Fansided

NFL betting guide: 5 best wagers for Week 1

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on before the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on before the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 23: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the huddle during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Bucs on August 23, 2019, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 23: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the huddle during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Bucs on August 23, 2019, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Cleveland -5 vs. Tennessee

Don’t crown the Browns the champions of the AFC North quite yet, but their talent advantage over the Titans in Week 1 is too big to ignore. Specifically, Cleveland’s offense will enjoy a massive advantage over their counterparts from Nashville.

Baker Mayfield is getting a ton of hype coming into the regular season, and he’ll face a stern test in Week 1. The Titans do have a quality defense that can cause the Browns’ big name offense serious problems. Cleveland might struggle to move the ball early, but look for Mayfield and company to hit their stride in the second half.

The real trouble for the Titans is going to come when they have the football. No matter what you hear from team officials, Marcus Mariota is playing for his job. He probably can’t play poorly enough in Week 1 to see Ryan Tannehill, but his leash as the team’s franchise quarterback is alarmingly short.

The fact that the Titans won’t have Taylor Lewan for this game is going to turn out to be a huge problem. Tennessee won’t be able to protect Mariota against Cleveland’s serious talent on the defensive edge. This game will stay ugly and close for a while, but the Browns will flex their muscles late and cover with relative ease.