Vendetta Picks: 2023 NFL Week 1 Betting Lines and Predictions
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The weather is starting to cool off, numerous holidays are on the horizon, and football is back. With the return of the NFL comes new opportunities to get rich. Per usual, many of us here at Vendetta will be competing against each other in our picks. Check out our Week 1 betting lines, give us a follow, and make some cash along the way!
Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Detroit Lions (+5.5)
Chiefs: Matt, Griff Lions: Jackson, Garrett, Chick, Jack
We begin our NFL week 1 betting lines with the Thursday night game. Patrick Mahomes has played amazingly on Week 1 in his career, but he’s going to be missing his favorite target in Travis Kelce. The Chiefs defense will also be without Chris Jones, which really limits Kansas City’s ability to pressure Jared Goff. Chiefs win but Lions cover.
Atlanta Falcons (-3.5) vs. Carolina Panthers (+3.5)
Falcons: Matt, Jack, Jackson Panthers: Griff, Garrett, Chick
Rookie quarterbacks normally do not do well in their first start, especially in Week 1. Bryce Young is the future in Carolina, but I don’t see the Panthers keeping it within a field goal against Atlanta. The Falcons aren’t that great either, so this might be a toss-up.
Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (+2.5)
Bengals: Everyone
Hard to ever trust the Browns. The Bengals are worth more than a field goal over Cleveland.
Indianapolis Colts (+4.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5)
Jaguars: Everyone
Rookie quarterback aside, what do the Colts have going for them? They are holding their star running back Jonathan Taylor hostage and don’t have a great receiving core. The opposite is true with Jacksonville. This year, the promised prince Trevor Lawrence fully arrives and it begins with Jacksonville easily covering in our NFL Week 1 betting lines.
Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6)
Vikings: Jack, Griff, Garrett Bucs: Jackson, Matt, Chick
This is a tough one. Minnesota had so many one-possession games last season. The Bucs are kind of a mess but potentially could keep it within a touchdown, even if, on paper, the Vikings are a much better team.
New Orleans Saints (-3) vs. Tennessee Titans (+3)
Saints: Everyone
I just really don’t trust the Titans right now. The Saints seem to have some stability across the board. I will need to see Tennessee for a few weeks to really get a feel for how to bet on them moving forward. Consider this a feel-out game for both teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)
Steelers: Matt, Garrett 49ers: Jackson, Griff, Chick, Jack
It’s hard to bet against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, but it’s also hard to bet against a stacked 49ers team. Nick Bosa is here to stay, and even with the injury to George Kittle, Brock Purdy has plenty of weapons to throw to. I’m big on the 49ers as contenders out of the NFC this year.
Washington Commanders (-7) vs. Arizona Cardinals (+7)
Commanders: Everyone
Arizona STINKS.
Baltimore Ravens (-10) vs. Houston Texans (+10)
Ravens: Jack, Griff, Garrett Texans: Jackson, Chick, Matt
This seems like a trap. The Ravens are going to win this game, but will it be by more than 10 points? I’m always wary of large spreads like this, even if it’s against two teams that, on paper, are on opposite ends of the competitive spectrum. I think Houston will be sneaky good this year, similar to the Lions last year.
Chicago Bears (-1.5) vs. Green Bay Packers (+1.5)
Chicago: Jack, Griff, Chick, Garrett Packers: Jackson, Matt
Hot take: If Jordan Love can manage the game decently, the Packers’ defense will carry this team. Justin Fields might do damage on the ground, but the Packers have the secondary to limit him through the air. This should be enough to win them the game.
Los Angeles Chargers (-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (+3)
Chargers: Garrett, Griff Dolphins: Jackson, Chick, Garrett, Matt
There is an interesting stat about teams that sit their quarterback during preseason that is not favorable to those teams. Justin Herbert is the darling of the NFL right now, but I do not trust his coaching staff. The Dolphins added Vic Fangio who I think, combined with an electric offense, can make the proper adjustments to slow down the Chargers.
Denver Broncos (-4) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (+4)
Denver: Matt, Jack, Griff Raiders: Jackson, Chick, Garrett
If the Vikings won a lot of close games last year, the Broncos lost just as many. It’s hard to bet on Russell Wilson, even with Sean Payton as his new head coach. Shockingly, I’m thinking the Raiders can keep it close, maybe even pull off the upset (?).
New England Patriots (+4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-4) *LOCK OF THE WEEK*
Eagles: Everyone
This is the game that should’ve had the Ravens line. The Patriots are nowhere near the level of the Eagles and will lose by double digits. Lock of the NFL Week 1 betting lines.
Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (+5.5)
Seahawks: Everyone
This game is a close second for lock of the week. The Rams might be hot garbage this season and for the years to come. They might even be in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
New York Giants (+3.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (-3.5)
Giants: Everyone
The Giants are just a rootable team right now. Brian Daboll has turned that franchise around and has done wonders for Daniel Jones. As long as the Cowboys are coached by Mike McCarthy, I will always bet against their success.
New York Jets (+2.5) vs. Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
Jets: Garrett, Matt Bills: Jackson, Chick, Jack, Griff
I do not buy into the hype of the Jets. I’ll admit, they have a good defense, but the teams that are winning in this league have offensive-minded coaches. Even if Aaron Rodgers has a good year, at best they are the No. 5 team in the AFC — not a Super Bowl-winning formula. Josh Allen and the Bills get it done on Monday Night.
Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch
Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube
Check out the Vendetta Shop
Click here for more NFL content
