2022 NFL Betting Analysis of the Opening Game

The NFL Regular Season kicks off on Thursday, September 8 when the Buffalo Bills head to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to take on the Los Angeles Rams. NFL handicappers appear to have settled on making Buffalo the road chalk. Will the Bills play to expectations? Or will the defending Super Bowl champs protect their home turf? Keep reading for NFL Odds, analysis, and a free pick for Bills at Rams.

First Game of the Season – Early NFL Betting Preview For Bills at Rams on Sep. 8

NFL First Game of the 2022 Season: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams

When: Thursday, Sep. 8 at 8:20 pm ET
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV / Streaming: NBC / Peacock
ATS Odds: Buffalo -2.5
Moneyline Odds: Buffalo -131/ LAR +108
Over/Under Odds: 52

Why bet on Buffalo versus LAR?

Oddsmakers made the Buffalo Bills this season’s favorite to win the Super Bowl. After a full offseason and preseason, nothing has changed. In fact, if anything, the odds on Buffalo to win the Lombardi Trophy have continued to fall. When it comes to this game, Buffalo opened a -1.5 favorite. At one point during the offseason, the Rams became a -1 home chalk. Heading into the first game, Buffalo is now at -2.5, which means sports bettors are pounding the Bills.

Buffalo Bills Offensive Averages

** Stats from 2021

Total Yards: 381.9

Passing Yards: 252.0

Rushing Yards: 129.9

Points Scored: 28.4

Turnovers: 22

Buffalo Bills Defensive Averages

** Stats from 2021

Total Yards: 272.8

Passing Yards: 163.0

Rushing Yards: 109.8

Points Scored: 17.0

Takeaways: 27

Why bet on LAR versus Buffalo?

The Rams didn’t lose enough to be an underdog on their field. Los Angeles may be without two defensive stars, linebacker Leonard Floyd and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but the Rams’ defense is plenty good enough to contain Josh Allen and the Bills offense. Almost as important is the fact the Bills will be without their 2021 offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, who became the head coach of the New York Giants during the offseason.

Los Angeles Rams Offensive Averages

** Stats from 2021

Total Yards: 372.1

Passing Yards: 273.1

Rushing Yards: 99.0

Points Scored: 27.1

Turnovers: 23

Los Angeles Rams Defensive Averages

** Stats from 2021

Total Yards: 344.9

Passing Yards: 241.7

Rushing Yards: 103.2

Points Scored: 21.9

Takeaways: 24

Bills at Rams Relevant Trends

Bills are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 week 1 games
Buffalo is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in September
Under is 7-2 in the Bills last 9 games in week 1
Rams are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games in September
LAR is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on field turf
Over is 5-0 in the Rams last 5 games in September

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams Final Betting Prediction

Both teams want to start out on a winning note, which is why this is such a tough game to handicap. Based on recent events, though, the Bills have become the play.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford missed almost the entire offseason due to an elbow injury. Even now, August 31, Stafford is listed as questionable. So is starting wide receiver Van Jefferson.

In addition, the Rams will play for the first time in a long time without top offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth. The steadiest player along the Rams O-line retired after last season’s Super Bowl victory.

On defense, Floyd and Ramsey won’t be one-hundred percent even if they do play. Buffalo signed Von Miller to play along their defensive line. So if Ramsey and Floyd are banged up, the Bills will have the edge on defense to go along with their edge on offense. Buffalo gets the nod.

NFL First Game Pick: Buffalo Bills -2.5

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