2023 NFL Week 1 picks, greatest bets: Steelers cease 49ers, Titans take down Saints, Washington is enjoyable

Soccer! It is right here! I have been overlaying the NFL for a good time frame — allegedly I am previous at this level — and it is easy to get jaded going by way of the motions of an offseason. However when the kickoff arrives, it hits like a ton of bricks. Summer time is over and it is time to spend the following a number of months doing nothing however watching an rectangular, inflated piece of pig butt bounce wildly round an enormous piece of grass. There’s nothing higher.

This season, I will be placing my greatest bets up on SportsLine (use promo code “Choose” and get your first month for $1) so be certain that to subscribe. There shall be a heater in some unspecified time in the future, let’s hope it occurs out of the gate. 

Talking of which, I really like the canines on this slate. The Falcons may beat the brakes off the Panthers, but it surely’s far more possible that sport comes right down to a subject purpose. The Chiefs kickoff sport is a complete wild card — I really like Kansas Metropolis however wait should you do too as a result of the road is plummeting. 

Yearly we see a bunch of underdogs win outright in Week 1 and there are a number of overreactions throughout the board earlier than issues self right a bit after just a few weeks. I feel should you’re not sure, this week is the week to take the underdogs. 

You may take a look at all our NFL ATS picks right here, get all my SportsLine performs right here and should you’re dying to yell at me on X.com or Instagram or no matter, by all means please hearth away.

Most everybody shall be fading the Cardinals within the first week. It is a bit too apparent? However Washington needs to be rocking this weekend I like the primary half line for the Commanders significantly better than the total sport line, if solely due to how followers are reacting to Josh Harris‘ buy of this group. Arizona is trotting out Josh Dobbs to start out this sport and could possibly be wanting a number of skill-position guys. Washington has a legit protection and it is a must-win for Ron Rivera because of having a brand new boss. Sam Howell is a greater quarterback than a lot of the world thinks and he lays it on the road with a surprisingly bruising speeding skillset. Arizona acquired some preseason hype because of an aggressive teaching strategy, however this roster simply is not there proper now. 

The 49ers obtained exceptionally excellent news on Wednesday when Nick Bosa signed his record-breaking contract (even when it is simply on par with Aaron Donald, that claims all you must know) which makes it ~fairly~ odd to see the road transfer in the wrong way. Pittsburgh’s now simply getting two factors on this Week 1 matchup. I would not have an issue if this sport was a choose ’em; the Steelers have an elite coach, a younger would-be franchise quarterback who’s flashed this preseason, loads of weapons, an improved run sport and a protection that is reliable. Getting factors at dwelling to open the season is a straightforward look, even when the 49ers possess the most effective rosters within the NFL. San Francisco’s simply 2-3 in Week 1 video games the final 5 years 

In contrast to the canine above, this positive feels likes an enormous teaching mismatch. Mike Vrabel is probably the most underrated coach within the NFL, a man who will get absolutely the most out of a minimal Tennessee roster. Everybody’s been touting the reunion of Dennis Allen and Derek Carr because the logic for New Orleans being the consensus favourite within the NFC South and but nobody’s mentioning their 0-4 report collectively. Vrabel’s report as an underdog within the early a part of the season is excellent and the Saints are overvalued thanks ot a good preseason efficiency. 

Panthers (+3.5) at Falcons

I am very, very excessive on the Falcons this season however that is too many factors for a Frank Reich coached group, largely inflated by the poor efficiency from the Panthers offensive line this preseason. That unit’s a priority for positive with rookie Bryce Younger underneath middle and Adam Thielen/D.J. Chark banged up. However Atlanta does not have the sting rushers to get after Younger in a quick-hitting offensive system that ought to run the ball higher than we noticed. Brian Burns needs to be a go for this sport and whereas Atlanta finally is perhaps the higher group, this explicit matchup may not be the perfect for Atlanta, particularly laying the hook right here with a well-coached group sporting a stout defensive entrance. 

The Rams are thought of has-beens by nearly everybody overlaying the NFL this yr. The Cooper Kupp harm scenario — he is already dominated out for Week 1 — doesn’t assist. However Sean McVay has a reasonably excellent report in opposition to Pete Carroll since taking on this franchise, going 7-5 with solely a single loss by greater than the unfold for this Week 1 matchup. Matthew Stafford is wholesome, Cam Akers is able to roll and Aaron Donald — in my view — comes out of the gates scorching. Seattle has carried out wonders with its roster put up Russell Wilson; Pete Carroll and John Schneider deserve all of the credit score on the earth, however the first week of the season very hardly ever signifies a full yr. Seattle shall be good however the Rams might catch them right here.