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Before the first Sunday of the 2020 NFL regular season kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for the Week 1 games. You can CLICK HERE for straight up NFL picks without regard to the spread. You can find all of the NFL betting lines via DraftKings.
My overall record last season was 129-129-9. That was a slight step up from my 129-131-7 performance through the 2018 campaign. It was also good enough to beat the BGN community in 2019, which finished 128-130-9.
Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds.
NFL WEEK 1 GAMES
CLEVELAND BROWNS at BALTIMORE RAVENS (-7.5): The Browns have undeservedly been given the benefit of the doubt way too much for it to happen again here. The Ravens have the reigning MVP and critical coaching staff continuity. Baltimore upgraded their run defense and should be able to prevent Nick Chubb from running roughshod on them. PICK: Ravens -7.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-8) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: The Jags are clearly not so interested in winning football games in 2020. I mean, they’re starting undrafted rookie free agent “James Robinson” at running back. The Colts are very much in win now mode with a 38-year-old Philip Rivers starting at quarterback. Forgive me for having more faith in Frank Reich than Doug Marrone. PICK: Colts -8
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-5.5) at WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM: There’s too much disaster potential with the Eagles’ offensive line to feel super confident in them covering. The Birds should be able to win the game but I don’t know how comfortable it’ll be as they could be missing up to seven projected Week 1 starters. PICK: Football Team +5.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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64%
Eagles -5.5
(129 votes) -
35%
Football Team +5.5
(71 votes)
NEW YORK JETS at BUFFALO BILLS (-7): Hardly a big believer in Josh Allen but the Bills have the better roster and the better coaching. The absence of Jamal Adams could be felt early for the J-e-t-s. PICK: Bills -7
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
MIAMI DOLPHINS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-7): Maybe not the wisest decision to bet against Bill Belichick but methinks the Pats are getting too much respect here. Want to see Cam Newton look healthy and good before I believe it. Ryan Fitzpatrick is still capable of getting hot; he could at least keep this one close. PICK: Dolphins +7
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
CHICAGO BEARS at DETROIT LIONS (-2.5): The Lions should not lose to Mitchell Trubisky, who is bad. But he owns Detroit for some reason. Trubisky has a 106.3 passer rating in five total matchups against the Lions. He knows he needs to play well to fend off Nick Foles and that’s what he’ll do in this one. PICK: Bears +2.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
GREEN BAY PACKERS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-2.5): The Packers are about to go through the Kirk Cousins litmus test. If they’re not a good team, as I suspect, they’re probably going to lose. I won’t be able to get Aaron Rodgers looking cooked out of my head until I see otherwise. PICK: Vikings -2.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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47%
Packers +2.5
(71 votes) -
52%
Vikings -2.5
(77 votes)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-1.5) at ATLANTA FALCONS: Seattle’s coaching staff can be frustrating but it’s not like Dan Quinn is inspiring much more confidence. I also don’t know why you’d bet on Matt Ryan over Russell Wilson. PICK: Seahawks -1.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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82%
Seahawks -1.5
(111 votes) -
17%
Falcons +1.5
(24 votes)
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (-3) at CAROLINA PANTHERS: I like Matt Rhule but this is an easy call. Teddy Bridgewater just isn’t that good and neither is this Panthers roster. PICK: Raiders -3
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-2.5) at CINCINNATI BENGALS: I know he’s a rookie but I like Joe Burrow a lot more than Tyrod Taylor at this point. PICK: Bengals +2.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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46%
Chargers -2.5
(59 votes) -
53%
Bengals +2.5
(69 votes)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3.5): As much as it’d be nice to see the Saints lose, they will not. Tom Brady just isn’t what he used to be and the Bucs are getting too much hype. New Orleans outmatches their talent. PICK: Saints -3.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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21%
Buccaneers +3.5
(29 votes) -
78%
Saints -3.5
(109 votes)
ARIZONA CARDINALS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-6.5): Sleep on the Cards at your own peril. Kyler Murray is going to make a big leap in Year 2. The 49ers, meanwhile, are going to regress to some extent. Arizona will take this game to overtime, clinching the cover in the process. PICK: Cardinals +6.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
This poll is closed
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55%
Cardinals +6.5
(73 votes) -
44%
49ers -6.5
(59 votes)
DALLAS COWBOYS (-2.5) at LOS ANGELES RAMS: Jared Goff has an 82.24 passer rating in his last 24 games and Sean McVay is overrated. Los Angeles will be wondering why they fired Wade Phillips as Dallas dominates their defense. Easy cover for the Cowboys, who have 0% chance of losing this game. PICK: Cowboys -2.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-6) at NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants stink until they prove otherwise. Pittsburgh’s defense should capitalize on some Daniel Jones turnovers as Ben Roethlisberger proves he’s back in quality form. PICK: Steelers -6
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
TENNESSEE TITANS (-3) at DENVER BRONCOS: The Titans were a good bet here even before the Broncos lost Von Miller. Ryan Tannehill versus Drew Lock is a matchup in Tennessee’s favor and Derrick Henry will be a problem for a Denver run defense that was only average last year. PICK: Titans -3