Top NFL Week 1 Early Odds, Picks & Predictions (2023)
We’ve made it to Week 1 of the NFL season.
I enjoy all of the other sports in the summer. But I know many of you out there only pay attention to the NFL. So, welcome back!
I’ve got a couple of early bets in the NFL for Week 1.
NFL Week 1 Early Bets of the Week
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. All wagers are 1 unit.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
The Bengals haven’t committed to Joe Burrow for Week 1 of the NFL season. However, it sounds likely that Burrow will start. While he could be limited, I highly doubt that the Bengals would start Burrow if he weren’t 100% ready to go in Week 1. There would be too much risk in rushing him back.
Burrow’s mobility could be a bit weak. But everyone had that same analysis with Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, and he could do whatever he needed to despite hobbling in pain.
Quarterback play could be the difference in this Week 1 game. Joe Burrow was elite last year. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson wasn’t. Maybe an entire season of preparation will help Watson figure some kinks out. But he only threw 1,102 yards in six games played. Watson finished with a 40.4 QBR last season and threw seven touchdowns with five interceptions.
He was also super inaccurate. Watson only completed 58.2% of passes and averaged a career-low of 6.5 yards per pass play.
Watson will have Elijah Moore at wide receiver. Maybe Cedric Tillman or David Bell step up. But this is mostly the same offense as last year.
I’ve got my eyes on the Bengals.
Bet: Bengals -2.5 (-110)
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
The Eagles are on the road against the Patriots to begin their quest for another Super Bowl appearance. The Eagles were terrific last season behind Jalen Hurts at quarterback.
Hurts completed a career-best 66.5% of passes and added 22 passing touchdowns with only six interceptions. The former Oklahoma quarterback added over 3,700 yards passing and another 760 yards on the ground. In the run game, Hurts rushed for 13 more touchdowns and was one of the best players in the NFL last season.
Still, he had help. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are one of the best wide receiver duos in the league. Dallas Goedert is also back for another season at tight end. The depth at wide receiver is questionable. Quez Watkins will be the third receiver, and then it’ll be Olamide Zaccheaus as the backup.
However, the running game has four reliable players, including D’Andre Swift, who has all of the potential in the world if he can stay healthy.
Philadelphia will face a Patriots team that has a lot of new faces. New England will start Mac Jones at quarterback and Rhamondre Stevenson at running back. However, they’ll have Ezekiel Elliott as his backup. That’s not very enticing in 2024. Meanwhile, JuJu Smith-Schuster is the No. 1 receiver for the Patriots. That didn’t work for the Steelers and also didn’t work for the Chiefs. It likely won’t work for the Patriots either.
New England finished 8-9 last season. The Eagles won 14 games. Don’t overthink it. Back the Eagles at -4.
Bet: Eagles -4 (-110)
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