3 Underdogs to Consider for NFL Week 1

Week 1 is always difficult for many sports bettors to figure out.

There’s not much to go on except for what you saw in the preseason. Should I pick the Detroit Lions over the San Francisco 49ers because David Blough did a decent job at quarterback for Detroit in a narrow one point loss to the Bills? 

Definitely not.

Here is a look at three underdogs to consider in Week 1.

All odds are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+6.5) vs. Buffalo Bills (-6.5) | TOTAL: 48

Pittsburgh has a lot of questions surrounding their team, but they may have more weapons than questions.

Does T.J. Watt suit up Week 1? Can Ben Roethlisberger keep up in his waning years? Can Najee Harris carry the load in the backfield?

Buffalo is a very good team, some may think Super Bowl 56 good. A Week 1 matchup against a Steelers team, that I personally think is being overlooked, seems like as good a matchup as any to see if the Bills take their game to the next level.

I find the +6.5 point spread on Pittsburgh a little too steep in Week 1. I’ll take the boys in the ‘Burgh to cover.

PICK: Steelers +6.5 (-110)

New York Jets (+4) vs. Carolina Panthers (-4) | TOTAL: 44.0

The Carolina Panthers swapped out Teddy Bridgewater for Sam Darnold at quarterback. They moved on from one the more steadily consistent quarterbacks in the league to arguably the league’s least efficient. 

Everyone is talking about Sam Darnold going for a big revenge game against the Jets. For a quarterback that has a sub-60% career completion percentage and a milquetoast 45/39 touchdown to interception ratio in 38 games, I’m just blocking out this ridiculous noise.

Carolina may have a better defense, but for me, it’s Sam Darnold running that offense. I’d rather back Zach Wilson in his debut.

I’ll take the Jets to cover at +4, and I’d take them on the moneyline, too, at +165.

PICK: Jets +4 (-110)

Baltimore Ravens (-4) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (+4) | TOTAL: 50.5

The Baltimore Ravens have already placed running back J.K. Dobbins and rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman on injured reserve. That’s frustrating.

Baltimore thrives when they score early, as the run-heavy Ravens can churn the clock with their elite ground game. 

Baltimore averaged over two points less in the first quarter on the road (5.5) compared to home (7.9), and that does not bode well for the Ravens if they fall behind early. Baltimore averaged a ‘middle of the pack’ 11.8 points in second half scoring last year. That’s not too great.

If Las Vegas can jump out early and apply pressure on Lamar Jackson to pick up points through the air, they may just be able to pick up a win. Or at least cover the +4.

I’ll take the spread on Las Vegas at +4.

PICK: Raiders +4 (-110)

Got an NFL underdog this week? Make your pick at WynnBET.