NFL games to bet in Week 1

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We know the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills are the best teams in the AFC and the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers are on top of the NFC.

And we know that the four hot teams at the end of the season were in Detroit, Jacksonville, Seattle and Pittsburgh.

In addition, at the bottom of the NFL, we saw the Arizona Cardinals drop into number 32 and they look to stay there all season with the LA Rams.

We just started Week 2 of the preseason and it’s starting to get interesting. The four hot teams at the end of 2022 all won this past weekend. These are the teams to watch in 2023. That said, keep in mind that the first 3-5 weeks of the regular season are full of upsets, mistakes, turnovers, and lack of continuity.

Those four teams start the regular season with the following games:

Detroit at Kansas City
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
San Francisco at Pittsburgh
Seattle will be at home against the LA Rams

Week 1 Previews and Picks

LA Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Line: Seattle (-5.5), Total 44

We like Seattle at home. The stadium is loud, the fans are great. The Seahawks are favored by 5.5 and the money line is -250. The Seahawks got better in the off season and have a huge advantage, especially when you compare their offense to the Rams’ defense. Last year, the Seahawks won both games against the Rams by four and 3 points respectively. Luckily, we have the next two weeks to watch these teams prepare for their first regular season game. The line is a little high, but you can always buy up to a point and a half. or simple play the money line. Either way we have two weeks to watch them get ready.

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders
Line: Washington (-6), Total 44

Our eyes are also on the Arizona Cardinals’ season opening game up against the Washington Commanders. Last year, Arizona finished the season 0-5 with Colt McCoy playing QB. They decided to clean house, firing the GM, HC, OC, DC and OL coach.

From top to bottom they are a bad team without their starting QB Kyler Murray, who tore his ACL last year, and superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who was cut. This is a team who can’t wait for the 2024 draft. They have two first round picks (with one of them being a trade from Texas), one second round pick, and three third round picks (two by way of Texas and Tennessee). The line is -6 and the money line is – 255. The Commanders finished at 8-8-1 last season. They have a new OC from the Chiefs and play a tough defense. Last year they allowed 343 points. The Eagles allowed 344. This is a very good match up for Washington. The money line looks to be a solid bet. Let's see how the preseason plays out. 

It's not a coincidence that these two games feature the two worst teams in the league. Knowing the circumstances of both teams leads us to believe that Seattle is starting off the season in a much better position than the Rams, and the Cardinals will have to wait until 2024 to have any resemblance of a team. 

Howard Schwartz has been providing betting insights for over a decade on Facebook. Check out his social media group and website pfww.vegas for more betting tips and NFL wagering advice.