Ten visiting teams won in Week 1 last season, the most in an opening week since 2007. Considering the Week 1 NFL odds, it would be surprising to see visiting teams have that much success in the opening week of the 2024 NFL season. Fourteen of the 16 games are favored by the home team, with the Browns being favored by two points over the Cowboys and the Bengals being favored by nine points over the Patriots. Will last year's opening week results impact your Week 1 NFL bets and NFL picks?
Two exceptional NFL games in which the home team will be underdogs are Texans vs. Colts (+1.5) and Vikings vs. Giants (+1). These games also have two of the smallest NFL spreads in Week 1. Which teams should you make NFL picks against the spread in the opening week of the 2024 NFL season, and who should you expect to win? All of the Week 1 NFL lines are listed below. SportsLine's advanced computer model has all the NFL betting advice and NFL predictions you need to make the best Week 1 NFL picks right now.
The model has simulated every NFL game 10,000 times and has returned over $7,000 in profits on $100 players on A-rated NFL picks since inception. The model has an astounding 185-129 record on top-rated NFL picks dating back to the 2017 season and going into Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. The model has also recorded 39-21 on A-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season.
The model has ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch for straight-up NFL picks four of the last six years and beat over 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that time, placing it pretty high on anyone who follows it.
Now, they've looked at the latest Week 1 NFL odds and NFL betting lines on the spread, money line and over/under and have finalized their picks for all NFL matchups. Click here to see all their picks.
Top NFL Week 1 Predictions
One of the model's most likely NFL predictions for Week 1 is for the Chargers (-3.5) to cover the spread at home against the Raiders. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has had great success against the Raiders throughout his career. Against the Raiders, he has allowed just two interceptions to 15 passing touchdowns, as well as three rushing scores.
The Chargers strengthened their defense this season with the addition of veteran Bud Dupree, who has 53 career sacks. He joins a strong defensive line that includes Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, two of the league's most destructive defenders. The Raiders have had slow starts the past few years, winning just one of their last six December games. SportsLine's model projects the Chargers to continue their trend of covering the spread nearly 60% of the time in Week 1 of Jim Harbaugh's debut as head coach in Los Angeles. See which other teams to pick here.
Another NFL prediction this week is for the Bills (-5.5) to beat the Cardinals at home. Buffalo will enter the season as balanced offensively as they have been in the Josh Allen era, as it's not all down to Allen himself. RB James Cook emerged late last year, racking up over 1,500 scrimmage yards in a season. He should thrive against arguably the league's worst run defense, as the Cardinals allowed the most rushing yards and the fifth-most rushing scores last year.
Meanwhile, the Bills' opportunity defense forced 30 turnovers last season, the third-most in the NFL. This creates a poor matchup for Kyler Murray, who had 28 fumbles and 18 interceptions in 29 games during that span. As such, the model projects Buffalo to win by double digits and be favored by 6.5 points in nearly 70% of simulations. You can find out which other teams to pick here.
How to make your NFL Week 1 picks
The model also predicted who will win and cover every other game on the NFL's Week 1 schedule, revealing four teams that have a 70% or higher chance of winning. Full predictions for every game are available exclusively at SportsLine.
So which teams should you pick in the NFL with confidence, and which four favorites should you lock in now? Check out the latest NFL odds below, then visit SportsLine to find out which teams will win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that's generated over $7,000 in profits.
Week 1 NFL betting odds, lines and spreads
Get your Week 1 NFL predictions at SportsLine
Thursday, September 5
Ravens vs. Chiefs (-3, 46.5)
Friday, September 6
Packers vs. Eagles (-2.5, 48.5) — Brazil
Sunday, September 8
Steelers vs. Falcons (-3, 41.5)
Cardinals vs Bills (-5.5, 48)
Titans vs Bears (-4.5, 43.5)
Patriots vs Bengals (-9, 42.5)
Texans vs Colts (+1.5, 48.5)
Jaguars vs Dolphins (-3.5, 49)
Panthers vs Saints (-4, 40)
Vikings vs Giants (+1, 41.5)
Raiders vs. Chargers (-3.5, 42.5)
Broncos vs. Seahawks (-5, 42)
Cowboys vs. Browns (-2, 43)
Commanders vs Buccaneers (-3, 41.5)
Rams vs Lions (-3.5, 51)
Monday, September 9
Jets vs. 49ers (-4, 44)
