NFL Week 1 Betting Lines: Packers and Chargers Among Best Bets
The NFL is back! The 2023 campaign begins on Thursday with a highly-anticipated matchup between the ascending Detroit Lions and defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Sunday’s early slate is headlined by an Ohio battle between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Dak Prescott and Daniel Jones will meet on Sunday Night Football, and Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers will close the week on Monday Night Football in the Big Apple!
Each week this season, we will be taking an early look at betting lines, offering a few leans for the community to consider tailing before odds move!
NFL Week 1 Betting Lines
- Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs -5.5, O/U 52.5
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts +4.5, O/U 45.5
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings -6, O/U 45.5
- Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens -10, O/U 43.5
- San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5, O/U 40.5
- Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns +2.5, O/U 47.5
- Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders -7, O/U 38.5
- Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints -3, O/U 41.5
- Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons -3.5, O/U 39.5
- Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots +4, O/U 45
- Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos -4, O/U 44
- Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers -3, O/U 50.5
- Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears -1.5, O/U 43.5
- Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks -5.5, O/U 45.5
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants +3.5, O/U 46.5
- Buffalo Bills at New York Jets +2.5, O/U 46.5
NFL Week 1 lines last updated 3:30 PM ET Tuesday, September 5th.
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints, Under 41.5
Last season, the New Orleans Saints ranked 29th in offensive pace and the Tennessee Titans ranked 32. New Orleans also ranked 30th in fourth down aggressiveness index, per FTN. Tennessee was more aggressive than the league average team, but it is likely that they will play their cards more conservatively against a stout Saints’ run defense on Sunday. Both of these offensive lines project to be among the worst in the NFL in 2023. Factor in that both teams have new pieces that they are trying to integrate offensively, and it’s easy to see a path to a low-scoring affair.
Green Bay Packers (+1) vs. Chicago Bears
Aaron Rodgers is not wearing green and yellow anymore, but this still feels like a mistake, having the Chicago Bears favored against the Green Bay Packers. Jordan Love has been exceptional during camp and the preseason for the Packers, and has a significantly better supporting cast around him than Justin Fields does on the opposing sideline. Even with home field advantage, Fields and company are likely to struggle against a strong Green Bay defense. If Love can simply avoid costly turnovers, the Packers will have a good chance to leave Soldier Field with a win.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots (+4)
Mac Jones was solid as a rookie, but regressed tremendously as a sophomore under “offensive” coordinator Matt Patricia. Jones finished the year ranked 31st in EPA/play and 22nd in PFF’s quarterback grading system among qualified players at his position. Fortunately, Patricia is out and Bill O’Brien is in – giving this New England Patriots offense some much-needed creativity heading into the new campaign. The wide receiver room is still barren in Foxborough, but an improved offensive line and a stout defense give New England fans reasons to be optimistic that they can keep this game competitive on Sunday.
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers (-3)
In 2022, the Los Angeles Chargers had the second-highest rate of man coverage of any defense in the NFL. Renaldo Hill’s defense was the first team in the league to figure out how to disrupt the rhythm and timing of Mike McDaniel’s speedy offensive passing attack by playing aggressive press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Derrick Ansley is the Chargers’ new defensive coordinator for 2023, but he has been the team’s defensive backs coach each of the last two seasons, meaning that his game plan for Week 1 should be similar to what we saw in this same matchup last fall. The Miami Dolphins also have concerns on the offensive line, and will be without Jalen Ramsey as the team attempts to implement Vic Fangio’s new defensive scheme. There are a lot of moving pieces here for Miami that could cause issues on the road. The Chargers should be able to take care of business in front of their home fans to start the year on a high note.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons, Under 40
First and foremost, Bryce Young is making his NFL debut on the road in this matchup, which should immediately grab bettors’ attention and orient it towards the under. The Carolina Panthers also have multiple question marks on the offensive line and will have to contend with a new-look Atlanta Falcons defense on the road in this spot. Last year, the Panthers ranked 24th in offensive pace, and the Falcons ranked 27th. These teams are also acutely familiar with one another, given that they play in the same division. There are a number of reasons to like the under in this matchup.