2018 NFL Week 1 Betting Picks Against the Spread

When Thursday night rolls around, the 2018 regular season in the National Football League will begin, and NFL betting enthusiasts all over the world will be looking to add money to their gambling accounts after the first week of action. We published an article yesterday that had our quick predictions for each of the 16 games, but today we have picked three NFL Week 1 matchups from the opening week in which we feel especially confident, so take a look as you plan your wagering strategy. As always, home teams are in all caps.

2018 NFL Week 1 Betting Picks Against the Spread

Week 1 NFL Power Rankings: 1. @Eagles 2. @RamsNFL 3. @Saints 4. @Vikings 5-32: https://t.co/jZ38kgKfq8 (via @HarrisonNFL) pic.twitter.com/Tt7oXmwTl5

— NFL (@NFL) September 4, 2018

Thursday, September 6

Atlanta (+2.5) over PHILADELPHIA (8:20pm ET, NBC)

It’s true that the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Nick Foles, will be starting on Thursday night for the Eagles. However, he did not play all that well when the Eagles barely survived Atlanta in the divisional playoff last year, and his preseason has been forgettable. In the game in which he saw the most action in the preseason, against Cleveland, he threw a pair of picks, took three sacks and made an error that led to a safety as well. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be out, and Atlanta brings a hungry defense. With that said, Philadelphia has covered at home against Atlanta in three of the last four contests, and Atlanta went 3-7 on the road last year in the playoffs against the spread. However, Matt Ryan is an elite quarterback, and Julio Jones is one of the top receivers in the game today. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman make for a terrific tailback duo. There is also the Super Bowl hangover effect, which is well documented. NFL Week 1 Prediction: Atlanta 23, Philadelphia 16

Sunday, September 9

BALTIMORE (-3) over Buffalo (1:00pm ET, CBS)

I’m pretty surprised by this point spread, given the fact that AJ McCarron is now in Oakland, and Nathan Peterman will be the starting quarterback for the Bills, with rookie Josh Allen behind him on the bench. I recommend jumping on this line before the action starts pushing it in one direction or another. However, the quarterback situation isn’t the only reason I’m recommending this. The Ravens revamped their offense and used a dozen draft picks to restock their roster. On defense, the Ravens are generally one of the more solid teams in the NFL, and they shouldn’t have a lot of problems shutting down Peterman, who had a rocky start to his career last year, throwing five picks in his debut. The Ravens have a front seven that will keep Peterman running for his life, and Marlon Humphrey leads a talented secondary. Finally, the Bills had the fourth worst rushing defense in the league a year ago, permitting almost 125 yards on the ground per week. The Ravens have Alex Collins, Buck Allen and Kenneth Dixon — and don’t be surprised if you see Lamar Jackson on an end-around. NFL Week 1 Prediction: Baltimore 27, Buffalo 13

Monday, September 10

DETROIT (-6.5) over N.Y. Jets

The New York Jets aren’t wasting any time moving to the future, as 21-year-old Sam Darnold has been named the starter for the team’s opener in Detroit on Monday Night Football. He becomes the youngest quarterback ever to start in Week 1 for an NFL franchise. We got a clue that this was coming when the Jets sent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to New Orleans for a draft pick, so now it looks like journeyman Josh McCown will mentor Darnold from a backup role. Detroit didn’t play defense well in the preseason as they had difficulties moving to new coach Matt Patricia’s system. However, Darnold will have enough jitters to make things bumpy in the first week. It is true that he completed 64.4% of his passes in the preseason, throwing a pair of touchdown passes against just one interception, but the regular season is a different creature, and Monday Night Football is even bigger than Sunday afternoon. I look for the Lions to make this a long day for Darnold. NFL Week 1 Prediction: Detroit 30, New York 16