | NBC
While this matchup isn't as anticipating as Matthew Stafford's return to Detroit in the postseason, this is another exciting matchup which kicks off the Sunday Night Football schedule. Many analysts see the Lions as Super Bowl contenders while the Rams are a bit of a question mark. Some see them as a playoff team while others think they could regress. Regardless of how anyone feels, this will still be two very good squads battling in primetime.
While the easy pick here is taking Detroit, don't count out at the Rams to upset on the road. Matthew Stafford is still an elite quarterback who can lead his team to a Week 1 victory.
Score Prediction: Rams 30, Lions 27
The Rest Of The Schedule
New York Jets 16 at San Francisco 49ers 23 - 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC
Green Bay Packers 24 at Philadelphia Eagles 21 (São Paulo, Brazil) - 8:15 p.m. | Peacock
Houston Texans 27 at Indianapolis Colts 24 - 1 p.m. | CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars 23 at Miami Dolphins 31 - 1 p.m. | CBS
Carolina Panthers 6 at New Orleans Saints 16 - 1 p.m. | FOX
Minnesota Vikings 13 at New York Giants 12 - 1 p.m. | FOX
Las Vegas Raiders 14 at Los Angeles Chargers 17 - 4:05 p.m. | CBS
Denver Broncos 13 at Seattle Seahawks 26 - 4:05 p.m. | CBS
Dallas Cowboys 28 at Cleveland Browns 23 - 4:25 p.m. | CBS
Washington Commanders 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 - 4:25 p.m. | FOX
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