NFL Week 1 picks against the spread

DFS NFL Advice: CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks on in action during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on December 16, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-7)

The Dallas Cowboys are finally feeling good after re-signing Ezekiel Elliott to a huge contract. The numbers don’t matter here, all that matters is he’s back on the field by Wednesday, which means he likely has enough practice time to play in this game. However, we must warn. Remember Le’Veon Bell in 2017. He missed training camp, but showed up right before Week 1. It took him about three weeks to get up to Le’Veon Bell speed.

This could be the same for Elliott. This is a major matchup for the Cowboys, as it is every year. The Cowboys have won four straight games, but neither win last year was by more than a touchdown. Can we trust this Cowboys team to blow out their rival?

The Giants probably won’t be very good this season. It’s a transition year after losing OBJ in the offseason and with Daniel Jones still on the bench in favor of Eli Manning, can they pull off one last great win? It would be much easier to pick the Giants if Golden Tate wasn’t suspended, but without him the Cowboys defense can take over. Saquon Barkley will have to fight off eight-men boxes. This might be the biggest stay away of the weekend, but if you must choose one go with the Cowboys. Never trust in Eli.

Pick: Cowboys (-7)

San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (EVEN)

This is one of the more interesting matchups of the weekend. The new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers hope that Bruce Arians is the key to bringing out the best in Jameis Winston. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garopolo is coming off a torn ACL last season. There are seemingly a thousand questions surrounding both these teams.

Come Week 1, these two teams will have to find some answers. Yes, a lot rides on the quarterback position, but both these teams are similar in many other factors. They both have questionable running backs. Their offensive lines can be good, but we’re not 100% sure. They have playmakers on defense.

However, it seems like the Bucs might have more of the big playmakers. There’s nobody like Mike Evans on the 49ers. They do have George Kittle, but O.J. Howard is at least comparable. Then there’s the newest Bucs star Ndamukong Suh. He wants to show again that he’s a game changer up the middle. Based on talent alone, we like the Bucs. We were as surprised as you might be.

Pick: Buccaneers (EVEN)