We’re getting closer and closer to Week 1 of the 2021 regular season in the National Football League, which means that if you have a sports betting insight about the first week of action, you can take advantage — if the trends hold true. Obviously, a lot can happen between now and that week’s games. Aaron Rodgers could end up in Denver instead of Green Bay, for example. Joe Burrow’s knee might give out in spring training or the pre-season, or Ezekiel Elliott might blow out a hamstring. Given the fact that NFL players don’t have to get COVID-19 vaccinations, there could be teams that see schedule disruptions again, like they did last year. However, we do have a sense of some games that you can go ahead and lock in, if you’re ready.
Read on to see our sure winners for NFL Week 1.
NFL News: 2021 Week 1 Sure Winners
Thursday, September 9
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5), O/U 51.5
The line on this game has slid down to 5 ½ points from 6 ½, as action is pouring in on the Dallas side. I’m not sure why — the Dallas defense was historically awful in 2020, giving up more points and yards than any other unit in the storied history of the franchise, as well as any other NFL team last season. They did bring in a new defensive coordinator, and they drafted a ton of defensive talent, but that takes time to mesh together and make a seasoned unit.
The Buccaneers, on the other hand, return all of their starters on both sides of the ball from their Super Bowl championship roster. Tom Brady returns at quarterback, and it is extremely rare to catch him snoozing, even in the first game of the year. Rumors of his retirement at the end of this season are swirling, which means that chip is already on his shoulder. The Cowboys do have a ton of talent on offense, but they are vulnerable to the pass rush (a strength for the Bucs), and Mike McCarthy has not shown that he can start a season strong in all three phases yet. Give me Tampa Bay to cover.
Sunday, September 12
Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
This is a game where I think taking the “over” is a solid idea. Why? The Vikings’ defense showed some gaps last year, and the Bengals’ defense showed gaps all season long. You’ve got two terrific quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Joe Burrow, and you also have significant talent at wide receiver for both teams. However, I see Mike Zimmer and the Bengals doing enough on defense to make this a manageable game for themselves, so I see the game staying somewhat close through the first half, as the adrenaline of Burrow’s return drives the Bengals, but then the Vikings apply some reality after the intermission and pull away for a win.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) at Houston Texans
The NFL gets its first glimpse at the connection between Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence when the Jacksonville Jaguars visit Houston in Week 1. Normally, I would not pick a team with a rookie quarterback and a brand new head coach, making his NFL debut, on the road, especially against Houston. However, the playing situation of Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is still up in the air. He faces over 20 civil suits for sexual harassment, his case is still in the hands of league investigators — and he had already demanded a trade. So if Watson remains under contract in Houston, there’s no guarantee that he will take the field, even if he can avoid a suspension. Even if he plays, it’s hard to see the locker room featuring any sort of chemistry, and if Tyrod Taylor plays instead, the talent around him isn’t enough to make Texans fans expect a win. So either way, I like Jacksonville to win here.
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