Admin September 8, 2024
NFL Week 1 picks, predictions and best bets for Sunday’s games
Lorenzo is back, and he’s bringing you his favorite bets for each week of the NFL season. Watch to find out which picks he likes for Sunday’s slate of games.
NFL Sundays are back.
The first Sunday of the 2024 NFL season will include 13 games with 26 teams in action, highlighted by the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins will debut for new teams against each other in Atlanta, while Los Angeles Chargers star Justin Herbert and Indianapolis Colts second-year starter Anthony Richardson return from injury.
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) will make their debuts, marking the fourth time since 1970 that at least three rookie quarterbacks will start in Week 1.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Week 1 NFL games.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
- Betting odds: ATL (-3); O/U: 42
There will be plenty of new faces in this one: Russell Wilson debuts as Steelers quarterback. Kirk Cousins makes his first start as Falcons quarterback. Linebacker Patrick Queen joins a Steelers defense spearheaded by NFL sack leader T.J. Watt. Edge rusher Matthew Judon joins a revamped Falcons offense. And Raheem Morris will lead Atlanta in his first game as Falcons coach, while Steelers coach Mike Tomlin begins his 18th season with the franchise.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Location: Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York
- Betting odds: BUF (-6.5); O/U: 48
Josh Allen begins his seventh season as Buffalo’s star quarterback with tailback James Cook, tight end Dalton Kincaid, with receivers Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and rookie Keon Coleman among his new weapons. Kyler Murray, the Cardinals’ star quarterback, enters his sixth season in the league after playing eight games returning from a major knee injury last year. He welcomes No. 4 overall draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. as his new top receiver.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Location: Soldier Field in Chicago
- Betting odds: CHI (-4); O/U: 45
The Caleb Williams era begins in Chicago as the Bears’ No. 1 pick makes his NFL debut with a loaded offense at his disposal with receivers Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and running back D’Andre Swift. They’ll face a Titans team, featuring new coach Brian Callahan, second-year quarterback Will Levis, new running back Tony Pollard replacing Derrick Henry, and a talented receiver trio of Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Location: Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Betting odds: CIN (-8.5); O/U: 40.5
Joe Burrow begins his fifth NFL season unclear if star receiver Ja’Marr Chase will agree to a new contract, while receiver Tee Higgins also seeks a hefty payday. The Bengals also welcome some new faces on offense such as running back Zack Moss and tight end Mike Gesicki. But they should be fine in their opener against the new-look Patriots. Jerod Mayo begins his stint as Patriots coach after Bill Belichick’s departure, while veteran Jacoby Brissett is in line to start ahead of rookie Drake Maye to begin the season.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- Betting odds: HOU (-3); O/U: 49
C.J. Stroud begins his second NFL season with MVP and playoff expectations, bringing the Texans back to relevance last season under coach Demeco Ryans. With new standouts such as Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon in the mix, the Texans could be primed to win the AFC South and contend for a Super Bowl this season. The Colts surely will stake their claim for the division as well if their two stars remain healthy: Quarterback Anthony Richardson returns from a shoulder injury in his second season, while running back Jonathan Taylor could also return to an elite form.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
- Betting odds: MIA (-3.5); O/U: 49
The Dolphins had the most potent offense in the NFL a season ago, averaging more than 400 yards per game behind the dynamic play of star receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under coach Mike McDaniel. But Miami was unable to drum up the offense when the playoffs started for the second consecutive year. The Jaguars, led by their own star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr., are hoping to get back into the playoff mix after missing the postseason last year.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Location: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
- Betting odds: NO (-4); O/U: 42
Carolina’s rebuild takes another step as Bryce Young begins his second season as starting quarterback under new coach Dave Canales, looking to improve from a league-worst 2-15 record in 2023. Meanwhile, the Saints are a veteran-laden group behind quarterback Derek Carr and offensive standouts such as tailback Alvin Kamara and receiver Chris Olave, looking to get back into the playoff discussion.
- Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Location: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Betting odds: MIN (-1.5); O/U: 41
Not much has changed since their playoff matchup two seasons ago, which the Giants won: the Vikings and Giants coaches, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson are still prominent faces. The new additions to both teams could make a difference: The Vikings will star former No. 3 pick Sam Darnold at quarterback, while the Giants welcome new edge rusher Brian Burns and running back Devin Singletary into the mix.
- Time/TV: 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Location: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
- Betting odds: LAC (-3); O/U: 40.5
Jim Harbaugh’s NFL return gets underway with his first game as Chargers coach at SoFi Stadium, where the Raiders could steal home-field advantage because of their longstanding fans in the Los Angeles area. Justin Herbert returns as Chargers quarterback, but he will have new starters at the skill positions to play alongside. Herbert also says he’s healthy after a foot injury bothered him this preseason, after last season ended prematurely with a broken finger. The Raiders’ rebuild continues with veteran gunslinger Gardner Minshew II starting the second year of Antonio Pierce’s first season as head coach.
- Time/TV: 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Location: Lumen Field in Seattle
- Betting odds: SEA (-6); O/U: 42
While Geno Smith returns at quarterback, the Seahawks begin life without Pete Caroll with new coach Mike MacDonald on Sunday at home against the Broncos, who also usher in a new era. Bo Nix will be the first Broncos rookie to start at quarterback since John Elway (1983) as Sean Payton’s second year as Denver’s coach gets underway. This will be the third time in seven seasons both teams play each other in the season opener, with the home team winning the previous two games (Denver in 2018 and Seattle in 2022).
- Time/TV: 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Location: Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland
- Betting odds: CLE (-2.5); O/U: 40.5
Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott (yeah, Zeke is back in Dallas) will begin this season for the Cowboys on the road against the Browns. Dallas led the NFL with 29.9 points per game in 2023, behind the dynamic play of Prescott (36 touchdowns) and Lamb (1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns). But Cleveland had the best winning percentage in the AFC at home (.889, 8-1), while allowing the fewest points per game (13.9) and yards per game (215.9). Browns starter Deshaun Watson also returns after shoulder surgery last season.
- Time/TV: 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Location: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
- Betting odds: TB (-3.5); O/U: 44
The new-look Commanders start a new era behind No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels at quarterback and coach Dan Quinn, in the second year under new owner Josh Harris. The Buccaneers begin their second season with quarterback Baker Mayfield and coach Todd Bowles, fresh off a deep playoff appearance after Tom Brady’s departure. Star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and standout tailback Rachaad White also return for Tampa Bay.
- Time/TV: 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- Location: Ford Field in Detroit
- Betting odds: DET (-3.5); O/U: 51
The Lions ended last season in the NFC championship game, a fairytale postseason run which included a win over Matt Stafford and the Rams in the wild-card round. The Lions appear poised for a Super Bowl run behind quarterback Jared Goff, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta. Stafford and the Rams return to Detroit on Sunday Night Football, as both NFC playoff contenders begin their season in a rematch from their 24-23 thriller earlier this year.
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