NFL Week 1 Bets to Lock In Now

With the release of the 2021 NFL schedule earlier this month, early lines and odds are out for Week 1 matchups. Some may feel like it’s too early, but if you can find value in May it’s time to pull the trigger. Here are a handful of NFL Week 1 bets you can feel confident making right now.

Steelers (+6.5) @ Bills
You can almost hear it now. All the Bills fans are jumping all over this one. Buffalo is coming off a trip to the AFC championship game, one in which they were less than a quarter away from a trip to their fifth Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, surprised the NFL with an 11-0 start then promptly lost five of their next six games. The Steelers lost two offensive linemen, but drafted RB Najee Harris to become the big back of the future. The Pittsburgh defense will still be outstanding, but here’s the kicker.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is 40-21 ATS as an underdog and Bills QB Josh Allen is just 8-7 ATS when playing as a home favorite. Pittsburgh will keep this one close and cover. Bet it now

49ers (-7.5) @ Lions
There are two trains of thought on this one. The first is that San Francisco has to travel east and they are 7.5-point road favorite. Home underdogs tend to do well in the NFL. Then, there is the other train of thought.

It is one that simply tells it like it is. Detroit isn’t a very good football team. Sure, new head coach Dan Campbell is trying to build a winner, but trying doesn’t win games in the NFL. The 49ers are better on offense, better on defense, have better special teams, and have an experienced head coach that has taken this team to the Super Bowl.

Get in on this line now at -7.5 because it might shoot even higher. The Niners start 2021 with a big win. Bet it now

Seahawks (+3) at Colts
Two playoff teams meet in Indianapolis in Week 1 when Seattle comes to town. Somebody has to be the underdog and since the Colts are at home, the Seahawks get the honor. That’s not a bad thing as any time you can get Seattle QB Russell Wilson as an underdog, you should consider taking that bet.

For his career, Wilson is 23-10 ATS when he is playing as an underdog. The Colts, on the other hand, will start a new quarterback for the fifth consecutive season. Carson Wentz, who played for Colts head coach Frank Reich in Philadelphia, takes over the Indy offense. It won’t be easy and Wilson’s Seahawks cover on the road in Week 1. Bet it now

Chargers @ Washington (+1.5)
The Football Team had one of the better defenses in the NFL last season. That’s why their point differential for the season was +6 despite an offense that was anemic at times. Ryan Fitzpatrick checks in to take over the quarterback spot and he will have a receiving crew that features Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Logan Thomas, Antonio Gibson, and J.D. McKissic.

The Chargers will have a new head coach in Brandon Staley and a second-year QB in Justin Herbert last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. If there’s one defense that slow down Herbert, it’s Washington. Plus, being a home underdog in Week 1 looks good on Washington. Last season, it happened seven times. The Football Team went 5-2 as a home dog in 2020. Look for the Football Team to play well at home and get the cover. Bet it now

Jets @ Panthers (-4)
In what should be an interesting Week 1 matchup, the Jets and rookie QB Zach Wilson will face Carolina and former Jets QB Sam Darnold. The Jets have a new head coach in Robert Saleh, but they do not have a strong supporting cast for Wilson.

The Jets top receiver last year was Jamison Crowder who didn’t even hit 700 yards. The offensive line allowed the ninth-most sacks and the offense. It’s no wonder why the Jets finished dead last in scoring in the NFL at 15.2 points per game.

Don’t look for it to get any better in Week 1. Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule are building a winner. Don’t overthink this one. The Panthers win and cover at home. Bet it now