Last night\u2019s first game of the NFL season is in the books: a 13-10 Seattle Seahawks win over the New England Patriots, a game that was sealed by a disastrous Drake Maye interception in the final seconds, his third of the game, and marked by a hip injury suffered by Seahawks\u2019 quarterback Sam Darnold in Seattle\u2019s first series on offence.<\/p>\n
All eyes are on Darnold this morning, set to undergo an MRI on the hip. The good news, according to ESPN, is that the hip isn\u2019t broken.<\/p>\n
Those of us who backed Seattle at -3.5 were left shaking our heads after an early twist of fate took the home crowd out of the game. The Seahawks\u2019 defence eventually took control, shutting down Maye and the Patriots in the second half.<\/p>\n
That development also strengthened the case for the under at 44.5.<\/p>\n
Next up are the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Australia. Kickoff is tonight at 8:35 p.m. EDT\u2014Friday morning in Melbourne\u2014ahead of Sunday\u2019s full slate of games and the Monday night finale.<\/p>\n
That leads me to my NFL Week 1 picks against the spread.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"
Lots of intrigue heading into Week 1, especially around the quarterback movement. Aaron Rodgers is back for one more season and a new offence in Pittsburgh. Tua Tagovailoa is starting for Atlanta. Kirk Cousins is starting for Las Vegas. Kyler Murray takes over in Minnesota.<\/p>\n
Several prominent rookies are debuting around the NFL, although No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza starts behind Cousins with the Raiders.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"
Bettors who fade expectations have typically been rewarded in Week 1, when it comes to point spreads anyway. According to SportsOddsHistory.com, when talking about season openers, at least seven underdogs have cashed Week 1 tickets ATS for 18 consecutive seasons.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"
Jacksonville Jaguars -8.5 vs. Cleveland Browns<\/strong><\/p>\n A classic fade-the-dog scenario, with the Jags comfortably covering at home against the Browns. Jacksonville was a league-best 12-5 ATS last year during the regular season \u2013 even more proficient at home. Cleveland went 2-6 ATS on the road, second-worst in the league.<\/p>\n There are question marks about what the Browns truly have with Deshaun Watson, coming back after a long layoff with an Achilles injury, and plenty of doubters. His mobility, pocket awareness and timing are big unknowns.<\/p>\n The Browns are starting a completely restructured offensive line, including a rookie in Spencer Fano at left tackle. Fano will be lining up across from Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville\u2019s best pass rusher, a two-time Pro Bowler.<\/p>\n Houston Texans +1.5 vs. Buffalo Bills<\/strong><\/p>\n Bills are slight favourites, which feels more like the Josh Allen effect. The Texans had the NFL\u2019s top defence last season, with 277.2 yards allowed per game. They are on home field for this one.<\/p>\n In NFL betting<\/a> at Betway, the game is essentially a pick\u2019em. While I think Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL, there are question marks about the Bills\u2019 defence going into the season.<\/p>\n One thing they reworked is their secondary, which means C.J. Stroud should have favourable opportunities.<\/p>\n Another thing \u2013 Texans\u2019 starting right tackle Braden Smith is on injured reserve, meaning the offensive line will be exposed to Buffalo\u2019s edge pressure, which is pretty good, led by Greg Rousseau (55 pressures last season) and Bradley Chubb (8.5 sacks, 20 QB hits and 48 pressures in Miami last season).<\/p>\n Houston getting 1.5 points at home is one of the weekend\u2019s stronger underdog plays. Tough opening for the Bills, who have to go to Houston for this one, then dash back to Buffalo for the home opener against the Detroit Lions Thursday night.<\/p>\n Miami Dolphins +3.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders<\/strong><\/p>\n I looked at this after reading yesterday that Raiders tight end Brock Bowers underwent knee surgery and will be out for a few weeks.<\/p>\n Bowers is the Raiders\u2019 best weapon on offence, quarterback Kirk Cousins’ primary target, so that puts more pressure on new Raiders\u2019 coach Klint Kubiak and the offence there.<\/p>\n Yes, the Raiders are at home, but they have an inexperienced receiver group, a new offensive system, and starting running back Ashton Jeanty is returning from an ankle injury.<\/p>\n Miami isn\u2019t a powerhouse, but getting more than a field goal is worth it.<\/p>\n Denver Broncos +2.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs<\/strong><\/p>\n The Broncos have been getting a lot of action as a Super Bowl futures<\/a> darling, with Bo Nix back and respect for coach Sean Payton.<\/p>\n