Fansided

NFL Week 1: 3 teams on upset alert this Sunday

By Mike Phillips

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 12: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks walks to the line during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 12: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks walks to the line during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

These three teams need to be on upset alert in Week 1 of the 2020 season.

It wouldn’t be the NFL without some wild upsets every week. The season kicks off this week, but the lack of fans in stadiums and an abbreviated offseason workout program could lead to a truly crazy season.

Each week here at FanSided we will spotlight three teams that need to be on upset alert entering the current week’s games. Favorites will be based on the weekly betting lines courtesy of the FanDuel Sportsbook.

3. The Las Vegas Raiders should be on upset alert in Carolina

There is a lot of hype surrounding the Raiders, who have moved from Oakland to Las Vegas this season. Jon Gruden’s team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and could be a playoff contender out of the AFC West this season, but their Week 1 matchup against Carolina is particularly tricky.

The oddsmakers have made the Raiders a 2.5 point favorite in Carolina, a sign they expect this game to be close. The Panthers do have a new head coach in Matt Rhule but they still feature a ton of talent on offense, including new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is becoming the focal point of their offense.

This contest is also scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, meaning the Raiders will be playing the game at 10:00 a.m. body time, which is a recipe for upsets for West Coast teams. If the Raiders aren’t careful here the Panthers could spring an upset to start the Rhule era with a win.

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