Seahawks vs. Rams: NFL Week 1 Picks & Player Prop Bets (2023)

Introducing the Week 1 edition of the BettingPros primer, brought to you by Bettingpros.com! I’m Andrew Erickson, and I’m here to guide you through each game on the NFL slate, offering insights and recommendations on sides, totals, and player props that you can quickly turn into a big single-game parlay. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just dipping your toes into the world of NFL wagering - I know that I am for the first time now that my state has legalized wagering - this primer is designed to provide you with valuable perspectives and picks for the upcoming NFL week of action. Get ready to tackle the NFL season with a betting lens as we break down the Week 1 matchups and identify our favorite bets and picks. Stay tuned for an exciting journey through the world of NFL betting - it’s time to elevate your game! Here are my top picks for all remaining Week 1 games. And below I offer my top picks and player prop bets for Seahawks vs. Rams.

NFL Betting Primer: Seahawks vs. Rams

Seattle Seahawks (SEA) vs. Los Angeles Rams (LAR) – Spread: LAR +4.0

The people still don't believe in Geno Smith. Well, I do. Smith is an overlooked gem for Week 1 and will lead Seattle to victory. The Seahawks quarterback averaged an impressive 19.4 fantasy points per game last season, tied for 6th in the league. Seattle boasts a strong implied team total (25.5) against the completely overhauled Rams defense, which ranks 32nd in secondary per PFF. With youth and growing pains on the Rams' side, Smith, as a 4-point home favorite, is set to shine. He's had success against the Rams in the past, averaging nearly 22 fantasy points per game last year, making him a solid option to back, especially with Jaxon Smith-Njigba available.

As for props, I am just going to take the low-hanging fruit with tight end Tyler Higbee. Cooper Kupp is out and the only reason Higbee’s 44.5 receiving yards prop isn't higher is due to his lack of receiving numbers posted in the second half of last season, when Kupp and Matthew Stafford were hurt. But in the two games that Kupp missed or left early in 2022, Higbee posted 45 and 73 receiving yards with Stafford at the helm - seizing 8 targets in each contest.

My pick: Seahawks -4.0 (-112 FanDuel Sportsbook)
My props: Tyler Higbee over 44.5 receiving yards (-115 DraftKings Sportsbook)

What is Betting Against the Spread?

Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.

What is an Over/Under Bet?

Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.