Best Early Bets for NFL Week 1 (Sports Betting)
It’s never too early to look ahead to the start of the NFL season. With the league recently releasing the 2019 NFL schedule, sportsbooks — including FanDuel — have provided their early lines for Week 1 NFL contests. We’ve asked our experts to provide you with their favorite early bets.
NFL Week 1 Point Spreads & Over/Under Lines
| Matchup | Spread | O/U |
| Green Bay vs. Chicago | -3.5 | 46 |
| Atlanta vs. Minnesota | -4 | 47.5 |
| Baltimore vs. Miami | +3.5 | 36.5 |
| Buffalo vs. New York Jets | -3.5 | 38.5 |
| Cincinnati vs. Seattle | -7.5 | 44 |
| Kansas City vs. Jacksonville | +4.5 | 52.5 |
| Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina | +3 | 50.5 |
| San Francisco vs. Tampa Bay | -1.5 | 48.5 |
| Tennessee vs. Cleveland | -5 | 44.5 |
| Washington vs. Philadelphia | -8 | 46.5 |
| Indianapolis vs. Los Angeles Chargers | -3.5 | 48.5 |
| Detroit vs. Arizona | -1 | 48.5 |
| New York Giants vs. Dallas | -7.5 | 46.5 |
| Pittsburgh vs. New England | -6.5 | 52 |
| Houston vs. New Orleans | -7.5 | 54 |
| Denver vs. Oakland | -3 | 43 |
Pittsburgh Steelers (+6.5)
This is a primetime game between these two teams, and it’s likely that the Patriots get the big bump due to the Steelers loss of Antonio Brown, but I’d argue that losing Rob Gronkowski is just as much of a factor, if not more, considering all the non-receiving work he did. It’s always a close game between these two, and the Patriots haven’t won an opening game by more than seven points since 2014. The last primetime opener the Patriots played was against the Chiefs in 2017 when they lost 42-27 while at home. Give me the 6.5 points with the Steelers here.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)
Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5)
The Chiefs take to the road in Week 1 against the Jags who are 16 months removed from nearly going to the Super Bowl. As a result of their recent success plus the acquisition of Nick Foles, the line sits at -4.5 for Kansas City, but this Jags team is much worse than that. First, Foles has been every bit as awful in his last 16 regular season games as Blake Bortles ever was, plus their defense is nowhere near as competent as it was two short seasons ago. It seems highly likely that Patrick Mahomes and company will carve up this less than mediocre team in Week 1.
– Bobby Sylvester (@bobbyfantasypro)
The last time the Chiefs lost in Week 1 was 2014. Andy Reid has one of the best offensive minds in the league, and he usually spends the summer implementing new things for the upcoming season. With Patrick Mahomes, the upside is even bigger, and I’m not sure the Jaguars can keep up. The Chiefs won this game 30-14 last year and that was when the Jags were still trying with a 3-1 record.
– Adam Zdroik (@RotoZdroik)
I feel bad for the Jaguars. They were really good that one season. I almost believed in Blake Bortles. I’m lying. I did believe. Sigh. The Chiefs are going to destroy the Jaguars in Week 1. Patrick Mahomes and company will put up points and stop the Jaguars all day. The Kansas City Chiefs just added DE Frank Clark, who’s coming over from Seattle, and will add a needed dimension to their defense. At best, Nick Foles is a mediocre NFL quarterback. Unless, and even if the Jaguars draft a quarterback, the Chiefs are going to destroy them.
– Tal Malachovsky (@fantasyscouter)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ML)
New HC Bruce Arians should provide some stability for Jameis Winston, who enters a critical year with another loaded supporting cast. On defense, Todd Bowles projects as an upgrade back in a coordinator role. He’ll also likely have an impact rookie to work with — perhaps Ed Oliver or Devin White. The secondary remains a question mark, but they’ll face Jimmy Garoppolo in his first game back from a torn ACL.
– Kevin English (@DraftSharks)
Indianapolis Colts (+3.5)
I feel confident in saying that this line will end up closer to even as Week 1 approaches. The Colts showed us to end last season that they have a legitimate defense to go along with Luck and the offense. They were steamrolling teams to end last season, and they’ve only gotten better. Both Doyle and Hilton suffered injuries late last year, resulting in an unfortunate end to their dominant late-season run. Give Luck a healthy duo of Doyle/Ebron, a fully healthy T.Y. Hilton, and a legitimate No. 2 option in Funchess, and this is a team that I’d be scared to open the season against. The Chargers are going to be good this season, and the return of Hunter Henry is going to help. But people are forgetting how good the Colts were before that Chiefs game. Take the +3.5 before the line drops to +3.0.
– Nick Zylak (@nickzylakFFA)
Los Angeles Rams (-3)
The juice here suggests the early money has been on the Carolina Panthers. With the draft not yet here to round out NFL teams, the Rams look like the smart play. They were the much better team in 2018 and look stronger heading into draft weekend. The odds are only this low because the Rams are on the road in Week 1. Expect this line to jump all the way to -5.5 by the time the season opens.
– Raju Byfield (@FantasyContext)