2021 Week 1: NFL Best Bets
Sep 11 | 2021
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Degenerates rejoice!
The most anticipated day of the year is finally almost here: the first Sunday of NFL season! Week 1 has already started, and we’ve got some of our best bets ready to be locked and loaded for you. Make sure you have a proper bankroll, NFL RedZone and a relatively stable blood pressure coming in because it’s going to get WILD!
Carolina Panthers (-4) vs. New York Jets
Right off the bat Sam Darnold gets to prove that it was the Jets and not him that were the problem for his three years in New York. Too many factors are going against the Jets this week. They’re on the road. They’re facing Christian McCaffrey in his return from an injury-plagued season. It’s Zach Wilson’s first game. And lastly, the jets youth at CB will be an opening for darnold. They will have no CBs starting with more than a year of experience. Cornerback is the hardest position to acclimate to in the NFL, with CMC to lean on a little bit Darnold will begin his chapter with the Panthers with a dub and cover at home.
Miami Dolphins (+3) @ New England Patriots
The Dolphins open their season against a rookie QB in Mac Jones. Mac Jones is being a bit too hyped up after a solid preseason, and the Dolphins after a solid 2020 season aren’t getting enough respect. The Dolphins had a +9 turnover ratio last season, so I expect them to cause a few key turnovers this game. Jones may be an improvement over Cam Newton, but he still doesn’t have any great receivers to throw to. The Dolphins cover and likely win outright as well.
Denver Broncos (-3) @ New York Giants
The Giants are coming into the game having a ton of question marks about health and 2021 talent. Billed as the 31st best offense last year, the Giants offense has a new look from last year. The problem, however, is that Kenny Golladay and first-round pick Kadarius Toney’s statuses are up in the air and Saquon Barkley may be on a snap count. Plus, tight end Evan Engram has been completely ruled out. Golladay, Toney, and new acquisition Kyle Rudolph haven’t really even played with Daniel Jones yet. All Teddy Bridgewater does is cover, (11-3 ATS as a starter), and he’s got a nice group of young receivers and a solid defense that should force Jones into his usual multiple turnovers.
Los Angeles Chargers/Washington Football Team OVER 44.5
We’ve seen early-season success with Ryan Fitzpatrick before. Starting for his ninth team Fitzmagic has found a way to pump life into more than a quarter of the leagues offenses. This year the magic comes to Washington. Fitz is going to be chucking it, taking chances and moving this offense at a faster pace. On the other end you have Justin Herbert starting his second season, and there will be no sophomore slump, this dude’s a certified baller. Austin Ekeler’s availability is something to monitor here as his hammy is acting up, but if he’s suiting up I love smashing the over here.
Los Angeles Rams (-7.5) vs. Chicago Bears
The Rams defense is going to be a lot for the deteriorating Andy Dalton. Dalton did not look good last year with the Cowboys and now comes to a team with worse offensive weapons. Matthew Stafford is making his debut for the Rams and is already familiar with this Bear’s defense. He’s dealt with them for his whole career, so this is the perfect matchup for him to start out on the right foot with the Los Angeles. Playing at home isn’t necessarily an advantage for the Rams, but it’s much better than going into the hostile environment in Chicago. Rams win this game rather easily and cover the 7.5 point spread.
Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Cleveland Browns … (1H -3.5)
I’m still trying to figure out why the line here is so low. You have the Chiefs at home, coming off of an embarrassing Super Bowl loss. That means they had to sit at home and stew in that loss for the last seven months. So you have a fired-up Patrick Mahomes and company laying less than a touchdown in Kansas City. I’m all-in on Kansas City to the point that I’m betting the first half as well at -3.5.
Philadelphia Eagles/Atlanta Falcons OVER 48.5
The true beginning of the Jalen Hurts era starts with a cupcake defense in the Falcons. Atlanta allowed the most passing yards of any team in the NFL in 2020, and don’t appear to be much better coming into 2021. The Eagles themselves have a mediocre defense that ranked 19th last season in total defense. First-round pick DeVonta Smith has a solid chance to get a jump on the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. Matt Ryan is desperate to turn the page from last year. This game will be a back-and-forth shootout that gets into the 60s.
Moneyline Parlay
- Broncos -159
- Titans -158
- Chiefs -245
string(11386) ""Degenerates rejoice!
The most anticipated day of the year is finally almost here: the first Sunday of NFL season! Week 1 has already started, and we've got some of our best bets ready to be locked and loaded for you. Make sure you have a proper bankroll, NFL RedZone and a relatively stable blood pressure coming in because it's going to get WILD!
Carolina Panthers (-4) vs. New York Jets
Right off the bat Sam Darnold gets to prove that it was the Jets and not him that were the problem for his three years in New York. Too many factors are going against the Jets this week. They're on the road. They're facing Christian McCaffrey in his return from an injury-plagued season. It's Zach Wilson's first game. And lastly, the jets youth at CB will be an opening for darnold. They will have no CBs starting with more than a year of experience. Cornerback is the hardest position to acclimate to in the NFL, with CMC to lean on a little bit Darnold will begin his chapter with the Panthers with a dub and cover at home.
Miami Dolphins (+3) @ New England Patriots
The Dolphins open their season against a rookie QB in Mac Jones. Mac Jones is being a bit too hyped up after a solid preseason, and the Dolphins after a solid 2020 season aren't getting enough respect. The Dolphins had a +9 turnover ratio last season, so I expect them to cause a few key turnovers this game. Jones may be an improvement over Cam Newton, but he still doesn't have any great receivers to throw to. The Dolphins cover and likely win outright as well.
Denver Broncos (-3) @ New York Giants
The Giants are coming into the game having a ton of question marks about health and 2021 talent. Billed as the 31st best offense last year, the Giants offense has a new look from last year. The problem, however, is that Kenny Golladay and first-round pick Kadarius Toney's statuses are up in the air and Saquon Barkley may be on a snap count. Plus, tight end Evan Engram has been completely ruled out. Golladay, Toney, and new acquisition Kyle Rudolph haven't really even played with Daniel Jones yet. All Teddy Bridgewater does is cover, (11-3 ATS as a starter), and he's got a nice group of young receivers and a solid defense that should force Jones into his usual multiple turnovers.
Los Angeles Chargers/Washington Football Team OVER 44.5
We've seen early-season success with Ryan Fitzpatrick before. Starting for his ninth team Fitzmagic has found a way to pump life into more than a quarter of the leagues offenses. This year the magic comes to Washington. Fitz is going to be chucking it, taking chances and moving this offense at a faster pace. On the other end you have Justin Herbert starting his second season, and there will be no sophomore slump, this dude's a certified baller. Austin Ekeler's availability is something to monitor here as his hammy is acting up, but if he's suiting up I love smashing the over here.
Los Angeles Rams (-7.5) vs. Chicago Bears
The Rams defense is going to be a lot for the deteriorating Andy Dalton. Dalton did not look good last year with the Cowboys and now comes to a team with worse offensive weapons. Matthew Stafford is making his debut for the Rams and is already familiar with this Bear's defense. He's dealt with them for his whole career, so this is the perfect matchup for him to start out on the right foot with the Los Angeles. Playing at home isn't necessarily an advantage for the Rams, but it's much better than going into the hostile environment in Chicago. Rams win this game rather easily and cover the 7.5 point spread.
Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Cleveland Browns … (1H -3.5)
I'm still trying to figure out why the line here is so low. You have the Chiefs at home, coming off of an embarrassing Super Bowl loss. That means they had to sit at home and stew in that loss for the last seven months. So you have a fired-up Patrick Mahomes and company laying less than a touchdown in Kansas City. I'm all-in on Kansas City to the point that I'm betting the first half as well at -3.5.
Philadelphia Eagles/Atlanta Falcons OVER 48.5
The true beginning of the Jalen Hurts era starts with a cupcake defense in the Falcons. Atlanta allowed the most passing yards of any team in the NFL in 2020, and don't appear to be much better coming into 2021. The Eagles themselves have a mediocre defense that ranked 19th last season in total defense. First-round pick DeVonta Smith has a solid chance to get a jump on the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. Matt Ryan is desperate to turn the page from last year. This game will be a back-and-forth shootout that gets into the 60s.
Moneyline Parlay
- Broncos -159
- Titans -158
- Chiefs -245
