Way Too Early Prediction for Every NFL Week 1 Game Based on Latest Odds

The start of the 2022 NFL regular season is over three months away, but it’s hard not to analyze each of the Week 1 matchups throughout the summer. 

As more and more information comes out about each team during minicamp and training camp, there may be a few opportunities to jump on a team to win in Week 1. 

FanSided’s NFL insider Matt Verderame predicted every game of the 2022 NFL season following the schedule release, and while I’m not that bold, I do have some way-too-early picks for Week 1. 

Let’s jump in, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook: 

Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Pick’em
• Total: 52

Prediction: Give me the defending champs at home in this game. The Los Angeles Rams are firm on running it back with new deals for Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp, and as good as Buffalo is, I think the Rams are a little undervalued as a pick’em at home. 

Pick: Rams (-110)

Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Ravens -5
• Total: 45

Prediction: I know the New York Jets have improved this offseason, but I am enamored with the Baltimore Ravens’ draft, where they landed Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum and David Ojabo. A healthy Lamar Jackson should bring the Ravens back to prominence in the AFC North.

Pick: Ravens -5 (-110) 

Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction and Pick 

• Spread: Browns -3
• Total: 42

Prediction: I’m staying away from Cleveland with all the uncertainty and troubling allegations surrounding Deshaun Watson. The Panthers are not good, so I don’t want to back them to win this game, but I do think there is value on the UNDER in a quarterback matchup that may be Jacoby Brissett vs. Sam Darnold. 

Pick: UNDER 42 (-110) 

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Colts -8
• Total: 44

Prediction: Either the oddsmakers are sleeping on Davis Mills, or they really love Matt Ryan. No matter the reasoning, I don’t trust the Colts on the road at this number. Frank Reich’s teams are notorious for slow starts (8-12 straight up in Weeks 1-5 in his career), so I’ll back Houston to at least keep this close. 

Pick: Texans +8 (-110)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Commanders -4
• Total: 44

Prediction: I don’t think the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to make the playoffs, but they are going to be better with Urban Meyer no longer leading the charge. I also don’t believe in Carson Wentz in Washington. 

Pick: Jaguars +4 (-110)

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Prediction and Pick 

• Spread: Dolphins -2.5
• Total: 44.5

Prediction: The Miami Dolphins are hoping to take a step forward with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback and Tyreek Hill on the roster, but I’m not buying it just yet. I’ll trust Bill Belichick in Week 1. 

Pick: Patriots +2.5 (-110)

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Saints -5
• Total: 41.5

Prediction: The Atlanta Falcons are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, and for good reason. I think the New Orleans Saints are a bit underrated after how strong they started with Jameis Winston under center in 2021. 

Pick: Saints -5 (-110)

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Eagles -4.5
• Total: 46.5

Prediction: The Philadelphia Eagles are going to be one of the better teams in the NFC this year if Jalen Hurts continues to develop. However, the Lions do play hard, and were one of the best teams against the spread last season. I think they keep this close at home. 

Pick: Lions +4.5 (-110)

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Bengals -6.5
• Total: 44.5

Prediction: You will not catch me trusting a Mitch Trubisky-led team in Week 1 on the road against the AFC Champions. I can promise that. Let’s ride with Joe Burrow and company. 

Pick: Bengals -6.5 (-110)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears Prediction and Pick

• Spread: 49ers -6.5
• Total: 42

Prediction: This should be a fun battle between second-year quarterbacks Trey Lance and Justin Fields. I don’t think the Chicago Bears have a great roster, especially compared to the San Francisco 49ers, but I wouldn't be shocked if the defenses control this game between young quarterbacks. 

Pick: UNDER 42 (-110)

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Packers -1.5
• Total: 49

Prediction: The Green Bay Packers lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota last season, but I don’t think that happens again in 2022. The Packers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they still have Aaron Rodgers. I won’t trust Kirk Cousins and company at this number. 

Pick: Packers -1.5 (-110)

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Chiefs -3
• Total: 53

Prediction: The Kansas City Chiefs as short road favorites against the DeAndre Hopkins-less Arizona Cardinals? Yes please. The Chiefs may not have Tyreek Hill, but it feels like they are a bit underrated in this spot. 

Pick: Chiefs -3 (-110)

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Chargers -3.5
• Total: 52

Prediction: The Los Angeles Chargers really upgraded their defense this offseason with Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson. That should help them deal with Davante Adams and the Las Vegas Raiders, and I think this total is a little too high between two division foes. 

Pick: UNDER 52 (-110)

New York Giants vs. Tennessee Titans Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Titans -6.5
• Total: 44

Prediction: I don’t like either of these teams heading into 2022, but I will gladly fade their offenses. The Tennessee Titans no longer have A.J. Brown, and the Giants are putting their trust in Daniel Jones again. I’m loving UNDERs for these way-too-early picks. 

Pick: UNDER 44 (-110)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Buccaneers -2
• Total: 52

Prediction: This is a rematch of Week 1 last season, and I’m going to back the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as short road favorites. Tom Brady is back, and the Dallas defense is going to be worse in 2022 with Randy Gregory now in Denver. 

Pick: Bucs -2 (-110)

Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks Prediction and Pick

• Spread: Broncos -4.5
• Total: 41

Prediction: Should we back Russell Wilson in his return to Seattle? As long as the Seahawks have Drew Lock or Geno Smith under center, there’s no other option. 

Pick: Broncos -4.5 (-110)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.