NFL 2019 Week 1 Lines, Early Picks And Best Bets

Editor’s Note: Check out our updated breakdown of NFL Week 1 lines, totals and picks.

The NFL schedules were released on Wednesday and it didn’t take long for the Westgate LV SuperBook to put out betting lines for every Week 1 game. The NFL’s 100th season kicks off Thursday night Sept. 5 with the Chicago Bears 3.5-point home favorites over bitter rivals the Green Bay Packers. We break down all the odds for Week 1 in the NFL and give our early picks for every game.

Week 1 NFL Games, Lines and Picks

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (-3.5, 46)

There was already a line for this game after it was announced the Bears and Packers will kickoff the season on Thursday night last month. The Super Bowl Champion typically opens the year on Thursday night but the NFL decided to go with its oldest rivalry to celebrate the league’s 100th season. New Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will make his debut against last season’s NFC North Champions. The Bears are early 3.5-point favorites at home over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Rodgers is 16-5 SU versus Chicago in his career.

Early Lean: Bears -3.5

Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings (-4.5, 47.5)

This is an interesting Week 1 matchup between two teams coming off disappointing seasons. The Falcons and Vikings each missed the playoffs in 2018 but both teams have the talent to compete for a division title this season. I’ll take the points with Atlanta but I really like the Under here. It’s Week 1 and I have both defenses highly rated heading into the season, so 47.5 looks a little high to me.

Early Lean: Falcons +4.5, Under 47.5

Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-8, 46.5)

Typically, I don’t like to lay more than a touchdown in Week 1 but these two teams are on the opposite end of the spectrum. I’ve already bet the Eagles to win the Super Bowl at 20/1 and the Redskins open the season near the bottom of my power rankings. It’s not one of my top plays but I’ll lay the 8 points with Philly and a healthy Carson Wentz.

Early Lean: Eagles -8

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets (-3.5, 38.5)

The Jets are getting a lot of love this offseason but the Bills are sliding under the radar in my opinion. Both of these teams should be much improved in 2019 with young quarterbacks who flashed potential as rookies. I have a slight lean to the Jets at home but the play I really like is Over 38.5. Josh Allen and Sam Darnold both ended last season hot and each team spent money to improve its offense. There is value on the Over with this being one of two games in Week 1 looking at a total below 40.

Early Lean: Jets -3.5, Over 38.5

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5, 37) vs. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are projected to struggle in 2019 and no team eats up bad offenses like the Ravens. Lamar Jackson should be much more comfortable now that the Ravens’ coaching staff had an entire offseason to build an offense around his strengths. The Ravens will be a popular Week 1 public play but the public isn’t always wrong. I’ll lay the short number on the road with the Ravens.

Early Lean: Ravens -3.5

San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2, 49)

One of my favorite early Week 1 plays is the 49ers +2. Many predicted a breakout season for San Fran last year but losing Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 2 ended any hope of a playoff run for the 49ers. I think we were a year off on San Fran. Jimmy G returns and there’s talent on both sides of the ball. Bruce Arians makes his debut as Tampa Bay’s head coach but it could take him a few weeks to get things going in the right direction. I’ll take the underdog 49ers to win this game outright.

Early Lean: 49ers +2

Kansas City Chiefs (-5, 52.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s only April but we already know what is likely to be the biggest Pros vs. Joes game for Week 1. The public will be all over the Chiefs, while the sharps will most likely be backing the underdog Jaguars at home. I’m siding with the sharps here. The Jaguars aren’t nearly as bad as they looked last season and the Chiefs are revamping their defense. No matter what you think about Nick Foles, he’s an upgrade over Blake Bortles. Take the points in what should be a competitive game throughout.

Early Lean: Jaguars +5

Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns (-5, 45)

Really like the Titans plus the points here as the Browns will enter the season overvalued. The Under 45 in this game is one of my favorite plays in Week 1. That number is a little too high based on the expectations for Cleveland’s offense. However, these are two of the NFL’s better defenses and with the Titans breaking in a new offensive coordinator, I’m expecting a low-scoring game in the opener.

Early Lean: Titans +5, Under 45

Los Angeles Rams (-2.5, 51) vs. Carolina Panthers

This is a tough game to predict because we don’t know the status of Cam Newton (shoulder surgery) and the Rams could be suffering from a Super Bowl hangover early in the year. My lean is to the Under. The number is over 50 because of the Rams’ offense but with Newton’s status up the air, I expect it to go down as we get closer to the start of the season. If you’re betting early, my recommendation is to go Under 51 in a game that could be closer to 47 by kickoff.

Early Lean: Under 51

Detroit Lions (P, 49) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Another tough game to predict because the Cardinals have a new coach in Kliff Kingsbury and likely a new quarterback in Kyler Murray. Slight lean to the Lions with all the turnover in Arizona but this is another game where I’m going Under. Too much respect being given to Kingsbury in Week 1. I’ll gladly go Under 49 with two below-average offenses.

Early Lean: Lions, Under 49

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Seattle Seahawks (-7.5, 43.5)

The Bengals are a hard team to gauge right now because they are moving on from Marvin Lewis after 16 years and basically starting over on both sides of the ball. Sometimes teams react quickly to change and surprise, while other times it takes a while to see improvement. I’ll take the points only because it’s Week 1 but it’s not one of my stronger plays. I don’t have a good feel for this Bengals squad yet.

Early Lean: Bengals +7.5

Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5, 48)

The perception is the Chargers are the better team in this matchup but sometimes perception isn’t reality. The Colts are a serious Super Bowl contender in my eyes and I can see the Chargers taking a step back this year. I’m betting Indy early in the year because there’s value in the line. I have it closer to LA -1. Indy is one of my top Week 1 plays. Besides, Luck got married this offseason. What could go wrong?

Early Lean: Colts +3.5

New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys (-7.5, 46.5)

I took the Giants +7.5 but I’ll likely stay away from the side here. I feel 7.5 is too high in Week 1, even for a New York team likely to struggle this season. Again, I’m going Under the total. 46.5? Really? The Cowboys return one of the NFL’s top defenses and the Giants still have question marks at quarterback and along the offensive line. I expect a low scoring game, similar to last year’s opener between the two teams.

Early Lean: Giants +7.5, Under 46.5

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots (-6, 51.5)

The Steelers are one of my favorite teams entering the season, along with the Colts. I really like Pittsburgh to come together and surprise without Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. They open with the Super Bowl Champion Patriots in a game I expect to be one of the best of the opening weekend. The Steelers haven’t had much success versus Tom Brady but I like them to cover the number in Week 1. May want to wait on this one though. I can see it getting up to -7.

Early Lean: Steelers +6

Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints (-7.5, 53.5)

One of the most surprising opening numbers for Week 1 is the Saints being a 7.5-point favorite over Houston. This spread is a little high based on the last time we saw the Texans stinking it up in their playoff loss to the Colts. The Saints should be good again in 2019 but this number is based more on last season. I’ll take the points.

Early Lean: Texans +7.5

Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders (-2.5, 43)

I have absolutely no lean either way on this game right now. Both the spread and total are tight, so I see no value either way. Lean to the Under 43 but I wouldn’t run to the window to bet it right now.

Early Lean: Under 43