2022 NFL Week 1 predictions: Picks against the spread for every game

Right here we go together with season 29 of NFL picks within the Put up’s Bettor’s Information.

Final season, we captured the regular-season championship and adopted that up with a pleasant 18-8 ATS run by means of the postseason, together with a Bengals cowl and the Beneath in Tremendous Bowl LVI.

This column’s been round so lengthy, the Ravens didn’t even exist till Season 3. Let’s do it!

NEW YORK JETS (+7) over Baltimore Ravens

The Jets have an opportunity to smash some narratives proper out of the gate.

The primary is that they're nonetheless among the many dregs of the NFL, considered one of seven groups listed at 150/1 or increased to win the Tremendous Bowl at BetMGM. Some imagine this season can be a fair hotter dumpster fireplace than ordinary. In late August, ESPN launched a 2023 mock draft which had the Jets selecting No. 1.

A 3rd is New York can be toast by the tip of its 4 video games towards the AFC North to begin the season.

If you happen to don’t assume all or any of these issues aren’t attainable, the place have you ever been since, oh, 1970? However even the naysayers credit score GM Joe Douglas for growing the expertise degree of the workforce.

Breece Hall.
Breece Corridor carries the ball within the preseason.
Getty Pictures

I’m trying ahead to seeing what Mike LaFleur can do with a Michael Carter-Breece Corridor combo behind a greater offensive line, with Garrett Wilson and actual NFL tight ends becoming a member of Elijah Moore. I’m to see what the protection appears to be like like with precise edge rushers (Carl Lawson and Jermaine Johnson) and a brand new shutdown nook (Sauce Gardner). Lamar Jackson may not prefer it.

Final yr’s horrible Jets workforce did rating house wins towards the playoff-bound Titans and Bengals and have been a Silly Jet Trick away from beating Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. With seven factors to spare in per week when a lot of loopy issues occur, let’s give it a shot.

TENNESSEE TITANS (-5.5) over New York Giants

Some of the fascinating stats present in The Put up’s huge 2022 NFL season preview is that over the previous 4 seasons, the Giants rank fourth in masking the unfold on the highway or in impartial venues at 21-12-2. These numbers are hidden deep contained in the unsuccessful tenures of Pat Shurmur and Joe Choose.

So there’s that. One other is that Brian Daboll and Wink Martindale, two AFC veterans, ought to know much more in regards to the Titans than Mike Vrabel does in regards to the Giants. However I’m anxious the Giants don’t have sufficient expertise, or at the least wholesome expertise, to fight Derrick Henry on a probably moist monitor the place the bottom recreation can be king. When new GM Joe Schoen makes use of phrases akin to “it’s the hand we have been dealt” earlier than the primary recreation, that’s not signal.

ATLANTA FALCONS (+5.5) over New Orleans Saints

Nice stat from Josh Appelbaum of VSiN — divisional underdogs are 22-8 ATS in Week 1 since 2016. Sure, the Falcons could possibly be the worst workforce within the NFL, however in concept you'd have had the inferior workforce in every of these video games and received 73 p.c of them.

San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) over CHICAGO BEARS

If there’s one workforce above all others absolutely invested in having its quarterback get off to a flying begin, it’s the 49ers with Trey Lance. Bears can be a distinct protection with out Akiem Hicks up entrance.

Trey Lance.
Trey Lance scrambles within the preseason.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (+6.5) over CINCINNATI BENGALS

So many techniques at play right here. First is the divisional ’canine angle. Subsequent is the Tremendous Bowl loser jinx, which has seen these groups go 4-18 ATS within the following Week 1 over the previous 22 seasons, per Motion Community’s C Jackson Cowart. Then there’s one we adopted all final season right here: Mike Tomlin is 45-23 ATS as an underdog.

Philadelphia Eagles (-4) over DETROIT LIONS

Lot of persons are loving the Lions due to “Onerous Knocks,” however I don’t see the interpretation. Final Halloween, the Eagles destroyed them in Detroit, 44-6, and I solely see Philly getting higher with the additions of A.J. Brown, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the additional growth of Jalen Hurts.

New England Patriots (+3.5) over MIAMI DOLPHINS

Have you ever heard the pattern about divisional ’canines in Week 1? I used to be shocked when the hook turned accessible with the Patriots earlier within the week. Sure, please!

Bill Belichick.
Invoice Belichick.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (+2.5) over WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Keen to take the small head begin to see what Trevor Lawrence can do with Travis Etienne Jr. taking handoffs and Tremendous Bowl champ Doug Pederson in his ear. I just like the Commanders normally, however three of their seven wins final season have been by two factors or fewer, so that will work right here.

Cleveland Browns (+1.5) over CAROLINA PANTHERS

Misplaced within the Deshaun Watson suspension and Baker Mayfield revenge angle is that the Browns are the higher workforce right here, and perhaps by greater than a little bit. Amari Cooper augments the Nick Chubb-Kareem Hunt floor assault, and Myles Garrett hunts Baker.

HOUSTON TEXANS (+7) over Indianapolis Colts

Divisional ’canines in Week 1, Half 4. Like with the Falcons, I may need to avert my eyes and simply have a look at the ultimate rating to see how we did. Colts received the 2 matchups by a mixed 62-3 in 2021. But, the road has moved from Colts -8.5 to -7. Hmmm.

Davis Mills.
Davis Mills throws a cross within the preseason.
Getty Pictures

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+1.5) over Inexperienced Bay Packers

Sizzling diggity, one other divisional underdog! Davante Adams has left the constructing, and new No. 1 reciever Allen Lazard is questionable for the Pack. Fascinating to see Za’Darius Smith in purple chasing after Aaron Rodgers.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (-6) over ARIZONA CARDINALS

Okay.C. traded Tyreek Hill and changed him with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Skyy Moore. This line steamed from Chiefs -4.5 to -6 in a couple of days, a foul forecast for Kliff Kingsbury within the desert as his Texas Tech star Patrick Mahomes comes knocking.

Las Vegas Raiders (+3.5) over LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

That loopy 35-32 season finale makes me wish to take the hook with the Raiders as we end off our six pack of divisional underdogs. The Chargers are my Tremendous Bowl choose as a result of I imagine in Justin Herbert and their loaded roster. A slender win would serve each causes.

Davante Adams and Derek Carr.
Derek Carr and Davante Adams earlier than a preseason recreation.
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DALLAS COWBOYS (+2.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Identical groups met in final yr’s opener, and the Bucs received a 31-29 thriller. Dallas may not match its 12-5 file, however Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs may cause issues for Tom Brady, who seemingly isn’t all there but.

Monday

Denver Broncos (-6.5) over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seattle deserves to lose by three touchdowns due to these radioactive lime inexperienced uniforms alone. However that received’t be the rationale right here. This one’s all about Russell Wilson being unleashed to make use of his many new weapons — together with Javonte Williams on the bottom, and Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton by means of the air.

Russell Wilson.
Russell Wilson within the preseason.
Getty Pictures

Finest Bets

Steelers, Patriots, Browns.

Lock of the week

Steelers (Locks went 11-9 in 2021-22).

Thursday Night time Soccer choose

Rams.

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