The NFL is back, and Week 1 promises to deliver a thrilling kickoff to the season. Sixteen matchups are slated to set the stage, with the opening game on Thursday, Sept. 5 featuring heavyweights Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs as they take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. This encounter is sure to set the tone for a gripping football weekend.
The action continues internationally as the Green Bay Packers face the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil on Friday. The NFL’s commitment to expanding its global presence remains evident with games scheduled in iconic locations such as London and Mexico City.
The bulk of the action, however, will take place on Sunday with 13 games involving some interesting pairings. The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to battle the Atlanta Falcons, while the Dallas Cowboys will clash with the Cleveland Browns. The Los Angeles Rams will take on the Detroit Lions, with the odds heavily favoring the home team. The Lions, who averaged a solid 394.8 yards per game last season, are favored by 3.5 points against the Rams. Jared Goff, coming off a season where he threw for an impressive 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns, will look to lead his team to victory. The Lions are on a roll, having gone 8-1 in their past nine home games and are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight September contests.
While Week 1 doesn't have any double-digit favorites, the Cincinnati Bengals come close, being favored by nine points against the New England Patriots. The Patriots wrapped up last season by losing two of their final 10 games, and their track record against the Bengals shows them being 6-2 against the spread in their past eight meetings. However, considering the Patriots' performance downturn, the Bengals are optimistic about starting their campaign on a high note.
For the betting enthusiasts, a predictive model that's earned over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception offers some insights. The model, which boasts a 185-129 run on top-rated picks dating back to the 2017 season and a 39-21 run since Week 7 of last season, has identified five confident best bets for Week 1. Among these, it predicts that the Lions will cover the spread against the Rams, a forecast backed by Detroit’s dominant 5-1 record against the spread in their last six matchups against NFC opponents. Additionally, the Rams' recent struggles on the road, having lost four of their last five games against Detroit, further reinforce this prediction.
As anticipation builds, the absence of clear-cut double-digit favorites adds an extra layer of excitement. Week 1 is shaping up to be highly competitive, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcomes and implications of these early-season clashes.
Football enthusiasts can look forward to a weekend that promises a delightful mix of closely contested matches and high stakes. Whether it's the allure of an international game or the traditional Sunday line-up, the return of NFL action guarantees to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Let the games begin!