NFL lines, Week 1 2020: 5 best bets

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 20: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass during Green Bay Packers Training Camp at Lambeau Field on August 20, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The NFL season is here and these are the five best bets for Week 1.

It may seem like we beat the odds to see the NFL season start on time, but we made it. In spite of the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has had a very low number of positive tests and will kick off on time, beginning with the Kansas City Chiefs raising their Super Bowl championship banner against the Houston Texans on Thursday.

The strange offseason, which featured only training camp with no OTAs or preseason games, will be an unprecedented approach towards preparing for a 16-game schedule. The lack of fans at most stadiums will also have some sort of impact, but what form that will take remains to be seen.

These facts make betting the NFL even harder than it already is, and we’re here to help. Throughout the regular season check here for the five best bets to make during each week of the season, with the lines courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Let’s get started with an over/under in a critical NFC North showdown.

5. Week 1 Best Bets: Packers/Vikings Under 45.5 Points

On its surface, it may seem ridiculous to take an under with these two teams. The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings combined for 23 regular-season wins and two playoff wins in 2019 and feature offensive stars such as Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, Adam Thielen and Davante Adams.

An over/under total of 45.5 seems doable with that talent, but both teams are built on defense and the running game. The Vikings will look to feed Cook the ball while Jones was Green Bay’s most effective playmaker last season.

Both defensive units are also strong, so this contest should be lower scoring than people think. Expect something close to a 21-17 final, which will safely bring you under the 45.5 total.