We have FINALLY made it. The 2020 NFL Week One betting lines are out, and it’s time to play some football. I’ve never been too much of a gambler, but have dabbled with betting and have had success. Each week, myself and fellow Vendetta contributor Adam Ramirez will give you our picks and a brief explanation. I’ll keep a running tab of our record throughout the season, and we’ll see who comes out on top in the end. Let’s get into it.
Adam
Houston @ Kansas City
HOU +9
This line would be appropriate if Kansas City were playing an opening day home game in a full stadium. While Kansas City will win this ball game, Houston’s offense is good enough to keep up and cover the 9-point spread.
Green Bay @ Minnesota
GB +2.5
For some reason, people are low on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers even though the team went 13-3 last year. 2020 could be Green Bay’s Super Bowl year, and they will kick it off by spanking Minnesota in an empty stadium.
Chicago @ Detroit
DET -3
Chicago is stepping on the field with Tarik Cohen and Mitchell Trubisky as their starters. The Lions are stacked at every position offensively and could be in a position to blow out the Bears if their defense is anything less than perfect in Week 1.
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
IND -7.5
Jacksonville’s defense is the worst in the league. Phillip Rivers has needed offensive line protection for years. He has it now. The Colts are in for a good year and will start by blowing out the Jaguars.
Las Vegas @ Carolina
LV -3
Carolina’s defense was susceptible to both the run and pass last season. Josh Jacobs will run all over this defense, and the Raiders will easily cover the 3-point spread on the road.
New York Jets @ Buffalo
BUF -6.5
The Bills are strong on both offense and defense. Adam Gase leads the Jets, Enough said. Easy cover for the Bills.
Seattle @ Atlanta
SEA -2
Seattle vs. Atlanta will be a close game, and it may come down to which team has a better defense. Seattle’s defense edges out anything that Atlanta has thrown on the field in the past few seasons. The Seahawks win a close one.
Philadelphia @ Washington
WAS +6
The Eagles are injured all over the place on offense. Washington has a sneaky-good defense. As long as the offense does not screw this up, Washington could win and will at least cover this game.
Miami @ New England
MIA +6.5
I rarely go against Bill Belichick and do not plan on starting today. However, Miami has strong leadership and will not make this a one-sided game. New England wins, but Miami will cover.
Cleveland @ Baltimore
CLE +8
This line is assuming that nothing changed in Cleveland during the offseason. Last year’s hype is gone, and a more focused Baker Mayfield will take the field on Sunday. Cleveland will at least cover, if not win.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cincinnati
LAC -3.5
Regardless of their injuries, the Chargers’ offense is looking electric. Cincinnati’s defense will not be able to keep up, and the Bengals will falter in Joe Burrow’s professional debut.
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
TB +3.5
No Superdome advantage this week. Both teams have potent weapons on offense. Defenses may end up deciding what will be a close game. New Orleans may win, but Tampa Bay will cover.
Arizona @ San Francisco
ARI + 7
The Cardinals’ offense will be difficult to slow, even by San Francisco’s defense. It will be a closer game than people think, and Arizona will cover easily.
Dallas @ Los Angeles Rams
DAL -3
Dallas’s weapons at every level are better than those of Los Angeles. With proper coaching now on the sidelines, Dallas should win and cover this spread easily.
PIT @ NYG
NYG -5.5
It has been nearly a year since Ben Roethlisberger took a snap in a game. The Giants have consistency with their roster and should be able to put the ball in the endzone more than they did last year. Pittsburgh may win, but New York will make a game out of it.
Tennessee @ Denver
TEN -1.5
Denver will make progress, but it will only happen as the season evolves. Tennessee has a monkey on their back after last year’s AFC championship game, and they will take it out on Denver in their first game of the season.
Jackson
Houston @ Kansas City
HOU +9
Not having fans in the stands hurts Kansas City a little bit. While the Chiefs may be the better team, there is enough talent in Houston to keep it close. Kansas City wins, but Houston covers.
Green Bay @ Minnesota
MIN -2.5
The Vikings did reasonably well against the run last year. Green Bay is going to rely heavily on the run, and a declining Aaron Rodgers makes me feel like the Vikings will win this game. Minnesota wins by a field goal.
Chicago @ Detriot
DET -3
Chicago vs. Detroit should be an easy cover. Not because the Lions are good, but because they are playing the Bears. Not much about this Chicago team has changed. Trubisky is still terrible and will continue to be so.
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
IND -7.5
This is not the same Jacksonville defense that nearly got them to the Super Bowl. Indianapolis also has an aging yet competent quarterback in Rivers. Should be another easy cover.
Las Vegas @ Carolina
LV -3
A new head coach and new QB could slow the offensive production of the Panthers in the early weeks. Carolina’s defense gave up almost 29 fantasy points to running backs last season, which is good news for any Josh Jacobs owners.
New York Jets @ Buffalo
BUF -6.5
The Jets are not a great football team and have somehow gotten worse. The Bills, however, were a pretty good team last year that has gotten better. Allen has a new weapon in Diggs, and the two will carve up the Jets defense.
Seattle @ Atlanta
-2
While I don’t like how much Seattle runs the ball (they should pass more), that fact won’t matter against Atlanta. Seattle’s defense will be able to hold, and they should cover with ease.
Philadelphia @ Washington
PHI -6
Washington is still a ways from competing. The Eagles won the division last year with Wentz throwing to practice squad guys. While Philadelphia isn’t completely healthy, they are still a much better football team than Washington.
Miami @ New England
NE -6.5
Until proven otherwise, betting against Belichick is dangerous. I believe Newton still has something left in the tank and will perform well enough to get the win and cover against the Dolphins.
Cleveland @ Baltimore
BAL -8
The Ravens are like the Milwaukee Bucks, great in the regular season and choke in the playoffs. Still, Baltimore is leagues ahead of the Browns. I have no problem betting on the Ravens to cover.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cincinnati
LAC -3.5
Joe Burrow is going into his first NFL game without any pre-season games. And his first game is against an outstanding defense. Cincinnati is going to be a bad team this year, and the Chargers will walk away with a win here.
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
NO -3.5
I’m not high on the Bucs this season. Brady has a lot of pretty weapons, but hardly has an offensive line, and the defense is lacking. I believe New Orleans will come out on top of the division this season and get the better of Tampa this game.
Arizona @ San Francisco
ARI +7
I believe Arizona could have the most significant jump up of any team in the league. Murray is set to have a tremendous season and has a new weapon in Hopkins. Even if Arizona doesn’t win, they’ll keep it close against the 49ers.
Dallas @ Los Angeles Rams
DAL -3
I’m not big on either team, but the consistency of Elliott gives Dallas the edge in this one. A field goal difference seems about right, and the Cowboys will be the ones to come on top.
Tennessee @ Denver
TEN -1.5
I initially was leaning towards Denver, but the Von Miller injury news pushed the advantage for Tennessee. Henry will have a huge day against the Denver defense. Tennesee wins a close one.
