After the 2024 NFL season officially opened on Thursday night, all other teams will follow the Chiefs and Ravens into the new season this weekend!
The eagerly awaited game between the 49ers and the Jets will be the final act of Week 1.
All NYJ fans can only hope that this time Aaron Rodgers’ season won’t have to be declared prematurely over on the fourth snap
There are also plenty of other games that will not only be exciting and entertaining, but also suitable for one or two promising sports bets.
My favorite in this context is undoubtedly Lions vs Rams. In my opinion, this pairing has all the right ingredients for the most touchdown-rich match of the entire Week 1
NFL odds for Week 1
A good sports betting bonus, meanwhile, is worth picking up every “damn Sunday”, but why not right off the bat on the first football weekend of the season?
After all, each of the bookmakers we’ve featured offers its very own new customer bonus, so it’s theoretically possible for you to dance at several weddings at once over the next few weeks!
NFL Week 1 Games 2024
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers, 07.09.2024 Prediction
On to Rio! The biggest mismatch on paper in this first-ever NFL matchup on Brazilian soil is certainly between Jordan Love and the Eagles’ secondary.
Love really turned it on in the final ten games of last season and now faces an Eagles defense that allowed the second most passing yards in the NFL last year.
While the Eagles did pick up two rookies – Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean – in the draft, it remains to be seen if they will really help.
One thing that worries me about the Packers is their rookie kicker, who has never attempted a field goal in a regular-season game. I have more confidence in Jake Elliott of the Eagles. Still, I’m backing the Packers with a small handicap as a cushion.
My bet: Packers with HC +3.5 at Merkur Bets
Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 08.09.2024 Prediction
On one side we have Atlanta with a 36-year-old just coming back from a torn Achilles tendon. On the other side, Pittsburgh with a former Super Bowl winner who seems to have forgotten how to play football.
Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson? Both were drafted in 2012 and for the first time in NFL history, two quarterbacks with at least 12 years of experience are playing against each other debuting for a new team.
Ultimately, I think Cousins might be the better pick. He’s not usually the type to play with anger in his belly, but after the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. he’ll have a lot to prove this season.
While it’s unlikely to be an entertaining game, I still have faith in him to lead Atlanta to victory.
My bet: Victory ATL & under 41.5 points at Bet365
Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals, 08.09.2024 Prediction
Be careful not to write off the Cardinals early. Of course, they’re not a high-quality franchise, but with Kyler Murray in the starting lineup, they could spring a few surprises in the first week of the new season!
Even a place in the play-offs? If everything goes well, yes. You also have to remember that many of the Bills’ top defensive players left the franchise in the offseason.
The departure of Stefon Diggs at the wide receiver position is also a problem for the “Electric Company” in my opinion.
Buffalo will probably win in the end, but get ready for a very close match that may be decided by a field goal in the end …
My tip: Victory Cardinals with HC +6.5 at Winamax
Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans, 08.09.2024 Prediction
When the first-overall pick starts Week 1, it’s usually wise to bet against him. That’s because 15 quarterbacks have been drafted first overall since the 2003 season, and they have a dismal record of 0-14-1 in their debut game.
That’s not really surprising: the top pick usually goes to the worst team in the league, which is almost always the underdog in Week 1. But this year is different.
The first pick in the draft didn’t go to the worst team, as the Panthers ceded that privilege to the Bears, who in turn have a pretty decent roster.
Defensively, the hosts should not be underestimated anyway. From Week 10 last season, the Bears had a positive record of 5-3, mainly because they only allowed 17.1 points per game – the best of any NFL team from Week 10 through 18.
I do believe the Titans will be better than many think. But given the circumstances just outlined, I simply have to bet on the Bears.
My bet: Bears at Winamax
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots, 08.09.2024 Prediction
The Patriots have acquired a talented new quarterback in Drake Maye, but without Bill Belichick and decent wide receivers, this franchise is clearly in a rebuild.
On the other side, we have Joe Burrow, but both the Bengals’ running game and secondary have only convinced me in theory so far. I need to see them in action before I can count Cincinnati as a potential NFL favorite in 2024.
Experience has shown that the Bengals have often lost the Week 1 game in recent years, which is why I prefer to bet against the spread here.
After all, 9.5 points is a huge lead, which New England should be able to successfully save over time with a little luck …
My tip: Patriots with HC +9.5 at Sunmaker
NFL Week 1: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans, 08.09.2024 Prediction
In Week 1, Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud should throw at least two touchdowns against the Colts. Stroud, who won the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, is one of those players who is clearly the future.
In his last matchup against the Colts in January 2023, he already threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
The only reason why I’m not also adding a Texans win to my betting slip as a combination bet via the Oddset app has to do with the unpredictability of the opponent.
Anthony Richardson is an equally talented quarterback who, for once, is healthy and on a good day can outshine even a C.J. Stroud …
So get ready for a quarterback duel between the “young guns”!
My tip: C.J. Stroud with over 1.5 touchdowns at Oddset
Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 08.09.2024 Prediction
Since Mike McDaniel took over as coach of the Dolphins in 2022, they have been victorious in the first three weeks of the season, outscoring opponents by an average of 13 points per game.
The Dolphins have a fast-paced offense that is tough to defend if you don’t see it often – and the Jaguars haven’t seen it much in recent years.
So while the Dolphins rely on the explosiveness of their wide receivers, Jacksonville’s defense could have trouble finding the right answers to the home side’s various plays in time…
My tip: Dolphins with HC -6.5 at Betano
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers, 09/08/2024 Prediction
I made more money betting against both franchises last season than the other way around.
Neither New Orleans nor Carolina made any major additions over the summer and both offenses continue to lack punch. I expect a tough and not very spectacular game.
So, if you also want to play it safe, I would take the under if I were you. Many NFC South games played out exactly like this last year, and I think this will be another tough battle for the win.
My betting tip: Under 41.5 points at NEObet
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings, 08.09.2024 Prediction
I also tend to take the “under” in this game. It’s not a particularly exciting game. Both teams are predicted to struggle again in 2024, but at least it should be a half-decent match.
However, there are still many uncertainties surrounding both teams, particularly in their respective offensive departments. For example, without Saquon Barkley, who left for free agency, New York has a big hole to fill at the RB position.
As a result, I don’t think much will happen on the scoreboard in this opening game. Thus, the ‘under’ of 41.5 points seems like a reasonable bet. A 1X2 tip, on the other hand, becomes a guessing game!
My tip: Under 41.5 points at Merkur Bets
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 08.09.2024 Prediction
The favorites in the LAC betting markets surprise me a bit. After all, the Chargers are starting with a new coaching staff and their offense is one big question mark.
The Las Vegas Raiders, on the other hand, are one of the best defenses in the league and should be able to make life difficult for the Californians on Sunday – and quite successfully at that!
The Chargers have lost 3 of their last 4 games in which they were favored by at least 3 points.
Therefore, I’m taking the Raiders with a field goal advantage, even if with a little luck they could win the game even without that little trick!
My NFL Week 1 bet: Raiders with HC +3.5 at Bet365
Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos, 08.09.2024 Prediction
If you look at the performances and numbers so far, it looks like a clear win for the Seahawks.
My prediction for the game between the Seahawks and the Broncos is therefore: Seattle wins with a handicap of -6.5.
The Seahawks have an impressive record in September, especially when playing at home. They have also won the first quarter in each of their last five home games against AFC West teams.
Denver, on the other hand, has struggled on the West Coast, losing nine of its last ten games there.
With Bo Nix as the new quarterback, it could take a few weeks to months for the Broncos’ offense to really get rolling.
My bet: Seahawks with HC -6.5 Betway
Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys, 08.09.2024 Prediction
On Sunday, a targeted bet on less than a handful of successful touchdown attempts could be a good choice in this pairing.
Both teams employ impressive defenses and the Cowboys in particular boast one of the strongest defenses in the entire NFL.
The Browns also rely on a solid defense, led by Myles Garrett and his teammates. Even in the direct encounters between these teams, there have often been games with fewer than 45.5 points.
In my opinion, it is therefore highly likely that both teams will rely more on their defense this weekend and are unlikely to set off any offensive fireworks.
Incidentally, this bet is available on all sports betting apps checked by me or my betting friends.
My tip: Under 45.5 points at Merkur Bets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Commanders, 08.09.2024 Prediction
For risk-taking sports betting fans, a bet on Evans as the last player to score a touchdown in this game could be of great interest.
After all, in the last three regular-season games against NFC East teams, the Bucs’ wide receiver has always contributed the last touchdown of the game.
The Bucs, who rely on Evans as a key player, are able to put together a strong passing game and will therefore probably continue to rely less on the running game, which was the weakest in the league last season anyway.
Furthermore, not much can be expected from the Commanders, who have lost all of their last eight NFL games, even in 2024.
Therefore, a win for the Bucs with odds of 1.60 is also a solid choice.
My tip: Win Bucs & Evans scores a touchdown at Betano
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams, 09.09.2024 Prediction
I love both teams equally and wouldn’t want to go against either as part of a 1X2 bet.
Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit for the second time in eight months – and this time I think he’ll win. The Rams’ biggest advantage is that everyone is healthy, which wasn’t always the case last season.
Heads up: Of the eight games in which Stafford, Kupp, Nacua and Williams were on the field at the same time, the Rams won a whopping six and the quarterback threw 18 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
After losing to the Lions in the playoffs, Stafford will surely want to finally win a game in Detroit, something he hasn’t been able to do since leaving Motor City in 2021.
My tip: Over 53 points at Bet-at-home
San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets, 10.09.2024 Prediction
The Green Gang have a realistic chance of winning Week 1 against the 49ers.
After Rodgers’ early injury, the Jets weren’t given much attention last year, but it’s often forgotten that they allowed the second-fewest passing yards and third-fewest total yards in the league in 2023.
In addition, current NYJ coach Robert Saleh, as the 49ers’ former defensive coordinator, is of course very familiar with his team’s opening opponent.
Last but not least, Rodgers is a true “Monday Night Football” specialist, as he could be celebrating his eleventh consecutive win on this particular day …
My tip: Jets at Happybet
