2019 NFL Week 1 Complete Betting Guide

We’re less than two months away from the start of the 2019 regular season in the National Football League, which means that it’s time to start taking a look at the matchups in the opening week of the schedule. We still have the drama of training camp, of course — for example, Ezekiel Elliott has said he might hold out during camp unless the Dallas Cowboys ink him to a hefty extension, following in the footsteps of Le’Veon Bell — but with lines in place right now, it’s time to look and see which games could make the most sense when it comes to early NFL betting. We have the full NFL Week 1 schedule with lines and over/under point totals, as long as our brief thought on each game.

2019 NFL Week 1 Complete Betting Guide

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Thursday, September 5

Green Bay at Chicago (-3.5, O/U 46) (8:20pm ET, NBC)

Let’s see…Aaron Rodgers looking for redemption… Green Bay with a new head coach and with a revamped defense. Chicago has a stout defense as well, but can Mitch Trubisky really outduel Rodgers in prime time? The Bears have a lot of weapons, but I don’t see them beating the Pack in this opener.

Sunday, September 8

Tennessee at Cleveland (-5.5, O/U 45.5) (1:00pm ET, CBS)

When was the last time Cleveland won their opener? It was 2004, when Jeff Garcia led the team to a 20-3 win over Baltimore. That was fifteen years ago, but that trend will change. Baker Mayfield leads an offense that is full of talent — and the defense is young and solid.

Baltimore at Miami (+4, O/U 37) (1:00pm ET, CBS)

Can FitzMagic work in Miami? Not against that Baltimore defense. Give me Lamar Jackson to torch this Dolphins’ defense and ruin Brian Flores’ debut as a head coach in South Florida.

Atlanta at Minnesota (-3.5, O/U 47.5) (1:00pm ET, FOX)

Hmmm. Two fragile quarterbacks, in terms of production in big games, square off when Matt Ryan meets Kirk Cousins. The Vikings supposedly have a stout defense, but it did not show up a lot last year. The Falcons don’t have much of a defense at all, so give me the Vikings in a track meet.

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets (-3.5, O/U 38.5) (1:00pm ET, CBS)

Two exciting, young AFC East teams with second-year quarterbacks and tailbacks with chips on their shoulders. Both teams have young, fast secondaries and solid defensive lines. I’m going with the Jets since this game is on their field, but it will go down to the last possession.

Washington at Philadelphia (-9, O/U 46.5) (1:00pm ET, FOX)

Washington is a train wreck, but should they be nine-point underdogs here? There is no guarantee that Carson Wentz will be sharp for the Eagles — but the Redskins might have Case Keenum at the helm, or Colt McCoy, or even Dwayne Haskins. Philadelphia will win, but this line would have to shrink for me to bet here.

L.A. Rams at Carolina (+3, O/U 51) (1:00pm ET, FOX)

Super Bowl hangover, anyone? West Coast team playing the early game in the Eastern time zone? This has “Carolina win” all over it, even if you don’t really buy into Cam Newton as a big-game quarterback.

Kansas City at Jacksonville (+3.5, O/U 51.5) (1:00pm ET, CBS)

Andy Reid might be able to coach his team to lose to the New England Patriots in overtime, but with a revamped defense, he will have a hard time coaching them to a loss against this Jaguars team — Pat Mahomes II just won’t let him.

Cincinnati at Seattle (-8.5, O/U 43.5) (4:05pm ET, CBS)

Expect the 12th Man to be loud and proud all day long in Seattle — and expect those rabid Seahawks to run all over a Cincinnati team that still has no idea where it is headed.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas (-7, O/U 46.5) (4:25pm ET, FOX)

The Cowboys have a rookie offensive coordinator, might not have their tailback if he holds out, and have a hard time disposing of the Giants in these openers. Dallas might win in the last possession, but I like the G-Men to cover.

Detroit at Arizona (+2.5, O/U 48.5) (4:25pm ET, FOX)

Detroit is about three years ahead of Arizona on the rebuild spectrum, so give me the Lions to win and cover, in an uglyfest.

San Francisco at Tampa Bay (-1, O/U 48.5) (4:25pm ET, FOX)

Will the 49ers play Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback? Supposedly, he’s ready to return, and when the 49ers last had him at the helm, he did a great job leading them up and down the field. The Niners do play across the country at Tampa Bay, but Jameis Winston is a huge question mark. Give me the Niners to win a close one.

Pittsburgh at New England (-6, O/U 52) (8:20pm ET, NBC)

This might be a good game later in the season, but Pittsburgh feels like a dumpster fire in terms of chemistry, with the whole locker room mad at Big Ben. I like the Patriots to take advantage and roll in prime time.

Monday, September 9

Houston at New Orleans (-7.5, O/U 54) (7:10pm ET, ESPN)

The Saints haven’t played a game since they had the NFC Championship taken away from them by a very poor missed pass interference call. I expect all kinds of anger to be taken out on the Texans, on both sides of the ball, as the Saints roll to a huge win.

Denver at Oakland (-2.5, O/U 43) (10:20pm ET, ESPN)

Last year, Oakland played in the second Monday Night Football game and got humiliated by the Los Angeles Rams. This year, Coach Gruden’s rebuild will start to pay off, and the Raiders will beat Joe Flacco’s Broncos at home.