Betting lines are out for the NFL Week 1's schedule. Our betting experts, Doug Kezirian, Joe Fortenbaugh, Anita Marks and Tyler Fulghum dive in and tell you which games you should jump on now.
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams (-7, 45.5)
Fortenbaugh: Whether it's Andy Dalton or rookie Justin Fields at quarterback for Chicago, a monumental challenge awaits the Bears offense in Week 1, as the Rams are coming off a campaign in which the club ranked first in the NFL in both total defense (281.9 YPG) and scoring defense (18.5 PPG) as well as second in sacks (53). On the flip side, the Matthew Stafford acquisition for Los Angeles provides a significant upgrade to the squad's offense, but there could be a learning curve, not to mention the fact that the Bears can still play a respectable level of defense (5.4 yards per play allowed in 2020, 10th in the NFL). Chicago should struggle enough on offense to keep this under 45.5 points.
Pick: Under 45.5
Fulghum: Sean McVay is 4-0 straight up and against the spread in his career in Week 1. He obviously does well with ample time to prepare for the opponent. And that record was crafted with his ex-QB, Jared Goff, whom McVay clearly wanted to move on from in favor of Stafford. Stafford, of course, is no stranger to the Bears' personnel on defense and how to attack them. Whether it's Fields making his first career NFL start or Dalton taking snaps in Week 1, it's hard to like the matchup for either QB on the road against Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
Pick: Rams -7
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-4, 43.5)
Marks: Sam Darnold, Robby Anderson and three other former Jets players get to host Zach Wilson and their former team in Week 1. That means the rookie QB from BYU -- with one impressive year, against subpar competition -- will be is making his first start against a team with a big revenge factor. Darnold gets an upgrade in coaching with head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady and elevated offensive weapons in Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore. I also love what Carolina did in the draft, selecting CB Jaycee Horn, who will be able to play more press-man coverage against a receiving corps (Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder, Corey Davis) that scares no one.
Pick: Carolina -4
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6, 52)
Marks: This is the highest projected point total of Week 1. I get it. The NFL world is in love with the Bucs and expects them to run it back, but I do not. For the Cowboys, Dak Prescott returns off a severe ankle injury and will be playing behind a subpar offensive line. And Dallas will face a stacked Bucs defense that returns all 11 starters and added LB Joe Tryon in the draft. The Cowboys' defense should be better as well after using their first six picks in the draft on that side of the ball, including 12th overall pick Micah Parsons. I think teams have an easier time jelling on defense than finding a rhythm on offense early in the season. I like the under.
Pick: Under 52
Baltimore Ravens (-5.5, 51.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
Monday, Sept. 13 (ESPN)
Fulghum: The Ravens aggressively and ably addressed their roster shortcomings this offseason. Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace add talent and depth to the Baltimore pass-catching corps and allow Marquise Brown and TE Mark Andrews to play to the strengths of their games rather than try to do everything for Lamar Jackson when he drops back. Meanwhile, no one really knows what Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock are doing in the draft or with their offensive line. With Allegiant Stadium allowing fans in for the first time, we might come to learn that Sin City often provides a "friendly" environment for the visiting team.
Pick: Ravens -5.5
Kezirian: The Raiders' defensive woes will not be corrected overnight by hiring a new defensive coordinator. This team was a mess last season, and in comes a Baltimore offense that is healthy, as opposed to last season when offensive line injuries hampered them significantly. The Ravens still led the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2020 and upgraded the wide receiver position, which was a weakness. Baltimore should win by more than one score.
Pick: Ravens -5.5