NFL Week 1 Preview: Our Expert Tips & Staking Plan

The Chiefs got their Super Bowl defence off to a great start with a big victory over the Texans, but now we get the first Sunday of the season and there are a host of cracking games to get our teeth into. 

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Football Team

The newly named Washington Football team get their season underway by hosting the Eagles. While the defence looks set to be very good if not great, the offence could be one of the worst in the league. Dwayne Haskins in his second season needs to take a big step up, but will not be helped by one of the worst offensive lines in the league. The run game has lost Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson and Adrian Peterson and is now relying on rookie Antonio Gibson who has just a handful of carries in his entire career. He is talented but it is a big move up for him. 

The Eagles addressed their biggest need with the trade for cornerback Darius Slay who should help improve the defence. But this team is all about the offence and if Carson Wentz can get back to the form that saw him as one of the leading contenders for MVP just a few seasons ago. The Eagles should push the Cowboys all the way in the NFC East and should have far too much for Washington. Miles Sanders enters the season as the lead back and he could be key in this one. 

Sometimes early on in the season the really bad teams can be a little overrated, at least in the odds. This feels like one of those occasions. Washington look set to battle it out for the first overall pick in the draft, rather than actual wins. The line is 5.5 but the Eagles are better than that, even on the road. It is hard to see this one being high scoring with both teams improving defences and the Washington struggles on offence. 

• 1 unit Eagles -5.5 1.89 with TopSport
• 1 unit under 42.5 total points in Washington/Eagles 1.95 with TopSport

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Mitch Trubisky has been named starter for the bears after a quarterback battle with Nick Foles, but he will need to drastically improve from 2019 to keep that job. David Montgomery has been struggling with injury but looks set to suit up in this one. He could be eased back into action though and it could open up an opportunity for Tarik Cohen to get even more touches than usual. 

The Lions have been hit by the news that star receiver Kenny Golladay is doubtful for the game. But like with Cohen, it could open up opportunities for others. Marvin Jones is a little short in the touchdown scorer markets but second year tight end T.J. Hockensen could see an increased number of targets, particularly in the red zone. 

This game is a little tough to call, but Hockensen and Cohen look likely to have more opportunities than they usually would and can both find the end zone in the game. 

• 1 unit T.J. Hockensen anytime touchdown 3.15 with TopSport
• 1 unit Tarik Cohen anytime touchdown 3.40 with TopSport

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

It was not exactly the offseason Packers fans would have been hoping for. The team did little to address the needs on offence. Davante Adams is still lacking in help in the receiving game and they drafted Aaron Rodgers successor in Jordan Love. And while the criticism of the Packers is both very common, and probably deserved, their opponents have not done much to improve on last season’s team either. 

The Vikings defence has had a bit of an overhaul with a lot of their ageing stars heading out the door to be replaced by rookies. But Stefon Diggs has not really been replaced and the passing game looks a little underwhelming. Adam Thielen is excellent but has struggled with injuries fairly frequently. Davin Cook’s contract situation is not helping things either as he enters the final year of his deal. 

The Packers are underdogs heading into this one but they can leave Minnesota with the win. It should be a close game but I would back Rodgers to find a way. He is a player that thrives with a chip on his shoulder and could come out firing here. 

• 1 unit Packers +2.5 1.95 with TopSport

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

This may be the biggest match up of week one. Not only division rivals but it will be Tom Brady’s debut in a Buccaneers uniform. Many reports on Brady were negative last season, but he actually played pretty well, he just didn’t have the team around him. Many forget that he led the team to an unbeaten record through the first half of the season. He still has plenty left int he tank and with the array of targets in Tampa, expect big things from him. 

The Saints have been pencilled in by many as a Super Bowl team, but it is hard to see where they have really improved from last season. They added Emanuel Sanders and while he is a good wide receiver, he is not too far removed from major injury and at 33 it is hard to see how much he adds. Drew Brees has shown signs that his arm is fading and in what looks likely to be his final season, it wouldn’t be stunning to see a real downturn from him. 

The Saints are a shocking 0-6 against the spread in week one over the past six seasons and personally I think they are a little overrated coming into the season. The Bucs can come in and steal this game away in a game that will be key in the division come the end of the season. 

• 1 unit Buccaneers +3.5 1.98 with TopSport

Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos

The Broncos have perhaps had the worst start to the season of any team and they haven’t even played a minute of football yet. They lost Von Miller and Courtland Sutton to injury this week, the former being a season ender. They are arguably the best two players on either side of the ball in Denver and this will be a huge blow to what many considered a dark horse this season. 

The Titans offseason was all about wrapping up deals for Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry and they pulled off both. There are doubts about them reaching the same highs as last season where they went to the AFC Championship game, but right now they look like the strongest team in the AFC South and the signing of Jadeveon Clowney could take the defence to a new level. 

Denver may be one of the few remaining home field advantages, or at least significant advantages, but the loss of Sutton and Miller can’t be overlooked. The Titans are slight favourites for the game but they just have too much for the Broncos right now. A.J. Brown looks set for a big step up in his second season but this one should be all about Henry and pounding the ball all game long. 

• 1 unit Titans -3 1.95 with TopSport

Expert Tips

• 1 unit Eagles -5.5 1.89 with TopSport
• 1 unit under 42.5 total points in Washington/Eagles 1.95 with TopSport
• 1 unit T.J. Hockensen anytime touchdown 3.15 with TopSport
• 1 unit Tarik Cohen anytime touchdown 3.40 with TopSport
• 1 unit Packers +2.5 1.95 with TopSport
• 1 unit Buccaneers +3.5 1.98 with TopSport
• 1 unit Titans -3 1.95 with TopSport

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